8 comments/ 12802 views/ 5 favorites Pretend For Me Ch. 01 By: angelsdelight29 PROLOGUE Alexander McCloud was just 20 when his whole life changed. His parents had been on their way home from a business dinner about their restaurant when they had been hit head on by a drunk driver resulting in no survivors. That had been the night he became the owner of a restaurant and guardian to his 3 younger brothers and only baby sister. Xander turned into Mother, Father, Brother and Boss. Thank God his best friend Lexi stepped in and moved in to help. The only problem was Aunt Sophia didn't approve and she could take the younger ones away. This was when the little white lie fell from his lips. CHAPTER 1 - THE DEAL 10 years after the accident "Shit!" Lexi came running from the kitchen when she heard Xander. "What the hell is wrong? Jesus Xander I thought you'd hurt yourself or something!" Xander looked into Lexi's ice blue eyes and saw the worry there. "Are you all right Xander?" "Um...yeah and no. I think we need to talk." Xander tried to look anywhere but into those glacier eyes. "What do you mean?" Lexi looked at Xander then at the letter he was holding. If he wasn't going to tell her what was going on she would find out herself. She grabbed the letter out of his hands and turned her back on him as she started to read. My dearest nephew, I know you have assured me that everything is running smoothly with the restaurant and taking care of your younger siblings but I worry. It has been far too long since I have visited you and over 2 years since I have seen you. I have decided to take a 2 week vacation and come stay with you and the family. I promise to be polite to your fiance and won't mention dates for the wedding, although it has been over a year of an engagement. Anyway I digress I will be arriving at the airport at about noon on the 3rd of June. See you then, Your loving Aunt Sophia After Lexi finished reading she thought she had read wrong and re-read the letter. "Alexander McCloud what have you done? Who are you supposed to be marrying?" Xander just looked sheepishly at Lexi. Lexi now knew who was supposed to be his year long fiance. It was HER! "Why?" "When she found out you moved in she felt that it would give the wrong impression to Cora and the twins with them being so young and they were so impressionable. If I didn't say something she would take them away! I couldn't let that happen! You know she would!" "Why didn't you just tell her we aren't together and sleep in different rooms? Or why didn't you tell me what was going on?" Xander could see Lexi progressively getting more upset by the minute and he hated that he had put her in this position. "I did tell her that we are just friends but she didn't believe me and I didn't tell you because I didn't think you would need to know. I didn't think there would be a problem." "You mean you didn't think you would get caught in your lie!" "Well...yeah." Xander agreed. Lexi stormed away from Xander and into the kitchen and continued cooking dinner. Xander thought he would leave her to calm down and realize he was only trying to do the best for all of them and keeping them all together, including Lexi. ******************************* Lexi couldn't believe what had just happened. What else did Alexander McCloud want from her? She had given up any dream of leaving Port Kinnaird and all the memories of this town to help him. She played surrogate Mother/Big Sister to his siblings. She waitressed in his restaurant. She cleaned his house. Her life was already all about Alexander McCloud. The pathetic thing is he doesn't even normally ask she just does it and she would do this too. She knew it and so did he even if he wouldn't admit it. She'd become the fake fiance, the only thing is in her dreams it would be real. Well if this is the only way to just feel what it could be like to be with him she would do it. It would fuel his fantasies anyway. Cora, Xander's 17 year old baby sister came in the back door and nearly ran right into Lexi. "Jesus, Lexi you gave me a fright!" "I gave you a fright? What are you doing home? You should be at the restaurant." "I don't feel well Lex...My stomach is cramping...I think it's my time of the month...I'll just go soak in a hot bath. Thanks." Cora tried to sneak away from Lexi with no other explanation. Lexi grabbed Cora by the shoulder before she got too far. "Woah...wait a minute. That doesn't work with me, you know that Cora." Cora turned to face Lexi and Lexi just stared her down. "Ok, ok I don't want to work with Gabe and Adam. All they talk about is what girl they slept with and it's degrading." Alexander came round the corner into the kitchen then. "Get to work Cora!" "But Xander..." "No buts get to work! Lexi does enough as it is, she is not covering your shifts as well because you don't want to work with someone." Cora sighed and stormed out of the house only the way a teenager can. She took off on her bike like a bat out of hell. "Lexi I think we should try to talk now." ****************************** Xander and Lexi went through to the sitting room and sat on opposite sides of the couch. The silence was palpable and they both just stared at the 50 inch plasma screen TV. After about 5 minutes Xander had had enough. "For fucks sake Lexi, how long have we known each other?" He looked at her expectantly and heard her whisper "too long." "Yeah well...we shouldn't be like this. We should be able to talk about anything. We used to be able to talk about anything." "I thought so. But why didn't you talk to me about this?" Lexi argued. "I'm sorry I should have. But now I really need your help...again. I know you help so much already but this is about keeping the family together Lexi and that includes you." Xander was seconds away from getting down on his knees and begging. "Please Lexi. You don't have a boyfriend right now..." Lexi saw red. "What the hell has my love life got to do with this? If I had a boyfriend woudl that have made a difference? You were only thinking of what you needed and you probably didn't bother asking because..." Xander cut Lexi off by pulling her down onto his lap and covering her mouth with his hand before she said anything that she may regret. "Calm down! What I meant is since you don't have a boyfriend..." Lexi began to struggle in his arms again. "Calm down and let me finish...we can be engaged when my Aunt gets here." "Mmph?" Lexi tried to speak through Xander's hand. He removed his hand so he could understand her. "What?" "Well we could pretend." Xander could've swore when he said that he saw disappointment in her eyes, but that didn't make sense this was Lexi. He frowned but carried on. "We have a couple of weeks to she gets here and it's not like we don't already know each other more than anyone else. But we have to be in love and look like it to convince her." The was a brief silence between the two of them but Xander could tell she was processing what he was saying. "If I agree what are we talking about?" Lexi questioned. "Couply things. Holding hands, cuddling...kissing and other public displays of affection and..." Xander answered as quickly as possible but how was he going to tell his best friend that they would have to share a room it was obvious she hadn't even thought about that. "And...." Lexi prodded. "And...we...are going to have to...share a room." Lexi gasped. Xander continued before she could protest. "The thing is you are staying in the only guest room and Aunt Sophia is expecting to stay here, and she is expecting us to be engaged and sleeping in the same room. The same bed even." Lexi looked at him as if he was crazy. "What do you think Lexi?" Xander asked hopefully. "I don't think we can pull this off." At least she's thinking, Xander's thought to himself. "Let's make a deal. This week we put our plan in action but don't tell anyone and see if they believe us. If they believe us we can convince anyone. If they don't we have 2 options. We can either forget it or work on it for the next week with the guys help." Lexi knew that Xander found it all unbelievable himself, she could tell by the way he was looking at her. So what harm would 1 week be and they can forget it after that. It would at least prove to her that Xander was not THE guy for her and she could move on from her fantasy life with her best friend. She looked him in the eye critically and then finally she said, "Ok." Xander breathed a sigh of relief but then leaned his head towards her. Lexi reared her head back. "What are you doing?" Xander chuckled and answered. "Sealing our deal with a kiss. God if you react like that every time I go to kiss you no one will believe us you know that my fiance." Lexi's stomach dropped. "Sorry. I wasn't expecting you to kiss me." "It's called being spontaneous Lexi." Xander quickly leaned forward and pecked her on the lips. "Tomorrow we'll move your stuff into my room and see how we get on." He gave Lexi a pat on the backside to move her and took off into the kitchen to get something to eat. Lexi just sat there for about 10 minutes stunned before she followed him. Pretend For Me Ch. 02 CHAPTER 2 - ACTION! The next morning Lexi woke up at about 9 am, it was her day off from the restaurant and she had no plans. All she could think about was the deal that she had made with Xander and how the hell she was going to get out of this. No one would believe it and she was going to get her heart broken. After showering and dressing she made her way to McCloud's Den Xander's family restaurant and her place of work. The first face she saw was Cora as she was hosting this afternoon. "Hey Lexi can't you get enough of this place?" Lexi gave her a small smile and answered. "I know, but I had to talk to Xander about something." Cora just looked at her. "Good God you would think you 2 were an old married couple or something!?" "What do you mean?" Lexi was confused. "Well, you live together, work together, go out together with the same friends...all that is missing is the sex!" Lexi blushed scarlet. "Cora!" "What? It's just a word. Sex! Sex! SEX!" "Stop embarrassing me Cora!" Lexi sighed. "It doesn't matter. Where's Xander?" "Kitchen." Cora replied then turned to greet the next customers just coming through the door. Lexi walked away shaking her head. ***************************** Xander saw Lexi and Cora at the front of the store and geared himself up for the show. He watched her come to the kitchen door obviously looking for him. He snuck up behind her and snaked his hands around his waist, and kissed her neck. "Hello baby." Lexi tensed. "Xander w..what are you doing? W...We n...need to talk." She broke free from his grasp and just started to walk to his office in the back. Xander just smirked and trailed behind her. As soon as the office door closed Lexi smacked Xander across the bicep. "What the hell Xander?" "Ow! Lexi this is what we agreed to. We need to start now." "I'm not sure..." "I heard what Cora said Love. It's true all we really have to change is to look more intimate with each other." Xander reached out and grabbed Lexi's hand and pulled her into his embrace. "Ok Xander...let's give this a try." Just then the door burst open and in walked Adam. "I knew it! How long have you been hiding this romance from us!?" He ran over and hugged Lexi. "Welcome to the family...Sis!" "Adam!" Xander tried to slow his brother down. "Leave us to talk privately." Adam laughed. "Talk about what that this is all a joke on us, isn't it? There is no way that Lexi would take on you." "Adam you're wrong. We are together. Have been for a while." Adam looked confused and hurt. "But...why wouldn't you tell us." Xander turned from his brother and stood in front of Lexi. He dropped to one knee, pulled a small black velvet box from his pocket and looked Lexi in the eye. "Lexi we've been best friends...forever and now let's be together forever. I love you. Marry me and make our family complete Lexi." Lexi felt her heart sow down and her vision blurred with tears but that's when she saw it. Xander gave her a wink, smirk and then rolled his eyes. This was if this was all a show, which of course it was. Well let's give them everything she thought. She got down on her knees in front of Xander, she clasped her hands behind his neck and gave the most body rocking kiss she could muster from her broken heart. Xander pried his lips from her and turned his wide eyes towards her. She held her left hand out and he shakily put the ring on her left finger. She gave him another peck on the lips. "Well, I gotta go but I will see you at home...Lover!" She then strode out of the restaurant with her head held high. ****************************************** Xander looked at his sibling and thought my face must of looked very similar to that goldfish impression Adam is making. He made his way back towards the kitchen. It only took about a minute for Adam to come running after him shouting for him. "Wait a minute! Alexander McCloud. Well if you won't speak to me...FAMILY MEETING!!" All of the McCloud's in the restaurant heads popped up and they started moving towards Xander's office. Xander around and glared at Adam. "What are you up to Adam. Me & Lexi have nothing to do with you or the family." "Come on Xander, we need to talk about this." ******************************************** Once Lexi left the restaurant she sagged against the wall. What just happened? Lexi couldn't believe it, she'd gotten so mad when it was obvious the surprise engagement and the most romantic speech she had ever heard wasn't real that she just wanted Xander to feel the surprise that she felt. She walked as quickly as possible to her car. When she reached for the door handle the solitaire diamond ring glinted in the street light. Lexi could feel the backs of her eyes burning with unshed tears as another chip of her heart broke off. She quickly got in the car before any of the tears dropped. Once in the car she sobbed like the world was ending. After about 15 minutes Lexi came to a decision. Her heart was already broken and she needed to survive this. The only way to do this was to leave. She took off as quickly as possible from the parking lot and towards the home she had been in for the last 10 years. She would be in packed and gone before anyone got home. ************************************* Back in the office all the McCloud's had gathered except Callum as he was out of town right now. "Ok Adam what's going on?" Craig, Callum's twin questioned his older brother. "Xander and Lexi just got engaged." Adam's eyes never left Xander since they entered the office. "What! God, what did you do Alexander McCloud?! Is Lexi...you know...pregnant?" Cora asked. Before Xander could answer Adam interrupted him. "I'm warning you now. You hurt Lexi, I will kill you myself." Craig just looked at Xander and shook his head. Xander was pissed. First he turned to Craig. "Nothing to say little brother. Maybe the rest of your siblings should learn from you." Then he turned to Cora. "Lexi is not pregnant...yet anyway. But even if she were it would be b3etween us not everyone else." Next was Adam. "You...you were just in here hugging her and welcoming her to the family, where's the loyalty Adam..." "I thought you two were joking out there! I didn't think it was serious!" Adam interrupted. "I'm speaking, you listen! We were not joking. Accept it! Now I'm going to see my fiance! One of you can finish my shift!" Xander stormed out of there. The three siblings looked at each other. ******************************************** When Xander returned to the house he caught Lexi lugging a suitcase out the front door. "Lexi?" She looked up, guilt clear on her face. Then she looked back down to the ground. "It's not going to work Xander so, I'm going to leave before your Aunt gets here." "Oh no you're not! This is your home!" Xander brushed past her, picked up her suitcase with no effort at all and entered the house. Lexi looked from her car to the house, then hung her head and followed. "Talk to me Lexi...please." "I can't." She whispered. Xander felt like he'd been sucker punched. "But we can always talk to each other." Lexi looked at him and the tears streamed down her face. "Oh hell." Xander grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down on the sofa. He held her to him as she cried. After 10 minutes he heard Lexi's softly snore. She was obviously exhausted. Xander lay back with Lexi cuddled on his chest and quickly fell asleep as well. *********************************************** A few hours later the rest of the clan came home. A smile crossed Callum's lips when he walked into the living room and saw them on the sofa. It was obvious that they were made for each other and he would make sure nothing or no one would get in their way. Pretend For Me Ch. 03 CH 3 - AUNT SOPHIA A week later and Xander and Lexi had everyone fooled. They held hands, cuddled on the sofa while watching TV and stayed in the same room at night. That was absolute torture for Lexi every night in the same bed and waking up tangled in each other but nothing else. Tonight the family had decided they were going to celebrate. No one was on shift as it was Sunday night so they were going to the newest club, 'Starlight'. Cora had informed Lexi that she was making her over tonight and that she would knock Xander's socks off. Lexi couldn't deny Cora's puppy dog eyes, so she agreed. ************************************* Xander looked at his watch again. It was 9:15 pm and they were supposed to leave at 9. His brothers had already gone to the club ahead of them and he was now waiting for the girls. "Cora! Lexi! Come on the boys are already gone!!" Cora came to the top of the stairs and began to descend. "We're here, ok!" Cora was wearing tight dark denim, boot cut jeans and a scarlet halter with a black bolero on top. At least Lexi had made sure it was n outfit he could live with his baby sister wearing. "Where's Lex..." Xander trailed off as he looked past Cora. Lexi was wearing black skin-tight jeans, a red leather halter top & black leather hooker boots. Her hair was curled around her face and Cora had done her makeup flawlessly. "Xander close your mouth before you catch flies!" Cory grabbed Lexi's wrist and dragged her out to the car. "Let's go Xander the boys are waiting for us." "What? That's what I said!" Xander followed behind the girls and could only admire Lexi's ass before they entered the car and took off. ********************************** At the club they found the guys easily standing at the bar. Callum turned, "Apple Martinis for the girls and a Beer for Xander as requested by the Princess herself." He bowed low in front of Cora as saying this. Cora curtsied and said "Why thank you kind sir." Everyone burst into giggles as they moved one of the booths by the dance floor. "A toast!" Craig shouted while holding up his glass. "To Xander and Lexi we wish you all the joy and happiness for your life together. Also lots of nieces and nephews for us!" "Here, here!" The rest shouted. Lexi blanched and looked at Xander who just winked. Cora grabbed her hand and started to drag her to the dance floor. Lexi gave in so that she wasn't the sole focus of the family. It wasn't long until the guys joined them on the dance floor. Xander wrapped his arms around Lexi from behind and moved them in perfect rhythm together. Lexi felt his breath on her neck and shoulders and shuddered. "Everything ok Babe?" Xander whispered, his lips brushing her ear lobe at the same time. Lexi nodded unable to speak. "You sure?" He whispered as he pulled her closer to him. Lexi could feel his erection pressing into her back and gasped. "We need to get out of here." Xander whispered again as he waved to his brothers and sister and then pulled her behind him towards the clubs entrance and towards his car. ***************************************** It only took about fifteen minutes to get home but it had seemed like an hour to Lexi. They hadn't said two words to each other since leaving the club. As soon as they parked in the garage Xander had jumped from the car. He opened the passenger door of his car and grabbed Lexi's hand to pull her into his embrace. Xander hungrily kissed Lexi which she returned passionately. His hands snaked down her back to her ass and he easily lifted her. Lexi clung to Xander's shoulders and locked her ankles behind his back. Xander began to move them inside the house, their lips never leaving each other. When they reached the kitchen Xander set Lexi on the counter-top and moved his hand between them. He was slowly inching up her abdomen when Lexi moaned before throwing her head back. "Hello Alexander!" A voice from the table said. Xander sprung away from Lexi faster than lightning. "Aunt Sophia?" Lexi's head snapped towards the table where she saw this little old lady sitting there and staring at them. "Oh My God!!" Lexi screeched and jumped down from the counter. She ran upstairs to the bedroom. Xander watched Lexi run away before greeting his Aunt. "Hi Aunt Sophia. It's good to see you." "I doubt that." The old woman said. ******************************************* As they moved towards the sitting room Xander tried to make some idle conversation. "You've arrived early Aunt Sophia, I didn't expect to see you unto next week." "That's obvious Alexander. This is the example you are setting to your younger siblings?" Sophia was in no mood for idle conversation and wanted to know what was going on. "No Aunt Sophia the others are out, I just left them and we didn't expect there to be someone lurking in our house." Xander replied. "Well you could of shown some self control and she could of considered this a family household and not acted like a common tramp." Xander growled at the disparaging remark against Lexi. "Don't you dare growl at me Alexander McCloud!" "How dare you! You come into my house and insult Lexi! You don't even know her or what she would do for this family! She's been there for us!" "I think I've got a clear view of what Lexi would do!" Xander was starting to lose control and was about to explode when the front door opened. "Lexi!!" Xander heard Cora shout as she came running through the hallway with her brother's following. Cora looked at the scene between her eldest brother and her aunt and she sighed. Then she ran upstairs towards Lexi. Adam came storming into the sitting room. "What the hell is going on?! Lexi called Cora in tears saying we should get here as soon as possible!" "She's what's going on!" Xander shouted as he pointed towards the old lady. "Pfft!" Aunt Sophia huffed. "First of all Adam watch your tone of voice with me. You're starting to sound more and more like your brother!" "What's wrong with that!?" Adam still didn't know what was going on but why was his aunt putting his brother down. "Why would you like to be like him? Living with a gold-digging tramp, who doesn't respect your family or your family home." "What?" The other three couldn't believe that Aunt Sophia was talking about Lexi. "You know nothing Old Woman!!" Xander fumed as he went to go to Lexi. "I know you will get her out of this house or I will be speaking to my lawyers tomorrow morning about custody of your sister!!" That's all it took for Xander to completely snap. "Do it! I will fight you all the way and by the time our whole family have been dragged through the courts Cora will be 18 and it won't matter anyway! But I warn you if you do this I will make sure Cora knows why it's happening and she will never forgive you. That tramp is like the big sister Cora never had. Because of you we've already probably lost Lexi!" Xander slumped down in the nearest armchair and held his head in his hands. "Well then you may as well break off the engagement and that is the end of it." Sophia continued. "Stop it Aunt Sophia!" Craig said then turned to Xander. "Why would we lose Lexi. You love each other and you're engaged." "There is no engagement!" Xander confessed. "What?!?!" Xander was confused they had just been celebrating their engagement. "We made it up." Lexi answered from the stairs. Everyone turned to look at her. "Xander was scared of losing Cora as you're aunt had threatened to take him to court for custody if he was living with a woman but not in a relationship. She believed that otherwise it would show Cora that casual sex was acceptable. She wouldn't believe that Xander and I were just friends and not sleeping together so, Xander told her that we were engaged so that I could live here. But it wasn't the right thing to do and don't worry Mrs McCloud I'm leaving." Lexi picked up her suitcase and headed towards the front door. "Lexi stop!!" Xander shouted after her but, Lexi kept going. Xander slid down the wall in the hallway to he sat on the floor. He looked up to see his Aunt standing in the sitting room doorway. "Get out!!" "Alexander I'm your Aunt. You're family." "They are my family, you are not! Get out! Go home!" Xander shouted. Sophia stormed out the door. "You'll be hearing from me Alexander." She said as she passed him. He kicked the door shut as hard as he could and went to his bedroom. Pretend For Me Ch. 04 CH 4 - COME HOME It had been a week since Lexi had walked out of the house and out of the McCloud's life it seemed. No one had seen her and Xander had received her resignation via e-mail. She hadn't returned any calls, texts or e-mails either. Xander was lost. He couldn't remember a day that they hadn't at least spoken to each other for the last twenty years. His siblings were beginning to worry also. Xander was unshaven, depressed and did nothing but work. They had already lost so much and now they were losing their eldest brother. Adam had had enough. This had gone on for a week too long as far as he was concerned and if Xander wasn't going to try and find Lexi and figure this out he would. ************************************** The next day when Adam went into work at 9 am he went straight to the office to speak to Adam. "Bro, I need some time as I need to go and deal with some things out of town. I have spoken to Craig and Callum and they are going to cover my shifts. Is this ok?" "Whatever Adam as long as its covered it doesn't matter who does it." Xander replied. "Jesus Xand! You don't even care about the business now either! Get a fucking grip!" Adam fumed then stormed out of the office. He was heading for London as he knew her only family were down there. He caught the plane straight to London to see what he could find out. ******************************************* Lexi lay in bed. It had been a week without Xander or the rest of the clan, god what will it be like after a month or even a year. As soon as she had left the McCloud household she had phoned her only family, her cousin Catrina (Cat for short). Cat was happy for her to come unto she got everything sorted out. "Lex get up!! It's nearly 12 o'clock!!!" Cat shouted up to her. Thirty minutes later Lexi had drug herself out of bed, had a shower and was sitting on the opposite side of the kitchen table than Cat. "Lex I'm not being funny but it's been a week and you're still as depressed as the first day you came here. You need to either phone him or start to get on with things without them." This was the same argument that they had been having since the second day that Lexi arrived in London. "Honestly Cat I can't deal with this argument this morning." Lexi answered. "But..." Cat started. "No Cat please I'm begging you!" Lexi interrupted. "Ok, ok I'll give you more time but you know I'm here anyway." Just then the doorbell rang, Cat jumped up and started running her fingers through her hair and checking herself in the mirror. Then ran off to the door. Lexi looked at the time 10.30 am, that will be the post at the door so that means Sandy the postman who Cat is obsessed with at the moment. Cat was longing to find her soul mate and Sandy was just another inv a long line of suitors that she wanted to test out. Lexi heard her cousin come back towards the kitchen and she slumped down in her chair as she threw the mail onto the table in front of Lexi. "What happened with Sandy?" Lexi asked. "It wasn't Sandy. He's on his honeymoon." Cat murmured. "Oh Cat." Lexi commiserated. "Don't Lex it doesn't matter." Cat said. Cat's phone began to blare out Alanis Morissette's 'Ironic'. "Brian, how are you?" Cat answered, her mood completely changing. Lexi just rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the morning paper and the latest job vacancies. "Lexi?" Cat looked towards Lexi who's eyes had sprung straight to Cat. "Yes my cousin Lexi...why would she be here?" 'Who's on the phone?' Lexi mouthed to Cat but got no reply. "Uh huh...uh huh...yep that should be ok...Bye." Cat hung up the phone. "Who was on the phone Cat? Why do they want to know if I'm here?" Lexi was getting angrier with her cousin. "Cat!?!" "It was my friend Brian was on the phone. Seemingly his roommate is good friends with the McCloud family." Cat answered. "What's his roommate's name?" Lexi couldn't believe even her cousin in London had connections to her small town. "Gabriel Mackay." Cat answered. "Oh god that's Adam's best friend!" Lexi couldn't get away from Xander anywhere. The door bell rang again and the cousins just looked at each other. Cat made her way to the door with Lexi following slowly behind. ******************************************* "Thanks Brian I owe you." Adam hung up the phone. He couldn't believe his luck when he was talking to Gabriel and he said Brian his roommate was good friends with Lexi's only cousin. Brian had found out Lexi was definitely there at Cat's house and gave Adam the address. He caught a taxi and was at the address in no time. It seemed to take ages for any sign of life after Adam rng the door bell and he was just about to ring again when the door swung open. There stood the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen. She was so small and petite that she looked like a perfect fairy to him. Her hair was short and spike and the most sweet looking honey blonde. Her eyes were emerald green, so much so that he thought he was looking at the two best cut precious jewels in the world. He was speechless and couldn't remember what he ws doing there. "Can I help you?" The wonderful fairy asked. "Um...I...eh...I..." he stammered. "Adam?" Lexi looked around the fairy's shoulder and head. "Lexi...I...we need to talk." Adam finally got a hold of himself and stated. "Oh so this is Adam. The legendary playboy. God if he gets that tongue tied every time he meets a woman it's a wonder he ever gets laid." Cat couldn't believe this was the guy everyone worshipped up there in their home town. Ok he looked good but he stuttered and stammered all the time and it was obvious he had no confidence. "Cat!!" Lexi couldn't believe her cousin had said that to Adam. Yes he was a playboy but he had the sweetest nature and kindest heart. "That's ok Lexi. You might just want to find out just how tongue tied I can be Kitty Cat." Adam said with a sly grin and little wink. Cat just glared at him and stormed up the stairs to her room. ***************************************** Lexi and Adam moved to the sitting room. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Adam broke it. "Come home Lexi." "I can't Adam. You don't understand I can't live like that anymore." "We couldn't' of been that bad Lexi, were we?" "It's not you guys Adam, I love you lot like you were my own family." "We are." Adam argued. "No we're not. Adam I left because I'm in love with Xander but he doesn't love me...not the way I want him to and that's fine but I have to try and move on and not be the little lost puppy." It felt good to finally get how she felt off her chest. "How do you know Xander doesn't love you that way?" "Adam do you not think I've hoped that for years but, he has never given any indication and he has always insisted we are friends." "Lexi please I want you to listen to me. Is that ok?" Lexi looked at Adam then tentatively nodded her head. "Xander does love you Lexi." Lexi scoffed. "He didn't realise how much he loves you until this whole fiasco. Lexi opened her mouth to interrupt but Adam put his fingers to her lips. "No Lex let me finish. he's a mess, you would kick his ass if you saw the state of him. He hasn't shaven all week, at first all he did was work but now he doesn't really care about that either. His passion in his cooking is fading and he seems to be just going through the motions. Please just come home and at least talk to him to find out what he has to say and then make a decision on staying here or coming home." "He's right Lex and you know it. At least go back and talk to the guy. You've been inseparable and if anything at least you're still friends." Cat said from the stairs. "I'll make you a deal, I will come speak to Xander and gather the rest of my possessions if Cat comes too?" Lexi looked at her cousin. "What? no you don't need me Lex, this you can do on your own." Cat argued. "I can do this on my own but I want you there." Lexi pushed her cousin noticing the chemistry between Cat and Adam. "Ok one week Lex that's all I will call work and get my hours covered." Lexi gave Adam a smile when she noticed his eyes were still following her cousin as she went up the stairs. "This is going to be interesting." Adam murmured to himself. Pretend For Me Ch. 05 CH 5 - KISS THE GIRL It had only been a day since Adam had talked Lexi into going home to talk Xander and they were walking into 'McCloud's Den'. Adam had seemed so concerned for Xander and the man he described only resembled the man Xander was after his parents died that she knew they had to be quick. Angel was on greeting and as soon as she saw Lexi she made a run for her. Lexi caught her in her arms and held onto her as tight as possible. "I missed you soooooo much! Never do that to us again!" Angel's eyes were tearing up as she clung to Lexi. Lexi couldn't have felt any guiltier but then she saw Xander come out of the kitchen and she hit a whole new level of guilt. Lexi turned to walk back out the door before he saw her. She couldn't do this...just look at what she'd already done to him. "Lexi?" His voice was raspy as he questioned if it was her. She turned to look at him. "Hi Xander." She replied but she couldn't look at his eyes and see the hurt of her leaving or confusion of her being back was there. "I'm sorry Xander this was a mistake." Lexi turned to leave again. "Lexi NO!!" angel shouted. Adam turned to his elder brother. "If you love her and let her leave again I won't be far behind. Talk to her for gods sake, she took the first step now it's your turn." ********************************** Xander could hardly believe his eyes when he saw her holding Angel by the door. Lexi had come back but then she turned to leave. I knew Adam was right it was my move but she had left once and was leaving again. Xander walked back to the kitchen shaking his head. "You stubborn old goat!!" Adam shouted at him as he held their baby sister. Adam was wrong he wasn't stubborn she was better off without him. What could she have done with her life if she hadn't stayed for him. This was her time and she looked great so it obviously agreed with her. Xander walked straight through the kitchen into the staff area and to the bathrooms. He looked in the mirror grimaced. 'What do I have to offer her anyway?' 'If you don't like something then change it but never regret it.' Xander could hear his father say in his head. Xander closed his eyes. 'Mom, Dad help me. What do I do?' Xander got no answer which he knew he wouldn't. Jesus was he going crazy now as well. he was just about to return to the kitchen when in the back of his mind he heard 'Kiss the girl.' Xander stopped in his tracks, then instead of turning right into the kitchen he turned left towards the car park. Within half an hour Xander was home. He went straight to the shower, shaved and changed. He looked in the mirror and at least he recognised the reflection. Then when he realised a lot of Lexi's things were still here at the house so she would have to come back for them. Then he came up with the perfect plan to see her and picked up the phone. "Adam do you know where she is?" Xander asked his little brother. "Of course I do Xander but you've blown it with my help, figure it out yourself." Adam huffed. 'Adam is going to be fuming at me' Xander thought. "I don't want to know where she is I just want you to give her a message from me." "Ok Xand what is it?" Adam was tired of this cat and mouse game these two were playing. "Tell her to be at the house by 9 o'clock tonight to collect her crap or I burn it." "Alexander McCloud what the hell!?!?" Adam couldn't believe what he was hearing from his big brother. He obviously never knew him because he would never expect this. "You told me to get a grip Adam and she wants to leave. To get over that she can't leave anything behind so if she's going to leave she needs to completely leave!" Xander hated making his brother believe he was like that but he had to let Lexi know how he felt and his siblings thought he was too late. Xander went to set up the bonfire. **************************************** Lexi couldn't believe Xander would burn her stuff but she couldn't risk it, there were irreplaceable memories in that houses possessions. She arrived at the house with Adam and Cat within the hour. Everything was quiet when they walked in the house. Lexi immediately ran up to the room that was hers but it was bare. Everything was empty. Lexi dropped to her knees and sobbed. Adam put his arms around her from behind to try and comfort her. "Why Adam? I love him why would he do this to me?" "I don't know but we'll sort this out, I promise." Adam whispered into Lexi's ear as he rocked her gently. Cat went over to the window and looked out. "Guys look at this...he's outside!" She called. Lexi broke away from Adam's arms and looked out the window. Here Xander was, sitting on top of the bonfire like a guy at Guy Fawkes. Lexi took off downstairs with Adam and Cat following closely behind. As she reached the bottom of the stairs the rest of the McCloud gang walked through the front door. "Lexi?" Craig questioned. Lexi looked at them and then took off towards the back door. Callum stopped Adam as he was passing. "What's going on?" "I think Lexi may actually murder our big brother." Was Adam's only reply as he took off after Cat & Lexi. "What?" The other three siblings asked simultaneously before also following. When they reached the back garden they saw the large bonfire that Xander had built and was sitting on. "OH MY GOD XAXNDER!" Angel cried as she covered her mouth with her hands and turned into one of her brothers chests. "Xander how could you do this to me? What did I do?" Lexi shouted as tears were still running down her face. "You left!" "So you're going to burn everything that I own?!" "Why not! Otherwise it will sit there un-loved and unwanted!" "Ok fine come down her and get it over with! Ruin everything! Break my heart AGAIN!" "I don't want to break you heart Lexi! Why would I come down? I'm going to burn everything that's yours! That includes me!!!" "NO!!!!!" The rest shouted and start to move forward as Xander pulled out a lighter. "You lot go inside this is between me and Lexi!" Xander shouted. "Forget it!" Adam shouted back as he saw Cat sneaking to the other side of the bonfire stack behind Xander's line of sight. "What do you mean including you Xander!? I don't understand!" Lexi started up the discussion again. "Meaning I love you Lexi! I guess I always have! When you left I was nothing so if you're leaving for good there is no point!" "Xander please come down! I love you too! Please, please what am I going to do without you?!?" "You love me?" Xander couldn't believe this. Just as he asked that a small hand snaked around and grabbed his lighter. "She loves you but god knows why." Cat said as she pocketed the lighter and made her way down the steps he had created out the back of the pile. Xander followed Cat down and made a beeline for Lexi but was stopped by a wall of siblings. Angel stood up to Xander first and slapped him hard across the face. "Don't you ever do that again!! I don't care why or if it's a stunt or what DON'T!!!" Then she walked into the house. All four brother stared wide eyed at their baby sister and the other three followed her with Cat giggling behind them. Xander looked at the house towards his sister for a few minutes and then he looked at Lexi. It was obvious she had been crying so he rushed to her. He put his hands to her face and smeared the tear tracks away. "I love you." Lexi said to him. "I love you too." Xander said before he kissed her and carried back into the house. Xander wasn't stopping for anyone. He was going to show this woman how much he loved her and his sibling better stay out of his way. All he heard was the wolf whistles when he passed them. Lexi buried her face deeper into Xander's neck from embarrassment but Xander didn't stop unto he kicked his bedroom door shut. Xander sets Lexi on her feet in front of him and rains kisses all over her face. "Do you know how long I've wanted to be able to do this?" Xander was still in awe of what was happening. "Xander I love you but shut up and kiss me!" Lexi was impatient and had been building to this moment for years. They kissed and shed clothing as they backed towards the king-size bed. As they tumbled towards the bed Xander shifted so Lexi landed, sprawled on top of him. The only barriers left between them is their underwear. Lexi slowly starts to kiss down Xander's jaw to his neck to his chest. She slowly licks the tip of his nipple. When he moans she quickly pulls his nipple into her mouth and bites. The sharp pleasure./pain makes Xander buck and moan deeply. Lexi knew she was doing something right so continue her path down his abs to the top of his boxer shorts. She teased him by pulling his shorts from his body with her teeth. Xander was getting impatient & started to pull his boxers down his legs. Lexi chuckled and put her hands over his and finished pulling them off. She sat up and took him in. "Mmmm." She murmured. Lexi leaned down and pecked the tip of his cock. Slowly her tongue slipped out and she tasted the pearly drop of pre-cum and savoured the salty taste of it. She slowly engulfed his beautiful smooth cock into his mouth as far as she could. It was becoming too much for Xander and he pulled her off and rolled on top of her. "Enough! It's time for so much more fun." Xander ripped Lexi's knickers off and rubbed at her clit with his index finger. "Now Xander I've been waiting too long as it is." Lexi moaned. Xander pulled a condom from the bedside cabinet and sheathed himself as quickly as possible. He plunged into her as deep as he could. Lexi screamed in pleasure and raked at Xander's back. They picked up a steady rhythm until it was too much and they tumbled over the edge of the pleasure cliff to their orgasm. "Wow." Lexi said. "Wow is right." Xander said. "Oh my God! The others..." Lexi blushed and wanted to crawl back inside herself. "Don't worry they knew what was happening. Anyway I don't care what they heard or think. I love you." Xander pecked the corner of Lexi's lips. "I love you too." Lexi snuggled into Xander and they fell asleep.