Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (2 page)

“God Girl, I thought there was something seriously wrong
then. It’s fine, don’t worry. I’ll go alone or ask Kerrie to go with me” I told
her around a mouth full of bacon and beans. She smiled and gave a relieved sigh
“Thanks babe” I nodded “Enjoy yourself and don’t kill him you horny tart” she
grinned at this, her eyebrows waggling enthusiastically.

I demolished all my breakfast and half of Courtneys
pancakes and sat back in my chair, stuffed to an extreme “Oh my God, I hope my
little peanuts appreciate your discomfort Ava” Courtney laughed “you are gonna
be in pain for at least an hour” I puffed “
Your
little peanuts are devouring everything as we speak, give me an hour and they’ll
be ready for more” I said frankly and signalled for the bill. Our friendly
waitress brought us the slip and she stared at the plates “My goodness, well
done” she said wide eyed at the empty plates, I think she thought the amount of
food would challenge me.
Silly girl!!

At 1 O’clock I pulled up in front of Masons, my stomach
round my ankles and my heart in my throat. I was so nervous I was actually
trembling, not knowing how he would act towards me. Our last encounter still
made me shiver and I touched my neck instinctively in the place where he had
bitten me hard enough to draw blood. I peeled myself from the car and
approached the door on wobbly legs.

Taking a deep breath I knocked quietly. The door swung
open almost immediately and my lips parted to pull in a deep breath at the
sight of him, my heart soared in response to being so close and the vision of
his hard muscled perfect frame had my insides clenching in desire.

We silently studied each other for a few moments, both
seeming to appreciate the vision in front of us

“Hi” I said timidly. His face darkened and there was a
flicker in his eyes “You look like shit Ava” he said sternly and I nibbled
furiously on my fingertip.
Hey, nice to
see you too!

He frowned deeply when I didn’t give him a response “Are
you sleeping?” he asked firmly and I shrugged.

God damn him! He didn’t have the right to bark questions
at me anymore but I couldn’t help cowering down to him, even after the end of
our relationship.

“Can I come in to get my stuff?” I asked quietly and he
bit his bottom lip furiously “I asked if you are sleeping Ava, why won’t you
answer me?” he asked again, his forefinger sweeping across his bottom lip and I
tracked it with my eyes “Mason please” I swallowed heavily and he huffed
“Sorry, come in” he moved aside and let me pass.

His unique scent assaulted my nostrils as I passed him
and I inhaled deeply, locking the aroma into my memory. I was sure I heard him sniff
up at the same time and the thought made my insides warm.

I stood timidly in the hallway, still chewing on my
finger, as I heard him swallow and take a deep breath. “I’m afraid I haven’t
had time to bag your things”

I nodded “I’ll Erm…go and do it then…if that’s okay?” I
asked tentatively and he scowled “Of course” he near barked and I gulped. “I’ll
go then…” I trailed off as I saw his eyes drop to my stomach and widen when
they took in the swell “Wow, you’re getting big” he said with a small smile and
I shrugged “Twins” I said as though that one word was all that was needed to
explain, which of course it was.

He gulped and his hand lifted as though to reach out to
my bump but he dropped it back down and a painful expression flittered across
his face. “I’ll just Erm…” I continued and gestured to the stairs. He nodded
once and I dragged my trembling legs up the stairs and into the bedroom.

My heart slammed against my chest and the damn wedge
developed in my throat, the one that struggled furiously to keep the tears at bay.

I bit my bottom lip and walked over to the bed; the bed
we had shared together wrapped tightly in each other’s arms and had made love
so beautifully and passionately in. I sucked in my lips and trailed my fingers
over the duvet…the new duvet. It was now a slate grey one, the dark blue one we
had shared had been replaced. That saddened me and I wondered if it was Masons
or Rebecca’s undertaking.

I walked to the wardrobe and pulled off my suitcase that
was still in its usual spot and placing it on the bed I went back to the
wardrobe and as I opened it I gasped. My clothes were still hung at the side of
Masons, still in the same position I had left them in ten weeks ago.

I ran my fingers down one of Mason’s shirts, the need to
touch something of his encompassing me. I sighed and ordered myself to do what
I came for so I grabbed a handful of my clothes and rammed them angrily into my
case and repeated the process until I had removed them all.

Entering the bathroom I frowned when I saw all my
toiletries still in their original place; my shampoo and conditioner was still
on the shelf in the shower cubicle, my perfumes, creams and cotton balls were
still on the vanity and I gasped as my eyes fell on my toothbrush, still sat
next to Masons in the holder.

“Oh” I breathed out on a huff and I reluctantly removed
it from its spot, detesting the idea of separating the touching items, items
that had been inside Mason and had been inside me.

As I took hold of it my nostrils twitched at something
that excited my senses and stomach.
Soap!!

I groaned in appreciation and my
mouth watered at the sight of it.

Quickly snatching it up I took a
huge bite “Oh God, Yes!!” I rumbled in pleasure, the taste of it calming my
craving immediately.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU
DOING?” Mason demanded and my eyes flew open as I cringed and swallowed noisily
“Erm…” I spluttered around the mouthful of soap.

His eyes were wide and
fixed on my mouth “Erm…” I whispered guiltily but I slowly sneaked it up to
mouth. I saw him step forward so I hastily took another mouthful “God dammit
Ava” he bellowed and tried to wrestle the soap from my hand “Why the hell are you
eating soap?” he asked as we both struggled to keep a hold of the bar.

I scowled and tried to
stop him from opening my fingers “Ava! Give me the bloody soap” he growled and
I shook my head, pouting and sulking “No, I need it” I snarled, pulling at it again,
trying to force his hand that still had a grip on it up to my mouth.

He growled and whipped it
out of my hand and held it behind him “Give it me” I pleaded as I tried to
reach around him “What is wrong with you?” he scowled and moved it away again.

I stood still as my bottom
lip actually stuck out and trembled and I started crying; I needed the damn
soap, my body was screaming out for it. Mason gasped at the sight of me, his
features softening immediately and he gently took hold of my arms “Ava, what’s
wrong?” he asked softly.

My heart rejoiced at his
touch, my pores and skin thrilled with his contact but my hormones and taste
buds were crying out for the soap and as the emotions clashed I let out a huge
shuddering sob “I need the soap Mason…please” I begged. His jaw dropped open
and his eyes widened “Ava…” another sob broke free and the tears flowed freely.

He ushered me in his arms
“Don’t cry baby” he soothed “Ssshhh”
 
My
eyes closed as I sagged against him and tentatively put my arms around him,
allowing myself a little bit of pleasure from his embrace. His face settled in
my hair and we both let out a hefty sigh, as though our bodies had been needing
this moment for a long time, our souls revelled at the reunion and our bodies
hummed in delight at the connection and my libido soared, arousal already
seeping into my knickers at his touch.

I closed my eyes and
silently reprimanded myself. I shouldn’t be doing this, I was letting myself
get carried away and it would be heart wrenching to break free but I knew I had
to do it.

I noticed Mason seemed reluctant to let me go as I gently
pulled away and his eyes flinched as I stepped back. He looked in pain and my
eyes flicked over the huge swell at his crotch, very evident against his grey
joggers. I was overjoyed; No! I was damn delighted to know he still desired me
as much as he used to.

My lips twitched and I bit my bottom lip to stop the
smile that was threatening to lift my lips. He coughed slightly and looked
away, an angry expression marred his beautiful face and my stomach plummeted at
his obvious annoyance that his body had reacted to me.

“If I could just have the soap, I’ll be going” I said
sadly, still hurt by his resentment “Why do you need the bloody soap Ava?” he
scowled and I huffed “Because Courtney won’t let me have any” I snapped, now
infuriated with him. How dare he keep me away from the soap!

“Well isn’t that fucking obvious.
Why the fuck are you eating the stuff anyway?” he snapped back, his fury
rising.

  
I glared at him “Isn’t it fucking obvious” I mimicked “I fucking need
it, I crave it Mason. It’s called being fucking pregnant. Not that you could
give a shit!” I cried, so bloody angry that he hadn’t the slightest interest in
his babies yet here he was telling me what I could and couldn’t eat.

  
He grit his teeth at my outburst, the fire in his eyes was blazing and
his fists were clenched severely at his sides “Of course I fucking care” he
growled and I scoffed “Oh really, then where the hell have you been so far?” I
shouted

“Ava…” he warned and my fury
snapped “Oh I’m sorry, my names not fucking Rebecca is it” I threw at him and
stomped over to my case. He sucked in a hiss of air “What the fuck is that
supposed to mean?” he demanded and I shook my head in despair “It means…that
you attended each and every one of Rebecca’s antenatal appointments but where
the hell have you been for mine eh?” I challenged.

He scowled furiously “Well maybe
if you hadn’t been a whore and fucking screwed Kade I would be there!” he
roared and I recoiled as though he had slapped me, Wow that hurt.

I swallowed harshly and the tears
welled again.

I nodded sadly and refusing to
look at him, picked up my case and walked away “Shit Ava, I shouldn’t have said
that, I’m sorry” he grasped my forearm and I halted but refused to look at him
“I know Mason and believe me nobody fucking hates me more than I do for what I did
to you but…” I gulped back the pain of his words “but it’s not your babies’
fault their mother is a fucking whore!” I yanked my arm free and hurried down
the stairs.

“Ava…” he choked out as I reached
the front door. I turned and lifted my eyes to his “I really am sorry” he
breathed and I nodded softly “Me too Mason” I said sadly and walked through the
door.

I needed my best friend, her comfort and love to wipe
away the hurt of Mason’s words. I quickly scrambled into my car and made it to her
house in record time, flinging myself through her front door, in a mixture of
rage, pain and hurt.

“Hun?”
I shouted to her as I
threw open her kitchen door “Shit, shit, shit!” I wailed and swiftly turned on
my heels and re-entered the hallway. The vision of Courtney being nailed on her
kitchen table by Greg will never leave my retinas, scorched on for the rest of
my life. I heard their laughter from behind the door “I am so sorry guys, I’ll
just wait in the room” I shouted as I turned towards her lounge “Don’t be too
long though, I’m hungry” I added on a huff and I heard another eruption of
laughter.

Plonking my weary body on her sofa I let out a huge sigh.
If you hadn’t been a
whore.
His harsh words
resounded in my head.
If
you hadn’t been a whore.
A tear trickled down my face, slowly and
solitary. Oh that hurt! I already knew he hated me but to push his babies away
because of what he thought of me was so painful. “I’m so sorry peanuts” I
sighed, rubbing my tummy.

The room door opened and Courtney came in with mugs of
coffee and Greg followed with a jar of peanut butter and a family size can of
gherkins. She narrowed her eyes on me than sighed deeply “I take it didn’t go
well then” she said as she handed me coffee. I shook my head and reached out for
the goodies Greg held. He eyed me curiously as I whipped open both jars with
speed and dug in

“He called me a whore” I grumbled as I took a large bite
of my ultimate comfort “HE FUCKING WHAT?” Courtney exploded and both Greg and I
flinched. I snorted “Well I am, aren’t I?” She growled and I had never heard
Courtney growl, even Greg looked shit scared at that moment “You are not a
fucking whore Ava!” she expressed loudly and I shrugged again

“What exactly did he say Ava?” Greg asked, looking dumb
founded “I asked him why he didn’t want anything to do with his babies and he
said, and I quote, if you hadn’t been a whore and fucked Kade then I would be
there for you” I gave up with the gherkins and just dipped my finger into the
butter.

 
Greg seemed
genuinely shocked. I finally raised my eyes to Courtney and the tears flowed “I
am
a fucking whore” I sobbed and she
huddled me up tightly “No babe, you’re not” she whispered gently as I wept.

Greg stood abruptly and left the room and I looked at her
“I am so sorry Courtney, if I’d have known, well I wouldn’t have…” I trailed
off and she grinned at me “Don’t worry Ava, I’ll have him to myself for a whole
week” she grinned happily.

 
Greg returned,
looking a bit flushed and angry “You okay?” Courtney asked and he clenched his
teeth but nodded and she narrowed her eyes on him. My phone trilled a text
alert in my bag and I reached for it

MASON

Ava, I am so sorry
for what I said. I didn’t mean it; I was just…well I was just being my usual
shitty self. Anyway again, I’m so sorry x