Alex is in a filthy mood by the time he reaches the tractor shed.
Riley is hammering over at the bench and turns suddenly when he hears the engine kick over.
Running towards the front he waves his arms as Alex begins to reverse the tractor out.
When Riley is sure Alex has seen him he swiftly moves to the door of the tractor and yells up.
"Where do you think you're going I haven't put the guard back on the PTO Alex?"
"I haven't got time Riley. I'm late to meet Stevie and she'll be pissed off already."Alex growls.
"It's too bloody dangerous like that Alex! Just give me ten minutes and I'll have it finished." Riley offers.
Reaching forward Alex grabs the door handle and as he closes the door yells.
"Just bring it out when you're finished, I haven't got time."
...
Stevie is furious as she storms down stairs in her underwear with an old stud button shirt in her left hand and her oldest jeans in her right.
Regan, Jodie and Kate are sitting eating breakfast as she strides in and without saying good morning begins a tirade.
"Bloody Power Company that's the third time this month my alarms failed to go off. Don't they realize I've got a farm to run! I couldn't even see properly to find my clothes so I'll have to make do with these rags they'll probably rot off my god damn back by the end of the day."
The three women watch her stomping around the room grabbing a coffee from the billy they've set up on the gas burner and watch as she throws her bread onto the camp toaster.
Stevie jumps around angrily when she burns her finger.
Throwing her toast onto the bench she sucks on the burnt digit then holding it extended spreads the butter and vegemite onto her toast.
...
Grabbing her jeans she reefs them up her legs and the girls laugh when they hear a huge rip.
Stevie glares at them.
"Maybe if you slow down Stevie your clothes might stay in one piece." Regan offers.
Stevie pulls a face at her and continues to do up her jeans now with part of the waist band flapping like a ship sail.
"Great! " Stevie growls.
She turns to Jodie and says "Rip that off will you!"
"Please." Jodie replies.
Without reply Stevie turns away grabs her shirt pulling it over her arms and back and presses the studs closed.
"What's the rush Stevie?" Kate asks.
"I told Alex I'd meet him at six and it's already six thirty hell give me grief for the rest of the day now!" She states.
" Don't forget Tess and Nick are back today!" Regan says.
" Yeah yeah." Stevie acknowledges.
Grabbing her hat and pulling her boots on Stevie quickly drinks her coffee and heads out the door .
" Stevie! Don't forget my lingerie party is tonight and you're one of the models!" Jodie calls after her.
" Great !' Stevie mumbles.
Putting the last piece of her toast in her mouth she jumps into the Ute.
...
Stevie drives over the hill just as Alex reaches the paddock they'll be working in.
Grinning he thinks good she'll think I've been waiting.
Stevie spots the tractor smoke and thinks great he's here first.
Now I'll never hear the end of it.
...
The two begin to work and niggle at each other and eventually the mood lifts and they're both happy to just be together.
Riley has been held up by Dave Brewer as he needed a hand to push some steers through the crush.
"Thanks for your help Riley. I have to go over to Drover's after this Stevie needs some cattle preg tested and I'm running late because of the power outage."Dave states.
"Yeah it's thrown everyone out again hasn't it? Alex was in a filthy mood this morning and I was late starting the repairs on the tractor and he took off before I had a chance to attach the PTO guard." Riley states.
Dave looks worried and says "That's not like Alex he's usually very safety conscious."
Riley quips "He was late to meet Stevie."
Dave chuckles and says "That explains a lot."
Riley looks puzzled at Dave.
With his hand over his heart Dave quips "Matters of the heart Riley."
"What Stevie and Alex?" Riley exclaims.
Dave laughs and says "Neither would admit to it but watch them and listen to them. For the life of me I can't work out why they aren't together."
Riley laughs and says "Come to think of it I have seen the way he looks at her and it's not really the way you'd look at a mate."
Dave says "Hmmm undressing her with his eyes."
Riley laughs and says "Oh ok you've seen it too."
"I'll come for a spin with you Riley and check with Stevie what stock I'll be working with plus I need to see Alex anyway." Dave adds walking to the car.
...
Stevie and Alex have both jumped down from the tractor as the engine shudders to a slow halt and are teasing and tormenting each as usual.
Stevie stops at the back of the tractor and makes a remark with her face beaming. "So you were rushing cause you missed me weren't you?'
He laughs and gently pushes her and says "Nah I just wanted to get the day over so I wouldn't have to look at you anymore."
In a split second she screams "Alex!" and he sees the fear on her face.
Grabbing her arm he reacts at an amazing speed for a big man.
He rips the front of her shirt releasing the buttons as the sound of ripping cloth spins fear around his heart.
He pulls her to him.
Throwing her arms around his waist she buries her head in his chest.
"Are you alright." He asks with fear and adrenalin laced through his words.
She nods her head and tightens her grip around him.
...
The two stand for a moment as their hearts gently slow back to normal rhythms.
Alex smiles enjoying the smell of her hair and perfume.
That's one of the best things about working with her, she always smells so good.
Unless she's covered in sheep dung he muses.
Stevie has her head buried in his chest and even though she feels alright she's enjoying being so close to him.
The smell of his clothing is so familiar and so comforting.
Her arms tighten as she enjoys the feeling of his muscular body.
She could stay here all day just holding him like this.
...
Alex rubs his hands up and down her skin as a soothing gesture but finds he's feeling more than soothing.
In his arms Stevie smiles as she listens to his heart beat change.
She has never noticed the affect she has on him and is thrilled and just a little more than excited.
"Enjoyable isn't it." She quips without knowing how he'll respond.
His arms tighten around her and he mumbles. "Mmm."
Smiling she doesn't know what to do next .
She just knows she doesn't want him to let go.
...
Shifting his feet he moves but doesn't let her go.
Lifting her face to him she smiles.
His eyes sparkle and he whispers. "Are you ok?"
Her smile broadens as she quips. "I don't know you tell me."
Her releases her but doesn't move but softly slides his hands to her face says "Yeah you're ok."
For a split second she doesn't know what to do or say.
Rising up on her toes she reaches to kiss him.
Her heart pounds as he hesitates, then as if in slow motion moves his head to greet her.
His lips have barely touched hers when a voice calls. "What have you two been up too?"
...
Alex releases her and she's immediately aware that she's in her bras as her shirt was ripped off into the PTO of the tractor.
Flinging her arms across her chest she whispers "Alex I need a top."
"Stay there." He growls at Dave and Riley as they advance.
Alex drops his hat to the ground and drags his shirt over his head and passes it to Stevie.
He drinks her in as he waits for her to take it from him and she smiles at him and whispers. "Thanks."
...
Dave and Riley exchange glances.
Stevie walks around the side of the tractor and again Riley and Dave smirk at each other.
"What's going on here then?" Dave asks with a huge grin on his face.
"Stevie's shirt got caught up." Alex states.
Dave smile drops and he asks. "Are you alright Stevie?'
Stevie grins at Alex and says "Well Alex says I am."
Alex bites his lip and quips. "Yes I gave her the once over nothing broken."
Stevie almost laughs out loud but says "Certainly got our hearts pumping didn't it Alex."
He lowers his head trying not to let the men see him smile when he replies. "Yes definitely took me by surprise Stevie."
"Hmmm." She replies.
...
Riley walks to the back of the tractor and quickly holds up her shirt and a portion of her jeans.
"You're bloody lucky Stevie with the studs on your shirt giving way and these jeans are almost perished if you'd had new stuff on it would have been a different story. You should have waited for the guard Alex that was bloody irresponsible." Riley chastises.
"Yeah I know mate but Stevie's ok and that's all that matters. Just drop it ok?" Alex states.
Dave picks up on Alex's need to look at the positive side of the accident and says. "Well that's one way to get women's clothes off I guess."
Stevie looks at Alex and quips. "If you want to see me naked Alex next time just ask."
They all laugh thinking Stevie's joking but she winks at Alex and he grins and winks back.
Their friendship just kicked up a notch.
...
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