The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

  Recoiling, I turned to meet a red faced sneer on a very drunken man. “No thanks, mate.” I brushed him off and tried to turn back to my friends.

  “Oh come on darlin,’ let me get you a drink and we can discuss those pretty things under your top.”

  I grimaced and turned to him. “Seriously?” I scoffed.

  His smile faltered at my mockery of him. “Yeah, seriously” he snarled, his leer aimed at my chest. One of his sweaty hands reached out and grabbed at my breast, but as he gripped me in his intoxicated state his fingers caught in the neckline of my top and as he stumbled he ripped my top, tearing a huge rip in the front, displaying my bra to everyone in the room.

  The familiar rage surfaced and I swung my legs off the stool, pulled my fist back and slammed it into his face, knocking him to the floor and splattering his nose.

  The crowd parted and Courtney jumped off her seat to grab me but I leaned over the man before she got to me. “DON’T EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN, YOU FUCKING ARSEHOLE!” I fumed, as Courtney managed to grab me and hold me back.

  “Whoa, Ava.” She pulled at my arms, struggling to keep hold of me as I tried to release her grip from me.

  Sweaty guy managed to get to his feet and lunge at me but just as he got close he was whipped back, his body slamming backwards with force.

  A couple of bouncers ran over as Mason flung him to them. “Get this fucking prick out of here,” he bellowed at one of the bouncers.

  “Sure, Mr Fox.”

  I stared at Mason.

  What the hell?

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me. “Ava, come with me” he snarled as he pulled me across the room, through a door and then up some stairs leading to a corridor and into an office.

  As he shut the door behind us I just stared at him. “Are you supposed to be in here, Mason?” I asked as my eyes shifted around the room.

  He scoffed. “Well, seems as though I own the club, yeah I’m good.” He then turned back to me, his eyes glaring at me angrily.

  “Oh,” I replied, shifting nervously as my finger rose towards my mouth.

  “Don’t even think about it!” he warned and I dropped my hand back down to my side.

  His intense gaze shifted to my chest and he swallowed heavily, a small moan escaping from his lips. I looked down and discovered everything on show. I had forgotten about my torn top in the excitement. “Shit” I exclaimed and crossed my arms across my chest.

  Mason’s eyes shifted and he walked to a cupboard at the other side of the room.

  Now that the adrenaline was dropping I felt myself sway, the alcohol overtaking me and I leant against the wall giggling.

  Mason turned back to me, a bemused look on his face. “Something funny, Ava?”

  I shook my head adamantly. “Nooo, sir” I giggled again, taking in his stern expression. “Are you always so cross, Mr Fox?” I asked, feigning seriousness but swayed a little too much.

  “Whoa, Ava” he said and rushed over to me, holding me upright.

  He narrowed his eyes on me and then down at my top again as I continued to titter to myself. His hands swept up my arms and landed on my shoulders. “Lift” he commanded as he pushed up my arms. I frowned at him. “I said lift, Ava.” He cocked his head and quirked an eyebrow, daring me.

  I gave him a sly smile and slowly raised my arms above my head, locking on to his eyes now daring him. A lazy grin turned his lips as he grasped the hem of my ruined top and swept it up my arms and over my head, his eyes never leaving mine.

  I was now stood in just my skirt and red lacy bra, his eyes boring into mine as his breathing slowed to match mine.

  We gazed at each other for a moment and then his eyes dropped to my chest. A small growl sounded in his throat as his eyes darkened and hooded over. He lifted his finger and traced the edge of my bra along the swell of my breast. “So beautiful,” he breathed. I closed my eyes, trying to suppress the small groan that refused to stay hidden.

  As soon as it left my lips his mouth crashed down on mine, kissing me with a ferocity and passion that left me breathless. His hand reached into my hair and he wrapped it round his fingers, tilting my head back as his mouth lowered to my neck; his teeth grazing me as he sucked my skin savagely. His hand reached up and cupped my breast, caressing it tenderly; a sharp contrast to his mouth which had now found mine again, our tongues were clashing feverishly.

  Another groan escaped me as his thumb brushed over my hard nipple. My breasts felt heavy and I arched my back, pushing them further into Mason’s hand.

  “God, I want you so much Ava,” he groaned against my lips. I clasped his head, pulling his mouth back to mine. He pushed me up against the wall, thrusting his groin into me and grinded his erection against me.

  “Oh God,” I whimpered as he started grazing my jaw.

  “You want me too,” he growled, a statement not a question and I nodded.

  “Yes!” My arousal was intense as his fingers delicately edged up my outer thigh.

  I was panting now, way past the point of retreat when a knock came to the door and my mind cleared, pulling me back. I stared at him, not understanding what had just happened.

  “Wait” Mason barked at the intruder as he placed a shirt around my shoulders and I slipped my arms through it, quickly buttoning it up.

  “What?” he snapped.

  The door opened before the club security guy from the floor entered. “Just to let you know boss, we sent him on his way.”

  Mason nodded. “Did you give him the usual send-off?” he asked, his lip curling.

  Bouncer nodded, “Although the lady here broke his nose first.” He turned to me then, an amused look on his face. “You have a fine right hook, Miss,” he winked.

  I nodded and scurried towards the door, mortified by my actions with Mason.

  “Ava?” Mason called out.

  I turned but kept my eyes lowered. “I’ll see you Monday, Mr Fox” I murmured and exited the room quickly, having to hold on to the hand rail to navigate my drunken self down the stairs.

  I spotted the girls and grabbed Courtney and my bag. “I’m going” I informed her.

  She frowned at me. “You okay?” Her eyes skimmed down to Mason’s shirt, now covering my modesty.

  I nodded. “Just a headache. You stay, I’ll text you the taxi reg and when I get home,” I shouted to her over the music and left before I got her response, desperate to leave before Mason caught up with me.

  Running out of the exit I was relieved to see a group of taxi’s already lined up. I jumped in the nearest, garbling my address and then telling him to step on it as I saw Mason exit the club. “Quickly” I shouted to the driver. He sped off, leaving Mason stood by the roadside pushing his hands through his hair in agitation.

  Pulling in a deep breath, I leant my head back against the headrest as the driver eyed me through the mirror. “You okay, darlin’?”

  I smiled and nodded, “Yeah thanks, just an overfriendly bloke.” I laughed to disguise my panic.

  What the hell had happened in there? I had never in my whole life acted as I did like that, I was ready to rip his clothes off and ride him to oblivion. The thought made me wet, and the vivid visions refused to leave my head. “Jesus, Ava” I sighed to myself as I rubbed my eyes.

  My phone rang but I ignored it, then a text alert beeped on my phone.

  MASON:

  What the hell Ava? What did I do?

  Text me when you get back so I know you’re home safe. That is an order not a request! By the way, you need to sanitize your knuckles, they are bleeding! We will talk Monday.

  Shit! I groaned as I looked at my hand. “That looks nasty,” the driver remarked. “Do you want to divert to the hospital?” I was growing to like this guy.

  “Nah, I’m okay but thank you.” I gave him a gentle smile. He nodded, and then took me the rest of the way in silence, sensing my reluctance to talk.

  After bathing my hand with a swill of vodka, I sat on the sofa and finished the rest, fall
ing asleep drunkenly on the couch.

  * * *

  There was a ringing in my ears. I grumbled at it, trying to drift back to the peacefulness of sleep and it rang off. I smiled to myself and snuggled deeper into comfort but the ringing started again.

  I reached on to the floor and rummaged through my bag blindly, answering my phone without opening my eyes. “What?” I slurred.

  “Ava?” Mason growled. My eyes snapped opened.

  Shit!

  “Uhh, hi,” I replied rather hesitantly.

  “Are you home?” he asked firmly.

  “Yup.” I grimaced as I heard him huff.

  “You were supposed to let me know.”

  I recoiled into the sofa at his tone, as though it would shield me from his anger. “Yeah sorry, I kind of just flaked out.”

  I heard him huff again. “Did you clean your hand?” he probed and I groaned.

  “Yes sir, I gave it a drink of vodka.” I smirked, trying to hold in the laughter at the silliness of the conversation.

  “Don’t be facetious, Ava” he snarled.

  Oops!

  “Sorry,” I whispered back.

  I heard his resigned sigh and then silence for a moment. “Where the hell did you learn to punch like that?” he asked, now in a lighter tone.

  I groaned and rested my head back; rubbing at my temples, “You need to be tough when you grow up in foster care, Mr Fox.”

  I heard his growl through the phone; Mr Cross was back and I rolled my eyes.

  “Will you stop with the Mr Fox, I think we got to the first name stage tonight, don’t you?” he demanded and I gulped.

  “I really should go Mr . . . Mason, I’ll see you Monday.” I hovered on the disconnect icon as he shouted my name again. “Yeah?” I asked quietly.

  “Make sure you keep your hand clean and yes, I’ll see you Monday. Take care Ava,” he replied softly.

  I frowned, his mood swings were perplexing. “Okay Mason, bye.”

  I heard his soft bye as I ended the call and quickly remembered to text Courtney before I climbed the stairs and climbed into bed with a groan. I was going to have a killer headache tomorrow.

  CHAPTER 7

  I HAD ARRANGED to meet Courtney for brunch in our favourite restaurant and as I was sat waiting for her at our table my phone trilled.

  MASON:

  Headache?

  Was that it? The extent of a conversation down to one word? Puzzled I replied;

  ME:

  Nope, fresh as a daisy.

  I grinned when he sent back a smiley face.

  “Boo,” Courtney shouted behind me and I jumped in my seat, snarling at her. “Headache?” she asked.

  Seriously? It must be the new one word craze.

  I shook my head and grinned at her, poking my tongue out. She plopped into the chair opposite me, narrowing her eyes on me. “Spill” she ordered. I retreated into my chair a little and shrugged as I scanned the menu. “Spill” she repeated more firmly, kicking my shin gently.

  I glared at her. “That was just my boss” I informed nonchalantly. This time she raised her eyebrows instead of lowering them. “He owns the club, he just took me upstairs to get me a shirt,” I told her.

  She nodded slowly. “So why did you do a runner and then he came demanding to know where you had gone?” She cocked her head, obviously not believing a word I was telling her.

  I was saved by the arrival of our waitress. “Orders?” she snapped and I raised my eyebrows at her.

  “Please . . .” I encouraged. She stared at me, remaining silent. I folded my arms and leaned back in my chair, noticing the twitch on Courtney’s’ lips; I cocked my head at the waitress and gave her my death glare.

  She shifted uncomfortably on her heels and softened her expression. “Order please,” she rephrased.

  I grinned snidely at her, “I’ll take coffee and blueberry pancakes, please.”

  I pointedly looked at Courtney, raising my eyebrows in query, she also grinned at the waitress. “I’ll have tea and a breakfast roll . . . please,” she added the please with a smirk. The waitress nodded and made a hasty retreat.

  Courtney laughed and winked at me. “Wonder if we get a different waitress now? That glare of yours could kill a rhino,” she mocked. “By the way, you are gonna have to stop punching blokes. One day they’re gonna thump you back,” she insisted seriously but I shook my head.

  “The fucking knob grabbed my breast and ripped my top, he deserved it.” I shrugged, not in the slightest bit worried that I would one day get myself in trouble.

  Her mouth quirked on one edge. “Do you know the bouncer gave him a right thrashing on your boss’s orders and you’re telling me nothing’s going on between the two of you?” I shrugged again, nibbling on my finger. Courtney’s eyes zoned in on it. “See; now I know you are lying. There’s something going on.” She crossed her arms and glared at me.

  “Okay,” I conceded. “We kissed and he felt me up. That’s all.” I glanced away; the blush creeping up my neck.

  “Ah ha,” she jumped excitedly. “I knew it.”

  I rolled my eyes at her exhilaration. “Judging by his demeanour afterwards, I take it you ran?” she probed.

  I nodded sadly. “I can’t do it, Courtney. It’s not just the sex before you start; it’s the whole relationship thing. I can’t let him in.” I lowered my eyes, desperately wishing I was a different person, one who grabbed life by the horns and lived it.

  “Oh, babe” she sighed and covered my hand with hers. “Relax and go with the flow. I presume you escaped your shell last night and gave in to him. If you can do that then who knows?” She shrugged, giving me an encouraging smile.

  “I don’t know what came over me? He turns me on something bad, but he also frightens me. His mood swings are ferocious; one minute he’s gentle and the next he’s barking orders at me. It just confuses me.” I revealed as a different waitress brought our order and my phone beeped again.

  MASON

  What temp do I need the oven on for the pie you made me? I can’t read what it says.

  I squinted at his request, sure that I had written it down legibly.

  ME

  Gas mark 4, 30 mins.

  Courtney leaned over to sneak a look at the text and I glowered at her, “Nosy.”

  MASON

  Thank you. What you up to?

  I huffed at Courtney who scoffed at his inquisition and raised her brows at me.

  ME

  Having brunch with a friend, be careful she nosing at your texts.

  MASON

  Lol, tell her I’m just useless without you.

  Courtney coughed and gave me a wry grin at this. I shook my head at her. “He is actually useless with the oven. I don’t think it had ever been used before I started working there,” I told her. She laughed loudly at my explanation.

  “Ava, babe, I don’t think he means the oven.” She pursed her lips at my glare, “And I think it’s just an excuse to text you.”

  I shook my head, now agitated. “Don’t be stupid Court, he’s only known me for a couple of months. Now can we just drop it please,” I snapped and she took the hint.

  “Tracey phoned me,” she declared and I bit my lip.

  “What the hell? I told her to leave you alone!”

  “Relax, Ava. She just wanted to apologise . . . and apparently blame it all on Adam of course. I told her she’s welcome to him.”

  I raised my eyebrows at her but she giggled, “So she said thanks.” She laughed harder as I sat there open mouthed at her disclosure until I was also laughing with her.

  “The cheeky bitch!” I rolled with laughter as my phone rang.

  “Hello.” I laughed down the phone, trying to catch my breath.

  “Ava?” Mason asked apprehensively and I rolled my eyes.

  “Yes Mason, it’s me.” I giggled at Courtney’s waggling eyebrows. “I do laugh sometimes you know,” I added as I heard his silence and then his laughter.

&
nbsp; “Sorry for spoiling your fun but I can’t get the oven to light.”

  I rolled my eyes again. “Seriously, Mason?” I asked, perplexed.

  “Uhh, yeah.”

  He seemed embarrassed now and I felt a pang of sympathy for him. “Right okay. Turn the oven knob to full and then click the ignition switch.”

  I waited while I heard him clicking away. “Nope, it won’t light” he said grimly and I huffed.

  “Are you sure you’re using the right knob?” I asked. Courtney’s’ eyes widened but I just stared at her.

  “Well, I’m sure I have the right knob, would you like to come and check it?” Mason chuckled and I could picture the sly grin on his face.

  I coughed at his comment and rolled my eyes as Courtney winked at me, obviously knowing what Mason had said. “Does it say main oven?” I asked again.

  “I can read, Ava” he laughed, clearly in a good mood for a change.

  “Well you couldn’t read the instructions on the packet I left you,” I ridiculed and he coughed slightly.

  “Are you mocking me, Miss Stone?” he breathed, his husky voice igniting my insides.

  It was my turn to cough. “Never, Mr Fox” I muttered back. Courtney’s eyebrows now were in her hairline.

  I heard Mason groan a little and then clear his throat. “You’re going to have to come and do it for me,” he said slyly and my lips twitched.

  “No, no, it’s fine Mason. There’s a microwave on your worktop. Place the pie in and cook on half power for 8 minutes then 4 minutes on full power.” I grinned and winked at Courtney as she gave me the thumbs up.

  “Oh,” he said quietly and I had another surge of sympathy.

  “I suppose I could dump my friend and come over if you are desperate.” I relented with an exaggerated sigh.

  “No it’s fine, Ava. Enjoy your brunch.” He ended the call abruptly.

  I was gobsmacked but Courtney just laughed. “Oops, I really think he wanted you to go round” she chuckled.

  “But why? I’m sure he can work a bloody microwave.” I was stunned.

  “I think he can actually work the cooker as well, Ava.” She laughed but I still felt bad so I texted him:

  ME

  Are you sure you don’t need me? I can come over if it’s a problem.