The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone

by D H Sidebottom

  A shiver slithered up my spine and I gulped, much to his amusement. Brian elbowed him again, “Leave the poor girl alone, Dane.” He then turned to the next person; a burly heavy-set man with bright blue eyes, his hair shaved to within a millimetre on his large round head.

  “This here is Mason’s Muscle as we like to call him, Sam Taylor.”

  Sam nodded and smiled. “Pleasure, Miss Stone. I hope you can make good coffee cos’ Mason’s is pure shit.” He grinned.

  I laughed, “I’m sure I can manage a decent coffee.”

  Brain then indicated to the next man. He was roughly 40 and his long thin face was covered in scars, the meanest being one that ran from the side of his right eye to the corner of his lip. “This handsome fellow is Mark Scott.”

  Mark’s eyes shifted towards me and then back to the paper he was reading on the table. “Miss Stone,” was all he said prompting another blush to creep across my cheeks as the other men laughed at his reception to me.

  Brian shook his head and pointed to the dark skinned man sitting nearer the top of the table, “This is Simon Bell, and he’s the baby of us all.”

  Simon grinned perfect white teeth that gleamed extra bright against his brown skin. As soon as I saw him I grinned. “Miss Stone, it’s a pleasure to meet you again. Have you heard how George is settling in?”

  “George told me that you would be here Mr Bell, and he told me to tell you that the ladies are very, very pretty, his words not mine.”

  I chuckled as his smile turned into a grin, “Good old George.”

  Simon had done a few jobs for George. I had met him on several occasions and to be honest his familiar face was comforting in the presence of so many strangers.

  Brian then turned to the last of the men. “This is Greg Chambers, Mason’s accountant.”

  Greg’s eyes flitted down to my chest and then swiftly back up to eye level. “Miss Stone, I’m glad there is finally someone to clean up after that hunk of shit,” he whispered in my ear as he was the closest to me. “Do you know he can’t even make himself a bloody sandwich without trashing the kitchen. Last week he put the bloody laundry into the fucking dishwasher, he’s useless” he winked.

  I laughed. “I’m sure I can sort it out,” I told him.

  “You can sort me out anytime Ava,” Dane said from across the table, his eyes boring into mine. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I didn’t like the obvious hunger that glinted in his eyes as they raked over me.

  “Dane,” came a deep growl from the man stood by the doors. “Enough!” he snarled at Dane.

  “Oh, for fucks sake Mason, chill out. I’m just ribbing her.” Dane protested. Mason continued to glare at him then turned to me, his eyes piercing mine as he observed me.

  “Miss Stone, welcome aboard. I have business to discuss with these gentlemen so Sam will show you to the kitchen. If you could manage to work the coffee machine I would be grateful if you could bring us all some coffee.” He spoke with no hint of emotion or expression, his cool eyes fixed on mine as I stood.

  “No problem Mr Fox, I’m sure I’ll figure it out.” I smiled and turned to Sam as he rose from his chair and escorted me to the kitchen.

  “You think you can manage the machine, Miss Stone?” Sam asked, giving the machine an inquisitive stare.

  “Call me Ava please, and I’ll give it a go.”

  He nodded and left me alone to brew some coffee. Luckily it was a pretty basic device and I soon had a full coffee pot, cups, sugar and milk on a tray with a plate of biscuits I had found in the cupboard.

  I found my way back to the room. Tapping the door with my foot as to not intrude at an awkward moment, the door swung open. Mason frowned at me then dropped his eyes to the tray. “I, uhh, I didn’t want to walk in on any private discussions, Mr Fox,” I explained. His eyes narrowed on me. “I . . . I never entered the room when George was discussing business, sir and I wasn’t sure what . . .” I trailed off as his eyes bore into mine.

  He shook his head slightly then snatched the tray from me, turned and kicked the door shut with his foot.

  “Okay Ava, next time don’t bloody knock,” I grumbled to myself as I ventured back to the kitchen to start on the mountain of pots. “A simple thank you would have done” I muttered to myself.

  I was quietly wondering if this job was going to be harder than it looked.

  CHAPTER 2

  I FILLED IN a couple of hours by cleaning the kitchen and checking the fridge for any items needed to refill it, making notes of basic foods and reminding myself to ask Mason what he liked to eat.

  I was bent over the large chest freezer, checking dates and clearing away any old items when I heard a slight cough behind me. Jumping in surprise I banged my head on the lid of the freezer. “Shit” I hissed and shot up.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to make you jump, Miss Stone.” A deep voice declared from behind me making me spin round and observe Mason leant lazily against the doorframe, his ankles and arms folded in front of him.

  “No, no, it’s my fault sorry, and please call me Ava, Mr Fox.” His gaze dropped to my mouth where I was chewing on the fingertip of my little finger, a habit that I did when I was nervous and one that had proved difficult to break my entire life.

  He cocked his head and continued to gaze at my mouth, “Ava.” Just hearing my name roll off his tongue in his low husky tone sent a shiver through me.

  His eyes then lifted to my face, “I was wondering if you were ready to go through your schedule and sign some necessary paperwork?”

  His face still didn’t display a smile and I wondered if he had ever smiled in his life. “Yeah, that’s fine. Would you like a drink whilst we do it . . . while we get on with it . . . ?” His eyebrow lifted as one side of his mouth curled upwards. I groaned. God damn Ava!

  “Uhh, sorry Mr Fox, I’m a little nervous. Would you like a drink?” I rephrased.

  He must have thought I was an idiot; either that or a sex craved nymphomaniac.

  He actually smiled then, a grin erupting on his face. The simple action made him even more stunning, his eyes twinkled brightly as his lips curved deliciously. I started to imagine what those soft plump lips could do to sate the throb between my thighs.

  Breathe, Ava.

  “Yes I’d like that . . . a drink that is.” I was sure the tone of his voice had dropped a level and the throb spread hotter through my lower stomach.

  Oh God!

  I coughed and smiled tentatively. “Where will you be and I’ll bring it through?” I asked quietly.

  His face resumed its usual stern expression. “My office. Up the stairs, first door on the left.” With that he turned abruptly and disappeared through the doorway, leaving me to let out the huge breath I had been holding.

  Balancing the tray containing two mugs of coffee, sugar and milk I knocked on the office door. “Yep,” I heard Mason shout.

  I opened the door and entered. His office was completely different to the rest of the dark wooded house. It was all chic smoky glass, abstract art. On one wall was a large framed photograph of a pretty dark haired girl in her early twenties. She was laughing at the camera. Mason had his arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her as he tried to spin her round.

  An intense jealousy raged through me at the sight of the love obviously shared between them. I gasped at the insane reaction.

  On the opposite wall was a huge window overlooking the garden. A ginormous desk was sat in front of it. Mason was sat in a large leather chair with his back to me staring out of the window.

  When he heard me enter he swung round and actually smiled at me. “Ava, sit down please.” He motioned to a chair facing his desk.

  Placing the tray on his desk I kept my gaze on the coffee. “Sugar and milk?” I asked him without lifting my eyes.

  This man made me nervous for some reason. I had always felt comfortable in my own skin, ever since George had nurtured me back to life, yet being in Mason’s presence was bringing out some unknown emotions
in me.

  I had never really been attracted to any man. Oh, I knew I wasn’t gay, it was just I had never found a man that did it for me, but Mason was making me feel things that were hidden so far away in me it was unsettling.

  “Here, I’ll do it,” Mason said as he stood, noticing my hands were trembling.

  “If you don’t mind, Mr Fox I’d rather and then I’ll know how you like to have it.” I looked at him and smiled nervously.

  “Oh, yeah okay . . .” he frowned; he seemed to be struggling to remember how he took his coffee. He shifted slightly in his chair, clearing his throat. “Uhh, white with one sugar . . .” He pursed his lips and shook his head faintly.

  I looked at him now, properly and smiled, “Are you sure?” I couldn’t help the sly smile twitching my lips as one of my eyebrows lifted, mocking him.

  He narrowed his eyes and nodded firmly. “Yes.” And that was it, he was back to his usual grim self.

  After preparing his coffee and mine I handed him the cup. His fingers brushed mine, sending a small jolt through me, flowing electricity down to areas I kept hidden. I frowned to myself and as he placed his cup on the desk he rubbed the edge of his fingers; had he felt it too?

  “Right,” he looked at me. “I’ve never had an assistant before so I need to know what your duties consist of, Ava.” He cocked his head and held my gaze, “What you do for me?” he added with a slight twitch in his lips.

  Oh God, what I could do for him!

  A warm feeling pooled between my thighs. I fidgeted in my seat, my teeth chewing on my little finger again. What the hell was happening to me?

  I cleared my throat. “Well Mr Fox, it’s usually personal things such as shopping, cooking, laundry, kind of like a housekeeper but then I also could deal with your personal appointments, pay your bills and accompany you on any engagements you need me for. To be brutally honest . . .” I swallowed, not sure how to say this last part, “ . . . whatever you need from me.” I sucked in my lips, knowing how it sounded but there wasn’t any other way to say it.

  His eyebrows lifted and he bit his bottom lip. “Whatever I need.” It was said as a statement not a question and he cocked his head, a small twinkle in his eye as his gaze settled on my mouth.

  I swallowed again. “Yes Mr Fox, within reason of course,” I added, trying to get the erotic pictures out of my head.

  My breathing had become heavy and I was struggling not to shut my eyes and let out a groan. “Of Course” he smirked, his eyes on mine as he shifted position in his seat.

  He seemed to shake his head of some thought then cleared his throat, “Right, Ava that sounds . . . fun.” Another smile lifted his mouth.

  Wow, where were they all coming from? I didn’t think this man had it in him. “So say shopping, laundry and cooking for now, and then we can ease you in to the business side of things. I have a cleaner who comes in three times a week so I’ll leave the housework to her and then we’ll just play it by ear. I’m sure we’ll work round it together.” He glanced down at some paperwork, tapped his fingers on the desk and then looked at me.

  “However Ava, I need you to sign a NDA. I know George has vouched for you but I need the extra security.” He seemed nervous now and I empathised with him. I think he thought it was rude to ask.

  “That’s fine, Mr Fox. I expected it anyway. But can I just say, anything, and I mean anything that occurs while I’m in your employment is in strict confidence. Even your shopping list is top secret.” I smiled, trying to ease his worries. His face spilt into a wonderful grin.

  My god, this man was beautiful when he smiled. I marginally managed to suppress the small groan that threatened to surface.

  He tipped his head and passed me the contract to sign, “Thank you, Ava.” I shrugged and skimmed over the contract wording before I signed then handed it back to him.

  “Right, I need your bank details for your salary, your mobile number so I can reach you and the usual information, you know address, date of birth, that sort of thing” he said as he handed me a notepad to write it all down.

  As I jotted down the things he had asked for, the room was silent but I could feel his eyes watching my hand sweep across the paper. His breathing seemed to get heavy and I wondered if he had a fetish for pens . . . or hands.

  I swung my gaze to his when I had finished and his eyes locked on mine, we seemed to stare at each other for a long while, both of us lost in each other’s scrutiny.

  I broke the contact and lowered my eyes to my lap as my little finger snaked its way to my mouth, chewing rapidly on my fingertip.

  I was sure I heard a slight groan from Mason but he quickly covered it by coughing and standing up swiftly.

  “Right Ava, what do you need to do first?” he asked, his eyes now regarding the garden through the window.

  “Well, I would be grateful if you could write down what things you like to eat so I can do your shopping, you don’t seem to have much in.”

  He nodded and flipped a page on the notebook. “Anything really, I’m not a fussy eater. I have a bit of a sweet tooth so I like to have lots of sugary things in.”

  He ripped the paper from the notepad and pulled his wallet from his pocket, retrieved some cash and handed it me with the shopping list.

  “I’ll sort out a credit card for you, Ava so you don’t have to keep coming to ask for cash.” He also handed me an envelope, “There’s the front door key and alarm code.”

  I took the items from him and nodded, “No rush. I can pay and then save the receipts for you till then.” He nodded and his phone rang on his desk.

  “Right, I’ll go do your shopping. I’ve wrote my mobile number down if you need to reach me.” I turned swiftly and exited the room, shutting the door quietly I leant against it and took a deep breath.

  It was going to be hard to rein in my reactions to this man but I also knew that I wouldn’t and couldn’t have any sort of relationship with him, my past life always at the front of my mind, crushing any thoughts of a sexual relationship with anyone.

  CHAPTER 3

  I RETURNED A couple of hours later loaded with food and as I entered the entrance hallway Mason was coming down the stairs, accompanied by a tall, dark haired woman.

  She was very beautiful, in a phoney kind of way; my instincts pulling towards plastic surgery and Botox.

  Her clothes were expensive and designer, her hair and make-up professionally done but it was her assessment of me that made me dislike her instantly. Her gaze travelled the length of me. Her pouty lips curled in distaste as her eyes narrowed.

  “Hi,” Mason smiled. “Did you get everything you needed, Ava?” He walked over to me and took the bags from me, carrying them into the kitchen, placing them on the island.

  “Yes, I think so, Mr Fox.”

  He turned and frowned. “Ava, please call me Mason. Mr Fox makes me feel old,” he laughed. I smiled back.

  “You’re far from old Mr . . . Mason” I corrected.

  He grinned widely at me. “Well done, see it’s not hard. Anymore shopping to bring in?”

  I nodded. “It’s fine though, I can manage. There’s only a few more.” I told him, making my way back through the hall to the front doors.

  As I reached into my car boot he appeared beside me, making me jolt backwards.

  He grinned at me, “I always seem to make you jump, Ava.” His face fell a little. “Do I scare you?” he asked seriously, his deep grey eyes penetrating mine.

  Gulping, I laughed nervously. “No, Mr Fox. I’m always a little jumpy, just ignore me.” He narrowed his eyes and held my gaze silently for a while then seemed to accept my answer. He leaned in my boot to retrieve the bags, taking them all and walked back to the house.

  I closed the boot and placed my hand against the roof, closing my eyes. Taking deep breaths I desperately attempted to clear my head. This man was really unnerving me. If I was honest with myself he did frighten me slightly, not out of fear of physical pain but something that I knew was
making me lose my control and self-preservation. I couldn’t work out why I was reacting this way to him; yes, he was stunning but I had been around good looking men before and I had never . . . never had this reaction to anyone.

  Taking another deep breath I turned back to the house, halting as I saw Mason stood in the doorway watching me intently, his head cocked to one side. I smiled nervously and followed him into the house.

  Miss Botox was watching us questioningly, when she looked at me I could see the hatred behind her eyes. “Are you going to introduce us, Mason darling?” she purred, walking over to him and planting a kiss on his cheek.

  I got the impression she was marking her territory and if she was male I was sure she would have cocked her leg and pissed up his.

  Mason looked at her sharply, “Rebecca this is Ava Stone, she’s my new personal assistant; George Fielding’s surrogate daughter.”

  He then he turned to me, “Ava, this is Rebecca Delaney, a friend of mine.” I smiled at her but she stared at Mason.

  “I think we’re more than just friends, Mason” she hummed as she touched his forearm. He turned to her again and narrowed his eyes.

  “We fuck, Bec” he said sternly. I raised my eyebrows at his cruelty.

  Rebecca recoiled a little but then turned to me. “Nice to meet you, Ava” she snapped and turned and walked out of the house, the front door slamming loudly behind her.

  Mason turned to me with a cheeky smile on his face. “Oops,” he shrugged. I blushed furiously, not quite knowing how to take his aloofness to someone he was sleeping with.

  I lowered my eyes and started to unpack the shopping. “What would you like for your lunch, Mr Fox?” I asked, trying to change the subject rapidly.

  I felt a hand on my forearm but I didn’t turn round. “I’m sorry Ava; I seemed to have embarrassed you.”

  I shook my head rapidly, still not looking at him but highly aware of his hand resting on my arm, the heat of it making my hair stand on end. “No, no, Mr Fox. Your private affairs don’t concern me; it’s none of my business.”