Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (5 page)

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.

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 and 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 and 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 Nates 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 and I clapped “I love you so much” I told her “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” I told her and she cocked her head, her lip curling wickedly “I
heard you got a good night’s sleep Monday” her eyebrows 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” I said and it was her turn to shrug “He told me it was
the best night’s sleep 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
balling saying he was gonna kill Nate” I told her angrily, still pissed off
with Masons behaviour.

She stared at me “Wow” she sighed “Mmmm 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 and she shook her head to decline a pudding “She’ll have a
trifle” I informed the waiter and Kerrie laughed when he looked at me like I’d
got two heads “Sure” he grinned when I rubbed my baby bump and he understood
the situation.

“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 sadly “I’m so fucking horny all the time and it’s not good
when you haven’t got a fella” I sulked “You wanna take a visit to Ann Summers
before we get our hair done?” she asked seriously and I gave her a ‘good idea’
look. The waiter returned with my three puddings and placed them all in front
of me “Enjoy” he winked and 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 Livs house
Saturday night and I was sat around a patio heater with Grace, Leah, Liv, Lexi
and Beth laughing and talking. I was tired but the lack of alcohol was helping
me to stay awake. Nate, Pete Lexi’s husband and a couple of other men were
singing Christmas songs on the karaoke and everybody was in the Christmas
spirit. I was relaxed and happy, that was until Mason walked in with Rebecca.

I groaned loudly and slumped down in my chair “I’m sorry
Ava, I couldn’t not invite them” Liv apologised guiltily but I shook my head
and smiled at her “No Liv, don’t be silly. I don’t expect you and Nate to get
in the middle” I told her honestly. I would have to start coming to terms with
the fact that Mason was no longer mine. It hurt though to see him with
her
, it hurt so fucking much but, I
plastered a smile on my face and tried to ignore them.

Roughly half an hour later Rebecca swanned over to us and
took the chair opposite. I took a quick glance around for Mason, needing him to
get her the hell away from me. He was stood in a group with Nate and a few
others, whisky in hand and laughing at something Nate was joking about.

 
Everybody glared
at her and took a quick glance at me to observe my reaction, knowing from the
last party here that I had a temper and took no shit. “Well hello ladies” she
purred, her pouty Botox lips tight against her face. I bit my lip to rein in my
temper “How is everyone?” she asked as her eyes perused the circle and then
landed on me with a sneer. Nobody answered her, everybody hated her “And how’s
your pregnancy going Ava?” she asked with false concern “Lovely.
You?”
I asked even though I didn’t give a shit “Oh
wonderful. Mason and I are so excited” she smiled slyly “That’s nice” I smiled
sweetly “Who are you having for a birthing partner Ava?” she was really pissing
me off now. I caught Liv and Leah’s lip curl at her “Courtney of course” I
sighed. “I’m just hoping I don’t break Mason’s fingers when I squeeze his hand
during a contraction” she laughed falsely and my chest heaved “I thought you
were having a pre-elected C-section Rebecca?” I mocked “I don’t think you will
have to put up with much pain…only your own voice and Mason pouty face” I
smirked and everybody else laughed.
God
bless them.
“Excuse me, my babies are hungry again” I smiled sickly at her
and left the table.

I turned towards the buffet table and saw Mason watching
me “You okay?” he mouthed with an apologetic look. I rolled my eyes at him but
smiled. It was hardly his fault his ‘girlfriend’, and I use the term loosely,
was an utter bitch.

Perusing the table and nibbling bits and pieces and
wondering if I should make a run for it, a warm familiar breath whispered on my
neck “Hello sweetheart” I froze and my breath stuck in my lungs and my heart
jumped for joy.

I spun round and was greeted to Kades wonderful smile. I
couldn’t help it; I beamed at the sight of him. He laughed heartily and pulled
me into his arms “Well that smile made my plane journey worth every fucking
second” he whispered into my ear.

Holding me at arm’s length he scanned me up and down.
“Wow, look at that tum” he winked and placed his hand over my stomach “I’m
pleased for you Ava, really” he smiled genuinely and I pulled him into another
hug “I missed you” I said softly and I had. Not like the agonised misery with
which I missed Mason with but I had missed him; his friendship, his laugh, his
smile and right now, his touch. As though he could read my mind his hand skimmed
over my backside “Missed my hands sweetheart?” he rasped and I could feel his
erection growing.

“DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE!!” I heard Nate shout and we
turned to see Mason stalking towards us “Fuck!” I growled and pulled Kade
behind me “Listen to Nate, Mason. You lay one finger on him and you will never
see me again!” I warned and Rebecca snorted “Well I don’t think that will be a
problem” she crossed her arms in a huff “Shut the fuck up Rebecca” Mason barked
and took a step closer to us.

Kade was trying to move around me but I held him back
“Ava sweetheart, it’s fine. Let’s get this over and done with” he said but I
could see the haze cloud Mason’s eyes, the sure sign that the white rage was
taking over. Mason was nasty and malevolent when his fury took over, he showed
absolutely no mercy and would fight to the death and there was no way I was
letting him anywhere Kade “Stay where you are” I hissed at Kade.

Mason’s chest was heaving and he was literally snarling
“Listen to me Mason” I said sternly but his eyes were near black now “LISTEN TO
ME!” I screamed at him and his eyes flicked to mine and I knew I had a little
part of his attention “You do not
ever
touch him if you want to see your children” I said slowly but determinedly and
Mason narrowed his eyes on me but I also saw his pain at seeing me stood with
Kade. I caught Sam and Nate stood ready for him and I gave them a quick glance.
Sam nodded at me “Sam is going to take you and Rebecca home and I will call you
tomorrow” I told him softly and he bit his bottom lip.

Rebecca strolled up to the side of him and rested her
hand on his forearm “Mason? Why are being like this over that skank?” she spat
and he snapped his head round to her with speed and hatred and she cowered at
the malicious coldness in his eyes “Don’t.
EVER.
Fucking.
Call.
Her.
That. Again” he snarled and she took a step back. My heart swelled at his
protectiveness and I took a step closer to him and cupped his cheek “Kade and I
are just friends Mason. That is all” his eyes softened and he leant into my
palm and I reached up and kissed his cheek “I will always love you Mason, you and
only you” I whispered in his ear and his shoulders slumped and he exhaled
heavily “Ava” he whispered back softly.

I made myself step away from him “Sam’s gonna run you and
Rebecca home, Okay?” I said and begged him silently with my eyes. He nodded but
didn’t smile and then he turned and walked away.

I breathed a huge weary sigh of relief and Kade came round
to my side “Thanks for that” he puffed “I think he wants to kill me” he said
jokingly but I knew he knew Mason well enough to understand that he would have
definitely beat the life out him if he got his hands on him. “He won’t touch
you now Kade” I smiled gently and Kade nodded.

“Drink?” he asked “I know I fucking do” he laughed and I
gave him a ‘don’t be stupid’ look and pointed to my bump “Oooh poor you” he
grimaced and grabbed my hand as we walked over to the drinks table.

A few people came over to say hello and we eventually
found a couple of chairs in a quiet corner “How long are you home for?” I asked
as I took a sip of soda and bit into one of the many nibbles I had piled on my
plate. Kade eyed my huge mountain of food sceptically and I grinned and rubbed
my tummy “Prepare to be amazed” I grinned wickedly “A woman who eats for
England” he laughed heartily and my body hummed at the sound “I’m here till
just after new year” he said and took a long pull from his bottle “Nates kept
me up to date with you Ava. Don’t blame him” he said quickly when he saw my
scowl “He’s a good friend and I just asked him to look out for you. I know what
Masons like. To be honest I thought you would have been back with him by now”
he said frankly and I shook my head as I popped a pastry puff thing in my mouth
“No he can’t…can’t get past what we did” I said quietly and Kade nodded softly
“Do you regret us?” he asked, wincing slightly as he waited for my answer. I
took his hand “No Kade, never. My only regret is hurting Mason but I’m not
ashamed of what we did” he sighed heavily and I saw the relief in his face

“So, where are you stopping?” I asked biting something
that looked a bit too orangey “Yours?” he asked candidly and I laughed at his
hopeful expression “Try again cowboy” I scolded good-humouredly. He pouted
sulkily but then grinned “At the apartment. I took a six months contract out on
it before I left for Italy and I rented it to a mate so I’m stopping with him
until Christmas then I’m off to my folks in Newquay” I smiled, glad that he had
someone to spend Christmas with “Unless I get a better offer” he waggled his
eyebrows at me and I rolled my eyes “Keep trying” I laughed

“Oh I fucking intent to” he said seriously and my
laughter stopped abruptly, my stomach heated and tightened at the huskiness in
his tone. He rolled his head round his neck and stood “I’m gonna scoot, I came
straight here from the airport and I’m knackered” he announced and I frowned
“You came straight here?” I asked perplexed. He grinned lazily “Yeah, there was
someone I was dying to see” he winked and bent down and kissed my cheek
tenderly, cupping my other cheek with his hand and I turned my face and kissed
his palm “I’ll be in touch” he breathed and then was gone. I sighed heavily. My
body was screaming at me in frustration and I pulled a face. What a night!

I climbed into bed, exhausted and bone tired and
miraculously dropped to sleep straight away but a couple of hours later my mind
was racing again. I refused to open my eyes, knowing the moment I did I
wouldn’t get any more sleep tonight but they had other ideas and I slowly
peeled my eyelids back and scrambled up the bed in shock.

“What the hell Mason” I squealed. He was sat in the
wicker chair in the corner of my bedroom. I was amazed I hadn’t been aware of
him earlier as he had switched on the small lamp on my dressing table. He sat
silently watching me “How long have you been there?” I asked and he cocked his
head. I narrowed my eyes on him “You came to check if I was with Kade didn’t you?”
I asked angrily but he still didn’t speak.

He pushed himself upwards and grasped the edge of his
t-shirt, pulled in over his head and my eyes widened when I saw his naked
powerful chest. His eyes were full of desire, longing with need and my breath caught
in my throat. He popped the button on his jeans and pushed them down his legs
with his shorts and I whimpered at the sight of him. His glorious hard, lean naked
body was like nectar to my eyes and my body lit up; my blood surged through my
body, every single hair stood on end in anticipation of his touch, my stomach
heated and clenched heavily and my core pulsed.