The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

  He grunted and jerked wildly. “Fucking Christ, Ava!” he shouted as his cum erupted from his cock, spurting forcefully over my face as I tried to shut my eyes against the torrent.

  His knees buckled and I watched in amusement as he tried to rectify himself, clinging to the duvet as he collapsed on top of me, his knees either side of mine as he rested his cheek against the top of my head.

  “Oh My God, Ava. Where did you learn that?” he wheezed.

  “Learn what?”

  “The arse bit.” He chuckled and my frown grew deeper.

  “Mason, it’s a known fact then men like that as well as women, we both have nearly the same erogenous zones.”

  He took a deep breath and lifted himself up. “Well I didn’t know that, but . . . WOW! It felt kind of wrong but really fucking good at the same time . . . WOW,” he puffed as he went in the bathroom and came out with a face cloth.

  He crouched in front of me and gently wiped away the remnants of his orgasm, pausing every so often to place little kisses on various parts of my face.

  I closed my eyes and sighed, relaxing into the caress of his actions and after he had paused for a long time I opened my eyes and found him staring at me intensely. His fingers came up and traced the outline of my face, gently sweeping over my cheek and jaw. His thumb slid over my eyes and curved the edge of my ear; his face showing ultimate rapture as he held my gaze.

  “I love you so much, Ava. You make me whole, baby. You make my heart beat, my little warrior,” he whispered.

  My own hand came up to his face to mimic his movements; to feel the strong hard lines of his striking jaw and cheekbones, to his strong defined nose and then across his beautifully sculptured lips.

  We were both lost in each other’s beauty as we continued to look and feel, but duty called and I found myself regretting my decision to go back to work; I could have looked at this man all day.

  “I have to go, baby” I whispered as he closed his eyes and nodded.

  “Yeah,” was all he said before he rose to his feet, holding his hand out to pull me up from the hard floor.

  “My bum’s gone numb,” I whinged and his lips twitched.

  “Want me to return the favour?” he winked and I blushed . . . I mean, What the Hell? I actually blushed.

  He flung his head back and howled as I smacked his arm. “Stop!!” I tried to hide my own chuckle but failed miserably.

  We were both still tittering as I climbed in my car. Mason’s head stuck through the window to kiss me. “I’ll see you later.” He winked and wiggled a finger at me, igniting my hysterics again.

  * * *

  The morning dragged now that Olivia had finally started her official maternity leave and I was left with Tony. Luckily Grace kept popping her head out and checking on me and at lunchtime she leaned on my desk.

  “Fancy lunch out today, Ava? I’ve got to meet a new client and it’s a company wine and dine thingy,” she asked as her lips curled in displeasure.

  I raised my eyebrows at her expression. “That bad?” I asked coyly and she smiled at my detective skills.

  “God, there’s nought passes you is there! Okay, okay he’s a bit of a sleaze and I don’t like being alone with him. I need sister power.”

  I laughed, “You got it girl. We’ll have him hanging out to dry by the time we’ve finished. What are you like with lesbianism?” I laughed as her expression faltered.

  “Do I want to hear this?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Well just for his pleasure or displeasure . . . depends how he takes it. You Grace, are officially now my girlfriend.” I puckered my lips and winked expressively at her.

  Her eyes lit up as she pursed her own lips. “Why, Miss Stone, I do believe I’m going to enjoy our lunch date with Mr Eyes-on-your-tits.”

  I grinned, “Let’s just hope we don’t give the bastard a heart attack or we’ve lost a client.”

  We were both still chuckling as we entered the elevator for the ten minute journey and we were laughing harder as we exited the restaurant two hours later, the image of Mr Eyes-on-your-tits painful swell in his trouser crotch forever burnt on our retinas.

  * * *

  We returned to the office and were chatting to Leah, filling her in on the lunch fun.

  “I couldn’t hide the grin when Ava leant across the table and gave him an eyeful of her cleavage. The man actually drooled and thought his luck was in until she turned round and slapped her lips on mine for a full blown lesbian snog!” Grace was laughing heartily as she retold the story to Leah. “ . . . his poor, poor face” she howled. “The lump in his trousers looked mightily painful by the time we left. He couldn’t even stand to say goodbye as we left. We just left him, sat at the table whimpering with a glaze over his bloody eyeballs.”

  We were all rolling with laughter as Nate entered and stood, grinning at the sight of us three women hysterically laughing and snorting.

  “Okay ladies, fill me in?” he asked, a twinkle in his eyes.

  “You have hired a fucking genius, Mr Carter,” Grace declared in between sobs.

  He looked at me with a fascinated expression, “Oh yeah?”

  Grace nodded rapidly. “Well let’s just say she won us the Edenfield contract.” She winked over to him. He shook his head in amusement but nodded in appreciation.

  “What did you do Ava?” he asked slowly and cautiously.

  Grace turned to him. “Well, let me just ask you one thing, Mr Carter. Would you take out a contract with a company, when the two female reps sent to cajole you are making out on the table in front of you?” she sniggered.

  Nate’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. “Fuck me! You never did?” he scoffed and Grace nodded seriously.

  “The man’s a pervert and Ava found his niche and channelled into it.”

  He started chuckling. “You are bad, bad girls” he laughed.

  Grace and I creased over. “That’s what he said,” she cackled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

  Nate grinned at me. “It’s actually you I wanted a word with Ava, if it’s convenient sometime this afternoon?”

  That stopped the giggling. “Uhh, sure, Mr Carter,” I replied cautiously.

  He smiled and shook his head. “Nothing to worry about but my office say . . .” He peeked at his watch. “An hour?” he finished with a raise of an eyebrow in query.

  “Yeah that’s fine.” I smiled back and he left us to settle down.

  “Oh and Miss Stone,” he shouted over his shoulder. “Don’t bring your girlfriend” he finished and we were gone again.

  CHAPTER 32

  I WAS SAT in Nate’s reception area, being glared at by a tight faced secretary. She was quite stunning but would be amazingly striking if she relaxed her rigid expression.

  The intercom buzzed on her desk and Nate’s voice beckoned me in.

  He smiled widely as I entered and gestured to a chair in front of his desk. “Sit down, Ava,” he said and I timidly sat on the edge of the seat. He grinned at me from the opposite side of the desk. “Ava, settle down, I just wanted a quick word. Drink?”

  “Water please.”

  He rose and walked over to a large sideboard and opening a door on it, revealed another little door which exposed a fridge. He took a bottle of water and turned to me. “To be blunt Ava, I like you,” he said straight out.

  My heart sped up. Oh Shit! What did he mean by that?

  He regarded me and then laughed loudly. “Not like that, Ava.” He continued to laugh. I relaxed at my misunderstanding and smiled openly.

  He sat back down opposite me after passing me the cool bottle of water and after unscrewing the lid, I took a long pull. Nate cocked his head “I know you have only been here a week but overall I’m impressed with your work, especially nailing the Edenfield contract today.” His eyebrows rose high, “Even if it was through . . . unorthodox methods.” He winked. “But hey, a contracts a contract. Yet, it shows your competence and perception to read situations and p
eople well.” He picked up a gold pen from the table and started to flip it between his fingers.

  “My PA is leaving in a few of months and I’d like you to consider the position when Liv returns to work.” I gripped the edge of my chair in shock, WOW! “The pay is quite substantially more than what you receive now and the benefits are better.” He smiled and carried on with some other jargon as my brain zoned out to have thoughts of its own.

  It seemed strange that he was offering me the position after just a week in his employment.

  “Ava?” he probed. I raised my eyes to see him staring at me waiting for an answer.

  “Mr Carter, I don’t quite know how to ask this . . .” I cringed and he frowned.

  “Just ask, Ava,” he said directly and I took a deep breath.

  “Has . . . has Mason spoken to you?” I asked quietly and he frowned again.

  “No why? Should he have?” he asked with a puzzled expression and I relaxed instantly and smiled.

  “In that case I would be happy to consider your offer.”

  I grinned and he laughed, “Ahh, I take it you thought because I was friends with Mason that he had encouraged me to ask you.” I nodded sheepishly. “No, no Ava, you got offered this job on your merits alone. Please tell me you will think about it though. To be honest a smiley friendly face would be nice to look at after having to endure . . .” He didn’t say her name but his head nodded towards the tight faced woman sat outside his office.

  “Yeah, I found her to be a bit . . . severe!” I shivered.

  “Not something you need to be greeted with every morning.” He winked and grinned at me, his actions telling me he had often had to endure her miserable face.

  His expression grew serious as he pursed his lips, “I do have one slight problem though Ava.” He shifted in his seat as though it was uncomfortable for him to ask.

  “Go on, straight out.” I grinned, our roles reversed.

  “Well . . . Liv told me you’re pregnant and I was just wondering how long before you needed to start your maternity leave?” He cringed as my face fell. “I’m not being sexist or anything Ava . . . it’s just something I need to ask. I know it was a secret and Liv has broken your trust by telling me, but she thought I ought to know before I asked you to take the job.” He was babbling, obviously aware of my discomfort when he mentioned it.

  I held up a hand. “Mr Carter.” He continued flapping on about something. Was he frightened of me? “Mr Carter,” I said more sternly. He closed his mouth and looked at me sheepishly. “I . . . I’m afraid I lost my baby at the weekend, so no, it won’t be a problem,” I told him honestly but awkwardly.

  His features hardened and he tilted his head. “I am so sorry to hear that, Ava” he said softly. I smiled sadly and he narrowed his eyes. “Think me presumptuous, Ava but is it something to do with the . . . your . . .” He couldn’t finish but gave a hand signal towards my face.

  I nodded slightly and lowered my eyes. Nate coughed and shifted in his chair again. “Ava,” he said softly. I looked at him, he sighed slightly and cringed. “Mason didn’t . . . he didn’t?” He struggled to ask the question but this man’s protectiveness for me gave me a warm feeling and I knew he was a man to trust and consider a good friend.

  “No,” I smiled gently. “No, Mason would never lay a finger on me, it was his best friend that did.”

  Nate reared back. “Dane?” he asked, gobsmacked. I swallowed harshly and nodded again.

  “He was a little jealous of Mason and well . . . well, he wanted me like Mason had me and I kind of . . . disagreed” I said quietly, now embarrassed by my openness and tears welled behind my eyes.

  Nate noticed my obvious distress and strode round to me, crouched beside me and took my hand. “Ava,” he said quietly. I turned to look at him. “I know Mason will have taken care of things but if you ever need anybody to talk to well Liv . . . Liv went through some real bad shit last year and I know she would be happy if you wanted to open up to somebody. Believe me the things that girl has been through, I’m surprised she’s still standing.” His voice trailed off and his eyes fixed on an invisible spot on the wall.

  I frowned and resolved silently to ask Mason about Liv but at the moment I squeezed this dear man’s hand. He looked at me as the haze cleared from his eyes. “Thank you.” I smiled softly. He nodded and rose then looked at me again.

  “I take it Mason sorted it or do I need to . . . ?” he asked quietly but I held up my hand, knowing I could be open and truthful with him because of his friendship and understanding of how Mason operated.

  “Yeah, he sorted it.” I sucked on my lips, determined to bite back the tears and I stood up. “Well, Mr Carter. I would be honoured to take the position offered. No thought required.” I grinned and he beamed back at me.

  “Excellent! I think we’re gonna get on great and become good friends,” he grinned.

  He opened a drawer and passed me a file. “All the details are in there, Ava.” He passed it me. I nodded and turned to leave.

  “Oh Ava, I nearly forgot. Liv asked me to ask you. We are having a barbeque Saturday night at ours and we would like it if you and Mason could make it. It’s just a few friends and family but it would be nice if we could become friends and get to know one another before you become my PA.” He smiled and I nodded happily.

  “That would be great.”

  “Great, I’ll e-mail you the details okay?” I nodded and smiled and then left.

  I had a happy feeling bubbling in my tummy, something good was happening in my life and the happy tummy flipped even more when I returned to my desk and found a huge bunch of flowers from Mason had been delivered along with a note.

  Ava

  A thank you for this morning. You amaze me more and more every day. You have many, many talents Ava. I have a table for two booked at La Roche for 8pm, don’t be late home. I love you my little warrior.

  Mason

  Xxxxx

  I smiled widely to myself and even when Tony condemned my flowers it didn’t burst the happy bubble in my stomach.

  ‘La Roche’ . . . Wow! It usually took about 3 months advanced booking to get a table there. I presume Mason just flashed his ‘Sex God smile’ and secured the table. Even I would give him anything he asked for that smile, it was utterly powerful to a woman, the sight of it turned your legs to jelly, your heart to falter and your pussy muscles to clench so severely an instant orgasm was nearly upon you.

  I inhaled deeply as the smile came into my vision and I picked up my phone, the need to hear his husky male voice had me in a cold sweat.

  “Hey baby,” he purred down the phone and I had to suck in a gulp of much needed air.

  “Hey,” I returned the greeting and smiled down the phone.

  “Hey,” he whispered huskily and there was that intake of air again.

  “Hey,” I rasped.

  I heard a slight chuckle down the phone. “Baby, don’t get yourself worked up,” he said sadly knowing that the damn throb I had for him couldn’t be placated.

  “So not fair,” I breathed down the phone.

  “I know, Ava.” He sighed woefully and I brightened myself up.

  “I was just ringing to thank you for the beautiful flowers,” I said cheerfully.

  I heard his chuckle again. “You could have thanked me tonight baby, you didn’t need to ring.”

  I sighed. “I know but I wanted to hear your voice.” I cringed self-consciously.

  “I’m glad you did because I needed to hear yours too,” he admitted and I couldn’t contain my grin.

  “Anyway I’d better get some work done,” I told him.

  “Okay baby, try not to be late, we have a car booked for 7:40.” I promised him I wouldn’t be late as I ended the call.

  Ten minutes later I received a text.

  MASON

  I love you

  My finger is twitching ;)

  Xxxxx

  I grinned like a fool and Tony caught me. “Wow, somebody�
�s definitely getting some,” he smirked.

  Definitely not you Dickhead!

  I just smiled and tipped my head.

  ME

  Would you like a re-run? If so, be careful Mister!

  ILY

  Xxxxx

  The day flowed quicker and at 5 O’clock I left the building. After a small conversation with Bert, the big, burly doorman at NSC main entrance, I strolled across the car park to my car. After settling behind the wheel and turning the ignition I noticed an advert stuck to my wiper.

  I climbed back out and grabbed the paper. I opened the advert wondering if it was pizza, Chinese or a new car wash but it figured to be neither.

  I AM GOING TO ENJOY

  WATCHING YOU SCREAM

  IN PAIN YOU

  FUCKING WHORE!!!

  CHAPTER 33

  MASON HAD FIXED me a vodka and cranberry and settled me on the sofa as Sam paced the room, shouting at someone through his phone.

  My head was pounding against the initial stages of a migraine and the happy tummy had turned into an anxious, nauseated tummy.

  Rubbing my temples with my fingers I felt Mason’s hands rest on my shoulders, and his face rested against the top of my head. “You okay, Ava?”

  I nodded. “I won’t let this bastard hurt you, baby,” he promised and I nodded again, my brain was too exhausted to work my vocal chords.

  He kissed the top of my head and started to give me a neck rub. I closed my eyes and made myself relax a little. “That’s better, do you want to cancel tonight?” he asked softly and I shook my head. He chuckled against my hair, “Has my little warrior gone soft?”

  I grinned even though he couldn’t see me. “Mmm,” I sighed and slumped back into the sofa as his fingers worked their magic, digging out each knot in my tight muscles.

  “Jesus Ava, you’re wound so tight.” He sighed angrily, the day’s events pissing him off.

  “SORT IT!” Sam bellowed down the phone, making me jump. “Sorry, Ava,” he said more softly.

  I opened an eye at him and grinned. “No problem, any joy?” I asked.