The sun looms over the horizon as I speed down the highway in my new Mercedes. I sing along to Flyleaf, and laugh when my phone rings.
"God, Izzy, I am on my way," I answer before she can yell at me.
"Good, because Jace just left, and we need to get you in before he comes home."
"And why is that?"
"Because I didn't tell him the guest room would be occupied by a single, and sexy, Clary Fray."
"Trust me. I wouldn't go out with him if it was the last thing I did." She snorts and tells me to get here soon, then hangs up. This year, I am the new and improved me. Single and ready to mingle, as Izzy calls it. No intentions on being in a long term relationship had gotten me along fantastic so far. It was up to my BBFL's -Best Bitch For Life- Isabelle to take me to her water front loft, and make it the party place for everyone in south Cali. But the one thing keeping us from having the time of our lives? Her brother. Yes, her roommate. She told me he is usually MIA, so we should be good. I smile, just as I miss my turn. Three minutes later, I pull into the large driveway of 66 Seam Avenue, and gawk.
"Ho-lee-"
"CLARY!" Isabelle runs out, barefoot, and flings open my car door. Before I even unlatch my seatbelt, she is hugging me in a vice tight grip.
"Space," I groan, and she pulls away.
"Not that time of the month?" she asks, sighing. She flits to the side of my car and starts pulling out boxes. I step out and do the same.
"No, its just a really long drive. I do live in Bakersfield, you know."
"Yeah, well this San Diego, baby, and we are going party like its 1999." I laugh at her mention of the Prince song, and walk to the back door. She follows, and I smile when I hear a dog barking. "Did I mention it?"
"No."
"His name is Sparks. A golden retriever. Found him on the beach."
"That's cool. So what has Alec-" I stop mid sentence and look around. The living room looked like it came from a season of Real World. There are giant bean bags haphazardly thrown around two identical sofas. There is a walkway that leads to the kitchen on the right, and swirling stairs that lead to the bedrooms on the right. Izzy laughs and pushes me.
"First door on the right is your room." She puts down the boxes. "Kitchen is that way-" she points to the walkway- "downstairs bathroom, mine, that way." She points to the staircase, and leaves. I am greeted by a happy, and slobbering, golden pooch. He sniffs my legs, bare, might I add, and looks up at me with adorable puppy eyes. I lean down to pet him… and fall on my face. "What the hell?" I look up, and just who do I see?
"Uhmm. Who are you?"
"Clary. You must be Jace." He smirks.
"And you must be robbing us." Cocky.
"Well, are you going to help me up?" I ask impatiently. He thinks it over for a second.
"I would, but you have one thing stopping me."
"Okay. And?"
"You see, you aren't going to live here, at my house, for free. So here's what I'll do. You give me three hundred a month plus groceries, and we'll be cool. Cool?" Three hundred a month?
"What you're really saying is, 'You have to pay three hundred dollars a month because my last roommate left, for the fact that I am ignorant and utterly rude, and I don't care about anyone but myself.'"
"You see right through me sweetheart. Now. Deal or what?" I had already secured a job on the pier, so why not."Sure. On the condition-" I add before he gets his hopes up, "that you teach me how to surf."
"And what makes you think I'm willing to that?" He looks at me dead on, and I stare into his impossibly gold eyes. I move down to his lips, and imagine what I'd do to feel them all over me. Stop! What are you thinking? a voice asks as I rake my eyes lower. He wears a gray Nike shirt, covered in sweat, black basketball shorts, and running shoes. "Enjoying the view?" I break out of my reverie, and smile sheepishly.
"Just trying to find out what everyone sees in you."
"Are you implying that I play a lot of girls? Because if you are-"
"Oh, I am." He smiles.
"Then you are dead right." He extends his hand toward me, and I grab it. Jace hauls me forward and into his chest. "Lets just hope you're not next," he whispers, securely wrapping his arm around my waist. I find myself staring into his eyes again, my hand over his chest, when Jace tilts his head. I close my eyes and expect to find his lips perfect, round lips on mine. But that never happens.
"God! Never do that again please. That was the grossest thing ever." Isabelle puts down my duffle bag, and leaves us alone once more. I pull away from Jace and stumble backwards.
"I'm sorry," I whisper before grabbing a box off the ground and practically running to the stairs. And yes, I was completely and totally aware of his stare.
"This lasagna is delish!" I smile at Isabelle and glance at Jace. He chews silently, smiling at something on his phone. He puts down his fork and starts typing. He pauses to push his plate away. "I'm gonna go shower. Thanks for dinner." He walks down the hallway, snickering, then disappears. I sigh and get up, collecting the dishes on the way. Isabelle tells me she'll do the dishes since Alec has to work graveyard. I nestle into one of the bean bags and try to read a book. My mind wonders from the oh-so-thrilling plot of The Hunger Games to Jace. His golden hair. His awe worthy eyes. His amazing body. I sigh. One day, I think to myself, One day you'll have him.
I shut the book and go to my room. I start singing Fallin For You by Colbie Callait, when I run into something hard. Wet. And hot. "Oh my-" Jace starts, but I'm already on top of him. A white towel covers the area just below his belly button, revealing two strips of muscle that form a sexy V shape. I absentmindedly run my hand along his abdomen, then stare into his eyes. They are a dark amber color, tainted by obvious lust.
"Jace," I whisper, before leaning in. I take a deep breath, and everything disappears. My eyebrows knit together in frustration. Why am I doing this? This isn't right. He is my best friend's brother. Not anyone I should be liking. Let alone kissing. But something, deep in the core of my being, stirs. A fire runs through me, and I let go of my breath. I kiss Jace back with a passion I have never experienced before. My arms wrap around his neck as he pushes me against the wall. I am nearly sitting in his lap by the time we've settled, and I cant stop. I lead my hands in a trail down his spine, and he clutches at my waist like he'll never see me again. I move my lips from his to the hollow of his throat, planting tiny kisses everywhere. He moves his head, and our lips clash together once more. I moan softly as he reaches into my shirt, pressing me harder against him. Just like that, I know.
I will never be able to get over Jace Lightwood.