I started to sob now. “Shush, Ava” he whispered. “Do you want to stop?”
I shook my head severely. “I need to tell you Mason, I need to.” I was shaking violently and he gripped me. “He warned me but I didn’t fucking listen” I cried. His own tears were falling now, I was breaking him with me.
“When I didn’t stop biting and scratching him he punched me in the head. I fell to the ground and then he started kicking me in the stomach and back until I couldn’t move and then he . . . he . . . SHIT!”
I rubbed my face with my hands, pulling away from Mason and sat up but didn’t face him.
“He . . . he found a petrol can from one of the garages, poured it over Katie and set her on fire,” I whispered brokenly.
“Jesus Christ!” he snarled.
“I couldn’t get to her, I tried so hard but the flames just swept over her too quickly and he held me back, laughing at her . . . he fucking laughed at her!” I sobbed and he leaned forward, enveloping me again. “I can still hear her fucking screams, I can still smell her fucking flesh burning, Mason!” I cried.
“Jesus Christ, Ava.” He held me tight as my body shook violently.
Pushing him off I ran up the stairs just managing to get to the toilet as I vomited vehemently, my stomach revolting at the memories. I felt Mason squat behind me and sweep my hair away from my face as I continued to empty my stomach.
His hands stroked my sweating back and he whispered my name over and over until I had nothing left to throw up.
He leant me against the wall and turned on the bath taps, filling the bath. When it was full of warm, foamy water he peeled off my shirt and lifted me into it, climbing in behind me and pulling me against him as we lay there, together in silence as my body shook and his heart broke.
“I’m sorry, Ava” he said eventually. “I didn’t mean to go behind your back but I knew something was holding you back from our relationship.” He sighed and I squeezed his hand.
“I know,” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I should have trusted you, Ava and I’m so sorry.” He swept my hair back and kissed my temple. “I only found out the basics. Just your foster carers but not what you went through in them all, and your injuries from that night but I didn’t know what had happened although I gathered you were raped, my mother’s notes didn’t explain anything other than your physical state and the mention of your mental withdrawal.”
He picked up the sponge and started to bathe me gently. “I have only ever told George. Courtney knows it was something horrific but not the specifics.”
“I should have been patient and trusted you.”
“I know Mason, stop apologising. But I need you to trust me in the future otherwise there is no basis for a relationship.”
He nodded. “Ava, do you . . . do you think you need to talk to somebody, you know like a therapist?” he asked cautiously but I shook my head.
“No, I’m not that sort of person, Mason. It’s helped that I have spoken to you,” I confessed quietly and he kissed me again.
“George pulled me back up, his patience and care will be something that I will never forget. He sat up with me when my nightmares haunted me night after night, he held me when I sobbed and he bought me a punch bag.”
I chuckled, “I remember his face when he first saw me pound the bag until it split.”
He scoffed. “Fuck me Ava, you’re a right little warrior” he laughed.
“I needed to be, Mason” I said sadly. “I managed to get free and run that night, and that’s when George found me, huddled in the corner of the pub car park.”
I felt him nod behind me. “Did you ever see them again?” he asked slowly.
I shook my head, “No, George went out to look but didn’t find them and I never saw them again. I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or not.” I laughed bitterly.
Mason huffed loudly. “For their case, I’d say it’s a good thing” he stated but I shrugged.
“I dunno, Mason. They were way too strong for me then, however much I fought. I tried to save her but . . . but . . .” I sobbed and Mason clung to me, “It’s my fault she died, Mason!”
I pulled away from him and drew my knees up and hugged them to me. “Baby, no! You did what anybody would have done.” His voice broke and his fingers stroked up and down my spine.
I shook my head again. “But he told me, he warned me . . . I should have just let him do it and then Katie would still be here” I rasped as a tear slid out.
“Ava, you can’t think like that. How do you know they still wouldn’t have done it even if you gave in?” He kissed my back, his arms slid round me and hugged my legs with me. “You . . . you . . .” He swallowed heavily. “They could have done the same to you Ava, if you hadn’t run.”
I shrugged. “But . . . it would’ve been better than having to see Katie’s pain every day. Her face . . . the terror and agony . . .” I broke off and rested my head on my knees. “Her face never leaves me Mason, nor does the way she screamed my name in torture . . .”
I retched and Mason pulled me back. “Shush baby, it’s over. I’m gonna help you through. I’m here for you Ava” he whispered against my head.
I gripped his arms tightly and nodded, “I know.”
His mouth slid round to my neck, kissing it gently. “I love you, Ava. I’ve never felt like this about anybody but you . . . I will kill anybody that harms you. I won’t let anybody hurt you again . . . ever!”
I tilted my head and cupped his face as he kissed me lovingly. “I love you too Mason, so much that it frightens me.”
He frowned severely but nodded. “Don’t be scared of how you feel Ava, never be afraid to love,” he whispered as he breathed against my lips.
He made love to me slowly and tenderly, our need to soothe each other evident in the way we held each other as we both climaxed together, joined in body and soul.
CHAPTER 20
MASON DROPPED ME back at my cottage late afternoon so I could dress for Brian’s party. He was due to pick me up at 8 O’clock and I felt lighter than I had done in years.
His support and tenderness had cracked more of my shell.
My phone rang just before Mason arrived. “Hey Ava,” Courtney greeted. “You didn’t ring me babe and I was getting worried.”
I groaned, “Oh god, sorry hun.”
She laughed. “It’s okay, Ava. How did it go with Mason?” she asked cautiously.
“Good. We talked and I opened up and told him everything.”
I heard her heavy sigh of relief. “Oh babe. I’m glad but just be careful okay. Take it slow and see how it goes, I don’t want to see him hurt you anymore. You’re the usual fighter in our circle, but I swear to god, if he hurts you . . .” She broke off and I smiled at her protectiveness.
“I know Courtney. I have to go; I’m off to Brian’s’ party.”
We said our hurried goodbyes as Mason knocked on the door. I swung it open, turning quickly to slip into my shoes and grab my bag. When I turned back round to him he was frozen in the doorway.
His eyes were dark and hooded, his bottom lip pulled severely in his teeth and his fists were clenched at his sides. His eyes were boring into me.
“Mason?” I asked, confused at his expression.
“Jesus Ava, you look . . . you look . . . Fuck!” He groaned and raked his hair with his hands.
I wore a deep grey silk dress that plunged down to my navel at the front, my breasts secured with special tape. The rear was pure lace down to the tip of my arse and luckily came with a built-in crotch.
I grinned mischievously. “You like my dress?” I asked, my eyebrow and lip lifting.
“Fuck! I’m not gonna be able to keep my hands off you,” he growled. I laughed and pulled him back through the door, locking up and leading him to the limo he had waiting for me.
“You hired this for me?” I asked and he nodded, still unable to speak.
He grabbed the champagne and poured us both a gla
ss. His hands were trembling and his pupils were still shot as he took a sip. I placed my glass in the holder and trailed my finger over his jaw and leant into his ear. “Are you hard for me, Mason?” I breathed.
He groaned as I cupped his erection, “Ava, don’t touch me, not unless you want me to embarrass myself.”
I gave him a slow grin and slid his zip down; pulling his rock hard erection free. “Wow, that looks painful, baby” I teased as I nibbled his earlobe. He moaned loudly and sucked in his lips. “Would you like me to help you out?”
He panted as I took him in my hand, tightly squeezing. “Ava please,” he begged. I chuckled and slid down. I mouthed his sac and sucked gently as my thumb slid over his tip, smearing the pre-cum that had escaped.
He groaned louder and gripped my hair as my tongue swept the full length of his huge cock, flicking at the tip. I slid my mouth round him and plunged all the way to the base of him as I loosened my throat. He hissed harshly and bucked his hips as I groaned against him. “Shit” he growled as my murmurs reverberated around his shaft.
His grip tightened in my hair and he pumped his hips, thrusting himself into my mouth. I bared my teeth and slid them over him, he jerked violently, filling my mouth with his hot, salty cum.
“Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!” He snarled and struggled for breath. “Christ, Ava” he rasped.
I reached up and kissed him. “You taste even better with my cum on your lips,” he breathed. I moaned and squirmed against him.
His finger traced the edge of the gape in my dress. I sucked in a breath and just as his fingers slid onto my thigh there was a tap on the privacy screen of the car.
I groaned loudly. “So not fair,” I pouted.
Mason chuckled. “I’ll make it worth the wait, baby. I’m gonna fuck you into next week when I get you home,” he whispered.
I slapped his arm. “Mason stop! Otherwise it will be my turn to embarrass myself.”
He laughed and climbed from the car as our door swung open and the driver stood waiting for our departure.
As we approached the doors to the private club that Brian had hired, I hesitated; the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and my body exploded in a cold shiver, goose bumps erupting all over my body. I spun round, checking out my surroundings as the feeling of being watched overwhelmed me.
“Ava?” Mason queried, moving his gaze to where I was scanning, a deep furrow on his forehead. I shook myself and cleared my head.
“Nothing, just a strange feeling.” I shrugged and entered the building, Mason’s hand tightly gripping mine.
The room was filled to the brim and I was pleased that so many people admired Brian enough to turn up.
I quickly found him in the crowd. As soon as he saw me a huge grin erupted on his face and he hugged me tight. “Ava, you look beautiful, sweetheart” he beamed, cupping my face and kissing my forehead.
Mason’s hand tightened in mine and he glared at Brian. “Put her down, Brian,” he insisted light-heartedly but I could feel the tension in him. I stole a quick scowl at him and shook my head slightly.
“Oh simmer down Mason, I don’t see her like that. She’s like family,” Brian scolded. Mason nodded and dropped my hand as he scooped Brenda into a hug.
She squeezed him hard and then turned to me. “Ava, darling. You look incredible. That dress is gonna make some men hot under the collar tonight.” She winked and Mason growled.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Don’t panic, I’m here with you,” I told him. He huddled me close, kissing my lips sensually.
Brenda cocked her head and pursed her lips. “Mason . . .” she uttered. He turned to her. “I am just going to say this once and then it’s done with. You hurt her and I will personally make it my mission to destroy you,” she asserted bluntly.
Mason nodded and took her hand. “Brenda, if I hurt her I will personally destroy myself,” he told her frankly. They held each other’s gaze for a moment and when she nodded, everybody relaxed.
Brian and Brenda left us to go and mingle and Mason led me to the bar. “Vodka and cranberry and a scotch on ice” he ordered.
“I’ll take a vodka and cranberry then,” I mocked and he rolled his eyes.
“Don’t be awkward, Ava” he said stiffly. I childishly poked my tongue at him.
The sensation of been watched filled me again and I took another glance round the room but couldn’t make out anybody staring, so I quickly shook myself off again before Mason noticed.
We found the rest of his friends and sat at their table.
Sam was seated with a lovely dark haired woman, who I found out was Marcy, his long term girlfriend. She seemed shy but was pleasant to chat to. Greg was there but on his own and the weird guy, Mark with the scars, was sat with a blonde tart on his knee, whose lips were glued to his neck.
Me and Marcy rolled our eyes and giggled as we heard her slurps and wet kisses on his ear. “Jesus, any wetter and he’s gonna need a change of skin, never mind clothes.” She laughed and our friendship was secured, she had a wicked sense of humour and had me in hysterics for most of the night.
Mason was constantly touching me all night; his fingers were either sliding up the edge of my thigh under the table or tracing the outline of my breasts at the edge of my dress. He was holding my hand and every so often he would pull me over for a kiss or to whisper dirty things in my ear; laughing as I squirmed in my chair.
“Why don’t you just straddle him and put him out of his misery,” Greg proposed to me and laughed when Mason grinned and said “Good idea” pulling me across onto his lap.
He was nibbling my ear and telling me what he wanted to do to me when Rebecca placed both her hands on the back of my empty chair and glared at us. “Oh for God’s sake Mason, put her down” she sneered, jealousy evident on her fake face.
“You’re only jealous, Rebecca,” Sam mocked.
She snapped her head up and curled her lip slyly. “Oh, I’m not worried Sam, he’ll be back in my bed soon enough.” She smirked and then turned to me, “You see Ava, me and Mason have great coke-fuelled sex and somehow I can’t imagine you being into that.”
Mason went to shift but I put my hand on his arm and cocked my head at Rebecca and laughed. “Have you never thought why Mason needs to be pumped up on coke to fuck you Rebecca?” I mocked.
Everybody at the table erupted in laughter when she paled slightly. “You see Rebecca,” I drawled in the same tone she’d used on me. “Mason and I have amazing mind-blowing sex without the need for coke.”
I shrugged and Mason jigged me about on his knee. “I can vouch for that. She’s so fucking hot in bed I can’t get enough of her.” He growled and slammed his lips on mine, kissing me passionately.
“You’re just a fucking whore,” she jeered and my rage snapped.
I shot off Mason’s knee, grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall. “I am gonna warn you once, Rebecca” I snarled. “Don’t fucking cross me or I will completely fucking obliterate you,” I growled before I dropped my hands. “Now fuck off and don’t come near me or Mason again.”
I turned back to Mason and I just glimpsed her hand shoot out behind me. I whirled round, caught her wrist and smashed my fist in her face. She shot backwards and bumped into the wall, holding her hand against her cheek, tears stinging her eyes.
Mason stood, walked around me and held his hand out to her, she grabbed his hand and as he pulled her up she gave me a wry smirk of victory.
He leaned in close to her ear and whispered something; her face paled and she huffed, pushed him away and stormed off.
He turned back to me, grabbed my hand and sat back down, pulling me back onto his lap before he twisted me round and gripped my backside, squeezing harshly.
“That was so fucking hot” he declared. The rest of the table broke down in hysterics.
“Bloody hell, Ava. Next time I go out partying I’m taking you with me as my bitch.” Marcy laughed and I shrugged.
“I don’t like her
,” I stated and everybody laughed again.
“Never!” Sam howled. Mark’s girlfriend just sat staring at me, with what looked like fear on her face.
I turned to Mason. “What did you say to her?” I asked.
“I just said ‘Ava’s right Rebecca. I need the coke to blot out your fucking face.’” He shrugged but grinned when everybody laughed.
“Ouch!” Greg chuckled.
Marcy stood and pulled on my hand. “Let’s dance, Ava” she declared and dragged me onto the dance floor.
I relaxed myself and my body started thrumming to the rhythm of the music as me and Marcy flung our heads back and danced without a care.
A tall blonde guy started jigging towards us. Marcy rolled her eyes as he moved in front of her, facing me and swinging his hips.
I stifled a giggle at his highly embarrassing moves and slid to the side to dance with Marcy again but he persevered and swept in front of me again. I glared at him and shook my head but he started moving towards me, his hips still gyrating to the music.
I shook my head more firmly but he got close and placed his hands on my hips. I stopped abruptly, removed his hands and mouthed ‘fuck off dickhead’ over the music.
He flung his head back and laughed then pressed himself against me and put his hands on my backside.
I shot backwards. All of sudden he spun round and Mason punched him hard. “DON’T FUCKING TOUCH HER!” he roared and smacked him again.
I shot forwards and pulled Mason’s arm back, but he growled and shook me off. His pupils had dilated, his face was contorted in rage and he had a dark menace in his eyes.
I was starting to panic when Mason thumped him again, the power in his arms annihilating the man’s nose. “MASON!!” I shouted.
Greg and Sam charged towards us, they each grabbed Mason’s arms and held him back.
He was glaring at the man with such malevolence that even I feared him at that moment; the evil in his face gave him a chilling appearance.
Blondie scrambled backwards at the sight of him, his face pale against the blood that was pouring down his face. He held his hands up in terrified surrender as Brian and another bloke rushed over, helped him up and swiftly took him away from Mason.
The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone Page 41