Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (20 page)

I sighed heavily, he was right and I was just feeling
insecure, the images of him with her…
the
fuck whore
, still pained me. I turned back over and palmed his cheek “I’m
sorry, I’m just being a bitch” I smiled sheepishly but he frowned “Ava, you are
many things but you could never be a bitch baby, your heart is too honest and
pure” he whispered, kissing me lightly

“I’m gonna miss you so much Mason” I sobbed as he pulled
me close “I know baby, and me too, so fucking much it scares me” he confessed
and held me tight, his nose in my hair, his arms wrapped around me tightly as I
snuggled close to him, holding him just as securely, as we both engrained this
moment to our memories to help us get through the pain and torture of being
apart, until the next time we were together.

We returned to London three days ago, Boxing Day, and I
hadn’t seen Mason since and I missed him with every fibre of my being; my heart
ached for him, my body yearned for him, my eyes hungered for him and as our
babies kicked and fidgeted I longed to feel the press of his large hand on my
belly. We had been secretly texting each other, flirty little texts and written
words of love but I had warned him off using his phone until he bought a secret
one to hide away from Rebecca. I was frantic she would find us out and force
the wedding sooner, before I could put my plan into action. I had until June 8
^th
to sort out this mess and I was damn sure with my very soul that I would fix
this and take my man back, where he belonged…in my arms.

Kade was due back tomorrow and was here until the day
after new year and I was dreading seeing him, knowing I couldn’t continue
sleeping with him now that I was back with Mason even if it was a secret
relationship but I was terrified of hurting Kade. He was special to me, I knew
he held a small portion of my heart and always would, but it was cruel to
string him along further, especially after his overwhelming Christmas gift.

It was the Monday after Christmas and Nate called me into
his office as soon as I approached my desk “Hey Ava, good Christmas?” he asked
as he flipped through some documents on his desk “Wonderful, you?” I sighed
happily and he looked up at me and narrowed his eyes “Mmmm” he murmured,
regarding me curiously “What?” I asked, lifting my hands at him. He cocked his
head and narrowed his eyes “For someone that is so in love with a man she can’t
have, you seem utterly happy and sated” he raised his eyebrows questioningly
and I shook my head slightly “Does anything ever get past you?” I laughed as he
gave me a ‘Don’t be silly Ava’ expression and I grinned at him “I got to spend
three incredible whole days with my man” I held a finger to my lips in a
shushing motion “It’s a secret though” I whispered and he beamed at me “I bet
you had a very merry Christmas then Ava” he chuckled as I winked and nodded
“Anyway, what did you want me for boss?” I asked, remembering he had called me
in for a reason “Oh yeah, I have to go on a business trip to Belgium and I need
you to attend” he said as he scowled at his phone, reading a text he had just
received

“Cool, when?” I asked excitedly but he was furiously
texting back and hadn’t heard me “When Nate?” I asked again. He looked at me
and frowned “What?” he asked in bafflement “I asked when is the trip” I said
slowly “Oh right, yeah Erm tomorrow but we won’t be back until the 2
^nd
I’m afraid” he cringed, aware he was ruining my new year plans but I smiled
slyly “That’s fine” his eyes widened in shock “Really? I thought you might
flatten me with it been through New Year” he regarded me warily and I smiled
back happily. I couldn’t tell Nate that he had saved me from facing Kade before
he returned to Italy, Kade was one of Nates closest friend and he wouldn’t be
too happy with how I was hurting his friend

“Yes really” I reassured “however, you could return the
favour” I pouted my lips and fluttered my eyelashes at him. His eyes narrowed immediately
“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this” he grimaced and I beamed
at him “I need you to escort me on a night out” I shrugged evasively and his
eyes narrowed further “Where?” I fidgeted nervously “The Black Panther” I
cringed, waiting for my answer to sink in “What the hell Ava? Why the hell do
you want to go there?” he spluttered as a bead of sweat adorned his top lip,
the thought that I wanted to visit a sex club had him sweating and I softened
at his protective instincts for me “I need to see William Jackson, and take a
look round but I can’t very well go on my own, can I?” I begged.

His eyes widened “Can’t you get Mason to take you?” he
asked, still cringing slightly “NO!” I barked and he flinched “I don’t
understand Ava. If Mason gets word that I took you to The Black Panther, my
life won’t be worth living” he whined and I rolled my eyes “We will just have
to make sure he doesn’t find out then. I’m doing this for Mason, Nate, but he
mustn’t find out otherwise he will put a stop to everything” I pleaded and he
sighed at my distress “Right, Sit and fill me in” he walked over to his unit
and fixed us both coffee as I told him a very edited version of my plans, just
telling him that I needed to ask a favour from William.

And I hoped with my very essence that the owner of the
sex club would take a huge risk and help me start the ball rolling with what I
was preparing to do, something that would blow the whole Delaney versus Stone fight
out of the water, I just hoped it wouldn’t be me that drowned.

I thought I had better text Mason to tell him I would be
out of the country for a few days. If he turned up and I wasn’t there he would
have a break down

ME

Hey baby, just to
let you know I’m off to Belgium with Nate on a business trip until the 2
^nd
.

Love you xxx

I started work on some preparation documents for our trip
as my phone rang, presuming it was Mason I answered without checking the caller
display “Hey Baby” I grinned as I opened another document on the PC for
printing “Hello sweetheart” Kade breathed sexily down the phone and I cringed
at my greeting to him “Hello you” I smiled, still happy to hear his voice “I
haven’t been able to get in touch with you Ava, have you been avoiding me?” he
asked, getting straight to the point.

 
My phone beeped
alerting me to another call coming through and I checked the display to see it
was Mason and I rolled my eyes, why were things never simple?
 
“Well I haven’t been avoiding you but…well we
need to talk Kade” I said quietly and I heard his sigh “It was way too
inappropriate Kade” I said gently, knowing he would understand what I was
talking about.

He remained silent for a moment as my phone beeped again.
God damn it Mason, wait!!
“Anyway
listen” I continued, ignoring his silence “I have to go on a business trip and
I don’t get back until the 2
^nd
so I’m not going to be able to see
you” I told him and I heard a heavy exhale “Are you going to avoid me?” he
asked, a slight coolness in his tone and I winced “No Kade, Nate asked me this
morning” I bit my lip as my phone beeped again.

Mason was going to be pretty pissed with me for not
answering “I’ll be back tonight!” Kade said and abruptly ended the call.
Shit!!!!

I groaned and rubbed my temples and rang Mason “Why
didn’t you answer?” he demanded as soon as he answered “Well hello to you too”
I bit and I could picture his scowl at my tone “Ava” he warned and I poked my
tongue out at him “I was already on the phone when you rang” I explained “Who
to?” he asked cautiously.
As if you don’t
know!!
“Kade” I said simply, deciding not to lie and I heard his hiss
“Really?” he said icily “Yes Mason, I was trying to tell him it’s over but I
didn’t get that far as he ended the call” I had to be honest because if Mason
found out I had hid Kades visit tonight he would suspect the worse “Apparently
he lands tonight so I’m expecting a visit and I’ll tell him then” I grimaced,
waiting for the anger “You will not fucking be alone with him!” he ordered and
I huffed “Mason…” I started “No.
Fucking.
Way. Ava” he
growled and I sighed again “Will you fucking trust me” I snapped and I heard
his heavy breaths “It’s not you I don’t trust!” he barked and my rage built at
his insinuations “What do you think I’m gonna do Mason, roll over and spread my
legs just because he asks me to?” I shouted and cringed when the line went dead.
Shit, shit, shit!!! Stupid Ava, very
stupid!
I huffed and got back to work.

 
“Ava” Nate shouted
through the door “Yeah” I shouted back “Come in here a minute will you” I
walked in and found him frowning at his monitor “What this?” he asked and I
leaned in to look at his monitor. I read the document and grimaced “Oh god,
it’s a letter from Iain Scott asking for another meeting. How come this went
into your inbox instead of mine?” I asked puzzled “That’s what...” he didn’t finish
as his eyes widened at something behind me. I turned and found Mason glaring at
me, the usual glint of anger in his eyes, his tight fists and twitching jaw.

He stalked across the room, never shifting his gaze from
me and grabbed the top of my arm “I need to borrow Ava, Nate” he barked and
Nate just nodded. I glared at my treacherous boss and he shrugged at me as a
very angry Mason pulled me across the reception area and into an empty
conference room, locking the door behind him.

He stood, his eyes narrowed and his teeth furiously biting
his bottom lip “Would you like to repeat what you said on the phone Ava?” he
said slowly, his breathing calm and steady but I knew him too well to take it
as a sign of composure. I shook my head “No” I swallowed “Well I would like you
to, now we are face to face” he cocked his head and raised his eyebrows.

“Erm…” My little finger was being chewed enough to draw
blood “Finger out” he barked and I flinched “Look Mason, I didn’t mean
anything. I was just saying I wasn’t going to do anything with…” I didn’t
finish as he took a step towards me and placed a finger under my chin, tilting
my head back so he could look in my eyes “Repeat” he growled and I gulped. My
heart was hammering away in my chest, adrenaline was coursing through my
bloodstream and my mouth had suddenly gone dry “I Erm…I said…I wasn’t going
to…Erm, roll over and open my…my Uh…legs for him” I closed my eyes

 
“Damn fucking
right you won’t Ava, you’re mine. Do you understand?” he snarled and I nodded
frantically “And I don’t approve of the tone you used, you were facetious,
sarcastic and degrading to yourself” he finished and I nodded again.

He walked me backwards until my back was to the wall “I
will be with you tonight when he arrives” he didn’t ask, just stated and I
nodded again “Okay” I squeaked. He held my eyes and then pushed his groin into
me, his hard erection ground into me.

My traitorous body sprang to life and I moaned softly. He
slammed his mouth over mine, kissing me hard and roughly “You are mine” he
breathed and I nodded as his mouth latched onto my neck, his teeth biting and
his mouth sucking. His hands pushed up my skirt over my hips and he swiped his
finger over me “So wet for me Ava” he growled as he unzipped himself and freed
his enormous cock “Legs round me Ava” he demanded and I did as he asked. His
fingers parted my knickers and he speared me in one angry thrust “Don’t come”
he ordered as he started to angrily thrust into me, his face tight against my
neck.
What the hell?!!!
 
He grunted on each hard drive and within
seconds he was exploding into me, biting my neck again.

He lifted me off him, smoothed my skirt back down and
rearranged himself back into his trousers. I was gobsmacked and just stared at
him with wide eyes and my mouth open “I’ll be at yours at 7” he said, kissed my
forehead tenderly and left the room.

I stood immobile in the middle if the room, utterly
stunned and astonished “I take it I have just been punished” I murmured to
myself as I made my way to the restroom to clean myself up and then flopped
into my desk chair, still wide eyes and slightly shocked at his dominant
behaviour.

 
Sometimes it was
hot when he took control but I wasn’t sure what to make of this latest
authority over me. My body was still strumming with a disloyal arousal as Nate
poked his head round the door “You okay?” he asked carefully, grimacing at my
shocked face. I nodded and shrugged at the same time “He is rather possessive
isn’t he?” he chuckled and then halted as I glared at him. “I’ll just…” he
cringed and pointed to his office as he saw my eyes narrow on him and
disappeared quickly.

I arrived home about 6:30pm and sagged into the sofa. The
first day back after Christmas was always tiresome, pregnant or not and I
rested my head back into the soft cushioning of the couch.

“Baby, wake up” Mason whispered into my ear and I slowly
peeled my eyes open to be greeted by his huge smile “Hey” he chuckled. “Wow, I
guess I was tired” I stretched and rolled my head round my neck “Busy Day?” he
asked as he made his way round to the back of me and proceeded to knead my
aching shoulders “Oh god, that’s good” I groaned as he planted little kisses to
the nape of my neck “We friends?” he whispered in my ear as he nibbled on the
lobe “Mmmm” I muttered.
I was now!!!
“Good” he smiled “I brought take-away” he said abandoning my shoulders but I
didn’t pout, there was food somewhere. He chuckled as my eyes lit up “Indian
okay?” he asked and I beamed at him “Perfect”.

He disappeared and came back with plates, cutlery and cartons
of yummy smelling curry, rice and naan bread and spooned portions onto plates
for us “What time’s he due?” he asked without speculating more and I hunched my
shoulders “No idea” I said around a mouthful of food “this is really good” I
smiled “How come you’re going away with Nate?” he asked as he took a swig from
the bottle of beer he’d brought “It’s a new telecommunication contract he’s
after, something to do with internet phone calls and new software. It’s Evan
Blakes’ contract but Nates got to go for some reason” I shrugged and then I
narrowed my eyes on him “You do know that me and Nate would never sleep
together, don’t you?” I asked cautiously and he nodded with a soft smile “Yeah,
I know” he said, scooping more curry onto my plate and planting a soft kiss on
my nose “Good” I said “He’s too in love with Liv and I’m too in love with you”
I assured him and he took our plates and placed them on the table and pulled me
onto his knee