Antecedent

by DL Gallie

  Sadly smiling, I take a steadying breath, turn around, and leave. Walking down the front stairs, I head straight to Hammersmith Lane to wait for Bailey.

  No sooner have I arrived, and Bailey comes rushing in behind me. Looking up, I see tears pouring down her face. “No, Nate, no,” she cries, as she throws herself into my outstretched arms.

  “I know, Bai. I don’t want to leave either but I don’t have a choice.” Pulling back, I look deeply into her eyes. Instantly, they calm me. “Your father is right. He’s a better match for you, Bai.”

  “That’s bullshit, and you know it. I don’t care about him, Nate. I. Love. You,” she tearfully says. “I only want you,” she adds, as she rests her head on my chest over my heart.

  Holding her in my arms, my heart breaks. I’d give my life for her happiness. I guess, in a way, my boarding the Titanic tomorrow is doing this for her. “I love you too, Bailey, more than anything in this world, but I have to go.”

  “I’m coming with you,” she declares. Jumping up, she begins pacing back and forth. “Yes, I’m coming with you.”

  “You can’t, Bai. For starters, you don’t have a ticket.” Taking a cleansing breath, I add, “Plus, William can give you a life that I can’t, and I don’t want to deny you anything that you deserve. You deserve the world, Bailey.”

  “No!” she yells. “I don’t care about any of that, Nate. I want you. I love you. I don’t care if we live here in our barn. As long as I’m with you, I’ll be happy; together we’ll be happy.” My heart breaks when I see the hurt on her face at the prospect of me leaving.

  Staring at her, so determined, so heartbroken, my heart beats faster and faster. For a second, I consider taking her up on her offer, but her father’s words echo in my mind. With sadness in my voice, I say, “Bailey, I love you with all my heart, but I have to go. One day again our paths will cross, and when that day comes, you and I will be together forever. I feel it deep in here.” Tapping my chest above my heart, I say, “You and I are fated to be together, but right at this moment in time, our journey needs to be separate.”

  “Ohh, Nate,” she tearfully cries. Pushing me backwards, I drop onto our blanket and she sits on my lap. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she plants her lips on mine before resting her head on my chest. We stay fused together, holding onto one another as if our lives depend on it. Bailey lifts her head and again kisses me. We lose ourselves in the kiss, and I know, without a doubt, that everything will be fine.

  She breaks our kiss, stands up, and straddles my lap. Pushing me back, she leans forward and kisses me again, grinding herself on me. She looks deep into my eyes and whispers, “Make love to me, Nate. Give me one final happy memory until our paths cross again. I know deep in my soul that you are it for me.” She plants her lips once again on mine, nibbling my bottom lip before plunging her tongue into my mouth. Sliding my arms up her back, I run them through her hair and pull her head up. Her cheeks are flushed with arousal, her eyes ablaze with lust; I know I say this all the time, but never has she looked more beautiful than she does in this moment. She opens her mouth, but I shock her. I flip her onto her back, and a sexy squeal slips from her lips as I lower my body on top of hers. Bending down, I slam my lips against her and I kiss her passionately. We moan into each other’s mouth, as our bodies wriggle and writhe together.

  Breaking our kiss, I nip and suck my way across her chin, down her neck and chest. I suck her nipples through her corset, eliciting a guttural moan. She arches her back and runs her fingers through my hair, gently tugging, letting me know that she likes what I’m doing. My hands snake down her sides and I continue to kiss down her stomach. Sliding my fingers down her legs, I grip the hem of her skirt and push it up her legs, bunching it at her waist. I kiss further down her body. Shuffling around, I shimmy myself in between her legs and look down at her. Her hair splayed in the hay, her eyes steadfastly locked on mine. “Please,” she whispers.

  With a smirk, I lower myself down and push her skirt the rest of the way up; my lil minx has removed her undergarments…again. Kissing her thighs, I spread her legs open and gently run my finger down her slit. Sliding it back up, I circle her clit before plunging two fingers inside her, garnering a guttural growl from her lips. She bites down on her bottom lip, closes her eyes, and a pleasured moan breaks the silence within the barn. Lowering my lips to her clit, I suck her swollen nub as my fingers continue their assault. Before long, she’s tugging at my hair, screaming my name, her body trembling beneath me as her orgasm detonates. She shudders as her climax richotes from head to toe.

  Her body stills and I remove my fingers. Lifting them to my lips, I lick her juices off as I stare intently at her. She raises her hand and with her finger beckons me to her. Straddling her waist, I crawl up her body, resting my arms on either side of her head, and gaze intently into her hazel eyes. Sadness washes over me when I realise that after tomorrow, I will not see her again for a long time. Lowering my lips to hers, I kiss her deeply. This kiss is slow. Sensual. Full of everything that we want to say to one another. It’s perfect.

  Pulling back, I whisper, “I love you, Bailey Bethany Beckett. Now and forever.”

  “I love you too, Nathaniel “Nate” Winters. Now and forever.”

  “Now and forever,” I repeat with a smile on my face before I kiss her again.

  Her hand slides between us and she slips her delicate fingers inside my pants and grips my cock tightly in her fist. She begins to fondle me but the confines of my clothing limit her movement. Lifting my hips, we strip off my pants, and as soon as my cock is free, Bailey begins to stroke faster. Squeezing tighter and tighter on the upward stroke. “Bai, babe, you need to stop. Otherwise this will all end before it begins.”

  She giggles, looks up at me, and with a smirk huskily says, “Well, what are you waiting for?” Wriggling her eyebrows seductively at me.

  “Absolutely nothing,” I say as I grip her wrists and pin them above her head. I line my cock up at her entrance, but I don’t slip it in. Instead I begin to circle the tip around and around, teasing her. Staring down at her, I grin when she opens her mouth in protest, and then I slam balls deep into her. We both moan in pleasure. Thrusting my hips back and forth, we rock simultaneously, like a well-oiled machine. She grips my ass, holding me tighter to her as we continue our horizontal tango. Our climax peaks at the same time and in unison we soar over the edge, screaming each other’s name as the ecstasy overtakes our bodies. Collapsing on top of her, I nuzzle into her neck and breathe in her heavenly scent.

  Lifting my head, I gaze into her eyes and smile. She smiles back at me before whispering, “Can you get off me, please?”

  “Shit, yeah,” I reply, as I climb off her and lie back down next to her. She snuggles into my side, throwing her leg over me. Her arm drapes across my chest and she plays with the buttons on my shirt. Turning my head, I kiss her gently on her temple and whisper, “Bailey, you are…” She cuts me off, cupping my cheek with her hand, her thumb brushes along my lips.

  “Nate, I know,” she murmurs before she kisses me. Resting her forehead on mine, she stares down at me. “I know, Nate.” She snuggles back into my side and together we drift off to sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms, content and sad at the same time.

  The sun shining through the barn walls wakens me, and I relax when I realise that Bailey is still with me. With a contented smile, I imagine my life like this, waking up with her in my arms every morning. Before I’ve even finished that thought, a wave of sadness washes over me. I realise that this will possibly be the last time ever that I see her. Not wanting to upset her, or me, I carefully slide out from beside her. Quickly I redress, and then I take a few moments to stare at my angel. With a sad sigh, I bend down and kiss her on the forehead and whisper, “I will love you now and forever, Bailey.” She smiles in her sleep and seeing her so happy will forever be etched in my memory.

  Standing up, I walk away from her and exit the barn, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. Steppi
ng outside, I look up at the sun and dejectedly I shake my head, letting out a frustrated sigh. Placing one foot in front of the other, I sadly begin the walk back to my place to pack for the adventure that awaits me. With each step I take away from the barn, my heart breaks.

  I’m around the corner from my place when I hear my name echoing down the street behind me. “Winters!” Spinning around, I’m met with William and his two henchmen–Storm McDermott and Brayden Bray; the three of them glare at me.

  “Morning, boys,” I say, taunting them with a tilt of my head. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” I’m met with silence, except for the birds nearby happily chirping. The rage coming from William is palpable. Before I have time to process anything, his fist comes flying towards my face. CRACK It collides with my nose, throwing my head back. The knock causes me to stumble backwards and fall to the pavement. As I blink away the black spots, I’m grabbed on either arm and held tightly. I thrash about but I’m still woozy from the cheap shot that I just received, and I don’t see the second hit coming. William stands in front of me, grips my hair, pulls my head so I’m looking up at him, and snarls, “As soon as you are gone, she’s mine, you fucker,” and with a smirk he adds, “…till death do us part.” My blood boils at that. I continue to struggle but it’s fruitless, his men have me held in death grips. William punches me in the stomach before gripping my shoulders and tossing me to the ground like a piece of trash. He rears his leg back, kicks me in the side, spits on me, and walks away. Lying on the sidewalk, I watch him and his henchman walk away laughing.

  I lie there, staring at the sky for a few moments before I roll to my side and push myself up. On shaky legs, I slowly make my way home. After cleaning up my bloody nose, I change my clothes and begin to pack. It doesn’t take me long to pack my duffle; there’s nothing really that I want to take with me. The one thing I want to take, I can’t. With a sad sigh, I close the door on my room for the last time. Putting one foot in front of the other, I head in the direction of my future: my lonely future without Bailey.

  As I pass McLaren’s, my eyes brim with tears as it hits me that I will never see Bailey again. With my heart in tatters, I continue to the docks.

  The dock is in sight when I hear my name being called. Glancing around, I can’t see anyone, so I put one foot ahead of the other and I keep walking towards my future, my lonely non-Bailey future. Again I hear my name, but this time I recognise the voice. With a smile, I spin around to see a frantic Bailey racing to me. She’s panting in front of me. “You can’t get on that ship!” she shouts, tears cascading down her cheeks as she throws herself into my outstretched arms. “Please don’t leave me. I love you, Nate. Please stay.”

  Dropping my duffle, I reach up with the pad of my thumb and I wipe away her tears, but my efforts are pointless as her tears continue to flow. “Shhhh, Bailey. I love you too, but I need to go, even though it pains me to leave you behind.”

  “You can’t, Nate. Please don’t leave me,” she whimpers and begs me again. This right here is why I snuck away; I didn’t want to see her like this. Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her close to my chest and hold her tightly for the last time.

  Stepping back, I grip her cheeks with my hands. I lower my lips to hers and I kiss her with everything I have. Breaking our kiss, I rest my forehead against hers. Closing my eyes, I breathe her in, and quietly whisper, “I will always love you, Bailey, always from here to eternity and beyond, but I must go.”

  “If you love me, you will not get on that boat, Nate. Please?” she begs, her eyes are full of fear.

  Before I can reply, a stern voice yells from behind her, “Bailey, get away from that boy, now!”

  Looking up, I see her father glaring at us. She spins on her heel, places her hands on her hips, and says, “Father, I love him. I’m going to America with him.”

  Tugging on her arm, I spin her around and gaze into her hazel eyes. “You really want to come on the Titanic? Start a new life in America with me?”

  Nodding her head, she replies, “Yes, with all my heart, Nate,” as she wraps her arms around me tightly.

  I’d love nothing more than for her to come with me, but I cannot offer her the life that he can. As much as it kills me to do so, I again push her towards her father, who is silently pleading with me to do so. “No, Bailey, you must stay here.”

  “For the first time ever, I agree with him. Bailey, you need to stay here and marry William.” Lord Beckett’s face is pained as he says this, before sternly adding, “That is final.”

  “No, Father, please?” she begs. My heart breaks seeing her like this, but I know I must do this for her. “Please, Daddy, please,” she begs again as I push her into her father’s arms. When she is in his grasp, he grabs her wrist and pulls her away from me.

  Bending down, I pick up my duffel and I walk away from my one true love.

  With each step I take, my heart breaks.

  With each cry I hear from Bailey, my heart shatters.

  With each breath I take, a piece of me dies.

  It takes all the willpower I have to keep going, but I know that I must do this, even if it pains me to do so. Finally, I’m in line to board and I can no longer hear her cries. Instead, I hear excited murmurs of the passengers, the staff is issuing commands, goodbyes are uttered, tears are shed—both happy and sad, while those on shore cheer in excitement and glee. It’s exhilarating, but at the same time saddening.

  Walking away from Bailey is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but I know that I am doing the right thing…I hope.

  Once checked in, I make my way to the upper deck. Walking over to the starboard side, my eyes take in the scene before me, and I’m still amazed that I’m doing this. I’m currently standing on the top deck of the grandest ship in the world, about to start my next adventure, but rather than happiness and excitement coursing through my veins, I have heartbreak and despair.

  The engines roar to life, and soon enough, we pull away from the dock and we are on our way, finally the Titanic sets sail for New York. The fanfare from those on land as we depart is grand, just like the ship, and for the first time since boarding, a small smile escapes my lips. Staring out at to sea, I watch as we sail away from Southampton. My heart shatters once again and I sigh as a lone teardrop lands on the handrail.

  CHAPTER 7

  BAILEY

  Waking up with a smile, I stretch out and my body aches from head to toe—not in a ‘Oh my God I’m dying’ way, but in an ‘Oh My God, I had the best night of my life. I want to do it again’ kind of way. Closing my eyes again, I reach over to where Nate is, but I’m met with nothing but a cold sheet. My eyes pop open. I look around our barn and my heart shatters. Nate is gone. “No!” I shout to the empty space.

  Readjusting my clothing, I race out into the morning light and sprint back into town to find and stop Nate. I’ve never run as fast as I am right now. Heading straight to Nate’s, I bang on his door. “Nate, open up, it’s me!” I shout. I continue to pound on his door, but I know in my heart he’s not here. Resting my head on the cold timber, a tear falls down my cheek, splashing on the pavement below when I hear a ship’s horn bellowing in the distance.

  Turning on my heel, I race down the street towards the Southampton docks. Rounding the corner at the end of the street, I see the back of Nate’s head and I yell out, “Nate! Nate!” I shout it over and over. It seems everyone but him turns around. With one final shout, “Naaaaaaate,” he looks over his shoulder. Our eyes lock, and just like the first time we met in McLaren’s, everything else fades away and it’s just us. He is frozen staring at me as I race to him, tears pouring down my face. When I’m in jumping distance, I leap and throw myself at him. He quickly drops his duffle and catches me, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist.

  Lowering my legs, I pull back and stare at him, tears streaming down my face. He lifts his hand and with his thumb, he wipes away my tears. We stare at one another before he envelops me in his arms and I melt into him. Na
te whispers sweet nothings to me and I beg him to stay, but he is just as stubborn as I am and says he has to go ‘for me blah blah blah.’ I don’t understand why he keeps saying that. He and I are meant to be together: I feel it with every fiber of my body, with every kiss, with every touch; we are two halves of a whole. The kiss he just gave me proves that. His hands are still gripping my cheeks when he whispers, “I will always love you, Bailey, but I must go.”

  “If you love me, you will not get on that boat, Nate. Please?” I plead, but Daddy bellowing at us interrupts the moment.

  Turning around, once again I beg for him to let me be with Nate, but my pleas fall on deaf ears. I must be in some parallel universe because Nate is now agreeing with Daddy. “Please, Nate. Let me come with you?” I beg once again. He grips my cheeks, tenderly places his lips on mine, and kisses me possessively one last time before he pushes me towards my father. Daddy holds me to his chest as Nate bends down, picks up his duffle, and walks away from me…from us.

  My one true love just shattered my heart into a million tiny pieces.

  Daddy wraps his arms tighter around me and whispers, “Shhhh, Princess, it will be all right. Trust me.”

  All of a sudden, I notice William next to Daddy and this causes me to cry harder. My father grips me tighter, almost painfully. Vaguely I hear him telling William to go and that he will look after me. “Thanks, Daddy,” I whisper, as he and I walk away from William.

  After a few blocks, Daddy stops suddenly and I realise that he and I have looped back around to the dock. He digs into his jacket pocket and places an envelope in my hands. “Go, Princess,” he says, sadly staring at me. He wipes at my wet cheeks. “Go be with him.”

  “But, Daddy. What? Why? How?” I’m so confused right now.

  “I don’t have time to explain fully, but you having to marry William is all my fault. I got into trouble and his family bailed us out, on the proviso that you marry him. I never wanted this for you, Bailey. Since your mother passed, I’ve been so lost and made some bad decisions, but that doesn’t matter right now, Princess. Go and be with Nate.”