Outback Love

Touchdown Melbourne

“Holy Hell.” Anton breathed as he looked out Luke’s window. Luke woke with a start and looked at Anton before looking out the window. There was a thick black cloud of smoke they couldn’t see through as they descended below the clouds.

“Can I have your attention please.” The pilot's voice came over the loudspeaker. “As we descend you will notice a thick black pall of smoke. This is from the bushfires currently ravaging their way up the Eastern Seaboard. There is a cyclone in the top end which leaves us with Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne to land. We have had clearance as all domestic flights have currently ceased. We wish to apologise to those who had plans in Sydney but it is simply not safe to land there at this time.”

Luke watched in awe as lighting flashed through the black smoke. For the first time it occurred to him that Blane might really be gone. How could they survive that? And if they landed in the fires, they wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Luke?” Emily whispered as she too watched in horror.

“Shhh, we’re safe Baby, it’s OK.” He comforted her as she held onto him.

They felt the plane turn off to the side as it changed direction.

“What about our plans, boss?” Anton asked.

Luke shrugged. “So we change them. Probably takes half a day to drive across the whole island.” He replied nonchalantly.

The cabin crew began to make their way down the aisle, lifting trays and ensuring people were putting on their seatbelts. Luke could feel the familiar feeling of the plane circling to come in to land. The smoke was not as thick here but was still clearly visible. He sent up a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess to guide their plane to the tarmac safely.

He noticed the cabin crew taking their seats and he took Emily’s hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. He grazed her knuckles with his lips as they began their descent. He could feel her nervous tension and he leaned in to nuzzle her neck. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she breathed in his scent. She couldn’t help but think of how horribly disappointed she would be if it turned out Luke wasn’t her mate. Trust the process, she thought as the wheels hit the tarmac. They had landed safely.

They sat while other people left the plane. The men were too big to try to manoeuvre their way up the aisle around others. As the passengers disembarked, Anton stood up, grabbing his carry-on luggage from the overhead compartment. He also got Emily’s and Luke’s and stood, patiently watching the other passengers walk by.

As the plane emptied, they all stood and made their way up the aisle. The enclosed ramp into the terminal was warm with the sun shining through it. Emily tried to remember a moment she had ever felt so alive. They made their way into the terminal and looked for their baggage carousel. Once they had reclaimed their baggage, they looked around. They had planned to meet someone who would help them with everything they would need to make their way up to the area where Blanes' plane had last been reported. Now they were starting from scratch.

“Do you need some help there bro?” A man walked up and introduced himself. “Name's Kiwi, I am a tour guide. Anything you need, I can get it for you.”

“Luke, can we start with food?” Anton groaned.

“There’s a bar down the road there, Bro. Serves a mean, snitty, nice big meals to keep you all fuelled up aye.” Kiwi smiled.

Luke looked at the men and nodded. They all took their bags and followed the strange man.

Kiwi made his way towards a mini bus in the car park.

“Plenty of room for you big fullas aye?” He asked as he opened the door. He loaded the suitcases onto spare seats when they were all in.

“Righto, the pub.” Kiwi called out as he started the van. 20 mins later they arrived at the pub.

“I thought you said down the road?” Anton asked.

“Yea Bro, down the road.” Kiwi nodded.

Anton looked annoyed but Emily found it hilarious. “I read about this. Apparently ‘Down the road’ can mean anything from 5 minutes to 5 days to an Australian.”

“Correct.” Kiwi nodded, getting out to open the door. They followed him as he made his way through the front door.

“Kiwi, my Bro, where ya been?” The barman called out, pouring him a beer. He placed it on the bar as Kiwi sat down.

“Here and there, Bro, you know how it is.” Kiwi shrugged.

“What can I getcha?” The barman asked.

The men all looked at each other and shrugged.

“Round of coldies Bro, on me.” Kiwi said, putting $20 on the bar.

The barman looked at the $20 and laughed. That wasn’t going to cover 6 beers.

Once they all had a beer, Kiwi turned to Luke. “Now my Bro, what do you need?”

Luke outlined the crash and how they were there to retrieve the bodies.

“I’m so sorry for your loss there Bro, that’s harsh.” Kiwi said, lowering his eyes. “You plan to drive up the top end?”

“That’s what we were thinking, what is it about half a day?” Luke asked.

Kiwi and the barman looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry, half a day? Try a week.” Kiwi replied.

Luke looked at Kiwi confused. “How big is this country?” He asked.

“Well, you know how in Europe you can drive through 5 countries in one day?” Kiwi asked.

“Yes.” Luke nodded.

“Well, we aint Europe, my Bro. Here to the Top End will take ya a week and there’s only one way to go now cos of the bushfires and hurricane and that’s through the red centre.”

Emily was watching Kiwi carefully. “Luke, be careful. Aussies are known for tricking tourists.” She said warily.

“My Sista, we don’t take the piss with grieving family members. Now if you were sight seeing…” He winked.

“What will we need? Can we fly in?” Luke asked.

Kiwi shook his head. “I cant say I would recommend it. The big wet is on its way and if the hurricane changes course you’re cactus.”

“Cactus?” Anton asked.

Kiwi nodded. “Cactus,” he confirmed.

“Look, our budget is large, tell us what we need.” Luke said irritably.

“For a small fee, I will arrange it all.” Kiwi shrugged.

Anton looked at Kiwi. “What’s a small fee?” He asked.

Kiwi looked at Anton. “$500 Bro. I’ll get your cars, phones, sat phone and camping gear. Everything you’ll need. Maybe some new clothes?”

“You’ll do all that for $500?” Luke asked, confused.

Kiwi shrugged. “Sure Bro.”

“Tell you what, you do all that and I’ll pay you $10,000.” Luke said, holding out his hand.

Kiwi shook it enthusiastically. “You got yaself a deal there Bro.”

“That’ll take him at least 24hrs. Do you need a room?” The barman asked.

“Do you have a few rooms?” Emily asked.

“Got 3 spare.” The barman smiled.

“We’ll take them.” Luke agreed, putting his arm around Emily protectively.

“No worries, I have to warn you, we do have a band on tonight. Gets a little loud sometimes.” He smiled.

“Ohh, a band.” Emily smiled.

The barman handed over 3 keys as Luke took out his credit card. He passed it to the barman who organised their rooms. Once that was done, they made their way upstairs.

At the top of the stairs, Luke tossed a key to Anton and a key to Scott. They opened the door to two of the rooms. Scott stood in the doorway, watching Luke as he opened the third door and Emily walked past him inside. Scott growled at Luke.

“Hey, that’s enough!” Anton said, standing between the two men.

“Stand down Scott, she is not of age yet.” Luke warned.

“As long as you understand that,” Scott replied.

Luke shut the door and walked over to Scott. “She is my best friend’s younger sister. I will not dishonour either of them.” He said, putting his hand out.

Scott nodded and took Luke’s hand, shaking it.

“On my life, I swear she will remain a virgin until her 20th birthday. From there it is in the hands of the Goddess.” He promised quietly.

“You are older, you know,” Scott replied.

“I do and that’s why you can trust me.” Luke smiled.

Scott nodded his head and walked into his room.

Emily was already undressing in the bathroom with the shower running.

“Can we check out the band tonight?” she asked, smiling.

“Sure, sounds like we’ll be listening either way, so why not?” He shrugged.

Luke sat on the bed with his back to the bathroom. Why had she left the door open?

“How’s the headache?” she asked as she stepped into the shower.

“Much better, thank you.” he replied. What was it about her that turned him into a horny 13-year-old? He could hear her humming as she showered. He looked up, willing himself not to look at her.

“Luke, could you bring me my toiletry bag please?” She asked. Luke looked over at her suitcase and found the toiletry bag sitting on top. He sighed, picking it up and walking towards the bathroom with his eyes closed.

“Here.” Luke said, biting his bottom lip as he held the bag out.

“Can’t quite reach.” She said sweetly.

Before Luke could think, he opened his eyes to see how far away he was from her. He was standing right in front of her.

“Thanks.” She winked at him.

Luke could feel his face get hot as he looked at her. His breath caught as he watched the drops of water dance off her erect n*****s. She poured some shampoo into her hands and began to massage it into her hair. She closed her eyes as Luke took in every inch of her.

Emily liked her body. Some of her friends had tried to shame her into a diet over the last year but she wasn’t having it. Her body was strong and curvy, and she knew Luke liked it. More to the point, she loved it.

She tilted her head back, massaging the shampoo out as the water rinsed it off. She poured some conditioner into her hands and repeated the process, massaging it into her hair.

She took her soap and began to rub it over her body. Luke groaned as he watched her.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

She began to wash the soap off and then put her head back under the shower to wash the conditioner out. When she was finished, she turned off the shower. Luke grabbed a towel and held it out for her. She stepped forward and went to grab the towel, but Luke held onto it, shaking his head. He rubbed the towel over her back and shoulders, trailing it down to the base of her spine. She turned so she was facing him, and he held the towel to her chest, gently towelling her dry. He looked at her, his breathing heavy as he leaned in to gently pull her lower lip into his mouth. She gasped as she closed her eyes. He leaned into her ear and whispered softly, “I will cherish you every day of our lives.”

Her breath caught as she felt him drop to his knees in front of her. He placed a kiss on her stomach as he dried her legs and feet.

“Luke.” She breathed as he stood up again and wrapped the towel around her. She opened her eyes to see him heading towards the bathroom.

He stopped in the doorway and turned around to look at her.

“Trust the process.” He winked as he shut the door and turned the shower on.