Later that evening
Llantano Mountain…

After Starr’s wedding, the weather took a turn for the worst. Storm clouds rolled in followed by thunder and lightening, making the Llanview sky turbulent. Despite the miserable climate, Troy and Taylor went to the Manning/Lord cabin on Llantano Mountain.

As the rain pounded against the cabin’s window, the outside world disappeared for Troy. The burning wood in the fireplace provided romantic warmth on their hot bodies. Half full wine glasses were nearby. He was so into her as they deeply kissed each other. Taylor’s shirt was unbuttoned, her bra undone, hanging off her shoulders. Troy’s shirt was on the floor next to them, his pants undone but still up around his waist. Taylor couldn’t help but rub his manhood through his briefs, as his tongue explored her mouth. His hand rested on a full and tender breast as he gently stroked her nipple with his thumb. God, he loved her sensual, exotic body. His ring was only a pocket away. He was so sure, so sure…

“Oh Taylor, Taylor…” he whispered as he breathlessly parted from her luscious mouth, trailing his lips down her soft, smooth neck.

Her lips brushed against his ear.

“Taylor, baby, say my name…” he seductively whispered as he sunk his teeth into her vulnerable flesh.

“Brady…”

Suddenly Troy froze. “Wha? Wha…did you say?”

Taylor began to pant. What was wrong?

Troy withdrew his body from hers. His heart sank. His lips quivered. He felt violated.

She looked up into his pained eyes. Troy. It was Troy…!

His stomach got queasy as he stood up over her, reaching for his pants, zipping them up.

And suddenly Taylor was aware of her faux pas as she saw the deep hurt and pain on his face.

“Geez…” she muttered.

“I can’t believe it!” he finally cried reaching for his shirt, wanting to cover his naked, vulnerable flesh. “It’s me, Taylor, me – Troy! Troy Buchanan – right here in front of you! I love you, damn it, Taylor!”

She sat there, stunned, unable to move – shocked at herself. She thought she could keep it together but her all too confusing feelings obviously got in the way.

“Love?” she swallowed.

“Jesus, Taylor, how do you think I feel? Don’t you have something – anything – to say?!” cried Troy sliding his shirt over his shoulders and buttoning it.

She stood up, not bothering to cover up. She crossed her arms. “Say? What could I possibly say or do right now to convince you …? Huh? Tell me, because I’ll do it or I’ll say it…”

“Say you love me, Taylor – me – Troy Buchanan. Me!” he demanded.

Taylor bit her lip as she hesitated.

“Didn’t fuckin’ think so,” spat Troy as he grabbed his wine glass and threw it into the fire. Thunder rolled in the air, lightening dance across a window.

Taylor jumped. She’d never seen Troy upset in her entire life!

“Damn you! And damn me to hell for loving you!”

Taylor got in his face. “And just want is that suppose to mean? I never tried to hurt you Troy. I care about you! I do!”

He glared at her. “You have a funny way of showing it – muttering my brother’s name while we make love!”

Again, Taylor said nothing.

“Get out of my way,” said Troy.

“You can’t leave…” said Taylor sadly but defiantly.

“I can’t? Watch me.” “Troy, it’s raining like cats and dogs. Didn’t you just hear the thunder?” protested Taylor.

“I don’t care.” “I do! You’re upset! I don’t want you to get hurt!”

“You’ve already hurt me, Taylor. More than you know…” he spat lunging past her and reaching for the door.

“Don’t go, Troy! I…I…”

He paused, softening as he saw tears well up in her eyes. “You what, Taylor?” He was hoping, praying for a word, a gesture that meant she felt the same way about him. Anything. Anything to forgive her, despite his pride.

“I don’t want you to leave, Troy…” she stammered.

“Why? Do you love me…?”

“Troy, the roads on the mountain…”

“DO YOU LOVE ME?”

She dropped her head. “I care about you, deeply but…”

He turned around and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

She watched from the window as he got into the car, wet from the violent rain, and drove off down the hill, effectively stranding her at the cabin, as they had only taken one car up the mountain.

She grabbed the other wine glass and threw into the fire before collapsing to her knees and releasing her pent up tears. She never meant to hurt. She never wanted to hurt him. He’d been so good, so nice to her… and yet she had, remembering a story her mother had told her not so long ago about hurting a good, honorable man to be with her father, and Taylor couldn’t help but feel at that point in time, she was very much her mother’s daughter.

Almost dramatically, Taylor turned to look upward, on her knees, her cheeks wet from her outburst and looked toward the violent sky, “Why me? Why… me…?” she choked. “Why…me…” she sobbed.

Without a doubt, she was Todd Manning’s daughter.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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