Antecedent Read online

  William will take any chance he gets to throw his status in my face, but I don’t give a flying fig about him and that just pisses him off even more, much to my satisfaction. My nonchalance is the greatest power I have over him, but when I see him trying to worm his way into Bailey’s life, my blood boils.

  My thoughts are interrupted when my angel speaks up. Just hearing her voice calms me, instantly. Looking directly at me, she sweetly and innocently says, “Nate, it’s so good to see you again.” She steps into my space and places a gentle kiss on my cheek, before whispering so only I can hear, “I’m wet for you right now. Tonight, our spot.” Pulling back, she winks at me before turning to her father. “Let’s go, Daddy, Grandmother will be expecting us home soon.”

  Turning back to face William and me, she sweetly says, “Nate, William,” before doing a little curtsey and linking arms with her father again.

  Lord Beckett says, “Gentlemen,” as he and Bailey walk away from us.

  My eyes follow her down the street until she is out of sight. I stand there with a huge grin on my face and a semi-hard cock. I’m snapped back to reality when William shoves me in the chest. “Do her a favour and walk away before you tarnish her name and reputation, Winters. Thankfully, my sister walked away before you could bring her down, but her dismissing you still wasn’t enough…”

  At the mention of Wendy, I seethe. “Fuck off, Clayton. Don’t bring Wendy into this. This is between you and me, and you and me only.”

  Before I do anything stupid, I turn and walk away from him. He reaches out, grabs my arm, spins me around, and sucker punches me in the nose, snapping my head back. “Stay the fuck away from her, Nathaniel,” he hisses at me. Stepping around me, he stalks off, leaving me standing there in shock with blood pouring out of my nose.

  Watching him walk away, I realise that I would do anything and everything for Bailey. I have no doubt at all that I love her and will spend the rest of my life with her; her father and William be damned. I can honestly say that never have I felt a connection to anyone like this before. As corny as it sounds, she’s it for me and I’m manly enough to admit it.

  CHAPTER 4

  NATE

  A few hours later, I’m waiting for Bailey at our spot; the abandoned barn over on Hammersmith Lane. We have turned it into something special, just for us. Hay bales stacked up make a private room for us. On the ground is a blanket with pillows and a sheet for comfort, and scattered around the edge are glass Mason jars with candles; they emit light in an extremely romantic way. It’s not much, but it’s perfect for Bailey and me, and it’s ours.

  I’ve just lit the last candle, when my skin prickles; I feel her presence before I see her. Spinning around, my mouth drops open. When my eyes land on her, there are no words to explain how stunning she looks in this moment. The moon is beaming behind her, illuminating her beauty. I find myself grinning as she skips towards me. When she sees my face, she stops and gasps. “Oh, my God, Nate, what happened?” With a shaking hand, she reaches up and cups my cheek. Ever so gently, she rubs her finger on my bruising face and swollen nose. Leaning forward, she gently kisses my cheek and nose, leaving my skin tingling when she pulls back.

  “It’s nothing to worry about,” I tell her.

  “It’s not nothing, Nate. Was it William?” she asks, as she holds my bruised cheek. I nod my head and grimace. “Why does he hate you so much?”

  “Wendy,” I sadly say.

  “His sister, Wendy? Why?”

  “He hated the friendship that Wendy and I had.” Smiling, I think of Wendy and all the fun times we had together; we really had an amazing friendship. “He blames me for her death.”

  “But she died of septicaemia. How is that your fault?”

  “Wendy and I were walking through the woods, she’d spent the afternoon with Nancy. I had never seen her so happy. She fell and grazed her leg, but she didn’t tell anyone, as she didn’t want to cause a fuss or get Nancy and me in trouble. Her leg got infected and she died from the infection.”

  “Nate, that wasn’t your fault. It was an accident.”

  “You and I know that, but William blames me for harbouring her secret with Nancy and encouraging it. Maybe if I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been sneaking back and wouldn’t have hurt herself.”

  “Nate, it wasn’t your fault. Look at me.”

  Lifting my head, I look into her eyes. “You are not to blame for Wendy’s death, it was a tragic accident. You doing that for her only makes me love you all the more. You always think of everyone else. William is just jealous of your good heart.”

  “I doubt that but thank you, Bailey. Enough about William Clayton.” My eyes roam over her body, my heart rate increases, and my cheeks flush. “My God, Bailey, you look beautiful tonight,” I say, as I lean forward and gently place my lips against hers for a sweet and innocent hello kiss. As usual with Bailey and me, it doesn’t remain innocent for too long. My angel wraps her arms around my shoulders, pulling me closer to her. Her breasts are plastered to my chest as she deepens our kiss. Breaking our kiss, she drops to her knees and lowers my pants. Her eyes are locked on mine as she takes my semi-hard cock into her mouth. Her warm, wet lips slide over my tip, with her tongue she licks down my shaft and begins to stroke. She licks back up towards the tip. My dick is now harder than steel and I cannot wait to sink myself balls deep inside her. Her head bobs up and down my length; I run my fingers through her hair and close my eyes. When she begins to massage my balls, I moan, and without warning, I explode in her mouth. She sucks every last drop from me. Pulling back, she wipes the side of her mouth with her thumb, before she lies back on our blanket.

  Lifting her hand, with her index finger she wriggles it in a come hither motion. Dropping to my knees, I crawl towards her. Pausing at her feet, I grip the bottom of her dress and slide it up her silky soft legs, placing gentle kisses along the way. Her skin breaks out in goose bumps. Her skirt bunches at her waist and I see that she is bare underneath. Her mound is glistening with her arousal. I gently skim my fingertip down her slit, and a moan slips through her lips at my touch. She thrusts her hips forward, but I pull my hand back with a smirk on my face. Staring down at her, I notice her cheeks are pink and she seductively licks her lips. “Please,” she whimpers.

  “Who am I to deny a horny lady?” I say, before lowering my face to her pussy. Breathing in her scent, I growl with hunger before I dart my tongue out and lick up her folds, flicking the tip over her clit. She wriggles beneath me. Gripping my head tightly, she shoves me further into her. I continue to slide my tongue up and down her, working her into a frenzy. She lets out a sexy groan when I thrust my tongue into her wet channel and insert a finger, wriggling it around and curling it up to her pleasure spot. Thrusting my tongue and finger in and out, her moans become frenzied and louder. Her pussy walls clench around my fingers and I know she’s close. When I insert a second finger, and gently bite then suck her clit, she explodes, screaming my name as her climax tears through her body.

  When her shudders subside, I crawl up her body and gaze down at her. Her cheeks are pink, her breath is laboured, and she has never looked more beautiful than she does at this moment in her post orgasmic glow. “You are so fucking beautiful, Bai,” I say, as I lower myself on top of her and kiss her passionately. She moans into my mouth as our tongues dance together.

  Pulling back, I rest my forehead against hers and smile. We lie there gazing at one another, for what feels like eternity, when all of a sudden Bailey flips me onto my back and straddles my waist. Staring intently down at me, she begins to undo the ribbon on her corset. My eyes are locked on her fingers as they slowly untie the satin holding her dress together. When I can see the tops of her breasts, I can’t handle it anymore. Lifting my hands, I quickly and carefully pull the rest apart; her breasts are now free, and her nipples form stiff peaks. I take one between my thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze before I massage her breast in my hand; repeating the motion with the other breast. She begins
to circle herself on my stomach before she whispers, “Make love to me, Nate.”

  Leaning down, she kisses me erotically. Our lips are fused together as she lifts her hips and frees my cock. Ever so slowly, she rubs herself over the tip. With one thrust of her hips, she impales herself on me, and I’m balls deep inside her. Her pussy lips hug my cock as she begins to slide up and down. Closing her eyes, she throws her head back as she continues to ride me. Reaching up, I massage her breasts again. Her hands join mine and together we massage, tug, and pull her nipples. Her thrusts become frantic as we reach our peak together, tumbling over the orgasmic cliff in unison.

  We redress in silence, no words are needed; we know how the other feels, but there’s one significant obstacle in the way of our happily ever after: her father.

  Once dressed, we leave together. Hand in hand we walk back in the direction of the river. We are around the corner from McLaren’s when we bump into the last person that we want to see: her father. “Get your filthy hands off my daughter,” Lord Beckett growls.

  “Daddy, please,” Bailey pleads. “I love him, and he loves me. Why won’t you let us be together, Daddy?”

  “Bailey, you don’t love him. He’s manipulating you, now get over here.” He is fuming with rage.

  “Bailey, it’s fine. Go with your father,” I say, my voice stern but caring.

  “No, Nate. I want to stay with you,” she cries. A lone tear cascades down her cheek.

  Lifting my hand, I wipe away her tear before resting my palm to her cheek. She leans into it, pressing her hand to mine and closes her eyes. “I love you, Bai,” I say in a soft voice, “but you need to go with your father.”

  Opening her eyes, she looks up and smiles at me. Placing a gentle kiss on my cheek, she whispers, “Tomorrow, 10:00 a.m.” Smiling down at her, I nod and watch her walk over to her father.

  He pushes around her and gets up in my face. “Stay away from my daughter,” he snarls, before grabbing Bailey by the arm and marching her down the street. I stand there and watch the love of my life walk away with her father. Before they get to the corner, she looks back towards me and sadly smiles at me. Lifting my hand, I wave at her and return her sad frown. It’s in this moment that I decide, she and I need to leave…together.

  CHAPTER 5

  NATE

  The next morning, I go to Hammersmith Lane to meet Bailey, but she doesn’t come. The next day I head there again, and again she doesn’t turn up. A sinking feeling forms in the pit of my stomach just after lunch, so I make the decision to go to her house and see her. On my way to her father’s estate, I smile when I see her stepping out of her favourite restaurant, Champlain’s. My smile soon falters when I see that she is with William. Our eyes meet and immediately I can tell she’s sad. Her eyes don’t have the sparkle they usually do, but when she registers that it’s me, her face lights up. That light, however, immediately dims when William rests his hand on her lower back. The egotistical bastard walks towards me, pushing Bailey with him. He has a smug grin on his smarmy face when they stop directly in front of me. With a smirk, he snottily says, “Afternoon, Winters.” In a douche move, he pulls Bailey closer to him, but I notice that she shudders at his touch.

  “Clayton,” I sternly reply, but I’m not looking at him, my eyes are firmly locked on Bailey. “Hi, Bai,” I say with a nod.

  “Hi, Nate,” she says, pulling herself away from William and nearer to me. She leans into me, kisses me on the cheek, her lips lingering against my skin, and we hear William growl in disgust. She breaks the kiss and whispers, “Four o’clock.” Subtly I nod just as Clayton, who I now refer to as asshat, roughly pulls her away from me. “It was nice seeing you again, Nate,” she says as she sidesteps around me.

  Clayton purposely shoves my shoulder as he stalks past me. It takes everything in my being to not knock him flat on his ass. Standing there, I watch the two of them walk down the street, hoping for Bai to turn back to me, but she never does. As soon as they turn the corner, my heart shatters for her. Never have I seen her so sad, so aloof. In a matter of days, William has managed to dim her spark, and in that moment, I decide that I will do anything to bring Bailey and her spark back to life…Anything!

  Not taking the risk of getting caught up, I head straight to our place at Hammersmith and eagerly wait for Bailey to arrive. Unlike the previous two days, she turns up this time. As soon as she sees me, she jumps towards me and I catch her, wrapping my arms tightly around her. Even though it has only been two days, I missed having her in my arms. “I’m sooo sorry, Nate. I couldn’t get away,” she tearfully declares.

  “Shhhh, it’s okay. I know this is tough, baby, but we will figure it out. I love you too much to give up on us.”

  “I love you too, Nate, but I don’t see how. Daddy is determined to make me Mrs. William Clayton.” She sniffs and looks sadly at me. “I don’t want that. I want to be Mrs. Nate Winters.” When she says this, her face breaks out into a huge glowing smile and I return her grin.

  Lowering my arms to around her waist, I hold her tightly to me. Pulling back, I gently place my lips on hers and I kiss her. This kiss is slow, it’s sensual, it conveys all my emotions and feelings…it’s us. Breaking our connection, I rest my forehead against hers. “Bai, baby, I want that more than anything in this world.”

  The bellowing of Lord Beckett shouting, “Bailey!” interrupts our perfect moment.

  Still wrapped in each other’s arms, he shouts, “Get away from that boy, Bailey!” He marches over to us, pulls Bailey from my arms, and stands in front of me, his chest heaving; rage simmering below the surface. He pokes me in the chest and growls, “I told you to say away from my daughter.”

  “Daddy, please,” Bailey pleads, stepping in-between us. He glares down at her. “Please, Daddy. I love Nate and I want to be with him.”

  “Bailey, this isn’t up for discussion. Head home, now. I need to have a quiet word with Mr. Winters.” He pauses, but my girl is stubborn and stands her ground. “Now, Bailey!” he bellows.

  “Fine,” she huffs, but before she leaves, she turns to me and frantically kisses me: plunging her tongue into my mouth, wrapping her arms tightly around me. This infuriates her father and he pulls her from my embrace. “Enough. Get home now.”

  “I love you, Nate,” she whispers, as she exits the barn, leaving me with her father.

  “Sir, I…” He holds his hand up and interrupts me.

  “Nate, I know you’re a good kid and all, but this needs to stop. Now! Bailey WILL marry William and there is nothing that you or I can do about it.” He runs his fingers through his salt-and-pepper coloured hair before looking directly at me, as he dejectedly adds, “My hands are tied, son.”

  My mouth drops open at this revelation. “You don’t want her to marry him, do you?” I question him.

  “It doesn’t matter what I want. It’s done. End of story,” he glumly replies.

  “Sir, no. I don’t believe that. Bailey and I are soul mates. I feel it in my bones that we are meant to be together. Please help us?” I beg.

  He says four words that leave me shocked. “Leave it with me, Nate.” He turns on his heel and leaves me standing there stunned, wondering what he could possibly mean.

  CHAPTER 6

  NATE

  It’s been ten days since Lord Beckett caught us, and I have never been more lonely and lost than I am right now. Everything changes when the Lord himself summons me to the Beckett estate for a meeting. This is either going to be great, or epically bad, but knowing my life, I’m going to bet on the latter.

  Arriving at 3:00 p.m. sharp, the butler escorts me to Lord Beckett’s study. When I enter the room and see whom else is there, I know that this meeting will not go the way I was hoping.

  Nervously, I stand in Lord Beckett’s office, waiting for someone to say something, to say anything; the atmosphere is full of animosity and angst. My heart is furiously racing as I wait to see what is going to happen. Nothing is said for what feels like an eterni
ty, that is until Lord Beckett reaches into a drawer and shoves an envelope across the desk to me. “Take it and go, son!” he bellows.

  From the corner of my eye, I see Clayton, the pompous ass, looking smug. Not moving a muscle, my jaw ticking, it’s taking all my willpower to not jump over his desk and pound some sense into him.

  “You heard the man, take the ticket and go, Winters. No one wants you here,” he cockily adds, with a smarmy smirk on his face.

  “Bailey does,” I mumble under my breath.

  “Look at me, Nate,” Lord Beckett demands. Hesitantly, I look up and see anguish written all over his face. “I know you care for my Bailey, but if you truly love her, like you say you do, you will take this ticket and leave. Let her marry William. She’ll grow to be happy with him.” Swallowing hard he adds, “Surely you want her to be happy?”

  “You know I do, Sir. More than anything in this world,” I quickly reply.

  “Then do this for us,” he says, before quickly backtracking his words. “Do it for her, Nate. Do it for Bailey.” That statement causes my head to snap up. Fear is etched on his face and that look cements my assumption that there is more to this than meets the eye. Add in the murderous look on William’s face, and I know that I’m right on the money. But why?

  Taking a deep breath, I swallow hard, and sadly I say, “Fine, for Bailey.”

  Reaching forward, I slide the envelope sitting on the desk towards the edge. Picking it up, I spin it in my hands as I look directly at Lord Beckett and utter, “I hope you know what you’re doing, Sir.” Standing up, I exit his office and turn towards the front entrance.

  The office door has just closed behind me when the door across from me swings open, and I’m met with my beloved. Bailey races over to me and throws her arms around my neck, holding me tightly. “One hour, Nate, you know where,” she quickly whispers, before stepping back from me, turning around, and walking towards the stairs to the second level.