Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (22 page)

They seemed to be getting bigger and I was preparing
myself for flats, scowling to myself at the thought.

“Might be a good idea.
I think
Liv would give it go” he pursed his lips and cocked his head in thought “We
could get Erin to babysit and make a night of it; you know meal first then the
club. Fancy that?” he raised his head in query and I nodded happily “Sounds
good” I smiled “But please don’t let slip to Mason. I need to do this on my
own” I warned and he sighed “Ava, I know you didn’t tell me everything and I’m
worried about you, please promise me you’ll be careful” he implored and I
smiled softly at him “I promise, I’m only going to see William, don’t worry” I appeased
as my phone alerted a text:

COURTNEY

Hey babe, Kim, Sal
and me are off clubbing tonight, you fancy it?

Luv ya xxx

ME

Definitely but not
sure how long I will last…knackered but I’ll try and have an hour this
afternoon.
Time?
Luv ya too xxx

COURTNEY

Will pick you up at
8
babe
; was thinking of asking Marcy along, what do ya
think?

Xxx

ME

Yeah, good idea,
see ya at 8 xxx

Nate dropped me off and I put some laundry in the washer
and climbed into bed, falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

An hour later I was woke by my phone ringing. Scrambling
around on the nightstand I swiped it without checking the display “Mmmm” I
mumbled “Hey” Mason said softly. My eyes opened immediately, I hadn’t heard
from him since New Year’s Eve and hadn’t seen him since the night before I left
for Belgium. I was worried he was still angry

“Hey” I murmured quietly “Ava, I’m so sorry. I was a
fucking dick” he sighed “Yes you were. I don’t like it when you take coke
Mason, it fucks you up baby” he sighed again “I know, I was missing you and
Maudling, you know, New Year and all that” he chuckled slightly “Do you believe
all those things you said?” I asked cautiously “Hell no baby, it was just the
coke talking. I know you’re not fucking Nate for god’s sake. Look Ava, can I
see you tonight?” he asked and I cringed “I can’t tonight Mason, I’m going out
with the girls” I sighed disappointedly.

 
I really wanted to
see him but I wouldn’t drop my friends for him, I hadn’t been out with them for
ages and we all needed some friend bonding time.

“Where to?”
I wasn’t sure if he
was asking so he could turn up or just out of general interest “Your place” I
said quietly. He was silent for a moment “Which one?” he asked curiously. What
the hell? “What do you mean which one?” I asked warily “You said my place, I
have more than one Ava” he revealed. This was news to me

“Do you?” I asked confused “Yeah” he laughed “I have ‘The
Loft,’ ‘Pulse’, ‘The Basement’ and a few restaurants and health clubs amongst
others” he said casually, with no hint of arrogance or self-importance “Oh, I
had no idea they were yours and when I did your paperwork I only saw documents
for ‘The Loft’” .

I was thoroughly confused but now I understood where his
money came from. I did think it was strange to earn so much with one club but I
also wondered what other secrets he’d got locked away “It’s no big deal Ava, I
didn’t tell you,
so
you didn’t know. I don’t like
bragging” he disclosed “Right” I shrugged to myself but shook it off; Masons’
business wasn’t my business.

“Anyway, we’ll probably visit ‘The Loft’ we like it
there, the atmospheres great and the DJ’s hot” I smiled wickedly to myself “
Really?”
he probed but I sensed the
humour in his tone “Uh huh” I teased “
Really
hot
”. He laughed loudly “What am I gonna do with you baby?” he chuckled “I
could think of a few things” I whispered huskily and grinned when I heard his
sharp intake of breath

“Listen, Go straight to the main door when you arrive and
I’ll let them know you’re visiting tonight, saves you queuing baby” he said “Oh
okay” I smiled softly “I love you” I breathed, I missed him so much right at
this moment “I need you” I sighed and I heard his sigh as well
 
“Tomorrow baby?” I smiled at his tenacity
“Yeah, I can’t wait to see you, I’ve missed you so much” I whispered into the
phone, closing my eyes so I could picture him. I heard him sigh too “I know
baby, I’m looking at one of your photos” I heard the smile behind his voice
“Which one?” I asked and he chuckled “The shot of you from the side where
you’re covering your breasts and your lady parts with each arm and your gorgeous
baby bump is on display but it’s your smile that has captured me…you’re so
beautiful” he sighed heavily and I smiled softly

“I love you baby. I’m glad the photos are working for
you” I was really pleased that they were doing what I had intended them for and
helping him through until he saw me next “Hey, I need some of you” I laughed
and he chuckled “How about some of us together?” he suggested seriously and I
sniggered “You really think we could both get naked and keep our hands off each
other? The poor photographer…” I asked with a laugh and he gave me his
wonderful hearty laugh that bubbled my stomach happily “I don’t think the
photographer would think of himself as poor if we started fucking in front of
him, I think he’d be damn delighted” he laughed again

“Listen I’m gonna grab another hours sleep before
tonight, what time tomorrow?” I asked already snuggling down into my pillows
“I’ll be at yours for 7, that okay?” he asked “Yeah, I’ll cook” I told him as I
yawned “Okay baby, have a good time tonight. I love you Ava” he whispered and I
smiled “And me, you”

I dropped back to sleep immediately after ending the
call, sleeping heavily and waking in a panic at 7 O’clock. Rushing round trying
to get ready on time, I was happy to see my swollen feet had recuperated ready
for my dancing shoes and I was determined to have fun tonight. The last few
weeks had been a long struggle and I was so ready for a catch up and night with
my girlies.

We all piled out of the mini-bus outside ‘The Loft’ and I
did as Mason asked and walked up to the doorman.

“Hi” I smiled timidly; I was rather embarrassed to be
jumping the queue and had received some rather vicious looks from the waiting
people “Miss Stone?” The doorman asked with a cock of his head “Yeah” I nodded.
He grinned widely “Thought I recognised you. I’m John” To say he was a huge
tough bloke he had the softest eyes and gentlest smile I had ever seen and I
realised it was the doorman from the night I had gone up to Mason’s office when
I had broken sweaty guy’s nose.

 
“Pleased to meet
you again John” I greeted with a handshake and a smile which he returned widely
“Come with me” he smiled to us all and jerked his head inside for us to follow.

He escorted us through the bar, over the dance floor and
up to a large round table cordoned off by a thick rope “For you ladies,
courtesy of Mr Fox” he smiled and gestured with his arm for us to take a seat
“Oh Wow” we all gasped.

The table was decorated with pink rose
petals,
a huge bowl sculptured from ice was filled with an assortment of seafood and
crunchy raw vegetables, another ice bowl filled with the most amazing tropical
fruit and four silver buckets, filled with ice and pink champagne…and a jar of
peanut butter. God, I loved my man!!!

I beamed at John “Wow” I breathed wide eyed. He chuckled
and tipped his head “And this is your waiter for the evening ladies” he winked
and turned to a man. We all gasped again…and drooled.

A tall blonde haired Adonis was stood next to him; he
wore tight black shorts, a black bow tie and a huge smile “Good evening ladies,
I’m Frankie and I’m all yours for the evening” he winked and Courtney fell
backwards into a chair “I sooo love Mason right now” she breathed, fanning
herself with a napkin from the table “Hands off bitch, he’s mine” I growled
playfully as we all took a seat.

 
“There is
champagne in the buckets or could I get you something else?” Frankie asked
“Erm…I’ll have a cranberry and soda” I pouted sulkily and he smiled softly
“Miss Stone?” he questioned and I nodded.

Frankie reached over the table to the nearest bucket “Mr
Fox made sure you were catered for Miss Stone” he took the bottle and presented
it to me “Non-alcoholic pink champagne Miss Stone” he winked when I beamed at
him “Hit me Frankie” I giggled, holding up my glass.

He poured me a large glass and I took a suspicious sip
then I nodded in approval “Not bad”. The girls giggled and held their own
glasses out for Frankie to pour them the proper stuff.

I stood and gestured to the girls I was going to make a
phone call and walked to the edge of the room and dialled Mason. After trying
three times I presumed he was busy or in Rebecca’s company so I sent a quick
text

ME

I love you so so so
so much. Forget the DJ, our waiter is ultra-hot ;-)

Thank
you Baby, for the most wonderful surprise.
My girlies thank you too.

I will show my
ultimate appreciation tomorrow night…anything you desire Sir!!

Love you Baby xxxxx

I returned to my seat and my phone buzzed almost
immediately

MASON

Sorry couldn’t
answer; with company…if you can call ‘it’ company!!!

I’m happy that you
are happy. I would do anything to show the world your beautiful smile Baby.

I now can’t wait
for tomorrow night. I’m hard just thinking about all the things I am going to
do to you.

I love you too Ava,
so fucking much

See you tomorrow
xxxx

I grinned happily but felt a sharp sting in my chest as I
thought about him with
her
. Courtney
nudged me and grinned and I put all thoughts of Rebecca aside and resolved to
have a good night, which we did.

The Best!!

Especially as we left and discovered
Mason had sent a limousine to take us home.

I sighed deeply when I climbed into bed, wishing Mason
was beside me. I actually ached for him tonight, with every bone and every breath
in my body. I eventually snuggled into the duvet and dreamt of my man…and all
the things he was going to do to me.

After spending the morning shopping for food and some new
lingerie to surprise Mason with I met Kerrie for lunch and I was surprised how
rough she looked when she joined me in the pub “Hey” I said softly, kissing her
on the cheek.

“Good to see you Ava, it seems ages since our last lunch”
she said quietly and I realised how tired she was “Oh Kerrie, why the hell
didn’t you cancel? You look shattered” I scowled at her but she just shrugged
“I enjoy our lunches Ava, I wouldn’t miss it for anything” she scowled back and
we grinned at the waiter, Tristan. He was our regular waiter every time we came
here and we had become quite friendly and chatty with him

“Ava, Kerrie” he smiled at us and then turned to me “Do I
need more paper Ava?” he smirked and I narrowed my eyes on him as I snatched
his little note book from him and faked counting the pages “Should be enough
but you can use the back of your hand if not” I pursed my lips in mock offense and
him and Kerrie laughed “Okay Ava, go for it” he grinned and poised his pen

“Right…gammon, two eggs, double chips, peas, carrots and
mushrooms…oh and some garlic bread I think. Have you got any gherkins in
today?” I asked and he smiled slyly and nodded “I’ll have some of those too
then please” I sighed happily at the thought of food and chuckled as my little
peanuts kicked “Ahhhh quick Kerrie” I said and grabbed Kerries hand, pushing it
against my stomach and Tristan pushed her out of the way gently so he could cop
a feel. I rolled my eyes as they both ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhhed’ over the babies’
gymnastics.

“What can I get you today Kerrie?” Tristan asked and
cocked his head sadly at her, obvious as well to how ill she looked today “Can
I just have a fruit salad Tristan” she asked and I
sighed
“Hun, why didn’t you say you weren’t feeling great. I could have brought lunch
to you today” I rested my hand over hers “Oh Ava, I am so sick of seeing my
four walls” she huffed and I nodded “Yeah, I know” she looked at Tristan “Usual
drinks Tristan please” he nodded and rubbed her arm kindly to show his sympathy
and she smiled at him…I noticed they held eyes for a moment longer than normal
and my own eyebrows raised.

“Okayyyyy” I grinned at her when Tristan had left us to
prepare our drinks “What?” she blushed furiously “Someone has the hots for
youuuu” I practically sang and she narrowed her eyes “Don’t be silly Ava” she
blushed some more but gave me a little smirk “How’s things going with David?” I
asked and she huffed “It’s not, I broke it off” she declared, squaring her
shoulders “What happened?” I asked with concern and she snorted “I caught him
with someone else” she said, anger flashing through her eyes. I bit my lip to bite
back my rage “Fucking men!” I snarled

“Yeah, I caught him humping someone called Steven in my
bathroom” she announced bluntly and I choked on the drink that Tristan had just
put in front of us.

Me
and Tristan stared at her
with wide eyes “What the hell?” I scoffed and Tristan puffed out loudly. She
shrugged “Yeah, It wouldn’t feel so bad if he hadn’t let himself and his
boyfriend into
MY
house and fucked on
My
bed” she said angrily