Incineration (Heart of Stone)

by Sidebottom, D H

  Sighing heavily I placed my forehead on the wall, closing my eyes and took a few deep breaths to steel myself before I turned and viewed Mason leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed against his chest and a thunderous expression on his face. SHIT!!!

  CHAPTER 23

  I smiled apprehensively “Hi” I cowered and gulped but he remained still, his lips a tight line and a blaze in his eyes “I Erm…I need to talk to you” I said slowly, nibbling on my finger as he glared at me “Really?” he said stiffly as he pursed his lips “Is that because I overheard or because you want to?” he asked, raising his eyebrows and I swallowed heavily “You must have heard me say to Sam that I would tell you” I winced and he pushed off the doorframe and slowly walked towards me.

  I took a step backwards and felt the wall behind me, bracing myself against it as he continued to stalk me. Coming up really close he pressed his hands on the wall, either side of my face and tilted his head “What I can’t understand Ava, is why you have spoken to Sam before you even contemplated telling me?” Oh Shit!! Mr Jealous was out to play.

  Faking a confident smile, I squared my shoulders and took him straight on “Mason, don’t be silly. It’s not like what you’re thinking” I pushed at him but he wouldn’t budge “Let me out Mason” I demanded but he just stood framing me with his eyes narrowed on me.

  “Well?” he asked slowly, like he was talking to a child “Mason, I don’t like it when you’re like this” I said sharply but he pursed his lips again and took a deep breath “Well?” he repeated and my hackles rose “Maybe if you would let me out we can talk” I snapped.

  He traced my chin with his finger and my heart flinched, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath “Are you frightened of me Ava?” he asked quietly, too quietly.

  Scoffing, I opened my eyes and glared at him “Well you’re doing a damn good job of trying to frighten me” I retorted, he nodded once and pushed away from me, then took a paper bag off the vanity and handed it me “I just came up to give you this, I didn’t mean to interrupt your private conversation” he snarled and disappeared out of the door.

  Sighing heavily I opened the bag and wasn’t surprised to see a pregnancy test in it, but my nerves were shot today and I had no intentions of adding to them. I flung the bag on the vanity and plopped down on the chair in the corner of the bathroom.

  Did I really want to have a baby with Mason when I wasn’t sure I could cope with his constant mood swings and possessiveness? I knew he loved and adored me but was he willing to share me with a baby that would constantly be craving my attention? Sometimes it felt like I was nursing a child with Mason, his never ending temper tantrums and need for my exclusive attention.

  I stood and turned on the bath taps, needing the comfort of the hot water and the need to relax my tight muscles.

  Standing in front of the full length mirror I stripped off my clothes and studied my figure.

  Tilting my head as I perused myself, wondering what I would like with a large swollen belly and placing my hand over the flatness of it, I spread my fingers. “Anybody in there?” I whispered.

  Laughing at myself when I realised what I was doing I turned away and slid into the bath, sighing and resting my head on the edge of the tub but as I closed my eyes I was brought back to the man in the car park.

  There had seemed something familiar about him but I couldn’t put my finger on it and I searched my memories again, frowning deeply.

  I twisted the hot tap with my toes and added another inch of hot water, my body relaxing some more at the heat. My eyes were heavy and my limbs felt weighty as I continued to scan my mind for the man in the car park, probing every corner but still not succeeding in finding him anywhere but there was definitely something about him.

  My blood felt hot and I was aroused as my eyes refused to open to the light of the bathroom and my body screamed against rousing from a deep sleep.

  The water felt cold against the hotness between my legs and the bubbles were tickling my pert nipples, I thought it was the bubbles until I opened my eyes and saw Masons mouth at my breast, flicking his tongue over and around the hard buds. I moaned and slid my bottom in the bath, trying to get some friction on my sex as he raised his eyes and grinned at me, sucking harshly on my nipple and letting it go with a pop.

  “Hi” he gave me a lazy grin as he slid his hand under the water and stroked my thigh. “Hi” I rasped and closed my eyes as his fingers found my pussy and stroked up my groove “Mmmm” I breathed and he groaned when he slid a finger in me “You’re so wet for me Ava” he said as I lifted my hips towards him, eager for release “More” I whispered and his mouth found mine as he slipped another finger in, stroking the front wall and hitting my G-Spot “Yes!” I hissed and ground onto his knuckles “That’s it Baby, ride my fingers” he breathed in my ear as his thumb rubbed my clit. I moaned loudly and flung my head back as his teeth grazed my nipple and his fingers worked feverishly.

  “Mason, I need to come. Make me come” I demanded and he curled his fingers again and rubbed my clit harder as his teeth sunk into the soft flesh of my breast.

  My orgasm started in my toes and rapidly shot through the rest of my body as I arched my back against it and Mason took my lips in a hungry kiss.

  When my climax had died down he stood, he stripped and climbed in the bath, turning me around so I was on my stomach he pushed up my knees and entered me slowly. “God, you feel amazing” he rasped as he thrust slowly but deeply.

  I clung on to the bath and he grabbed my hips to stop me from slipping as he increased his pace. “Stand up Ava” he ordered as he slid out and stood up. I did as he asked and he climbed out of the bath and helped me out, lifted me and sat me on the vanity. He opened my thighs and stood between them and entered me again, this time more brutally as I slipped my hands around and grabbed his arse, pulling him closer and deeper and filling me to the hilt “YES!” he growled as he pumped into me with fury “You feel so good Ava” he breathed in my ear as he grazed my neck and his hands slid under my backside, lifting me slightly “You’re mine Ava. Just mine”.

  I placed my hands on the vanity behind me and he placed my legs over his shoulders and I lifted my hips so he could get a better angle and as I did I felt his cock hit my womb and stroke my soft spot again “Yes Mason, Fuck yes! That feels so good” I cried.

  He growled and slammed into me “Jesus Ava; I can feel every inch of you. Can you feel me fill you Baby?” he rasped and his words made me peak and I screamed as I climaxed around him. He grabbed my hair from the back of my head, pulling my head back as he bit my neck “Oh God, I’m gonna come so hard Ava” he roared and reared back as he came inside me, hitting my cervix with his warm semen and making me orgasm again.

  “Christ” he groaned as sweat dripped down his back and he panted harshly “You’re so hot Ava, you always make me come so hard” I cupped his face and kissed him softly

  “I’m sorry I held back from you Mason but I was worried about your reaction to what I need to tell you” I apologised and he nodded “I’m sorry I scare you Ava but I just can’t seem to control my emotions with you. I love you deeply but I’m so frightened of losing you” he sighed and pulled out of me. “I know but you are gonna have to learn to trust me Mason. You seem jealous of everybody but I promise…” I paused as I took his hand and tilted his face towards me “I promise I will never hurt you. I love you too much and you make me feel whole. I don’t need anybody else” I revealed and he stroked my cheek with the back of his knuckles “Get dressed and we’ll talk” he smiled softly and kissed me as he walked into the bedroom.

  I slid off the vanity and followed him, watching him as he dressed. He was so damn hot I could feel the heat between my legs again as I watched his body ripple with his movements; he caught me looking and winked “Again?” he smirked and I puffed and smirked back and walked up to him, cupping his fresh erection “Oh yes” I said as I pushed him back on to the bed and he grinned up at me “You are insatiable Woman
” he said as I climbed on the bed “Only for you Mason” I breathed as I straddled him and his face darkened and his eyes flamed with arousal “Damn right, only for me” he groaned as I dropped my mouth to his groin “And this is mine” I whispered. He moaned loudly and grabbed my hand and placed it over his heart “And so is this Ava” he whispered.

  We were sat at a table in Masons’ favourite Italian restaurant as I tucked into a wonderful shrimp and asparagus tagliatelle and Mason had chosen a garlic and herb pasta.

  “I forgot to tell you, it’s Sam and Marcy’s engagement Saturday night, is that okay?” he asked around a forkful of my pasta, nodding his approval to my food “Yeah, that’s okay. I was supposed to be going out with Courtney but I’ll cancel” I told him “Ask her to come with us. Sam and Marcy won’t mind” he said as he took another piece of shrimp and I stabbed at his hand with my fork and glared at him “Hey, I may be eating for two here and you could be starving your own child” I growled.

  The grin that lit his face made my heart swell and I smiled happily at him “When are you gonna do the test?” he asked cautiously “In the morning” I shrugged, still not sure if I was brave enough to actually have confirmation but he still smiled at my nervousness.

  He snagged my plate when I placed my cutlery down having eaten much more than I usually did “My God Mason, where do you put it?” I laughed as he waggled his eyebrows “Well…I have certain expectations to fulfil now and need to keep my strength up” he winked and I sat back, holding my overfull stomach “Damn right” I mocked seriousness and he grinned but sat back “Okay, you ready to tell me what’s going on?” he asked as he took the last mouthful of my food. “Only if you promise not to blow off!” I told him and he huffed but nodded “Well firstly, this morning as I got to work I noticed a person in a black Ferrari watching me from the roadside” Mason hissed and I held a finger up “You promised” I warned and he sighed “Sorry” he said “And?” he urged “Well when I left work a bloke came up to me in the car park” I saw Masons expression shut down as he ground his teeth but I persevered “He was just asking for directions but he seemed a bit dodgy. He asked where the late lounge was and it’s directly across from the building and surely he couldn’t have missed it” I shrugged and Mason pursed his lips “Anyway Olivia and Nate Carter walked over and the bloke got really weird and defensive but backed off” Mason finally nodded and took a large gulp of his wine “I phoned Sam to ask him if he could find anything out from NSC surveillance cameras, that’s all. If he found anything about him I would have told you straight away” I defended and he sighed heavily but still had a fiery expression “Okay, firstly we’ll see if Sam can get a visual on the guy and see if he recognises him, secondly I am now gonna run you to work and back and thirdly, you do not leave my side…at all!” he commanded and I sighed but nodded in resignation “Okay” I agreed but fiddled with my fork on the table.

  His hand reached over and covered mine “Ava please don’t fight me with this. From the state he left your bedroom, he could be dangerous” he pleaded “I know. It’s just that the bastard can control my life, I like my independence Mason, you know that and now…now I won’t have any” I grumbled and he squeezed my hand “It’s only till we get the fucker” he directed and I smiled “I know” I yawned “Tired?” he asked softly and I nodded “I shouldn’t though, I napped in the bath” he nodded but gave me a rueful smile “It’s probably because you’re pregnant Baby” he said bluntly and I scowled “We don’t know that yet” I said but he shrugged and called for the bill “Let’s get you home to bed” he grinned and his eyes smouldered “Oh my God! Again?” I snorted and he bent and placed his lips to my ear “Yes again, and by the time I have finished with you, you’ll be begging me to make you come” he growled huskily and I squirmed in my seat as my knickers pooled with arousal “Okay” I said quickly and stood sharply, grabbing my bag “Let’s go” I ushered him across to the maître d to pay.

  CHAPTER 24

  “Oh my God” I whispered as we both sat on the edge of the bath and stared at the thin blue line “Wow” Mason breathed “we’re having a baby” he gulped but then the biggest, hugest, happiest grin broke out on his face “Oh my god Ava. I’m gonna be a Daddy” he laughed, picked me up and swung me round “We’re having a little baby Ava” he cried and I swallowed and whimpered.

  He placed me down and frowned “You okay Baby?” he asked and I stared at him, completely stunned. He cocked his head “Ava?” he asked cautiously and I slapped my hand over my mouth and raced across the room and heaved into the toilet

  “Oh Baby, not again” he sighed and pulled my hair back “I don’t like this part of pregnancy, I don’t like seeing you ill” he grumbled as he wiped my face with a cloth and pulled my hair into a tie to hold it off my face so he could stroke my back “I don’t like this either” I moaned as I continued to vomit “I’ll ring my mother and ask for her advice” he said “NO!” I cried and threw up again. He eyed me warily and I gave him a weak smile in return “Why?” He frowned “Because…” I said and vomited again “Because I don’t want anybody to know yet. It’s too early to tell people” I groaned and wiped my mouth as Mason ran the tap and got me a glass of water from the sink “Okay, I’ll go to the chemist after I’ve dropped you at work and see what they recommend” he said as he lifted me up and sat me in the chair, filling my toothbrush with paste and started brushing my teeth for me “Mason, I’m quite capable of brushing my teeth” I laughed around a mouthful of foam. He shrugged “I want to help” he said sadly and I cupped his face “You do” I whispered and he smiled but carried on “Spit!” he said when he’d finished, I complied and he passed me a fresh cup of water to rinse.

  Pulling me out of the chair he walked me into the bedroom and sat me on the bed then rummaged through the wardrobe, fishing out my black pencil skirt and pinstriped shirt.

  I cocked my head at him “You like those?” I asked softly and he nodded “These are what you were wearing the first time I saw you and I remember thinking how utterly beautiful you were” he said and I grinned at him “Really?” I asked and he nodded “Yeah, you made me hard the first time I looked at you and I knew there and then that I had to have you” he stroked his knuckles across my cheek “And I am still mesmerized by your beauty Ava. You are stunning and so beautiful inside and out” he said softly and a tear slipped out and dripped down my cheek “Hey” he whispered, crouched in front of me and wiped away the tear “Don’t cry Baby” I smiled through my tears “I’m scared Mason” he huddled me up and embraced me tightly “Me too Baby” he whispered in my ear “But you will be a wonderful mother” he expressed and I squeezed him tighter “We’ll both be wonderful parents” I replied and he grinned “We will” he smiled happily.

  Mason lifted the t-shirt I wore for bed over my head and proceeded to dress me. The care and tenderness in which he did it took my breath away and I studied his face as he concentrated on buttoning up my shirt; the deep frown lines on his forehead as he concentrated on each button, his strong nose and the contours of his chiselled cheek bones and his sexy square chin, complete with a short growth. He was powerful and beautiful and he took my breath away.

  I stroked his jaw with my thumb “I love you Mason” I said as a tear slipped from my eye “Hey Baby, shush” he whispered and huddled me up, kissing my forehead softly “I love you so much Ava and I promise to look after you” and I knew that he would keep his promise to me.

  Mason dropped me outside the main doors of NSC and told me he would pick me up at 6 O’clock and as I entered the building Olivia walked in with me “Good morning Ava, you okay? You still look a bit peaky” I nodded at her but took a quick glance at her pregnant stomach and gulped as my legs felt wobbly and I developed a rushing in my ears “Ava are you okay?” Olivia asked and lowered me down onto the steps of the building and I placed my head in my hands as nausea raged again “Oh God” I heaved and raced into the building and rushed into the main foyer toilets, relieved when I made i
t before I spewed everywhere.

  I vomited for ages and when I had eventually finished I opened the cubicle door and Olivia was stood, leaning against a sink “Ava, are you okay?” she asked full of concern. I nodded and splashed my face with water and groaned “Ava…” Olivia started and I nodded “Yes I am” I told her before she could ask. “How far gone?”

  She sat on a chair while I leaned on the sink and took some deep breaths “Only about 4 or 5 weeks I think, I only found out this morning” she nodded and smiled “That’s great news” she said happily and I nodded slowly. “Isn’t it?” she grimaced and I sighed “I’m not sure yet” I laughed and she nodded in understanding “The sickness will subside, mine lasted for about 8 weeks but then I was fine” I looked at her “It’s not the sickness I’m worried about” I shrugged “I’ve only been with Mason for about 6 weeks, I think I got caught the first time we had sex…oh no, we used a condom the first time so it must be the second” I scoffed “It wasn’t a planned pregnancy then?” she asked softly and I shook my head “No, I was stupid really. We just seem to get caught up in the moment and forget about using protection” I said honestly and she nodded and her eyes glazed over “Isn’t sex great when it’s like that though, the passion and lack of control between the two of you is when you know you are a perfect match” she smiled knowingly at me and I agreed with her, realising she was right and me and Mason were made for each other “Oh yeah, the sex is great, it’s just that I’m not sure if I’m happy getting caught straight away. Me and Mason are still getting to know one another” I sighed and she stood and took my hand “You still have 8 months before you have to share him” she encouraged and I smiled at her insight “Yes I suppose. Mason’s over the moon but I’m still a little stunned but…but I feel so happy at the same time. I can’t quite believe I’m going to be a mummy” I smiled “but I’m already sick of this damn sickness” I confessed, feeling the nausea rising again.