Incineration (Heart of Stone)

by Sidebottom, D H

  CHAPTER 2

  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 soaring 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. 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 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” he said and 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.

  Sucking in my lips I 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.

  I entered the bathroom and 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 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. I quickly snatched it up and 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 a
nd 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

  I narrowed my eyes on Greg “Did you phone Mason?” I asked slowly. He shrugged “I can’t understand why he said that to you Ava. Its total opposite of how he feels” he shook his head sadly and took a gulp of his coffee

  “What do you mean?” I cocked my head at him and he eyed me nervously as though he realised what he’d just said “Erm nothing” I could see him mentally kicking himself “Greg?” Courtney asked with a warning tone.

  He sighed “This does not leave this room” he glared at us both and we nodded and then he turned to me “He’s a mess without you Ava. He’s constantly moody and angry. He’s drinking every night and a couple of weeks ago he got raging drunk in the club and me and Sam had to carry him out and take him home but he just kept mumbling how much he loves you and misses you and then started going on about hurting you and biting you or something” he said quietly and gave me a timid smile.

  I instinctively rubbed the scar on my neck and sighed “He turned up at mine drunk a couple of weeks ago. Kind of got a bit heated…he lost control and got a bit rough” Courtney flew out of her chair and Greg’s face darkened and I put my hands up to placate them “No, no nothing I couldn’t handle, he just kind of…well you know” I cringed and Courtney snorted “Oh Yeah, I’ve seen the DVD remember” she winked and then chuckled

  “DVD?” Greg asked and I shook my head with a laugh and she turned to him “Let’s just say Ava and Mason have pretty…what shall we say? Very active sex” she pursed her lips and I widened my eyes at her but she waved me away and chuckled.

  Greg’s eyebrows lifted and then he chuckled “I’m sure I could manage ‘active’ if that’s what makes you hot Baby” he grabbed Courtney and pulled her onto his lap as they both laughed.

  I missed that sense of intimacy and fun with someone you loved, the simple act of sitting in his lap and feeling his breath on my neck as his arms circled and held me.

  “I’m gonna get off, laundry and shopping” I stood and bend down to kiss Courtneys cheek “Enjoy your week away” I smiled as her eyes twinkled and left them to carry on with what I had interrupted.