The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

  * * *

  “It’s so beautiful.” We were sat at an iron garden table on the large sun terrace facing what seemed like miles and miles of greenery and fauna. The sun was sparkling off the surface of a small but adequate pool, the sheer tranquillity and serenity of the view had us mellow and quiet.

  Mason had opened a bottle of wine and plated some cheese and meats along with a large baguette and we both tucked in as we sat in comfortable silence.

  I turned to look at Mason who seemed lost somewhere in his head. “You Okay?” I asked quietly, tipping my head to the side.

  He sighed heavily and looked at me. He didn’t say anything but nodded his head and smiled sadly.

  I needed to get him out of his mood so I stood and took a step towards him. He looked up at me, squinting at the bright sun situated behind me. I slowly raised my hands to my T-shirt and grasping the hem, slowly lifting it over my head.

  I remained still and silent as I saw the colour of his eyes change, from his usual grey to near black. His chest heaved in a sure sign that I had his attention.

  I reached behind me and slipped the small zip of my skirt, letting it pool around my ankles. I was now stood in my baby blue bra and thong. His breaths were getting harsher. He held my eyes, boring into my soul as I reached around and unhooked my bra and slowly peeled it away from me.

  He still held my eyes but a small curl had lifted his lip. His hands were fisted on his thighs, a sign he was struggling to keep his composure. I turned around to face the pool so my back was to him, slipped my fingers in the edge of my thongs and swept them inch by inch down my legs, bending at the waist as I took them off.

  I heard a deep groan from Mason as I slipped them off my ankles, now fully naked and fully bent over.

  I stood back up and turned to see him now stood, sweeping his own shirt over his head. I watched him as he popped the button on his jeans and slowly lowered the zip as he looked at me. “I am gonna fuck you hard and raw Ava,” he growled.

  I smiled wickedly. “I was hoping so.”

  He pushed his shorts down with his jeans and stood out of them. He was stood gloriously naked and hard. A harsh breath escaped my mouth at the sight of him.

  “Jesus!” I breathed. A flash of fire glinted across his eyes.

  He took a step towards me as his tongue swept across his bottom lip, and I moaned at the pure sex that was emanating from him. A wicked grin spread across his face and his eyes darkened further as a small snarl ripped from his throat.

  I squealed as I leapt up and sprinted across the lawn, Mason closing the gap behind me. “You can’t escape Ava,” he laughed and I stopped dead, spun round and lurched back towards the pool. “I am so gonna spank your arse when I get you.” He growled and I squealed again in excitement. God this game was hot!

  We were both laughing hard and running around a well-manicured French garden naked. I spotted the pool and took a quick glance over my shoulder to find Mason nearly upon me so I took a final sprint and dived into the pool.

  I surfaced, laughing and panting as I swept my hair back and looked around for Mason. My heart plummeted at the sight of him. He was stood, frozen in place staring at me in the pool with an expression I couldn’t read marring his beautiful face.

  “Mason?” I rasped.

  His eyes shot to mine as he shook his head rapidly. “Not the pool, Ava.”

  I frowned, swan to the edge and pulled myself out. “Are you afraid of water?” I asked him quietly as I approached him.

  His gaze locked on me. “No,” he said simply and I cocked my head.

  “What’s wrong, baby?” I palmed his cheek.

  He leant into my hand and closed his eyes, sighing deeply but didn’t speak. Reaching on my tiptoes I planted small kisses along his jaw, sneaking my tongue out to taste him. His stubble tickled my lips and I worked my way over to his mouth, sucking and nibbling on his bottom lip.

  His arms slid around me and he opened up to allow me in. I kissed him with everything I had, wanting to erase his pain and torment. He moaned and plunged his tongue into my mouth, expertly taking control and demanding submission of my tongue and the kiss.

  Both his hands came up to my head, one cupping the back of it as he drew me closer, the other twisting around my hair and holding me still. His mouth left mine to trail his tongue down the column of my neck and across my collar bone, biting the soft flesh under it, producing a moan and a surge of lust from me.

  “Mason, I need you,” I breathed as I tipped my head back to give him better access to my neck as he worked his way back up to my mouth.

  “How much, Ava? How much do you want me?” He bit my bottom lip and tugged it with his teeth triggering another loud moan.

  “With everything I am Mason, all of me.” He moaned at my words and sweeping his arms under my knees, he lifted me and carried me over to a spot of grass . . . away from the pool.

  He sprawled out beside me as his hands feverishly explored my body, his long fingers skimming every inch of my skin as he consumed me in a fervent kiss. “Oh Ava,” he breathed as he lowered down to nibble on the flesh of a heavy breast, sucking and biting me all over, covering me with bites and blemishes; marking me as his.

  My arousal was so intense I was yanking and pulling at his hair. “Please Mason, you’re killing me.”

  He crawled back up to my face, taking my mouth under his again as he slowly and gently nudged himself into me. I arched at the erotic fullness, the delicious stretch of my muscles as he slid in to the maximum. I groaned loudly as I felt him touch my cervix and then pull out so, so slowly, “Oh God.”

  He continued the slow torturous rhythm. “God Ava, you were made for me. Mine!” His teeth grazed my neck, now biting and slurping the skin there as I lifted my hips to meet each and every drive into me.

  The pleasure was building rapidly and I felt my imminent orgasm as I clutched at his arse, pulling him tighter into me.

  He hugged my waist and rolled us over so I was on top. “Make love to me, Ava. Take me. Use me.” He groaned as I started moving, his hands worshiping my breasts as I rested mine on his hard chest and took control, working us into a sweat.

  Taking each of his hands in mine I raised to the tip of him, paused and them slowly slid back down, grinding into him as I took in his full length.

  “Christ,” he croaked as I did it again.

  His hands slid round to cup my arse as he lifted me. Bringing his hips up to meet me, he speared me in a powerful thrust that made him cry out. The sensation had me growling and riding him harder and faster.

  “Come on Ava, fuck me.” His hands now rested on my hips as he ground into me on each plunge down. I raised my own hands to my breasts, tugging at my nipples as his eyes darkened and I felt him harden further.

  “Come for me, Ava” he ordered as he slid his thumb between us and pressed it against my clit. My orgasm started in my toes and savagely shot through me, tightening each and every muscle on its way through.

  “Mason!” I screamed loudly as my climax triggered Mason’s potent orgasm. He cried my name as he gripped my hips so tightly I knew he would leave bruises.

  I leant forwards and rested my head on his chest as his arms circled me, holding me close. “I love you Mason, so fucking much,” I whispered as his hand swept away the hair that had fallen across my face.

  We lay there silent and spent for a few minutes until he rolled us over and pulled out. Lifting me gently he walked us back to the sundeck and settled me on a large cushion filled wicker sofa then covered me with a thin throw.

  “Sleep baby, I have a few calls to make,” he whispered and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

  As he turned to walk away I grabbed his hand, “Mason.” He didn’t turn and look at me but didn’t pull away either. I frowned, “You would tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”

  He stiffened and his shoulders sagged but he finally looked at me. “Would you?” he countered, causing my frown to deepen.

  “
Of course,” I told him. He nodded slowly then walked into the house.

  I realised that he had deflected the question. Something was wrong but I couldn’t work out what, even though a tiny voice in my head kept shouting Kade’s name out.

  CHAPTER 47

  WE SPENT A wonderful afternoon exploring the area, visiting a vineyard and the local tourist spots. Mason seemed back to his usual self; whispering words of adoration or cheeky comments in my ear, kissing me often and tenderly and refused to drop my hand, holding me close and tight but there was still the sadness and dullness in his eyes.

  We had dinner in a quaint little French restaurant and we were now sat on a private little beach that was accessible from some stone steps behind our chateau.

  My back was against Mason’s chest as we sat on the sand and watched the sun go down, both of us silent and relaxed. His arms were wrapped around me, his fingers entwined with mine as his thumb stroked cross my knuckles and his chin rested on the top of my head . . . pure heaven.

  “Marry me, Ava,” he whispered. My heart skipped a beat. This time the moment was perfect and it felt right straight away.

  I pulled out of his embrace, turned to him and knelt between his legs. “Yes.” His eyes widened and the expression of joy and exhilaration on his face brought a huge grin to erupt on my face.

  I placed my hands either side of his face. “YES! YES! YES!” I cried.

  He seemed to struggle to breathe for a second. “Oh Ava,” he choked out and pulled me into him. He held me so tightly I thought he might crush my ribs as he removed a ring from his pocket and slipped it over my finger.

  His mouth found mine and he kissed me so passionately and ardently that we were both gasping for breath when he broke away.

  “God I love you Ava Stone. So much, baby. I need to make you mine, all mine” he declared. He frowned slightly and stared at me. “What’s Ava short for?” he asked suddenly. My eyes widened and I shook my head.

  A wicked grin lifted his lips. “Tell me,” he implored but I shook my head again and looked away. “Baby, come on. I’m gonna find out soon if we are getting married.” He smirked and I sighed.

  “Promise you won’t laugh?” I asked seriously, he nodded avidly. “Okay.” I took a breath and squeezed my eyes shut. “Avangeline.”

  Mason was silent and I peeked a look at him. His head was tipped and he gazed softly at me. “But that’s beautiful baby, a name for an angel,” he whispered.

  “I was supposed to be named Evangeline but my Dad registered the birth because my mother was so ill after having me and he spelt my name wrong.” I chuckled and he grinned at me. “That’s one of the things I can remember, my mother told me the story when I came home from school crying one day because some girls had laughed at my name.”

  “A beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” he said softly and took me in another impassioned kiss, laying me down on the sand as he made love to me slowly and tenderly in the sunset to the sound of the water crashing against the rocks and the scent of the orchids in the breeze.

  We spent Sunday sight-seeing, eating and making love; Mason kept his promise of making love to me in every room. He was back to his usual happy, loving self and I didn’t give his early moodiness another thought.

  Much to my displeasure Monday morning rolled round much too quickly and we were soon back in London on our way home in Sam’s car.

  * * *

  Mason had sat in the front with Sam to talk about some business. I was listening to my voice messages and replying to some texts when my phone rang.

  “Hello,” I answered to the unknown caller.

  “Hey, it’s me,” Kade said.

  “Hey, Court.” I cringed slightly as Mason’s eyes flicked to mine and then back to Sam.

  Kade sighed angrily, “I take it he’s there.” His voice held a touch of resentment.

  “Yeah,” I answered, shifting my guilty look through the window.

  “I need to see you Ava, it’s killed me knowing you spent all weekend in fucking France with him,” he breathed and my stomach clenched.

  “I can’t,” I said, chewing on my little finger.

  “Please Ava.”

  “When?” I asked, hating myself for yielding to his requests so easily.

  “Tomorrow, I have an apartment now so I can have you all to myself and this time I’m gonna come inside you Ava, make you scream and fill you with my cum,” he said with a growl and I squirmed at the arousal, terrified Mason could smell my lust.

  Mason was studying me and his gaze kept lowering to my mouth. I dropped my hand to my lap and forced a smile on my face. His eyes were searching mine and I looked back through the window.

  I knew what I had to do and the chance to be alone with Kade gave me the perfect opportunity to end our relationship. “Okay, lunch?” I asked.

  I could sense his grin. “Only if I can eat you, sweetheart.”

  “I’ll see you later, Courtney.”

  “I’ll text you the address and time. God I can’t wait to see you.”

  Suddenly I was struggling to breathe and the lump in my throat was getting painful. “Yeah, bye,” I said quickly and ended the call.

  “You okay, Ava?” Mason asked over his shoulder with his eyes narrowed on me.

  I nodded. “Yeah, just feel a bit sickly,” I lied. “It must be Sam’s driving.” I laughed nervously and Sam harrumphed.

  He seemed to be mollified and turned back to Sam but I could see him secretly sneaking peeks at me through the mirror. I was suddenly desperate to get back to the house.

  * * *

  Later that afternoon Mason had gone to meet Rebecca at the hospital and I was baking between doing bouts of laundry.

  The house phone rang and Sam’s voice greeted me, “Hey Ava, is Mason there?”

  “No, he’s at the hospital with Rebecca,” I near growled out.

  There was a long pause. “Shit!” he bit out.

  “What’s wrong Sam?” I could hear him clicking his tongue.

  “I’ve left Lee Benedict’s file in Mason’s office. Can you run up and see if you can find it, I need his bank account number to check something?”

  “Sure.” I took the stairs two at a time and sat behind Mason’s desk, searching for the file. “I can’t see it Sam.” I heard him clicking his tongue in thought again.

  “Try the top drawer, Ava.” I pulled to open it but it wouldn’t budge.

  “It’s locked,” I told him and he swore.

  “Oh wait Ava, the key is under the plant pot on the bookshelf.” he disclosed and true to his word, there was a little key under the ceramic pot.

  “Does Mason know you know where the key is?” I smirked.

  “No, so don’t tell him or he’ll move it.” He chuckled and I snickered.

  “You naughty boy.”

  Unlocking the drawer I quickly flicked through some files until I came to the brown manila file and read out the account number to Sam. “You are a star Ava, thank you.”

  I smiled and ended the call. As I went to put the file back a large brown envelope caught my attention, the wording on the front grabbing my stomach and clenching it severely. ‘Your whore’ it said on a typed sticker.

  Swallowing heavily I pulled it out and placed it on the desk in front of me. Did I really want to see what it contained?

  Taking a steadying breath I reached in and pulled out the contents. My head swam and my breath froze.

  SHIT!

  I was hyperventilating, my hands started sweating. My eyes wouldn’t move from the photos in front of me as the bile rose.

  Twelve of them, all of me and Kade in his pool, having sex; in the water, kissing and groping, me sat on the pool edge with Kade’s head between my legs. Kade knelt before me while I blew him and others of me straddled over his lap, both our heads flung back in ecstasy.

  I rested my head in my hands as my heart broke for Mason; it must have ripped him in half to see these. “You fucking bastard!” I shouted to my stalker
.

  Now I knew why he was emotional over the weekend but why hadn’t he said anything? Why hadn’t he shouted and screamed at me, why hadn’t he tore Kade limb from limb, or me for that matter and why had he still asked me to marry him? “Oh Mason.”

  I heard my phone ringing somewhere in the house but I ignored it, my mind and body numb and frozen as I cried, wept for Mason and what I had done to him.

  I hurriedly placed all the photos back in the envelope and drawer, making sure I replaced everything as I had found it and locked it back up, replacing the key and dragged myself back to the kitchen.

  Perching on a barstool my phone rang again, it was Kerrie. “Hi, Ava,” she greeted. I returned her greeting. “Listen Ava, Mason told me your news. I’m so pleased for the pair of you” she cried happily.

  A sob erupted, guilt and self-hatred breaking free. Shit not now!

  “You okay, Ava?”

  I screwed up my face. “Oh yeah, sorry. Just reading a sad book,” I lied.

  She chuckled. “Oh God, you are as bad as me. Anyway I was wondering if you and Mason would join me for dinner tonight? My treat.”

  I closed my eyes in distress. “Yeah that’s sounds lovely, thank you.”

  “Great La Roche, tonight at 8 O’clock. I’ve invited a few others so it will be like a little engagement party. Nobody else knows yet so I thought it would be a great opportunity to tell people.”

  She giggled and I grit my teeth. “Lovely,” I said, trying to keep the bitter tone away. Luckily, I don’t think she caught it as she chirped on about everything and nothing for a while.

  I blew out a huge breath when she finally ended the call. Groaning, I buried my face in my hands.

  “Ava?” Mason asked behind me, startling me. “There I go again, baby.” He grinned and I smiled, pulling myself out of my stupor. “You okay?” he asked, cocking his head.

  I wanted to scream at him ‘No I’m not bloody okay and neither are you’ but instead I replied with, “Headache” and looked away from him.

  He stood silent, regarding me with narrow eyes for a while. I kept my gaze out of the back window.

  “How did you get on?” I asked without turning.