Chapter 19 A beautiful thing

Later that day ...

Stevie had just returned to her cottage after taking a shower in the main house. Again she had problems with her water provision. It was already pretty late and she headed to her place to end the day reading a book.

When she reached her front door a bag caught her eye, a bag of chips to be more specific. What's that doing here? She picked it up and saw a note taped on it.

'To make up for our missed out diner'

An even more questioning and surprised look appeared on her face. She just kept looking at the note, like she was searching for some hidden hint.

'You wanna share that?' She heard a familiar voice behind her and before she had turned around a smile already had turned upon her face. Stevie saw him standing there, relaxed, hands in his pockets, wearing one of his better shirts and some kind of sexy smile on his face. 'Alex ...', it was the only word that had popped up in her mind and it came out her mouth in a very soft and delicate way. 'So?', Alex asked again. He could see she was a bit flustered.

'Uhm yeah ... of course, come inside'. A moment later she had opened her door and it made her a bit nervous to have him standing behind her when she was searching for the door lock.

'Well, make yourself comfortable', Stevie said as she bitted her lip. She felt nervous and it made her feel stupid. Alex had just wandered through her living room and he seemed composed. He had looked at her just before he sat down on the couch, like asking for some kind of permission. 'You want a beer with it?' 'Yes, please'.

While Stevie quickly find her way to the kitchen, she sighed deeply, like she wanted to calm herself down. She just could feel there was something in the air. And although she thought it was sweet of Alex, it gave her an uncomfortable feeling.

'Here you go!', she handed Alex his beer and put down a bowl of chips on the coffee table. 'You would make a good wife, Stevie', Alex said looking at his beer and chips. He hadn't a clue why he said it; it just had entered his mind. She looked at him. 'Then I will let you get it yourself'. What did she just say? Stevie tried to recover as fast as she could. 'Uhm, not that I ... well you know what I mean!', she blurted out, embarrassed. Alex just couldn't do anything else than laugh. It was typical Stevie, saying or doing things before thinking.

'Alex!' She poked him for laughing. 'Sorry, Stevie ... I know what you mean'. Alex gave it a second thought. 'No I don't'. Which made him laugh again. 'Can you just stop it ...' Still a bit annoyed and embarrassed she took a chip, looking sideways at Alex, who tried to stop his laugh. 'I hope Harry was hard on you today', she said. 'Nope, there was too much to do, so he figured it was better for me to just get on with the work. But his look said enough. I was glad I could finish some jobs without him watching me.'

They had chat about all kinds of thinks, but mostly it was superficial. Alex' mind seemed to wander from time to time. He wanted this to be a special night, he wanted to show her what he felt, but he didn't know how. What happened to the smooth Alex Ryan, he thought. The one that didn't had any problem with making his move. Why was this so hard with Stevie? He knew the reason, cause she was his best mate and he didn't wanted to make a mistake, he wanted it to be good, perfect. He took a last swung of his beer; empty.

Stevie went to the kitchen to get some new beers and Alex saw his chance. He followed her and leaned against the doorpost. She had just taken two beers out of the fridge and placed them on the sink to uncap them when she noticed his presence. 'What are you looking at?' She could see a smirk on his face. 'A beautiful woman'. He was pleased with this line, this sounded like the good old smooth Alex Ryan. His staring and his comment made Stevie feel uncomfortable and she looked behind her, like this beautiful woman he was talking about was standing there.

When she turned around again Alex was standing right in front of her. She could feel his hand take hers. 'I mean it ... you're beautiful'. She felt like she could hardly breath, she wanted to look away shyly, but his eyes had captured hers. He even moved closer. 'You now, there's something I wanted to do all day.' It was like she stood nailed to the ground and she could see his gentle face move closer. His other hand had moved to her face, caressing it gently and to move it towards his. He bended down and softly kissed her. She had fantasized about this moment many times, but it was like her whole body couldn't move a bit, like it was dazed.

Alex moved away and looked at her. The fact she hadn't replied to his kiss, made him worry for a moment. 'If it's ok with you?' She knew there was only one answer to his question. Stevie stood on her toes and her hand had moved to the back of his head, making him bend down again. She kissed him. Alex felt joy taken over his body as the kiss got more intense.

When they finished they both had a huge smirk on their face, and shyly Stevie had looked around her, still moving her lips to sense the taste of his. 'Uhm, I better get those beers to the living room.'

When they sat down on the couch again, they just kept sharing glances, hardly saying a word and it even made Stevie giggle. 'We're pathetic', she concluded. 'Well, I wouldn't put it like that'. He smiled at her. It made her feel like a teenager again, wanting to yell Alex Ryan had kissed her. 'What you're thinking?' Alex asked. She couldn't tell him that. 'I think ... I can't think properly at the moment.' It made them laugh. 'Well, let's drink to that.'

After they had finished their beers Alex left Drovers, knowing he had to start early tomorrow cause there would be a new farmer showing up. He had give her kiss on her cheek while leaving, knowing it was probably the best to take things slow.

Driving in his car he heard this unknown song on the radio and he couldn't withhold the smile on his face while listening to it.

Girl do you know what you mean to me?
Or where you come in, in my one-two-threes?
Can you tell what I think when it's you that I see
Or how I might feel?

Isn't there everything I want in you?
An angel, the one that I hold on to
Don't I believe that this feeling is true?
Something real

Cause it's always the same thing all over my face
Whenever you're near I know I'm in the right place
When I go out for a walk it's like I'm running a race
You're driving my heart girl
You got no brakes

Sometimes I hate because you look so fine
But you know that's really all of the time
You're looking so good
I have to turn my face away
Before the wind change

And when you kiss me
I just stand still
I've made up my mind
Now your wish is my will
Anything that you want
You can deliver me a bill
Just do it again

Isn't there everything I want in you?
An angel, the one that I hold on to
Isn't it you girl I'm trying to move?
Just to prove that I need ...

To prove I need you

(Song: Declan O'Rourke – No Brakes)