Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

Annalise steered clear of the living room and ran down the corridor towards the backdoor with Nelson hot on her heels. She ran out of the house knowing that the scowling Nelson surely be upto something and she didn't want any audience.  She raced outside and onto the grassy meadows as fast as her legs bound carry her but two large hands caught her waist from behind and she lost her balance.

Nelson too couldn't keep his balance and both fell upon the soft grass, with Annalise on top on Nelson. "Ow," said Annalise, her palms on his bare chest to stop herself from crushing him. As if she would!

Nelson went still and his arms went around her to hold her tightly against him. "Got you, Alise. It's no use running away from me," he whispered, pulling her closer so that her face was inches from his own and her hair cascaded around their faces. Nelson inhaled the smell of the silky soft tresses. His eyes gazed at her quietly and then there was that wild look of passion in his eyes.

"Who's body do you like better than mine?" He asked her with eyes flashing with fire that would scorch her with it's gaze.

"I..," she started to say but he just flipped her over and now hovered over her, with her underneath his body. She was lost and forgot what she was about to say.

"Alise," he whispered as his eyes dropped down to her plump red lips. He was lost with the burning desire to taste their sweetness, to ravish the hidden recesses of her mouth. It was like a slow torture that he couldn't resist. Annalise trembled at the hungry heat of his voice. She was extremely aware of his hot fingers trailing along her cheek, along her jawline. She could feel that he was trying to restrain himself, the feeling of acute jealousy was driving him insane like before.

"I haven't seen anyone, Nelson. I was just kidding," she breathed out to comfort him and calm him down but all her senses were accumulated around the place where his fingertips were caressing her, stroking her. She could feel his hard muscular body relax against her at her admission.

"Answer my question then. I want the truth," he whispered, his eyes watching her while his fingers trailed to the sweet spots all over her neck. Annalise closed her eyes at the sweet torture.

"What question?" She asked knowing fully well what he had asked her.

"Tell me, did you like what you saw?" He repeated his question, his breathing erratic and hot on her face.

"I choose not to answer that," she told him, struggling to get up but he was too heavy for her and she couldn't make him budge. He watched her with hooded eyes as he struggled to control his breathing. It was a battle of the senses and Annalise had to give it to him when he just got off her and held out his hand for her. Thr wild passionate look of desire was gone from his eyes and he looked normal again. She placed her hand in his and he pulled her up alongside him. A smile spread on his lips as she placed her hand on his chest to steady herself.

"You can't resist me, can you Alise?" He asked with a grin. Annalise rolled her eyes.

"Isn't it the other way around?" She asked, smiling and looking away. Nelson seemed to ponder over what she said as they walked towards the house. She noticed that he still hadn't left her hand, clasping it into his warm one. In fact she liked his possessive hold immensely but she would rather die than admit that to him. They walked into the house and Susan chuckled looking up from where she sat.

"So who won the chase?" She asked wiggling her eyebrows. Carla chuckled and so did Trent's mom. She got up and went to her room while a blushing Annalise looked away.

"I did obviously but didn't get my prize," said Nelson. Carla and Susan giggled more while Annalise wrenched her hand free from his hold and walked away to get a drink of cool water. Her body really needed cooling. Trent came into the room and led Nelson to his room. Susan walked into the kitchen to check upon Annalise.

"So did he try to kiss you?" She asked with interest.

"No, he controlled his urges," said Annalise.

"You could have kissed him then," suggested Susan.

Annalise glared at her. "Why don't you do it since you're so interested?" She answered giving her a look of disapproval.

"Eww, why should I kiss Nelson? He's like a brother to me. I'm happy doing everything with Trent, thank you," said Susan. Annalise's eyes widened with surprise.

"You two did the deed already?" She asked with surprise.

"Yeah, not once but many times. You want the juicy details?" Asked Susan excitedly.

Annalise gave her a look of horror. "Please spare me, " she said.

"Okay, no force. I'll give you love lessons when you'd need them," she said and Annalise again rolled her eyes. "C'mon, I'll show you our room. You and I will share," she told her. Annalise collected her luggage from the living room and pulled it all the way to the room where Susan went.

It wasn't a very big room but the queen sized bed was big enough to accommodate the two of them. It was a clean, airy and cozy room, done up pale lemon yellow and white. "I need to tell you something Anna," said Susan, sitting down on the bed and pulling Annalise beside her.

"What is it?" Asked Annalise with concern.

"I'm getting engaged to Trent tomorrow, " she told her. Annalise nodded.

"I know. Trent told Nelson and he told me, " said Annalise.

"The wedding is in a month. I want you to be my maid of honor Anna, " Susan said, holding her hand.

"Of course I will be. We're best friends and even if you didn't ask, I would have been your maid of honor, " said Annalise.

"Thanks Anna but there's more news. I'm three weeks pregnant with Trent's baby, " announced Susan and Annalise's jaws dropped.

"What? You didn't tell me when you came home to see me?" She asked, feeling hurt.

"I was going through a difficult phase. I couldn't tell anyone," said Susan.

"I'm hurt Susan. Am I just anyone to you? I'm your best friend. You could have told me," she said feeling more hurt.

"You had so many problems of your own, I didn't want to over burden you, Anna, " said Susan.

"You're always welcome to share Susan. You can't burden me ever," said Annalise. "Promise you won't keep anything away from me?" Asked Annalise.

"I promise, " said Susan with a smile. "I have something else to tell you, Anna. "

"There's more? Okay spill," said Annalise, waiting,

"After the wedding, I'll leave Houston forever and come here with Trent. He'll leave the job at the restaurant and work in his own ranch," said Susan.

"I heard your conversation with his mom. It's okay Susan. It's just an hour's drive away from Houston. I'll come down whenever I feel lonely, " said Annalise.

"Thanks bestie. I was scared to tell you. I thought you'd be hurt," said Susan. They hugged one another.

They went out to the kitchen to help make lunch. Nelson and Trent had gone outside to help fix a huge tent-like structure  for the dinner get-together in the evening. His mom and Carla discussed with them the menu and about the guests who were invited. It seemed that the whole village was invited for the gala anniversary celebrations. After lunch was made, Susan pulled her outside to see what Trent, Thomas and Nelson were up to.

They were stunned seeing the huge white tent already put up. They were busy helping the ranch hands fix the lights and decorations. Nelson looked down at her while fixing a metal wire to hold the string of tea lights in place. He winced as the wire cut his finger and blood started oozing out. Annalise rushed to him and grabbed his hand. She pulled him along with her all the way to her room. Making him sit on her bed, she got the cotton and antiseptic from the en-suite and dabbed at his wound. He simply stared at her as if hypnotised by her as she blew into the wound. The blood stopped oozing out and she breathed out in relief.

"Why can't you be careful?" She scolded him but he didn't once look away, his hot gaze burning into her. He didn't answer at all and simply sat there watching her as his breath hitched at her tender touch on his hand. The way she behaved showed him how much she loved him. He didn't need words. Suddenly Annalise became aware of the position they were in. With him sitting on her bed and her whole body between his muscular legs, holding onto his hand, she was at his mercy.

She left his hand as if stung and moved to put some distance between them but he just grabbed hold of her hand.