Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

"There done, " said Annalise but yet Nelson didn't release her. His warm hold on her wrist held her captive. "Let me go, Nelson," she said looking into his desire filled eyes.

"I know you still love me," he said in a low voice full of some strange emotion, releasing her slowly. Two bright spots appeared on Annalise's cheeks and she fled to the en-suite to keep the first aid box back. Thankfully, she had seen it when she'd come in with Susan earlier to check their room and en-suite and it came handy. Nelson had already left the room when she emerged from the en-suite.

It was lunchtime and everyone were gathered at the dining table, laughing and talking. She sat between Nelson and Susan. "Did you make all of this? I'll eat only what you made," He whispered.

"No, only the coleslaw, " she answered with a giggle. Nelson rolled his eyes.

"Okay, I take back my words, " he stated with a faint smile playing on his lips. Annalise smiled and ate while everyone talked about the party in the evening. The preparations were made and they called the local diner to help with the food and catering. Susan looked at her,"Did he kiss you yet?" She whisper asked. Annalise looked at her with horror.

"What? No. Are you out of your mind or what?" She whispered back. Nelson chuckled inwardly at their conversation. He was all ears and acutely aware of everything going around his Annalise.

"I heard it," he chuckled and Annalise face-palmed with embarrassment. Susan laughed but stopped the topic thankfully.

"We're going fishing to the creek nearby. Are you two interested in coming along?" Asked Trent.

"Sure, " said Nelson and looked at Annalise. She saw his enthusiasm and agreed to go. After lunch, they loaded the fishing gear onto Trent's truck and drove off to Jones creek, a stream located just 5.8 miles from Jones Creek village. It was a beautiful place surrounded by massive live oak and pecan trees. Annalise was stunned as they seemed to be suddenly transported into a dream world.

All her life she had lived in their shabby apartment as her family literally fought with poverty. Her dad had married her mom at a young age of twenty and after his family broke off all contacts with him, he had to drop his education. They struggled till her dad was too unwell to continue work. He refused medical help as they didn't have much money till one fine day, things went extreme and he didn't gain consciousness. Her mom approached Adam's dad as he was the only well-wisher that they had. He immediately admitted her dad to the hospital and called her uncle Edward. Being her dad's childhood friend, he knew her uncle Edward too. She sighed and came back to reality to find Nelson watching her.

"Are you okay?" He asked with concern. She nodded at him, touched by his concern. "If you don't like it here, we can go back," he said softly.
"No, I love it here. It's just that I never saw something so beautiful in my life. We only went to the park near my house at the most," she admitted. Nelson caught her hand and slowly rubbed it with his thumb.

"Be mine, Annalise. I'll show you the world," he promised. Annalise smiled. She lay her head on his shoulder.

"Give me a little time, Nelson, " she whispered.

"Take your time Alise, I can wait," he told her. He might be going crazy for her. He might be too much in love with her but he could control his urges and wait for her. Annalise fell more in love with him for understanding her so well.

"Are you two going to sit inside the truck while we go fishing?" Asked Susan bringing them out of their bubble. Nelson groaned. He wanted to spend some time with her but couldn't.

They walked hand in hand to the water's edge. Trent and Nelson picked up their fishing gear while Susan and Annalise sat on the water's edge chatting and watching the guys. "I'll miss you a lot Anna, " she admitted.

"I'll miss you more since I don't have any other friends," said Annalise with a sigh.

"I know and I wish things were different but Trent's family needs him here and I can't be selfish," said Susan.

"True, don't worry, I'll come over frequently. Som how's the pregnancy going? Do you have morning sickness? I didn't notice any nausea in you," said Annalise.

"No nothing yet. I hope it stays that way till the wedding. I don't want to throw up on my wedding day!" Said Susan with a horrified expression.

"Yeah, that would be a disaster," admitted Annalise.

"Have you forgiven Nelson, Anna?" Asked Susan suddenly. Annalise nodded.

"Yes, I know I shouldn't have but my heart has forgiven him. He has a fiercely possessive nature which comes out when he's jealous. He can't seem to control that side of him. It makes him do things which he would never have done in his sane mind. Otherwise he's adorable and cares about me. Last time, I saw him trying to restrain that side of him and I'm really proud of him since he's doing it because of me," said Annalise looking at Nelson and Trent both holding onto a heavy fishing line with excitement as they slowly pulled it up.

"That's a good sign," said Susan and then looked in the direction that Annalise was staring. "Hey, what have you two caught? A shark or what?" Asked Susan. The men pulled with all their might and at last brought out a water-filled huge old leather boot, heavy and stinky.

"Eww, what a catch!" Said Susan, grimacing as Annalise laughed at the horrified expressions on Nelson and Trent's faces. "Bootfish!" Laughed Susan.

After a lot of effort they caught a box full of trouts, crappies and black bass. They returned back to Trent's house. It was late in the afternoon and they had ample time to shower and get ready for the party. Susan and Annalise went upstairs to their room. Trent's room as well as their room was upstairs along with Thomas's room while Trent's parents bedroom was downstairs. While Nelson and Trent got ready in his room, the girls locked theirs and showered and got ready for the big party.

Annalise wore a burgundy one-shouldered satin dress with a diamond brooch while Susan chose a deep green velvet dress with matching emerald earrings. Both looked drop-dead gorgeous as they climbed down the stairs. Nelson checked how all the guests were staring at his Annalise and strode towards her. Seeing him Trent too strode towards his girl. His mom rolled her eyes at them.

"Why did you wear this?" Asked Nelson impatiently. Annalise's face fell. She had taken pains to dress up for him, wearing such a pretty dress for the first time in her life and he had to say that. When her aunt Emily bought this dress for her, she had stored it in her closet, not knowing what to do with it.

"Am I looking that bad?" She said, looking down at her hands, feeling worthless. Nelson placed his fore finger on her chin and compelled her to look into his eyes. He held her gaze with utmost adoration.

"No, you're looking too ravishing for your own good," he whispered and Annalise blushed. His arm went to the small of her back and throughout the party, she was forced to stay by his side. He fed her, he danced with her and all the guests had the idea that they were together indeed. At last the party was over and Trent's parents thanked each and every guest for coming over. They helped store the gifts in Trent's parents' room and then went upstairs to sleep. Susan and Annalise changed for bed and were about to climb into their bed when their door opened and in strode Trent and Nelson. Their eyes widened in horror. What were these two up to now?

Trent picked up Susan in his arms bridal style and carried her to his room while to Annalise's horror Nelson locked their door and came towards her bed.

"What are you doing here, Nelson?" Asked a horrified Annalise. Nelson climbed onto the other side of her bed and lay down with his hands behind his head.

"Sleeping with you of course. Where can I go with Susan in Trent's room?" He asked with a naughty grin.

"I can't possibly sleep with you," said Annalise, hanging from the edge of the bed.

"You have no choice, Alise," he told her with a smirk.

Annalise picked up the two spare pillows and placed them in the middle. "Are you building a fortress now?" Asked Nelson with a chuckle.

"Yes, you stay in your territory while I in mine," she ordered and Nelson chuckled more.

Satisfied, she lay down on her side of the bed when Nelson broke through the fortress and lay right on top of her in her territory. "I'm now in your territory. What will you do?" He whispered, his mouth nibbling her ear lobe as a shiver of excitement went down her body.