A gentle touch of featherlike strokes on her bare butt woke her. The warm skin under her cheek made her start until she heard his soft chuckle. Stacey lifted her head and looked over at the bedside clock.
"Day off today, remember?" Morgan grinned at her in the soft early morning light.
"Yeah, that's right. I can sleep in for a change." She sighed and dropped her head back onto his chest.
"Or we could take up where we left off last night," suggested Morgan wiggling his eyebrows at her.
"Sounds like a good idea. Let me brush my teeth first please." She slid from the bed and padded into the bathroom. When she returned a few minutes later Morgan was laying on the bed in the early morning light softly stroking his erect cock.
"Looks like you started without me."
Cupping her hands around his, Stacey dipped her head and ran her tongue over the soft skin. When Morgan groaned and bucked his hips she looked up and grinned at him. "Come on big guy, settle down. This time I want you to make love to me slowly and sensually."
He reached up and pulled her face toward him, running his tongue over her lips while her held her still. Turning his head slightly Morgan licked down the side of her neck and was rewarded with a gasp followed by a soft moan. He pushed her onto the bed and lifted himself to lean over her.
"Sensitive little thing, aren't you?"
"Only in certain places which I'm sure you know by now."
Morgan laughed and lowered himself to lay on top of her, his cock digging into her thigh. Stacey spread her legs and made room for him between them. He pressed against her sex making her squirm under him.
"Hold still if you want slow and seductive. Any more movement and it will all be over as fast as last night."
"Sorry but it's hard to keep still with you touching me."
He chuckled and proceeded to lick his way down her throat to her breasts where he teased and pulled on her taught nipples, his teeth grazing the small pink buds of flesh.
Her hips undulated beneath him and she lifted her legs, wrapping her feet behind his knees to bring them closer together. His cock pressed against her wet clit and he reached down guiding himself inside.
A sigh of pleasure met his ears. She ran her hands down his back and clutching his butt, Stacey pulled him deeper into her. Holding him still she moaned.
"Let it go baby."
The walls of her pussy clenched around his cock and he began to move slowly and sensually. He looked down at her. Hair spread over the pillow and a smile touching her mouth Stacey was gazing at him from half closed eyes.
"I could stay here forever," she whispered.
"I doubt I could service you that well madam." The thought was appealing though.
Morgan started to move and licked the lobe of her ear before dragging on it with his teeth. She held onto him and upped the pace, another orgasm crashing through her as she cried out.
"Oh, oh... my... god that was good."
Morgan savored the reaction and it spurred him on. With a few deep thrusts his body tensed and his orgasm took over. When his cock stopped pumping he relaxed against Stacey, her arms wrapped tightly around him.
* * *
Stacey lifted herself up and looked down at Morgan lazing back on her bed. "If we are going to go out to the falls we should go now before it gets too hot. You can relax if you want to but I need a shower and then food." Her stomach rumbled to prove her point. "Then I think I'll put together a picnic basket for lunch."
Hooking a leg over the edge of the bed, she stood up and walked to the bathroom. Waiting for the hot water to kick in, Stacey leaned in the doorway and watched the man who had brought so much pleasure to her sex starved body and regretted nothing. He had to leave tomorrow and it was a shame but at least they had some time together.
The shower was steaming and dragging her gaze from the bed she walked under the warm water. Slick hands cupped her breasts when Stacey was rinsing the bubbles from her hair. She leaned back into his hard body and sighed. Shower sex would be great but then they would be getting out of the pub later than planned.
Turning, she rubbed herself against the now wet body. "Make it quick or get out."
* * *
The smell of bacon and eggs met Morgan half way down the stairs. That and an off key song coming from the kitchen. Walking in he stopped and watched as Stacey danced around the room with a fry pan in her hand plating up their breakfast. Her voice was loud and carefree as she yelled out the words to Bohemian Rhapsody in time with the radio station.
"Oops." She stopped when she saw Morgan watching her, a flush creeping up those finely defined cheek bones. She turned away to the sink and dumped the pan in it but not before he saw the embarrassed smile curving her tender lips. Lips that had moments ago been wrapped around his throbbing erection.
It was going to be hard to leave but he had promised her nothing. They had both gone into this knowing it was sex, plain and simple. Both of them had been satisfied and he kept that thought foremost in his mind lest he let the guilt take over what could be an eventful day out in great company.
"Let me take those plates." He stepped in and held out his hand as she loaded them onto a tray with cutlery.
"Um, coffee?"
"Sounds good, then when we are done I can help clear up and get the food for lunch, okay?"
"Sure." Stacey tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and turned on the coffee machine before following him into the bar.
They ate in silence and when Stacey had popped the last piece of bacon in her mouth she got down from the stool. "Back in a jiffy."
Morgan watched her stride into the kitchen, his gaze following the long supple legs clad in brief cut off denim shorts. Her tiny feet were slipped into plain black sandals showing off toes painted a bright cherry red. A cheap white cotton t-shirt was tied in a knot to one side showing off the smallest amount of stomach when she walked.
There was no denying he was smitten with her. But taking a reality check was going to dampen his mood. Best make the most of it and leave in the morning on a good note.
Stacey came back into the bar with two steaming cups of coffee in her hands. Morgan reached out and took one from her, inhaling the aroma of fresh beans.
"So, first stop the waterfalls?"
"If you don't mind, how about I drive and take you on a tour ending at the waterfalls. I would love to show you my favorite spots and you haven't seen the Maltese crosses. That way we can have a swim and laze around after lunch. There are a couple of places I really want to show you first if that's okay."
"Sure. We have all day." He sipped the coffee and wondered if they would come across anyone who knew him. Since he had never been to the mine his company owned before, he doubted it but the thought was in the back of his mind. "We may as well take my car though, company expense account."
* * *
Stacey drove along the track with her window down and her arm resting in the sun. She was letting herself relax and was hell bent on enjoying the day. Seeing the crossing ahead, she changed gear and turned into the small dirt track. Bumping along they drove for about five minutes before she pulled the car over to a clearing and killed the engine.
"Here we are." Stacey grinned at his confused look and opened her door. "Maltese crosses, here." She opened the back door of the four wheel drive and took out the two camp chairs and a couple of plastic containers.
"Okay, this is how it works. You plonk your chair where ever you want and grab a tub of these little pebbles. Then you sit down and pick through a handful at a time. Let me show you what you're looking for."
She pushed her chair down and sat her butt in it before scooping up a pile of stones. Leaning back in her camp chair Stacey held them up for Morgan to see. One at a time she picked them up and looked at both sides before throwing them to the ground again. "Here, look."
Morgan squatted beside her and took the stone from her fingers. "Wow, how cool is that." He turned it over and rubbed the shape of the cross with his thumb. "So you only get these here and one other place in the world then?"
"Yep, South Africa. I'm terrified the mine is going to swallow this little bit of land up. I tried to find out what their boundaries were going to be but I keep hitting a brick wall. Nobody seems to know what is going on with rumors of another mine kicking in soon too." She blew her hair from her face. "I'll be kicking some serious butt if they destroy this place. It would be criminal if it was wiped out for what was under the soil."
"Surely if this is as wonderful and rare as you say, the government would be classing it as some kind of environmental site." Morgan stood up and looked around, hands on hips.
"Yeah you would think so wouldn't you? I guess big money has the last say though. Anyway, have a go and see if you can get some for yourself. You may never have the opportunity again."
Stacey watched him take his camp chair and find a place to start looking for stones. They sat picking their way through a couple of containers each before Morgan called out to her.
"I have a few good ones here. Have a look."
Pushing herself to her feet Stacey put her stones down and walked over to see what he had collected. Morgan held out his hand and nestled inside were about a dozen small stones with definite crosses marking their sides.
"You should take some photos of the area so you will remember where you got them."
"Yeah, good idea although I doubt I will forget this trip any time soon."
Stacey dropped her head looking at the dust on her toe nail polish. She would remember him for longer than she first thought.
"How about heading off to the next stop?"
"Sure, lead the way." Morgan picked up his chair and followed her back to the vehicle.
"I want you to meet someone who has been like a second Grandfather to me. He was one of the original gold miners in the area and worked with my Pop. He has the biggest collection of what he calls old junk. I used to rummage through it when I was a kid, always finding something interesting." She put the car in gear and they headed off again.
* * *
Morgan looked out the window as she drove. His stomach was churning with a series on knots. This was removed far from the way he imagined his trip going. All he wanted to do was have a quick look at what he was heading into in the next few months so he could get a feel for the area.
What Stacey was doing to him was nothing short of sabotage but she knew nothing of the way he was thinking. She was just showing him the things that mattered to her and the few remaining locals in their small town.
Just before the turnoff to Fairy Springs she turned into a dirt track marked by a majestic old windmill and headed down a rough driveway to a small wooden cottage. The garden was full of rusting relics of the early gold rush.
Before the car stopped a black and white mongrel dog raced out barking.
"Woah, Cobber. It's only me." Stacey jumped out of the vehicle and patted the dog. "Morgan this here is Cobber."
The dog raced around to his side of the car and sniffed at his boots before going back to Stacey.
"About time you came out to visit an old man." On the veranda stood a tall elderly gentleman with white hair and snowy beard. He held onto a post for support until Stacey raced up to greet him.
"You know how hard it is to get out here. Sid, I want to introduce you to Morgan. He is staying at the hotel for a couple of days and wanted to see the sights." She glanced back as he walked up the steps. "I couldn't not bring him out to see you."
Morgan held his hand out to shake. A strong grip clenched his fingers and gave a hearty shake.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too young man. What are you doing here of all places?" Sid stepped back a few paces and eased himself into an old cane chair gesturing for Morgan and Stacey to take a seat.
"I needed a break from the office and this seemed like a good idea. The beauty of the desert is something special. I've never been out this far before."
"Pretty special for me too. Lived here for the last seventy odd years, since I was just a little fella looking to make his fortune." His watery old eyes scanned the horizon and Morgan felt a hand creep onto his leg. He looked down and clasped Stacey's hand in his as the old man talked about the past.
"Sid, can I show off your prized nugget?"
"I suppose if you trust the boy I can too. You know where it is girl?"
"No. Knowing you it could be in one of several places, tell me."
"Bread bin."
Stacey got up to go inside and Morgan heard her rummaging around. No matter how hard he tried the guilt of what he was going to do to these people was starting to sour his gut. If they knew what was planned they wouldn't be talking to him right now. They would probably be burying his body in an old mine shaft never to be seen again.
Stacey came out holding a dirty old cloth in her hands with a huge grin lighting up her face. "Here."
He reached up and took the parcel, surprised by the weight of it. Unwrapping it on his knee he glanced over at the old man who was watching him intently.
"I found that just out the back a few years ago now. Saving it for my retirement."
He found himself smiling at the old character and lifted the last piece of cloth from the rock. "What the heck..."
Stacey laughed at him, no doubt amused by the shocked expression he knew he was wearing. "This is huge." He looked between the two of them. "Why don't you have this in a bank somewhere safe?"
"Don't trust no banks that's why. I hide it in different places and nobody but a handful of us know I have it." He raised his eyebrow at Morgan. "Soon as the media find out about this here rock they will be swarming the place putting in for mining rights."
"Hang on, I thought you had the rights still Sid, you and Pop." Stacey leaned forward as she questioned him.
"Not anymore we don't. Ran out a few years back and I don't have the energy to go through it all again. Besides, I don't want to cash this nugget in to pay for all the bloody fees."
"Just be careful Sid. And you know if you need me for anything you only have to call. I can always get out to see you or send out Doc if I'm busy."
"Don't you fuss yourself over me girl. Show your friend here the stuff I've collected and I'll make us a cuppa while you do it." He lifted himself out of his chair and made his way inside, stopping to take the nugget from Morgan as he did so. Wrapping it tight he tucked it under his arm and left them on the veranda.
"Right, I've got my orders. Follow me." Stacey stood and skipped down the steps walking around the back of the old house.
Morgan followed and whistled when he caught up with her. "There's enough stuff here to build a museum."
"My thoughts exactly and Sid said if I ever get enough money to keep things running, I can have the whole bloody lot, house included." She crossed her arms and smiled to herself and he resisted stroking those lips with his tongue. "I grew up crawling around this stuff and I know just about every single piece. A lot of the gear came from the mine and the rest of the antiques are what Pop and Sid saved when everyone slowly left town. There are some unique pieces here and I've got the history written down to go with them."
Morgan stood behind her with his hand on her shoulder. "If it means so much to you, why not go for it?"
"Money and the bloody mine. I've already told you I tried to get onto them but they just brushed me off. If they could contribute to the community like the mines do in Mt Isa and other towns, we could do so much." She shook her head and sighed. "Sadly most of this will just rot away and all we will have will be memories. That will be such a shame but there is nothing I can do about it."
He rubbed his hand on her back, not sure how much to tell her. Deciding against anything that would connect him to the deal he spoke. "Give it another go. If you can, get put through to the land liaison officer. They should be able to help you or put you onto the right guy at least."
Stacey looked up into his eyes and he turned her toward him, dipping his mouth to hers to silence the questions running through her eyes. "Minerals remember. I have to deal with those guys too sometimes." He kissed her before she could answer, pulling her body into his.
"Tea's up."
Stacey laughed into his mouth. "Saved by Sid, love it."
She brushed past him and walked back to the house. Taking her tea from him she perched on the veranda railing looking out over the property. "I'm taking Morgan over to the waterfalls for lunch. Should be nice and cool. It's been ages since I was out there. I kind of miss the place."
"Make the most of it my girl, word around has it that it won't be there much longer."
"What do you mean?"
"Mines have put in an application and I hear it's been approved. Falls are smack bang on the edge of the lease from what I hear. Only part they haven't earmarked is my old lease." He slurped at his tea. "Once those bastards get going there will be contaminated water everywhere and you won't want to go anywhere near it."
"Oh for gods sake, will it ever end?" Stacey put her cup down and slid to her feet. She leaned over the railing and Morgan watched the tears fill her eyes.
Stay out of it Morgan, you fool.
"Surely the environmental people wouldn't let that happen?" Idiot, shut your mouth and get her out of here before you blow your identity and get shot for it because sure as hell the old guy will have something to protect his gold.
"Half the bloody government is corrupt and with the money the mining company has, well - stands to reason they will let it slide if the reward is good enough." Sid swallowed the rest of his tea and slammed his cup down on the old rickety table beside him. "Don't let it worry you girl. Go and enjoy your day and make the most of it. Progress is what it's called. Bloody progress."