Love Struck (The Taylor Brothers Book 4)

Annalise was dumbfounded by aunt Emily's words. Why did they start making her wedding preparations without asking her? "Colton is a good boy. I've seen him grow up. You'll be happy with him, Anna, " said aunt Emily.

"But I'm just nineteen, aunt Emily. I don't want to get married now, " protested Annalise.

"I was eighteen when I got married to your uncle Edward," said aunt Emily.

"Was your marriage arranged too?" Asked Annalise. Aunt Emily smiled at her question as if remembering the precious moments of her life.

"No, we both fell in love at school. He joined our school in our senior year," said aunt Emily.

"See? When you're in love it doesn't matter at what age you marry but I don't love Colton, aunt Emily. So please don't force me into this, " said Annalise. Aunt Emily shook her head.

"I can't say no to Sandra. She has done a lot for me Anna. She's already taken a liking to you and has gone ahead making plans already, " said aunt Emily solemnly. "As for love, you can fall in love after marriage. "

"I already love someone else. I can't marry Colton. I won't be able to make him happy, " said Annalise unhappily. Aunt Emily sighed.

"I don't know what to say. Just take your time and think about it. You have a month. For all that your uncle and I have done for you, this is all we ask in return from you. I'm indebted to Sandra and I can't say no to her," said her aunt, getting up to go to her room. After she left, Annalise slowly walked up to her room. She knew her love for Nelson was for life and she couldn't marry someone else. It would ruin three lives. What her aunt said wasn't fair! How could she ask for a price for what she had done for her? Would she ask her sons too to pay a price for whatever she'd done for them?

Tears fell from her eyes at the indiscrimination. She couldn't tell Nelson since she knew he would forget all his restraints and go crazy. Annalise couldn't sleep the whole night as her heart broke after that conversation with aunt Emily. She knew that even if she took a year to think, she would still love Nelson. Taking time doesn't change your feelings for a person. It only makes them deeper. The next morning an unhappy Annalise went to college. She hated her fate. If she hadn't been dependent upon her uncle and aunt, she wouldn't be indebted to them. She would be free to choose the man she loved. She noticed how her aunt pointedly ignored her since morning. It wasn't a good sign since Aries and Alexis were dependent upon her. She didn't want them to suffer because of her but what could she do? She just couldn't give up on Nelson?

After college, she went to the restaurant for her duty. All her excitement, the very essence of her life, her happiness of being in love had been crushed by that single conversation last night. Nelson who had been waiting for her near the billing counter noticed her stressed face with a worried expression. He caught her hand and led her to his office, closing the door after him.

"What's wrong Annalise? Are you unwell?" He asked with concern. Annalise shook her head. She couldn't tell him the truth.

"Just feeling a little tired," said Annalise with a smile. Nelson pulled her into his arms and held her in a warm embrace. Annalise wrapped her arms around him too and embedded her face into his chest, inhaling the fresh tingling scent of his cologne. His arms were home for her and she would never want another home in this life.

"Then go over to Trent's apartment and rest. I'll come down to see you in a while," said Nelson with concern.

"No, no, I'll manage," she said. She wasn't lazy and knew that she shouldn't take advantage of being the boss's girl.

"Are you sure?" Asked Nelson and Annalise nodded.

They were busy for the rest of the day and didn't get much time to interact with one another. After duty, Susan pulled her to her apartment. "Now tell me why you've been sulking the whole day?" She asked Annalise with worry. Trent and Nelson too came inside and thankfully Susan didn't insist upon the topic any more. They cooked dinner together while the men sipped beer and watched some soccer match on television. Nelson grabbed her and placed her on his lap while Trent did the same to Susan.

"Dinner's ready," said Susan, switching off the television.

"Later," said Trent, picking up his fiancée and walking over to their bedroom. Nelson kissed Annalise's neck, sucking the sweet spot below her ear.

"Nelson," she whispered, closing her eyes at the torture. He lost control. Picking her up in his shoulders, he strode towards the spare bedroom with her struggling to get free.

"What will Trent and Susan think of us? Let me go, Nelson, " said Annalise with embarrassment.

"Nope, I can't, " said Nelson in a husky tone, going into the room and closing the door after them. He placed her down with her back against the wall but his hold didn't relax as he pulled her close to his body, not leaving any space between them. He picked up her hands and placed them around his neck. "Let me kiss you, Alise," he pleaded. Annalise nodded and tangled her fingers into his hair. He just smashed his lips to hers in a rough and hungry kiss. He bit her lips gently and when she opened her mouth, he plunged his tongue deep inside her sweet mouth. His tongue swirled with hers as the passion mounted between them. His hand went down her sides and back to her hips, molding her body to his. Annalise kissed her back with the same fervor. They couldn't get enough of each other as it had been nearly two days since they had kissed. Their body was on fire, the kiss scorching them, igniting a wild passion deep inside their bodies.

"I need you, Alise," he whispered hoarsely, his eyes blazing with the desire he felt for her.

"I love you, Nelson, " she said feeling her eyes glisten with the tears choking her throat. She couldn't let the love of her life go without a fight. Nelson stared at her, breathing hard. He couldn't understand why she was crying. He pulled her into his arms, embedding his face into her hair.

"Tell me what's wrong, Alise," he whispered, very much worried about her. Annalise shook her head.

"I don't want to lose you, Nelson, " she mumbled into his chest. Nelson held her chin and compelled her to look up at him.

"You'll never lose me. I'll follow you to the end of the world, Alise. So stop worrying and believe in our love, " he told her, his eyes full of promise.

"Promise?" She asked wanting to believe him.

"Yes," he promised.

Annalise returned home to find Colton's family, getting ready to leave. Her aunt Emily glared at her as she entered the house. It was past dinnertime and they might have waited for her. "Hello Anna! We'd been waiting for you," said aunt Sandra, smiling at her.

"Hello aunt Sandra. I went to my best friend's house. She's unwell," said Annalise.

"Good. You should take care of your loved ones," appreciated aunt Sandra. Colton too smiled at her appreciatively.

"Anna loves to take care of people. It's her hobby after cooking," said Alexis and aunt Sandra looked at her with warmth.

"I wish you'd been my daughter, sweetie, " said aunt Sandra, hugging Annalise. She could object to so much love being showered upon her.

"Soon, Sandra, " said aunt Emily, casting a glance towards Annalise to indicate to her to keep mum.

"I'm waiting Emily, " said aunt Sandra.

"Me more," said Colton, winking at Annalise and leaving. Annalise blushed crimson while Erik chuckled. After they left, aunt Emily looked at Annalise with displeasure.

"Don't make it a habit of coming home late everyday, Anna, " she said with a frown. "You have some obligations at home too. Sandra, Hugh and Colton were waiting all evening for you. I felt very embarrassed, " scolded aunt Emily. Hugh was Colton's dad whom Annalise had met once before.

Annalise looked down at her feet with guilt. "But aunt Emily, Erik, Dean, Mike and Derek come home even at 3 o'clock in the morning. Why are you scolding Anna?" Asked Aries with annoyance. He might be young but he couldn't see his aunt unnecessarily scold his big sister. She was perfect in his eyes and his heart constricted seeing the look on Annalise's face. They'd gone through a lot and the last few days, he had noticed a look of happiness on her sister's face. She looked happy.

"Young man, I'm not answerable to you," said their aunt with annoyance.

"Mom, he's right actually. Don't take this out on Anna, please. She said she was at her friend's house," said Dean. Annalise was glad of the support. But for how long?