Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (21 page)

“Ava, I trust you completely” he settled his lips on
mine, kissing me softly “I owe you an orgasm” he whispered in my ear as his
fingers started opening the buttons on my shirt “Damn right you do” I moaned as
he smiled into my neck before latching on for the customary bite.

He pushed my shirt aside and mouthed my nipple through
the lace of my bra “You have beautiful breasts Ava” he nibbled at me as I felt
his fingers slide up the inside of my thigh and sweep across my crotch “So hot”
he mumbled against my breast. I adjusted my position and hitched my skirt high
to straddle him, sliding my groove over his erection in his trousers as I took
his bottom lip between my teeth. His hands freed his stiff cock and before I
knew it he was sliding into me “Oh God” I moaned as he gripped my hips and
lifted me on and off him slowly. His head tipped back onto the sofa as I
nibbled on his neck, riding him slowly “Jesus Ava, you feel good” he breathed
and I sped up, plunging faster and harder “Fuck me Baby” he groaned as he
lifted my hips and slammed me down on to him “Harder Ava” he growled and I did
as requested, riding him hard and fast.

His hands slid round to cup my arse “I need you to come
Ava, now” he snarled as he slipped his little finger into my bottom. I growled
like a feral animal and smashed down on him, grinding against him as I took all
of him “Yes!” he growled as we came together, gripping each other tightly,
panting and groaning, just as there came a knock on the door

“Fuck” I moaned and went to slide off him. “Wait” he
demanded as he ground his hips into me as I squeezed him dry. He kissed my nose
and buttoned up my shirt and then lifted me off him and nodded.

I straightened my skirt and went to the door, taking a
huge deep breath before I opened it “Hey sweetheart” Kade greeted as I swung
open the door “Hey” I said softly, shifting sideways as he came in for a kiss.
I flicked my eyes to the room and he frowned “Masons here” I mouthed and he
rolled his eyes but nodded “Come in” I said and shrugged an apology at him. We
walked into the lounge to see Mason only just zipping himself up.

Crafty
Mason, very crafty.

Kade took it all in and his eyes flicked to mine in
question and then dropped to my neck and he closed his eyes in dismay as he saw
Masons branding. He cocked his head to one side and rubbed his temples “Oh Ava”
he shook his head in pity and I froze to the spot as Mason flew off the couch
and pinned Kade against the wall within seconds

“Shit Mason” I grumbled as I grabbed his arm. His hand
tightened around Kades neck “You have a problem Kade?” he snarled, his eyes
raging and his jaw clenched so tightly I wondered if his teeth would crack.
Kade sighed heavily “Why won’t you leave her be Mason?” Kade bit and I cringed.
What the hell was he playing at? You just don’t anger Mason more when he has a
grip on your neck!

 
Mason
raised
his eyebrows at him “You have a problem with me and
Ava being together?” he smirked as Kade winced against his hold “Mason, will
you put him down” I demanded but he ignored me as I had expected “You will
fucking hurt her Mason. How many fucking times do you have to break her heart?”
he snapped and I sighed heavily.

Mason narrowed his eyes on him but then to my surprise he
dropped him. Kade immediately rubbed his neck “I know you care for her Kade but
she’s mine” Mason warned and Kade scoffed “She not a fucking car Mason, she’s not
an item to be fucking owned” he yelled and my eyes widened “Kade please, you’re
just making it worse” I pleaded and his gaze shot to me “This is what you want
Ava? Someone who controls and dominates you until they take over your fucking
life and grind you down?” he asked, his eyebrows in his hairline.

Mason snarled, pulled his fist back and slammed it
forcefully into Kades face “For fucks sake Mason, stop it!” I screamed as Kades
nose disintegrated, splattering Mason and me with blood but he grabbed Kades
hair and brought his knee painfully into Kades stomach. I shot over, pulling at
Masons arm. Kade stood back up and I nearly screamed at him to stay down.

Just as Mason jerked his arm back to throw another punch
I jumped in-between them “Stop” I yelled and clenched my eyes shut tightly as
Masons fist came towards me. I heard Masons sharp intake of breath “FUCK AVA!!”
he bellowed “How fucking stupid!” I peeked through my half closed eyes and took
a deep breath

“Kade go!” I snapped and he glared at me “Go!” I barked
and he shook his head at me “He will hurt you Ava, I can promise you that” he
stated and I closed my eyes “For fucks sake Kade…GO!” I ordered and he huffed
and left, slamming the door behind him.

I turned my attention to Mason “Does it always come down
to violence with you when somebody says something you don’t like?” I demanded.
He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes “Why are you sticking up
for him Ava?” he asked coldly and I scoffed “Don’t even go there Mason” I
warned and turned away but he snatched hold of my arm “Well?” he asked snidely
“He is my friend and you’ve just fucking beat him up. What the hell do you
expect Mason and to be honest he has a fucking point doesn’t he?” I slammed, my
rage taking over my brain and not filtering anything that was coming out of my
mouth “What the fuck does that mean?” he drew in a breath “Well look at this
afternoon, you do dominate and control me Mason, I mean ‘Don’t Come’ what the
hell was that?” I scoffed and he turned away, raking his hands through his hair
“You said something I didn’t like” he said slowly. My eyes widened to new
levels “I said something you don’t like?” I was gobsmacked “Kade just said
something you don’t like so you pummelled him, how long before that’s me?” I
yelled and his eyes widened “I would never hurt you Ava, you know that” he implored
“What about this afternoon? Do you not think what you did to me at work today
didn’t hurt me?” I tested “I just fucked you Ava, that’s all” he barked and I
reared back at the icy tone of his words “You just fucked me
?…
Damn
right you just fucked me because it sure as hell wasn’t love” I snapped,
shaking my head in despair

“Get out!” I demanded “No!” he refused, crossing his arms
over his chest. My breaths were heavy with my rage “I asked you to get the fuck
out” I roared and he winced “What the hell is wrong with you? Did you want to
fuck Kade tonight and I spoiled your plans?” he hissed.

My palm shot across his cheek and the sting shot through
both of us “GET THE FUCK OUT NOW!!” I thundered “Ava, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean
that” he grimaced but I shook my head and walked up the stairs “You either go
now or I will phone the police” I told him as I ascended the stairs without
looking back “Ava, please baby” he begged but I carried on, determined not to
let him see my tears.

 
As I opened my
bedroom door I heard the front door close gently and I flaked on my bed, curled
up and cried…once again!

The business trip was just what I needed; Nate was funny,
considerate of my pregnancy and a good friend to be with. We signed the contract
by New Year’s Eve and enjoyed a celebratory drink that night at a party hosted
by the hotel we were staying at.

Kade wasn’t answering my calls and that hurt, I was
saddened that he blamed me for what had happened but maybe it was for the best,
to lay some things to rest for him where I was concerned.

We were all singing Auld Lang Syne, hands crossed and
joined as the bells tolled when my phone vibrated from my bag hung on my hip. I
sighed as I saw Masons name on the display. I hadn’t contacted him after the
Kade incident, he had rung a few times, texted numerous apologies but I hadn’t
replied.

I jiggled my phone at Nate as he was talking to Liv on
his to let him know I was taking the call out of the room “Hi” I said quietly
as I answered, strolling into the grounds at the rear of the hotel, stepping
around amorous couples.

He was silent but I heard his breathing “Mason?” I asked
“Avaaa” he slurred and I sighed heavily “Are you okay?” I asked slowly and he
laughed bitterly “Am I okay?” he scoffed and I frowned “Mason?” he snorted down
the phone “Well let’s see, shall we Ava. I’m marrying a fucking whore in a few
months, my lover has been fucking someone else and I really
REALLY
need to fuck you raw right this
moment” he hissed as my eyes grew and grew, as tears welled “Okay…Is that why
you rang?
To insult me?”
I grated between clenched
teeth “Huh? How can it be insulting if it’s true” he garbled “So you think I’m
fucking someone else?” I asked
,
my voice rising “Well
aren’t you?” he dragged out slowly “Jesus Christ Mason! What the hell is wrong
with you? You know I’m not screwing Kade anymore” I beseeched, trying to calm
myself down, plonking myself on a bench and holding my forehead in my hand
“Well you’re not here are you?” he whined “What the hell? You know I’m in
Belgium with Nate” I implored, shaking my head in frustration “Are you fucking
Nate too Ava?” he laughed humourlessly “Okay Mason. Stop right now! What are
you on?” I demanded and he laughed again “Have you taken coke?” I asked,
closing my eyes in anticipation for the answer.

I knew deep down that he was high, the stuff made him
nasty and paranoid. “Well?” I urged “What has it got to do with you anyway Ava?
You don’t want me anymore” he growled and a tear dripped down my face

“Where are you Mason?” I asked but he just huffed “Why?
You gonna come and fuck me Ava? Wrap those sweet pussy lips round my cock and
ride me into oblivion?” he was really pissing me off now…Damn fucking cocaine!
“Mason please, I love you and I just want to know where you are” I said gently,
trying a different tactic “I don’t fucking know, a club somewhere.
Xanadu
I think” he informed me and I sighed in relief “I’m
going now Mason, we’ll talk when I get back” I said “You are coming back then?”
he slurred and I rolled my eyes, irritation and exasperation coursing through
me “Of course I’m coming back baby, I’ll be home the day after tomorrow and I
expect you to come and love me” I said softly.

It was breaking my heart to hear him like this. I knew it
wasn’t him talking but it was his head that believed everything he was saying
“I love you Ava, I miss you baby, please don’t leave me” he choked and my heart
clenched for him “I love you too Mason, so much baby. I promise with all my
heart that I won’t leave you. I can’t wait to see you baby” I whispered and
ended the call before my heart shattered.

Quickly scrolling my contacts I dialled Sam’s number “Hey
Ava, Happy New Year sweetheart” he said happily “And you Sam, listen I need you
to do me a favour” I asked and I could hear others in the background and
already hated myself for ruining his new year “What’s up?” he asked and then
speak to someone else “Masons bad Sam, he’s high and drunk in
Xanadu’s
” I sobbed “Shit!” he hissed “I’m on my way Ava” he
reassured “Thank you Sam. Will you text me when you’ve got him?” I pleaded “Of
Course sweetheart. Don’t worry Ava, I’ll sort him out” I smiled “Thanks Sam.
You’re a good friend to him and I love you for it” I choked “Hey Ava, it’ll be
fine, I promise” he said softly and I swallowed and said goodbye and walked
over to a quiet empty bench and let the tears flow.

I hated to see or hear Mason like that; it broke my heart
that he was hurting so much he needed the use of cocaine to block out his life.
I had to get my plan into action sooner rather than later.

I rested my elbows on my knees and sobbed into my hands
as I felt Nate sit beside me and put his arm around my shoulder “Hey Ava,
what’s wrong?” he asked softly. “Masons high and pissed” I sobbed “Oh god” he
sighed and pulled me into him as I wept and he patiently rubbed my back and
whispered words of encouragement in my ear.

I eventually pulled back “Sorry” I sighed “Hey, no
problem. That’s what I’m here for”

“He said some pretty nasty stuff” I bit my lip, refusing
to let more tears fall “He didn’t mean it Ava, it’s the drugs” he reassured and
I nodded “I know” and luckily I did otherwise I would have been on the next
plane and smashing his face against my fist. My phone alerted a text:

SAM

I’ve got him
sweetheart. Don’t worry; I’m taking him home with me

I sighed in relief “Sam’s found him” I told Nate and he
smiled “He’ll be fine Ava” I nodded “You’re a good friend Nate, thank you” I
smiled and he side huddled me “And you Ava, come on, you’re missing the
midnight nibbles” he chuckled at my face “Oh God, they have midnight nibbles?”
I sighed, smiled and rubbed my hands together “What the hell are we doing out
here then?”

We both laughed and I followed the smell as my babies
kicked excitedly at the sweet aroma “Just like your mother” Nate said as I had
put his hand on my belly when they started. I laughed “Too damn right”

Nate and I spent New Year’s Day holed up in Nates hotel
suite, watching old black and white movies and sitcom repeats while pigging out
on room service, chocolate and sweets and it was just what I needed. I was so
relaxed in Nates Company, we were both in pyjamas, and with my hair a mess and
no make-up…it was a perfect day.

We arrived back in the UK on the Friday and we were in
the chauffeured car on our way back, both of us yawning and flaked out on the
back seat “You okay to do The Black Panther next Saturday?” I asked Nate and he
groaned “Are you sure about this Ava?” he grimaced “You still worried about
Mason?” I asked, feeling a little sympathetic towards him now I had seen what
Mason had done to Kade. He nodded “Yeah a little” he admitted and I sighed “Well
how about you bring Liv along then it won’t look like me and you went together
on our own. Would it be Livs thing? I mean I’ll probably be in Williams office
so you and her can have a shifters, see what it’s like and you never know she
might
really
like it” I asked with a
waggle of my eyebrows, removing my shoes and rubbing my swollen feet.