10. Twin troubles, families and fun times

"I have this yearning in my bones when I look at you with your family. Looking so carefree and eager and young. And I so badly want to belong, right there, in your picture perfect photographs." - Alex

~~~

(Alexandra)

Alex had expected a big house that was calm and sophisticated. Cool like Logan. Unruffled, no matter what, except maybe that one time she kissed him.

But the house was not big. It was comfy and small. And it was chaos. Mayhem.

As soon as she stepped down from the car, a big dog came bounding towards her, its silky fur flying and behind it was a boy, covered from head to toe in mud and he was screaming at the top of his lungs.

"Bruno, stop. You big lump, stop. Don't bludgeon the nice lady."

Bruno, the big lump, didn't give any heed to the screaming boy.

"Andy, you are a moron. How many times--" This boy looked exactly like Andy, except he was squeaky clean and wearing glasses.

"Not now, Brian. Not now." The messy one said as he ran fast. The dog was the fastest.

She didn't know what to do. Should she move away? It was safer that way.

But before she could, the dog collided with her, God it was heavy, and she stumbled back. She almost fell, but then Logan stepped down, and he whistled. The dog stopped when it heard the sharp order from him. "Stop."

"B, that is not how you greet the guests. Show some class. What did I tell you?" It was that voice- his lecturing voice

The dog sat down, its face drooping. Poor baby. It looked at her as if pleading. 'Save me from the man.'

"Uncle Logan, he only ever listens to you." The boy, Andy, was maybe 7 and he looked disgruntled and angry and dirty. His twin--he must be, they looked exactly the same-- Brian stood next to him and he smiled at her, all polite and Alex was stuck by the resemblance he had to Logan.

They both looked like Logan, but this one, Brian, with that cool smile, neatly combed back hair, was the exact replica of Logan. It felt like seeing young Logan and it made her feel warm all over. Her heart couldn't take so much of sweetness and sexiness in such short intervals of time.

"Hi, sorry for Bruno. He-" Brian said.

She smiled and waved him off. "No harm.

"Are you alright, Lex?" Logan looked concerned as he touched her face. "Did he hurt you?" Thousand sparks shot through her nerves and she couldn't help but want to lean in to his touch. She didn't.

"I am fine, Logan. I'm not hurt."

"But you almost fell. Bruno is so heavy." He looked her up and down, his hand on her cheek, his eyes crinkled with worry and Alex's heart was a mess. Messy mess. Like a mess that made cleaning up after so very hard.

How could he do that to her with just a look? It was that look that was going to be Alex damnation.

Alexandra, no, girl. Down. Don't kiss him now. There are two little boys here. Watching.

"Who is that girl?" Someone whispered from somewhere in the garden with tall trees and flowering bushes.

"Must be the one Dan called you about?" Other giggled and Alex pulled away from Logan. She stumbled back in the process only to be pulled closer to him.

He grabbed her by her hips and his body was flushed against her. Her skin tingled. Her heart thundered and her body felt like she was in the midst of blazing inferno.

Da-dum-da-dum. Could he hear her heart going crazy? What would he say if he knew that?

She was sure he would tear the contract and run away in the opposite direction.

Even the thought of contract couldn't help her control her body.

It was like he was her magnet and she some wanton metal thing or something.

"What? You said you are okay?" His eyes were intense on her and it was making her harder to breath and his palm on his back, it was making her feel hot and bothered and she shouldn't.

Take a deep breath. But... How do I breathe?

His eyes were still on her. Shit. Those eyes.

� Someone please save me.

"Why is he looking at her like--"

"Ssh. He will hear you. Keep quiet and watch."

Alex was again pulled away from the magic of his eyes. God. They had been there for almost five minutes, in each others' arms, just staring? While the two women watched? How on earth did Alex forget them?

It looked like he hadn't heard his family, yet. But how could he not? They were whisper yelling, but it was still so loud. Alex's cheeks were flaming as she took another step back from him.

"Look at them, God, so adorable. Mamma, come here, now. You shouldn't miss that."

Alex groaned as she took another step back and his hands fell away from her body.

He glared at her. "What? It is not like I like touching you, I am just making sure you are okay." He grumbled, looking morose.

His eyes were sullen. She had realized that Logan was always confrontational when things didn't go his way. And he didn't like that she pulled away from his touch, did he? She wanted to giggle.

Alex rolled her eyes at him and pointed to the doorway, but the man was really dense for someone who had achieved so much in so little time. He stood there, still staring at her, annoyance clear in his storm grey eyes.

"Oh yeah? You don't like touching her? We can totally see that." The woman with the blonde hair said in her overtly bright voice.

Alex was mortified. If only the Earth would open up and swallow her. Now.

He turned back, not at all ashamed at being caught. "Oh, it is you two. Still so mature, I see." He said. "Still sneaking around other people."

"We have seen so many things we couldn't have if not for the sneaking around. We caught you with your hands in young Anna's--" The woman with red hair smirked.

"Stop, stop, El." He waved his hands at her. Now his face was getting closer to scarlet.

And Alex was really curious. That kind of reaction from him, would only mean that there was something interesting in that tidbit the red haired woman was about to share.

"Was it the br-" Alex grinned at him as he put his hand over her mouth. She gave him an obnoxious wink.

"You, it is for you, too. Okay? We are not talking about Anna, who was now happily married and have two kids." Logan glared at her and she smirked at his glum face.

"Hmm, now my imagination is getting better of me. You had been a naughty boy, hadn't you, Logan Forte? I was sure Santa never gave you any presents." Alex taunted him and the two women laughed as Logan gave her his most serious look. She wasn't deterred by it. "Oh, don't look at me like that. I wasn't the one who got caught coping a feel." She winked, feeling mischievous with each passing second.

"You are a- you are a-" He stuttered, looking more and more like a fire engine with each passing second.

"For the first time in his life, he is speechless." This was red hair.

"You, come on in. We already like you." Blonde said.

"Shit." Logan groaned as he looked at his sisters. "What did I warn you?" He looked at Alex and quirked his brows. "Don't gang up on me. You remember?"

"What?" She asked with a childlike smile.

"Ah, don't give me that look, brat. I am not fool enough to fall for that." He said as she batted her lashes at him with a sugary sweet smile. "Like you are all harmless. Oh, I know you." He pulled her in and she snuggled against him.

She knew it was for the show, but still she couldn't help but love how warm he was, how strong he was. If it wasn't totally cheesy, she would even say they fit.

"What are you talking about, darling?" She licked her lips and looked right into his eyes.

She could play better. Much better.

It looked like that caught him off guard. The Darling.

Logan was such an easy target sometimes.

"I don't know whether I want to kiss you or kill you." His voice was hoarse as his fingers dug into her hips, lighting little embers ready to burn freely and fiercely inside her body.

Now it wasn't a game anymore. Nobody was playing.

"Kiss me?" She whispered and his eyes widened again. She looked at them. They looked dilated. With something akin to lust, but she wasn't sure. She had never been at the receiving end of that look.

It wasn't like men hadn't given her attention, but she was not interested enough to stand there and be looked at by anyone.

But now, she didn't want to move. Not at all.

It was pure chemical reaction. That was what it was. This thing between them. She felt so sexy and new. She felt wanton. Brazen.

Old Alexandra was almost a saint. She really was.

She wondered what was it about him that made her into this lusty, brash creature.

"Little brother, you are doing neither. We are stealing her away." Red hair said. And Alex flushed again. Why was she constantly forgetting this two women?

"You can kiss Bruno." Blonde one said.

"Eww, mom." Brian said as he shrunk his nose.

"Alex, these two are my sisters, who aren't decent enough to introduce themselves. The irritating red head is Eliza and the equally tiresome blonde is Emma. This two here, Emma's. Eliza has a girl, who is the actual grown up in her family." Logan said as he pulled Brian up and swung him around. He squealed and then his little face became composed.

Aw.

"Uncle Logan, you can't do that. I am a big boy." Brian complained, looking totally adorable.

"Uncle Logan, lift me up, lift me up." Andy squealed and jumped up and down, waving his arms like crazy. Alex laughed at him.

"Let them mess around. Come on in." Emma or is that Eliza, said.

No, the blonde is Emma. She thought as she walked inside.

The house smelled of baked pizzas and warm breads raising. Yeast and butter. Spices and chicken. It smelled like home and a little bit of sunshine.

"I forgot the cake in the car." Alex said as they walked in.

"You baked us a cake? Okay, I am officially becoming your ardent fan." Eliza giggled. "Is that chocolate?"

"It is two tiered, chocolate and butter with nuts."

"Ok, I love you."

"I will go and bring-" Alex turned around to go back to the car and get it..

"Don't bother, love." Emma said. "Log, bring the cake when you come in."

"Yes, yes."

"Now come on, let us show you off."

And that was what they did. There were a girl, a woman, three guys and they were all staring at her as if she was for sale or something.

Her lips twitched at that thought.

She was already bought by the man who was just now coming in with two boys flanking him on either side with a box of cake she baked.

And her heart was falling down and down.

And it was so not okay.

For today, she would let it. Tomorrow, it was going to go.

***

(Logan)

Alex looked nervous as she stood there. He wanted to go stand behind her and tell everyone to look away. But she needed this, because when he actually introduced her to his business circle, they would not just looking, they would be preying on her with their eyes.

His family was, at least, not made of wolves.

"Hi." She nervously tittered. It was so unlike herself.

"Guys, come on. Is this how you welcome guests? Do I need to lecture you all just as I did Bruno."

"Hi." His brother-in-law broke the silence. "I am Markus, Mr. Emma." He chuckled and Alex laughed.

"Hi, nice to meet you."

"Now this guy that is looking at you like you have two head is Deke. My brother. And Eliza's."

"Wait? Twins again? Whoa!" She said.

"Yes. Though I am the goodlooking one." Markus said.

"Dude, we are identical." Deke frowned at his brother.

"But some people have that innate radiance that outer beauty can not just fight against."

"Now, let them fight. That is my mom and dad. Mom and dad, Alexandra." He said as he looked as his mom. She had that look in her eyes - the 'you have so much to explain, young man' look.

"Hi. Welcome. I am David. You can call me Dave." His dad said as his mom stood there watching Alex.

"What about me, uncle Logan?"

"Oh this here, it is Camille. Don't call her Cam. She is ten and..."

"She is lady Logan." Eliza said. "Exactly her uncle."

For that, Camille sighed, rolled her eyes and looked proudly looked at her uncle. They both shared a look that was pure exasperation. He loved his niece so much.

His mom was still staring at Alex. Alex didn't back down, but she looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

His mom looked kinda scary, but she was really a cuddly teddy bear.

"I am Bethany." His mom walked closer to her and Alex pushed her hand forward.

"Mrs. Forte, hi. Thanks for having me."

And she gasped when his mom pulled her in a hug and tched. "We don't do handshakes here. And what is that about Mrs. Forte, eh? Call me Beth. You must be special since Logan had never brought a girl home."

"Except Anna and Tiff and Jackie." Emma said with a smirk. He so hated his sisters. They had always been a pain in his ass, but they had always been someone who defended him against all his bullies m, as well, when he was thin and scraggly.

"Oh that was before he was seventeen. After that, he brings girls only to old, abandoned parking lots." Eliza said helpfully.

Alex looked at him and shook her head. "Such a playboy."

"I am not." He defended his honor. He wasn't really a playboy. Maybe a teenage boy at some point, but he had grown up faster.

"Uh huh. It doesn't seem like that." Nervousness long forgotten, his spitfire was back. And he liked her this way.

As everyone walked inside the big kitchen, Alex stood next to him wagging her brows.

"Don't say whatever you are going to say."

"But you don't know what I am going to say." She complained and pouted and he wanted to kiss that pout away.

"Don't I?" He asked and she sighed.

"No fun at all. I present you the killer of human happiness, Mr. Logan Forte." She announced dramatically. "Wait. Your mom said you have never brought anyone home, but what about Stacy?" She asked with confusion.

What about Stacy?

"Umm, no."

"And you were going to marry her? What kind of man never introduces his future wife to his family? God, Logan, I am beginning to think that she is the victim here." She shook her head in annoyance.

"Stacy is no victim."

"Neither are you." She whispered.

"Ok, neither am I." It was the truth. He wasn't heartbroken or anything when Stacy said no. Just extremely annoyed and disgruntled that she had derailed his plans.

"So, why don't you just rethink this farse?" She asked, pointing between them.

"Are you going to lecture me about that again? Don't start now, okay. It has to be done."

But, is it that important, a small voice scratched at his inside.

It was. He couldn't afford to be mocked at.

You are still giving that excuse?

"Logan, I just mean--"

"Will you shut up, Lex." He was angry now. Why was she trying so hard to make him back out of this plan. Was he that unpleasant to live with for a year? More repulsive than the damned motel she was staying days ago?

Something in his heart twisted.

"Okay." She agreed.

"Come on." He snapped at her.

"Logan, I was-"

"I understand you don't want to marry me. But you have signed the agreement. You cannot break it now."

"What are you talking about? It isn't for me." She looked angry, as well. "You think I can afford to say no to all that money?"

"Then why are you pushing me to break it? Do you really want to go back to that seedy motel?"

"Because you are a hard headed fool." She stood on her tip toes, her head thrown back in indignation, her cheeks red with anger.

He stared at her. He couldn't take his eyes off. She was explosive, she took his breath away.

"Calm down. You look like you are going to burst your vein." He said knowing very well that was such a wrong thing to do.

She poked a finger to his chest. "You are abominable. I am glad I signed an agreement for one year. Anymore than that and I would just pop all my blood vessels and die."

"Oh, is that so? You are just as annoying. Like a-a like a... "

"When you find something to fill that retort of yours, give me a call." She said before she walked back inside the kitchen, as if she owned the damn house and then turned back to give him a look. "Better yet, don't call me. I am sure it will be blah." She waved a finger at him. The nerve.

Logan gritted his teeth.

This woman was maddening.

He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to kill her.

He wanted to touch her until she was ready to combust. He was ready to combust.

He rubbed a hand to his face and groaned. He was this close to snapping and he couldn't afford to snap.

Their agreement didn't have anything about sexual intimacy. In fact, it was a big no.

He pushed his fingers through his hair.

"You coming? Or going to stand there like a statue?" It was Deke. "Whoever she is, you have got to be careful, man. You are already teetering. Don't fall just yet."

"Deke..."

"I didn't hear much, dude, but from what I heard, it looked a little complicated."

"It is. And confusing. It is just not like anything I have ever been through."

"Oh." Deke gave him a knowing look.

"What?" He asked in confusion.

"I don't want to spoil any surprises." He smirked and then walked in, leaving Logan more confused than before.

***

(Alexandra)

She was glad she came. The whole family, except that annoying man, was warm and welcoming.

After they finished lunch, pizza, baked chicken, a soup made from fresh veggies and herbs, Eliza opened the cake Alex had baked and sighed.

"This is a masterpiece." Eliza sighed. "God, you can start your own bakery." Alex smiled at her.

They had been surprisingly a good company. They were both funny and not like Logan, who was brooding the whole lunch. At one point, she kicked his shin, and mouthed, 'smile.' And he glared even harder.

"Will you please marry me?" Emma asked as she ate a piece of cake. "This is - God, this is one of God's blessings." She sighed and Alex chuckled.

"She is not marrying you." Logan grumbled.

"Grump." Alex muttered under her breath, but he heard her and his eyes flashed.

Hot.

Why is it so hot in here?

"She going to marry you, Uncle Logan?" Andy asked, his mouth full of cake.

Logan choked on the water he was drinking.

"Don't talk with food in your mouth." His twin brother said with a frown.

"Brother, be careful." Emma teased Logan.

"What?" Logan looked at his nephew, his eyes wide.

"You should marry her. She makes nice cakes."

"Yeah, totally right." Eliza winked and Logan squirmed. "That is a great reason to get married. I mean, I married Deke because he has such nice eyes."

"Mom... Eww." Camille said.

"I asked him. He said no." Alex looked at Andy with a pout and the boy looked at her, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Someone is having their very first crush."

"I think you kind of have that effect over the men in our family." Emma winked.

"Oh, don't be sad. Wait and I will grow up and marry you." Andy said all so seriously and Alex laughed at the cuteness. She all but became a puddle.

"No. I am smarter. You marry me." This was Brian.

"I am funnier." Andy said.

"I am taller."

"You are boring, B."

"You are dumb, A."

"Boys... " Alex said. "You are both wonderful, but I am in a dilemma here." She ruffled Brian's hair.

"What? You are not complaining? She messed up your hair?" Camille looked shocked. Her little brown eyes were wide. "She. Messed. Up. Your. Hair."

"So, I like it." Brian said with a sweet smile.

"Uh, oh." Bethany, Logan's mom, gave Logan a smile. "Looks like you are going to have to fight for her."

He choked on his water, again.

"First come, first serve." Alex said with a haughty shrug.

"Oh, I like her, alright." Logan's dad said.

Everyone was looking at Logan with a look that wasn't so hard to understand. Even Alex could understand that. He flushed red and Alex hid a smile behind her glass of water.

"She is marrying me." He grunted. "You two should go and get your own women."

This time she was the one who was choking on nothing.