Naked;
Philadelphia, 1912
She was eighteen years old, living in the high life. Rose Dewitt Bukater was a picture of beauty. Her hair was a fired red, twisted into a bun atop her head every day but once let loose, the curls cascaded down to her waist. Her skin was pale, almost white and she gave off a translucent glow. Her eyes were sea blue with a tint of green, but once you saw past their breath-taking colour you could see just how haunted she really was.
Born into high society, from an early age she had been taught how to act, how to dress and everything about her was planned to a very fine detail. Everything from what she wore to what she ate was decided for her, so when her father had passed away the year before it was no surprise when she had been dragged from finishing school to marry a man by the name of Caledon Hockley. His father was wealthy and in the steel business. Caledon or ''Cal'' as he was known in those circles had been attracted to Rose since she was a young girl but although he was handsome, he was also extremely controlling, arrogant, vein and well—Cal. He treats women like possessions and for her young age, Rose was a strong woman and modern, too, she wouldn't become involved with someone who was so far up his own...well, not that she should say this but she didn't care very much for him.
As soon as he had proposed marriage, she had refused but her mother had put extreme pressure on her, adding extra weight to her shoulders and eventually she had caved. Saying 'yes' to Cal had made him think she was his, and his only. She was refrained from doing anything, even her Sundays at church were forbidden although when it came to the evening, he had literally begged her to go to bed with him. She knew she was fully developed for a girl of her age and beneath her corset she had curves which Cal didn't know of but she had never wanted to give herself to Cal, he was almost thirty and the feelings which Rose supposed came with lovemaking were not present when he tried to press his lips to hers those few times.
During their six-month engagement, Rose had found many ways to secretly rebel, she had smoked and drank but now, tonight, as she walked with a bottle of dessert wine from the Hockley cellars in her left hand, she found she just wanted to do something crazy. Sure, she was a naive girl but she didn't care what happened. Freedom was within reach. She swayed a little as she walked, her curls tumbling down her back. She wore no makeup and just her white nightdress, which billowed behind her in the wind. From afar she almost looked like a ghost. She walked through the woods which were near her house and wasn't far from home but she just needed to be away from her so-called fiancé. The only light came from the moon which shone between the trees. She didn't feel scared in the slightest and so she knew there was a stream up this way somewhere; maybe she would take a dip in there.
As she took another swig from the bottle, she hadn't noticed someone nearby. A young man who had watched her walk down the open wooded area, enthralled by her beauty. He stood in the shadows, a sketchbook shoved under his arm, as he leant back against a tree and watched as she stood right next to him. He wondered who she was, at first, he had thought she was some sort of phantom, goose bumps appeared on his arms as he watched. He went to step out from the tree and snapped a twig. Immediately, the girl turned and her eyes fell onto him. She gasped. She didn't know there was anyone else out here but she still didn't feel scared at all. Instead, her body shook with nerves for another reason; he was beautiful. He stepped out of the shadows silently, he was dressed like an urchin, obviously someone who worked for a living but she couldn't help but feel attracted to him. He moved his overly long hair from his face to reveal sparkling blue eyes, her breathe became caught in her throat. Was he a figment of her imagination?
''You shouldn't be out here alone.'' He broke the silence. Her heart skipped a beat. His voice was hoarse. It was almost a threat beneath the surface of his comment. The moonlight dimly illuminated his face and caused an ethereal glow about him.
''And, what do you know of what I should or shouldn't be doing?''
His mouth closed; obviously floored by her snapped response. As she continued to walk further towards the stream, she was so sure she could hear the water trickling and it enticed her to it, like a calling.
The boy was unsure of whether to follow her but something told him to. She heard his footsteps behind her as she continued on her way. She smiled, knowing he was still there and settled herself on a rock which faced him. She watched as he stopped, with knowledge that he had followed. The power seemed to be within her hands; there was something, addictive about that feeling.
''I'm just making sure you're alright.'' He explained, as though he felt the need for her to know the reason that he was still right there, behind her.
She said nothing. She simply removed her shoes and felt her bare skin against the dirt on the floor. It felt nice and cool, something which her mother would hate; knowing she was barefoot outside. He watched her and placed his sketchbook on the dirty floor surrounded by fallen ripe leaves, knowing he would be there a while and he wouldn't leave until he knew she was safe. He found that he actually cared about this girl and he didn't know why. He shoved his hands into his pockets and waited for her to reply, he stood self-conscious knowing she was watching him in return.
''So, you got a name?''
Standing from the rock, she remained silent for a few moments. ''What's your name?''
Her voice was sweet and calming.
''I'm...um Jack. Jack Dawson.'' He mumbled.
She smiled; she stood closer to the stream. Leaning back against the rock, she slowly dipped out her toe feeling the water run over her skin. She felt like taking off her night dress to swim, strip away everything which made her who she was and just be free just for tonight.
Jack came closer to her, slowly as though he was approaching a spooked horse. She didn't seem real to him in a way; he knew that she had taken a few sips of wine, and had a feeling of her hurting herself, or perhaps hitting her head on a rock even the water was shallow. Then, he realised that the likelihood of that happening was minimal and it was his actual need to remain which kept him put. He inched closer and closer until he too was leaning against the rock. Their bodies were just metres apart and up close he saw just how breath-taking she was. He also noticed that her nightdress was see through; with a quick glance he could have seen the outline of her naked body. His nostrils flamed, as he fanned away the fire within his own belly.
Who was this girl? She was amazingly beautiful.
She dipped her body out, further into the water and Jack immediately grabbed her waist to pull her back and he ended up slamming her against the rock. The rush of adrenaline had floored him and he hadn't known his own strength. Instead of been in pain or upset, she felt the butterflies; he cared about her. She didn't feel in any way unsafe as their bodies were almost pressed together. Their eyes met briefly and she felt her chest rise and fall; it seemed to match the unsteadiness of his own.
''Are you alright?'' He managed to ask. All she could do was nod. Neither was sure of what to do. The effects of the alcohol seemed to have worn off and she suddenly felt as though she was dreaming. They were both completely mesmerised by the other.
Jack's left hand was leaning against the rock, while his right hand was around her back protectively; she had rested her hand on his waist and the other on his shoulder. Slowly, without thinking she began to stroke his hair. It was soft and long. Something she wasn't used to. Jack moved closer to her, his eyes not leaving hers. She nodded in response to his question. His hand shook as he moved it from the rock towards her face, he stroked her cheek, feeling how soft and perfect it was. She closed her eyes and leant her face on his hand, feeling her stomach turn with nerves. She opened them to find his closer and without thinking she closed the inch between them by allowing their lips to meet just once. That one touch of lips was all it took and she knew she had fallen. Jack kissed her again, it was soft and gentle and he touched her hair and caressed her skin, something which Cal never did. She felt goose bumps on her skin and felt breathless as she pulled away. She glanced at the stream and then to Jack.
He loosened his grip on her as she began to walk away. His heart sank a little but he soon saw she wasn't going far. She stepped on a few pebbles into the stream and then sat on them before letting her legs dangle into the water. It felt cool and refreshing. She glanced back to Jack, nodding her head for him to join her. Hesitantly, he stepped closer to her. He mentally prepared himself in case they kissed again. He was a shaking mess. As he stepped closer to her, she rolled up her nightgown before lifting it over her head and slipping into the water. The water stopped just above her breasts and he knew she was naked.
Naked.
The flames in his belly were climbing higher beneath his shaky breath.
''The waters amazing.'' She whispered, loudly, as though they were surrounded by more people. ''Come on.''
Without even thinking, Jack began to unlace his shoes before kicking them off. He rolled up his trousers and sat on the edge of the pebbles just like Rose had. Plunging his feet into the cool water, he splashed them about, keeping his eyes on her face.
''I will stay here.''
Rose came closer to him. The ends of her hair floating around the water and he didn't know what to do as she came closer to him. He touched her face gently before leaning forward and kissing her forehead. She ran her hand down his chest before reaching toward the buttons and undoing them one by one. The slow way she did, was almost seductive and as though she had done it many times before but her visibly shaking hands proved just how innocent she really was. He removed the shirt from his shoulders, dragging it down his arms before discarding of it on the floor alongside her dress. As her wet hand traced down his chest, he closed his eyes to enjoy the shudder. He was lean, lightly toned with a sprinkle of hair here and there. Beneath her touch, he quivered, revealing his own innocence at the same time.
He touched her hair before leaning forward to kiss her one more time. She led his hand to her frantically beating heart, he felt it there, as his tongue was in her mouth, swirling and touching. She lingered for a second, before letting go and walking to the middle of the stream. It was her invitation to join her, in knowing that she had never been with a man in any way. That her innocence was up for the taking. That she wasn't intoxicated or driven by anything other than the raging hormones and the attraction to him, that he felt for her in return.
He stood from the pebbles and removed his trousers before quickly getting into the stream. It was cool and he reminded himself that, he too, was naked. She came towards him, putting her hands on his shoulders. Immediately, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her like she hadn't been kissed before with their naked bodies pressed together with only water about them. He scooped her up, into his arms and carried her behind the rock in the water sloshing as they went. She leant up against it, their eyes meeting. This was a surreal moment but she didn't want to think about anything, just to act on the feelings she had. He lifted her up as she leant against the rock, wrapping her legs around his waist and he raised her out of the water slightly. Her hair covered her breasts but he could still see just how perfect she was. He kissed her again, this time his hands travelled down to her chest. He hadn't touched a woman before and had no idea how to act on these feelings. She could feel just how much he wanted her and realised just how badly she wanted him to make love to her and moved her hips backwards and found her area was right against his. She paused for a moment, he pulled away from her and they gazed at each other. His eyes asked the question and she nodded a little before he carefully began to push forward and she lowered herself onto him.
They gasped.
The layer to break her virginity stretched beneath the pressure which he applied to gain access to the place where she had never imagined letting a man before marriage. There was pain, perhaps she was even bleeding but, in the water, it was too dark to see. It took a second or so to adjust to the sting, to the feeling of wholeness. She didn't know if he was large or not, but she could feel the throbbing of him and the veins which stood out, showing her just how excited he was, too. Clinging to his body, the first few thrusts were painful and the lines between her brows told him just when to stop pushing.
''Are you all right?''
She didn't respond in words. Instead, she pressed herself down, once or twice, until the pain subsided and he was inside her, all of him. She bit her lip a little but he touched her lips and she unclenched. Her eyes sparkled; the closeness of him was beautiful and as they moved with the other, they never wavered their eyes. She clung to him even more, feeling overwhelmed. It was a surreal moment; allowing a stranger to claim her virginity and for her to claim his, but the moments were wonderful. Every time she closed her eyes, just for a second, she expected to re-open them and for it all to be a dream. The whole world around her seemed to disappear and all she felt was complete. Neither of them could stop what had started this evening, it felt as though they were been drawn to each other by a force stronger than they were.
Something was building up within her, even though their pace was slow, deep and wonderful. It was as though she was climbing, itching for something. Their kiss seemed to accelerate the urge, soon he was trembling beneath her and his gaze upon her grew heated. His thrusts felt deeper, smoother and stronger and within seconds, she was clasping his shoulder and delving her teeth into the flesh as hard as she could as she felt the power of an orgasm for the first time it her life; it didn't stop after a few seconds, it seemed to keep stretching and unravelling until she had completely come undone with him inside of her. He grabbed her face and looked into her eyes, as he too shook like never before and with a low but guttural cry, he too emptied himself within her, twisting and writhing with the intensity of his finish. It was almost as though they were looking into each other's souls.
Afterward, neither spoke. Simply stood. Would they ever see each other again?
BANG!
Waking with a jump, Rose wondered what all the fuss was about. She sat straight up in bed, holding her head. The room appeared misty like it had been by the stream-stream? She groaned, as she swung her legs out of bed realising, that she was still wearing her nightgown. She heard the rain beat down heavily outside.
What a dream.
It really was a dream.
The loud bang sounded again and Rose glanced at the clock beside the bed. It was 9am. She was usually up and dressed by 8 at latest. Proceeding down the stairs in her state of undress, she nodded ''good mornings'' to the staff, ignoring their narrowed gaze.
''Good gracious Rose, go back upstairs and get dressed.'' Cal's voice echoed through her ears. He was dressed in his fine attire and she was barely dressed. Her hair fell about in a disarray. ''There is someone I would like you to meet, when you are dressed a little more appropriate...''
''You must be Rose?'' A familiar voice asked.
Rose turned to see-it wasn't was it? He was wearing more clothes and well, actually dressed rather smart. He was more beautiful in the daylight...
''Yes, I am.'' She smiled, he too, smiled. She spoke as though she already knew him. What was he doing here? He was the Jack from the dream.
''I'm Jack, Jack Dawson.''
Yes, it was the boy from the dream.
''He is our new hire. He arrived here yesterday from...''
''Oh, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.''
Rose watched him fascinated, feeling a huge déjà vu. Their eyes didn't break contact.
''Rose, darling, please go dress. Jack and I must head off.'' Cal downed the remainder of his coffee before proceeding to grab his hat and coat. Jack followed hesitantly, and once Cal had left the room, he smiled to Rose.
''Psst.'' She turned to see him smile. It almost felt like he was a ghost. ''It was great to see you again.'' He whispered before disappearing out of the door.
Rose's heart thumped. It wasn't a dream. She felt a smile cross her face and she touched her cheeks feeling them flush crimson. She had to steady her breathing. She had so many questions to ask but knew she had to be careful he was now an employee. She laughed out loud to herself. She was going crazy, glancing down and realising she was still wearing the nightgown she had worn to the stream. The same nightdress which she had stripped off for him...
Humming a slow tune, she ascended the stairs to take a bath, feeling happier and exhilarated. He had been her outlet of passion, something which she so badly craved in her loveless engagement and for the first time in a long time she had something to smile about.
The song I drew inspiration from;
Naked by the Spice Girls
Naivety and childhood left behind
Deprived of the goodness of mankind,
Past encounters have made her strong, strong enough to carry on and on,
Undress you with her eyes, uncover the truth from the lies,
Strip you down don't need to care, lights are low exposed and bare
Naked
Nothing but a smile upon her face
Naked
She wants to play seek and hide, no-one to hide behind
Naked
This child has fallen from grace
Naked
Don't be afraid to stare she is only naked
She knows exactly what to do with men like you,
Inside out in her mind there's no doubt where you're coming from
mystery will turn you on.
Undress you with her eyes, uncover the truth from the lies,
Strip you down don't need to care, lights are low exposed and bare
Naked
