Resolution (Heart of Stone)

by D H Sidebottom

  The tears were streaming down my face as he continued with the slow easy but deep strokes as though he wanted to climb inside me and devour me, and protect me from life itself.

  My back arched severely as my orgasm tore through me as his words brought me to the pinnacle of pleasure and ecstasy. He followed me, crying my name in his release as we both continued to hold each other’s souls with our eyes and our hearts.

  “Ava…” he groaned and I pulled him to me, holding him tightly to me, never wanting to let him go and never wanting to see that much pain in his eyes again from my words.

  “I’m so sorry” I whispered into his hair but he shook his head and raised himself with his knuckles.

  “No baby, you have had so much bad stuff happen in the past year I’m surprised you’re still standing.” He stroked his finger along my nose, “But you need to tell me Ava, you need to tell me what you’re feeling otherwise I don’t know and I can’t help.”

  I smiled softly and shook my head. “You have too much shit to deal with at the moment Mason, my shit on top of that doesn’t help you get better” I said and he scowled and knelt back on his heels.

  “What the hell, Ava?”

  I frowned and sat up, “What?”

  He shook his head sadly. “Jesus Christ Ava, we’re a fucking partnership; we’re in this relationship together. You have singlehandedly dragged me back from the darkest place I have ever been… while a man… a fucking sick excuse for a person is stalking you, you’ve been raped endless of times, you have been locked up and tortured, you have witnessed your best friend burn to death, you have unwantedly watched me fuck another woman. You have been torn apart by having your baby ripped from your body and then you went through hell to deliver our beautiful babies and to be told that you can’t have anymore. You have watched your lover explode from every single fucking orifice on his body while he pins you to a wall and attacks you while high on fucking heroin. You have had your delicate heart broken while watching me engaged to Rebecca and then you risk your life by freeing me from her, while another evil bastard sent you dead fucking animals and trashed your house and you…” he raked his hands through his hair and stood up, “and you think about me… again!” he scoffed.

  I frowned. “I don’t understand, Mason?” I swallowed heavily as I watched him pace frantically before me.

  He flung his head back and laughed, loudly and bitterly. “You never think about yourself for one single second, what YOU go through, what YOU have BEEN through, just everyone else!” he grabbed my hands and pulled me up, cupping my face and forcing me to look at him.

  “No fucking more Ava, you understand me?” he demanded, “You start and tell me how you feel, what you’re thinking and what you want even if I don’t like it. It’s time to concentrate on you for once, Ava” I nodded faintly but still couldn’t understand what he was trying to tell me.

  He scooped me up in his arms and walked back along the beach in silence, his mood dark and sullen.

  “By the way, that was orgasm of the month number two” I told him cheekily, trying to lighten the mood and I noticed his lips twitch. “It was your beautiful words that made me come hard, thank you” I whispered into his ear as I planted a soft kiss against it.

  He pulled me in tighter. “They’re all true Ava, all of them are exactly how I feel about you” he declared and I smiled and rested my head back against his shoulder as we both went quiet again.

  “Do I really have a lisp?” I asked seriously and he barked out a laugh.

  “Yes baby, you do but it’s damn sexy” he chuckled huskily and I squealed as he dug his fingers into my ribs. “Stop talking and relax” he ordered sternly and I saluted him.

  He smirked and glanced at me. “You’re right; you would be fuckin’ useless in the army.” He grinned as I slapped him and he settled us down on the sand in the exact same spot he’d asked me to marry him a year ago and as the tide lapped our feet and the scent of the orchids teased our nostrils Mason made love to me again, tenderly and lovingly as his eyes worshipped mine and his fingers never broke from their tight hold on mine, never releasing me from his embrace and I knew I never wanted to let go. But that didn’t stop me concentrating on my bottom lip to see if it trembled when I climaxed… it did!

  CHAPTER 29

  “Oh for god’s sake” I groaned as Brooke introduced herself. Mason turned to me and smirked, giving me a mischievous wink.

  “Good afternoon, I’m Brooke and I’m your hostess for your flight” she grinned seductively at Mason and Greg and I caught Courtney’s scowl… it wasn’t just me then!

  “I remember who you are, Brooke. You were our hostess last time we came to France” I smiled forcibly. “I’ve already buckled Mr Fox in” I told her as she bent to fasten Greg’s belt.

  “That’s okay; I can still do yours handsome.” She winked at Greg and a small growl erupted from Courtney’s throat.

  Mason snorted and she glanced at him. “Oh that’s right Mr Fox, you have flight nerves. If there’s anything I can do to help alleviate those fears for you, you be sure to let me know.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him and my lip curled.

  “Oh, I’ll be sure to do that, Brooke” Mason winked and I narrowed my eyes on him. She beamed at him and placed her hand on his forearm.

  “Bitch!” I muttered under my breath but Courtney nodded at me, obviously I hadn’t said it quietly enough… oh dear!

  “Which of your goodies are you offering on a plate today, Brooke?” I smirked and Mason snorted, but apparently the innuendo in my question filtered straight through her very dim brain because she didn’t even glance at me, just kept her eyes trained on the guys. “Well we have champagne, fruit and seafood” she offered and I smirked.

  “I would love to taste your clams, Brooke.”

  Mason lowered his head as Greg’s head shot round to me, his eyes wide with humour and I winked at him, knowing the thick hostess wasn’t very good at reading my sarcastic digs.

  “Would you like anything else to go with them?” she asked as she smiled sexily at Greg.

  “How about a slap?” Courtney asked quietly and Brooke frowned at her.

  “Sorry?” she asked but Courtney smiled sweetly at her.

  “I asked if you had crab …s?” I snorted and looked out of the window.

  This was so much more fun with Courtney. Mason chuckled to himself as Greg just sat stock silent. “Yes, I have some delicious crab meat” she told us and I laughed at Mason’s attempt to hold the laughter back, his face was screwed up tightly and his eyes were full of tears.

  Greg gazed between Brooke and Courtney and she threw him the filthiest look I had ever seen cover her face. “What would you like, sugar?” she asked Mason and I glared at him but I knew it was too much for him to resist. “I’d love to taste your juicy plums, Brooke.” I shook my head at him as she grinned at him.

  “Ooh yes, I have some lovely ripe fruit for you today.”

  Mason’s eyes widened at her, “I’m sure you do, Brooke.”

  I scowled now, he was flirting relentlessly. “Darling, can you make sure your babies are secured properly” I growled at him and Brooke glanced between Mason and I.

  “Oh, are they yours? I thought they were your assistant’s.”

  I spluttered on my champagne, “Assistant? I’m his bloody Fiancé” I snapped and Mason swallowed his awkwardness before turning his attention on George and Katie who were fast asleep in their seats.

  “I’m terribly sorry, Miss.” She seemed horrified and I suddenly felt a twang of respect for her. “I don’t mean to flirt with men that are in a relationship. I just assumed you were his assistant after the previous times Mr Fox has flown with us. He always brings an assistant along” she informed me and I slowly turned to Mason with a raised eyebrow and pursed lips.

  “Oh, he does, does he?” Mason’s eyes widened and he became very interested in the babies. Greg snorted and basked in Mason’s discomfort.

  “And he’s mine”
Courtney informed her.

  “Oh my goodness ladies, I’m so, so sorry. You must think I’m some sort of tramp” she looked genuinely upset and I reached for her hand.

  “Well I must say my respect has just tripled for you. It takes guts to apologise and admit to flirting with someone’s guy so Brooke… it’s a pleasure to travel with you and I will be sending my compliments to your senior.”

  I smiled warmly at her and she beamed at me, “Well thank you very much, Miss Stone… champagne?” I nodded and lifted my glass.

  “And how many ‘assistants’ has Mr Fox graced your flights with?” I asked nonchalantly and I noticed Mason shift in his seat and grimace.

  “Well quite a few, every time he travels he brings one, although I did think it strange that he seemed to change assistants so often. He had a new one every time he boarded with us” she offered without hesitation and I felt guilty for using her gullibility.

  “Really?” I nodded and pursed my lips. “Well hopefully it’ll be me from now on, unless he feels like a new assistant soon” I glowered and he flicked a glance at me but diverted it straight away.

  “Oops” Greg laughed and elbowed Mason in the ribs.

  “I must admit though Brooke, Mr Fox is quite a manwhore, you really had a lucky escape.” I laughed sarcastically and she blushed furiously and lowered her eyes and I puffed out a breath.

  “Oh dear, I take it my words are too late.” The twist in my chest made my teeth sink into my bottom lip, he really had no shame.

  He brought me onto a private flight… twice! With a flight attendant he’d obviously screwed before.

  I swallowed heavily. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom” I unbuckled my belt.

  “I’m afraid you have to stay seated, were taking off any moment” Brooke informed me.

  “Well you’ll have to bloody wait!” I snapped and felt Courtney’s hand on my arm as I rose from my seat. I smiled at her but shook my head slightly as I stalked to the little cubicle and slammed the door shut then looked around and opened the door, nausea rising.

  “Please tell me you didn’t fuck in here?!” I demanded and Brooke’s eyes widened at me. “Wonderful!” I snarled and locked myself back in, trying not to picture Mason banging Brooke against the wall.

  A small tap echoed on the door. “What?” I barked.

  “Ava, let me in” Mason’s soft voice came from the other side.

  “Fuck off, Mason” I hissed.

  “Baby, please.”

  I shook my head at his audacity. “I can’t believe you brought me on a flight with an attendant you have banged up against the toilet wall Mason, that’s just… that’s a little chuffing sick!” I grated.

  “Baby, let me in.”

  I settled on the toilet. “I’ll be out in a moment” I told him, refusing to open the door but I saw the lock turn and then the door opened and Mason sneaked in.

  “What the hell, Mason?” I scowled but he sunk to his haunches in front of me.

  “Baby, don’t do this to yourself” he said softly and I scoffed.

  “Did you not think how I would feel when I found out you have fucked our flight attendant on this fucking wall?” I flung my hand against the wall in demonstration.

  “It was just sex, Ava and it was a long time before you, baby” he placated.

  “You might as well have asked Rebecca to join us in our little foursome the other day, because right now I don’t think that would hurt any more than what this does.”

  He frowned at me and I shook my head in frustration. “You knew she would be here Mason… I have travelled twice with her while she flirted with you and you flirted back for god’s sake and now… now all I can picture when I look at her is you fucking nailing her.” I shuddered violently as the image scorched itself to my retinas.

  He closed his eyes and groaned. “Would you like me to introduce you to a bloke I laid before I fell in love with you? A bloke who pushed me up against a wall in a nightclub and fucked me like his life depended on it whilst I screamed in fucking ecstasy?” I spat.

  Mason’s face immediately went black and dangerous. He nibbled furiously on his bottom lip and his fists clenched. He shook his head angrily at me as his shoulders heaved with his deep breaths and he slammed the door as he left.

  I sat and rested my head in my hands. Maybe I had gone a bit far but he might have an idea how I felt.

  Groaning, I rolled my eyes and exited the bathroom, seating myself back in chair and buckled back up. Glancing at Mason I could see his eyes were glazed and I cringed inwardly, knowing that image I had now planted in his head would be making his craving intense and hard to drown out.

  I frowned and placed my hand on his arm. His head spun round to me but his eyes were narrow and angry and he shook his head as pulled his arm away angrily and I huffed and rolled my eyes.

  Courtney smiled sympathetically at me and I shrugged. He had put me in this position but as soon as the tables were turned he didn’t like it… well tough!!

  He might know how I feel now, but he continued to sulk and his mood got even darker by the time we reached home and after five hours of travelling with him my mood was now the replica of his.

  ***

  We both stormed in the house when we arrived home and I proceeded to prepare George and Katie’s suppers as Mason slammed about in the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of whisky and a glass and disappeared into his office for the remainder of the night.

  Elijah studied us from his discreet position in the hallway and I rolled my eyes to him as I heard things flying about in Mason’s office.

  I bathed and played with George and Katie before I settled them in bed but for some reason I didn’t feel like leaving them alone tonight so I settled on the rocker in the corner with a blanket over me and rocked myself slowly to sleep.

  I murmured as I felt arms surround me and I snuggled into a broad chest and my eyes flicked open suddenly. “What the hell Elijah, put me down” I blinked but he just put a finger over my lips.

  “Shush, Ava” he whispered and I wriggled in his embrace.

  “Put – Me - Down!” I ordered.

  His eyes widened but he nodded and then set me on my feet. “Do you realise what Mason would do to you if he saw you doing that?” I hissed but he just frowned at me.

  “You have seen the mood he’s in tonight and all that is because he is picturing me being fucked by a man who isn’t him, so you can imagine what he would do if he saw me in your bloody arms” I informed him.

  His eyes widened. “He’s in this mood because he’s picturing you having sex with someone else?” he scoffed and I nodded slowly, realising he was now catching on. “Jesus” he shook his head in disbelief.

  He held up his hands to me. “It was innocent though Ava, I just came looking for you and you had fell asleep with your head at a funny angle and I didn’t want you to hurt your neck” he apologised and I sighed and smiled softly.

  “Thank you.” I rolled my neck and looked around.

  “What time is it?” I asked as we left the room.

  “2:30” Elijah informed me and I frowned.

  “Is Mason still in his office?” I asked and he shook his head as we descended the steps.

  “No, he went out a couple of hours ago” he stated and I stopped dead on the stairs.

  “WHAT?” I scoffed as Elijah turned towards me with a confused expression.

  “The mood he was in and you just… you just fucking let him go out without consulting me?” I asked incredibly but he just shrugged.

  “Mason isn’t my responsibly” he informed me nonchalantly.

  “Fuck, fuck… shit!” I bounded down the stairs and scurried in my bag for my phone, dialling Mason’s immediately.

  It rang until the voicemail answered and I swore again, redialling and hoping he would pick up this time. “Fuck!” I swore again as I tapped my fingers against the phone. “Mason baby, where are you? I need you. Please don’t do anything stupid, Mason. You come to m
e if you need anything, anything Mason! I love you baby and I’m sorry, I didn’t mean what I said… please baby, come home” I spluttered into the phone in desperation and then ended the call, looking around the room in despair as though I would find him hidden in the furniture.

  This was seriously bad for Mason, the mood he was in I knew he would want to score and I had to find him before he did.

  I dialled Sam hoping he was at the club. “Hey” he answered.

  “Is he there?” I asked and he paused.

  “No, should he be?” I bit my lip sternly.

  “Shit, we had a row and he’s buggered off, apparently my guard didn’t think him important enough to wake me when he left” I growled, glaring at Elijah. He ground his teeth and disappeared into the kitchen.

  “Fuck!” Sam hissed, “I’ll get the guys looking for him” he told me and rang off immediately so he could phone everyone.

  “Fucking hell, Elijah!” I snarled at him as I grabbed my bag and keys. “Watch the babies, if you’re even capable of doing that?!” I sneered at him and he lowered his eyes.

  “Shit Ava, I’m sorry, I didn’t think” he apologised with a guilty expression

  “Well obviously!” I spat as I slammed the door behind me and raced for Mason’s car, knowing it was the faster than mine.