The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

  CHAPTER 4

  I COULD SEE Mason in my rear view all the way back to the cottage.

  “Piss off Mason!” I scowled into my mirror as I slammed on the brakes outside my home and made a dash for the front door. He screeched to a stop behind me.

  “Come on damn it.” I frantically searched through my bag for my keys and feeling the cold metal I grabbed them and rammed it into the keyhole.

  “Ava!” he shouted as I managed to fling the door open, I was so close to pushing it shut as his foot wedged in the frame. “Move your fucking foot or lose it Mason” I yelled. He actually removed it. Wow, that was easy!

  I grinned happily as I slammed it shut. “Ha!” I declared and peeked round the lounge door. After been broken into twice I was still a little uneasy every time I came in and I now had a habit of checking the room before I settled in.

  Relaxing a little after finding nothing out of place in the lounge I went to check on the kitchen.

  My phone rang in my bag as I was about to turn the handle and retrieving it I found it was Liv. “Hey Ava,” she greeted as I answered.

  “Hey,” I smiled as I heard her new born, Helena, grizzling in the background.

  “I swear she can sense the minute I get on this blasted phone,” she laughed. “Listen Ava, I can’t stay on long but we are having a Christmas party this Saturday at mine and we want you to come, bring Courtney,” she managed to say in between shushes to Helena.

  “Yeah that would be great, thanks but Courtney won’t be here, she’s in France until Sunday.”

  After I hung up I opened the kitchen door.

  “FUCK!!” I screamed as I came face to face with an angry Mason sat in one of my kitchen chairs, “How the hell?” I gulped and he waggled his old back door key at me. “You have no right Mason,” I glared at him.

  “Well when you won’t fucking listen to me Ava, I have every damn right,” he seethed.

  I rubbed at my temples, exhaustion finally taking over after several weeks of hardly any sleep. “Just go Mason.” I flopped down in a chair and rested my head on my folded arms against the table.

  “Ava, look at me.” He sighed and I ignored him. I didn’t need this right now, I felt like I could sleep for a week. “Baby, you’re exhausted,” he said softly as he crouched before me and smoothed my hair away from my cheek.

  I was struggling to open my eyes and I just sighed at him. His strong arms lifted me from the chair but I was too tired to argue so I snuggled into him.

  My body elated with the feel of his embrace and I felt his lips brush my forehead. “Come on baby, let’s get you in to bed,” he breathed in my ear as he nudged open my bedroom door.

  He sat me on the edge of the bed and lifting my hips; he slid my dress up and over my head and lifted my arms through it.

  Gently laying me down, he crouched down in front of me, stroking my hair softly. “Go to sleep my little warrior,” he whispered against my cheek as he placed a delicate kiss beside my ear. I heard him sigh deeply then stand and my hand shot out to him.

  “Please stay with me Mason, I can’t sleep unless you’re beside me,” I mumbled.

  “Oh Ava,” he choked out. I felt his hesitation but then he was removing his shoes and socks. I heard his belt being unbuckled and his trousers swish down his legs. If I wasn’t so damn tired I would have already jumped on him.

  Slipping in behind me he wrapped me in his arms and pulled me back against him, kissing the back of my head tenderly as he placed his hand over my swollen belly, lightly tracing circles with his fingers.

  “That’s nice,” I whispered and smiled. The last thing I heard was Mason telling me how sorry he was for everything when he thought I was asleep.

  * * *

  I woke to soft sunlight filtering through my window and squinted at the clock; 6:37. “Shit.”

  I shot up, amazed I had slept for seventeen hours and then I remembered Mason. My heart clenched when I realised he had gone and picking up the pillow he had slept on, I snuggled it close, inhaling his intoxicating scent from the cotton. Drawing my knees up to my chest, I lay my head on it and sighed, missing him already.

  I don’t know how long he had stayed with me but I was grateful for his comforting presence beside me, I hadn’t slept like that since . . . well since the last time he was snuggled behind me.

  I put the pillow back carefully, already telling myself that if I huddled into it tonight it might help me sleep alone for the first time, then swung myself out of bed, feeling refreshed and energised for the first time in weeks.

  Wrapping in my robe I went down for coffee and as I entered the kitchen I was delighted to see the first snow of the season had settled. “Hey look peanuts, it’s snowed,” I said happily and rubbed my bump. God, I felt great!

  “Thank you Mason,” I whispered into nothing and then felt a twinge of sadness. I missed him so much, last night had proved that.

  I approached the kettle and found a note beside a brown bag containing muffins, croissant and bagels. Oh my God, I loved that man!

  Ava,

  Thought you might be hungry after all that sleep. I had to leave at 5 but I fetched you food, you gannet. I know my little peanuts will be ready for their breakfast. I’ll be in touch soon, we need to talk.

  Mason xxx

  P.S I haven’t slept that well for a long time, I think we both needed it.

  A tear slipped free at the reference to ‘his peanuts’ and the damn broke at the realisation that he hadn’t been sleeping well without me either.

  I decided to text him to thank him for the breakfast

  ME

  Good morning, thank you for breakfast and an AMAZING night’s sleep.

  Your peanuts are eternally grateful.

  Xxx

  * * *

  At 9 O’clock I near on skipped up the steps to the NSC building. “Wow, somebody had a good night’s sleep,” Bert the doorman grinned at me.

  I beamed up at him. “I most definitely did Bert.” He laughed and winked at me as he held open the door.

  It was my first day as Nate Carter’s Personal Assistant and I couldn’t wait to get started. Liv wasn’t back for another few weeks so I was going to be ultra-busy doing my own job and sharing her work load with Grace but I was glad for the distraction.

  Jonathon the main floor receptionist greeted me with a mug of coffee and a blueberry muffin as I exited the elevator.

  “Oh my God, I love you. I’ve only had two cream cheese bagels, an apple and cinnamon muffin and two jam croissants this morning. I’m starved.” I grinned at him and took a gulp of coffee. I had been training up here for a few weeks so Jonathon was already aware of my humungous appetite.

  He laughed and flung his head back. “I can take care of it for you Ava if you can’t manage it.” He smirked and I snarled at him.

  “Don’t you dare!”

  He laughed again and then cocked his head at me, “Wow, you know you look great this morning. Really fresh and blossoming.” He smiled as his eyes skimmed over me.

  I had managed to find a knee length sweater dress in my winter wardrobe and although it was flush against my bump, I had still managed to heave myself into it. I had plans to clothes shop on Saturday; Kerrie was coming with me to make it a girly day and I was really looking forward to it as we were having the works; hair, nails and facial.

  “I better go see to his majesty,” I winked and strolled down the long corridor that led to Nate’s office and personal reception.

  He was in his office but his door was open. “Morning,” I shouted as I slung my bag and coat away in the lockable cupboard at the back of the reception area after retrieving my phone, iPad and peanut butter jar.

  “I need you Ava,” he shouted desperately.

  I walked into his office. He was squashed under his desk, puffing and panting and pulling at something. I rushed over and placing my things on his desk, I peered underneath. “What are you doing?” I snorted when I saw his red face and sweat dripping off hi
s forehead, he looked hilarious!

  “My bloody printers broke and the people that fitted out the office welded the fucking cable underneath the carpet. I need to get the damn thing out,” he grumbled.

  I slid on my knees. “You pull it as I lift the corner of the desk,” he directed.

  I grabbed hold of it when he managed to lift the corner just as my phone rang. I reached my hand above me onto the table to grab it and slid my finger over it without looking, terminating the call as I tugged on the cable

  “It’s coming Ava, keep going,” Nate cried with a grunt as he lifted the table.

  I pulled with a hefty groan, the cable slid free as I heard Mason’s snarl through the phone. “Ava! Who the fuck are you with?” I must have slid the answer option the wrong way.

  “Yes!” Nate cried as the cable came completely free and he dropped the table with a bang. I grinned victoriously at him and then remembered Mason.

  “Hey,” I said happily to him.

  “I asked who the fuck you are with Ava?” he growled at me.

  I froze wide eyed. “Nate,” I said timidly.

  He spluttered down the phone for a few seconds then the line went dead. I frowned, looking at the phone as if it would give me a reason for his outburst.

  Nate looked at me curiously. “Everything okay?”

  I shrugged. “He must be having a bad day.” I said with a shake of my head. “You okay now?”

  He smiled wickedly. “I need you to put the new cable in the groove where the old one was.”

  I groaned, “Do you just want me to phone maintenance?” I asked him with a pleading expression. He laughed without humour.

  “They take hours Ava and I need these documents printing before my meeting in half an hour.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Go on then, but look up my dress and I’ll flatten you,” I warned jokingly.

  He feigned shock and horror with his hand on his chest. “I would never do a thing like that Ava,” he grinned slyly.

  I raised my eyebrows at him. Nate and I had developed a great friendship and we were constantly ribbing each other and joking about.

  “Ready?” he asked after he had set up the new printer. He passed me the cable and I took a deep breath.

  “Okay,” He heaved the desk up as I tried to slip the cable into the groove but the desk wasn’t far enough off the ground for me to slip it under. “You need to raise it a bit higher,” I groaned as I heard a commotion outside.

  “I can’t get it any further up, Ava!” he yelled at me as he made one extra effort to push up the desk.

  “I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” I heard Mason scream from the reception area. I dropped the cable and Nate dropped the table as Mason skidded to a halt in the doorway.

  “Oh!” he said wide eyed.

  I frowned at him. “What are you doing here?” I asked bewildered at his obvious distress; his face was bright red, his fists were scrunched tightly and his jaw was rock solid.

  He cringed slightly. “What are you doing?” he asked sheepishly.

  I eyed him curiously. “Trying to replace the printer cable, why?”

  He took a step further in. “I just thought . . . it doesn’t matter.” He cringed again and I leant back on my heels.

  Nate started chuckling, then he started laughing and then he was hooting. “He thought we were at it Ava,” he choked out between breaths.

  I gasped. “Why would you think that?”

  Mason shrugged, “Well what would you think if you answered the phone to grunts and groans and a bloke shouting ‘its coming, keep going’?”

  He sucked in his lips. Nate started laughing again and I glared at Mason, “You thought me and Nate were having sex?” My eyes were huge.

  “Well . . . then when I got in reception he was shouting he couldn’t get it up any further and I know what you’re like Ava.” He grinned cheekily. Nate snorted loudly and started laughing again.

  My mouth fell open and I stared at him.

  “I’m sorry.” He grimaced, laughter still obvious on his face and I cocked my head.

  “Mason, can I have a word please?” I asked as I pushed up onto my feet. His hand shot out to help me up and I softened at his consideration but not too much.

  I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the empty reception area, shutting Nate’s door behind me. Mason looked at me and grinned sheepishly as I sighed.

  “Why did you rush all the way over here when you thought I was having sex with Nate?”

  He pursed his lips and a flash glinted in his eye. “Why do even have to ask that Ava?”

  I raised my eyebrows at his stupidity. “Mason. We’re not together anymore,” I reminded him.

  He realised what I was saying. “Oh.”

  I nodded slowly. “I am not having sex with Nate but it is still none of your damn business, Mason. You are currently back with your ‘fuck whore’ and what I do with my own sex life is up to me.” I was rather angry at his relenting dominance over me.

  “Ava . . .” he warned with a low growl and I shook my head.

  “What Mason? Am I not allowed to have a relationship ever? Is it okay for you to fuck someone else but not for me?” I was furious at his possessiveness over me even though we had been separate for over ten weeks.

  “Don’t fucking say that,” he snarled.

  “What? The fact that I might fuck somebody? Grow up Mason. If I want to have sex with someone then I damn well will. Are you telling me you’re not fucking Rebecca?” I was now seriously regretting asking that question because I didn’t want to know the answer so I quickly turned around before it left his lips.

  “God damn it Ava!” he spat and stormed off.

  I slumped in my desk chair and bit my lip. I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry.

  Nate popped his head through his door. “You okay?” he asked gently and I sighed but nodded.

  “He seems to think I’m not allowed a life even though we’re not together anymore.” I shook myself off and plastered a smile on my face. “Right, let’s get this damn cable laid,” I growled and he winked.

  “Come into my lair, Ava.”

  I rolled my eyes and shook my head but entered the lair laughing.

  CHAPTER 5

  BY THE END of the week I was lagging again, I hadn’t managed to get another restful night and the black rings under my eyes had returned by Saturday.

  I picked Kerrie up at 10 O’clock and by 12:30 I had bought most of the maternity section at Debenhams. My feet hurt so we had sunk into the first pub we came across and were currently digging into a mouth-watering pie and chips.

  “Sooo what’s the goss with Courtney and Greg?” Kerrie asked with an eager expression and I chuckled.

  “Wonderful apparently, can’t seem to get enough of each other and I’m really pleased for her. She deserves it.”

  Kerrie murmured her agreement over a mouthful of pie, “Wow this is really good” she hummed appreciatively.

  I couldn’t hide my disappointment at her approval of the pie.

  “Sorry sweetie but there won’t be any left.” She giggled and I pouted. “I’ll buy you a pudding” she winked at me and I grinned.

  “Are you going to Liv and Nate’s party?” I asked her as I finished my meal and shoved my empty plate away, my eyes on her chips. She shook her head at the question but rolled her eyes at my pleading expression and pushed her plate over to me. I beamed at her, “I love you so much.”

  “I hate you” she grumbled humorously. “You look tired Ava,” she said suddenly serious. “You still having trouble sleeping?”

  I shrugged and demolished the last chip. “I’ll get used to it.”

  She cocked her head as her lip curled wickedly. “I heard you got a good night’s sleep Monday.” Her eyebrows were high over the rim of her glass and I smiled longingly.

  “Yeah, best sleep I’ve had in weeks. I’m surprised he told you.”

  It was her turn to shrug, “He told me it was the best night’s sl
eep he’d had in weeks as well.” Her lips were now pursed in unison with her high eyebrows.

  “Kerrie, don’t look too far into it. I was exhausted and I asked him to stay and . . . he did. We slept. That was it,” I informed her. She nodded and smiled but I still caught the glimmer in her eye.

  “I suppose he didn’t tell you about storming into my workplace Tuesday morning shouting the odds?” I asked her. “I didn’t think so,” I said when she shook her head with wide eyes.

  “He phoned me when me and Nate were grunting trying to lay a cable under his desk, Mason thought we were having sex and stormed in shouting and bawling saying he was gonna kill Nate,” I told her angrily, still pissed off with Mason’s behaviour.

  She stared at me, “Wow.”

  “Mmm, and when I told him it was none of his business if I wanted to have a sexual relationship with someone, he went mad. Apparently I’m not allowed.” I shook my head in disgust as the waiter came to remove our plates.

  “I’ll take a piece of the chocolate cheesecake and a fruit salad please,” I told him before he even asked if I wanted a sweet. “Kerrie?” I asked. She shook her head, declining.

  “She’ll have a trifle,” I informed the waiter. Kerrie laughed when he looked at me like I’d got two heads.

  “Sure.” He grinned in understanding when I rubbed my baby bump.

  “He’s hot,” I whispered to Kerrie as I checked out his retreating ass. Her mouth dropped open, “It’s not my fault, it’s these bloody hormones,” I told her with an exaggerated pout. “I’m so fucking horny all the time and it’s not good when you haven’t got a fella.”

  “You wanna take a visit to Ann Summers before we get our hair done?” she asked seriously. I gave her a wide grin in confirmation.

  The waiter returned with my three puddings and placed them all in front of me. “Enjoy,” he winked. I beamed at him.

  “Maybe I’ll just take him,” I giggled to Kerrie as he walked away.

  * * *

  The party was in full flow at Nate and Liv’s house Saturday night and I was sat around a patio heater with Grace, Leah, Liv, Lexi and Beth laughing and talking.