THREE
I woke up tangled in the soft sheets. I covered my eyes against the morning sun and look around the room. Sitting up I check the clock at the side of the bed, it was after ten. I had slept the morning away.
I flung my feet off the bed and stood up, stretching my limbs. I sleepily made my way over to the driftwood dresser and pulled out my favourite pair of denim shorts, a green tank top and a clean set of underwear.
Last nights memories rushed into my head. Jace laughing. Jace hysterically laughing. A knot tightened in my stomach. I know I overreacted and I know he was only joking but his cruel laugh cut through me and reminded me of someone, and that someone was someone I was trying so desperately to forget…
… My father stood over me laughing. That same cruel laugh he had done for years after mum left us with him that twisted my stomach and knotted my insides. This time I had mentioned about getting help to stop drinking.
"You worthless piece of shit." He growled, "Who do you think you are? Your just like your mother. A selfish, slut." He slapped me around the face causing my small head to spin in circles. He was over the top about everything. It was the booze.
"I'm sorr-" I started to say but he grabbed me by the collar and hauled me out of the room and down to the basement. He left me unconscious on the cold concrete floor locking the door behind him as he exited. I was left down there for days, two to be exact. With no food or water. What father had the right of mind to lock their daughter in the basement to starve…
I snapped back to reality, repressing the memory. That wasn't a one off. He had done that for years before I stopped talking to him completely.
I slipped on some flip-flops and headed towards the door. I slowly turned the doorknob and eased the door open. The hallway light was off and the only light was the bright sun streaming in through the large windows overlooking the sea. I enjoyed the view for a moment as the waves crashed upon the glistening white sand. I couldn't wait until I got a taste of how that sand felt on my skin with the sun heating me up like a blanket. I was a sucker when it came to beaches and warm weather, on of my mothers traits.
I then followed the curve of the hallway hoping to find some stairs. A huge set of glass stairs came into view as I rounded the corner. Cautiously I placed each foot carefully on each individual step as I did my decent, stupidly deciding that if I put too much pressure on the structure the glass would break.
"You know there not going to break right?" My head snapped up and there stood Jace with a very naked chest. My gaze drops and my breath sort of… stalled. Jeans hung low on his hips. His stomach was rippled. Perfect. Totally touchable. Not the the kind of stomach I expected but hey, I wasn't complaining. I also wasn't talking. I was staring.
My gaze finally traveling north again, I noted thick, sooty lashes fanning the tips of high cheekbones and darkening the colour of his gold eyes that looked down at me.
"Umm…" Full kissable lips smiled widely at me.
His voice was deep and firm. The kind of voice accustomed to people listening and obeying without questions.
"Clary? Are you capable of speaking?" he grinned showing a set of awfully nice white teeth.
I sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back. A wave of embarrassment heated my face.
By the time I found my voice, I wanted to die. "I… I- I'm sorry."
He didn't say anything. He just stared at me. Why wasn't he talking?
"Are you enjoying the view?" His amused tone didn't escape me. I blinked knowing I was three kinds of red. What a jerk.
"I-" I fumbled with my words. What the hell? "I was looking for the kitchen." I say, gesturing into the house. It was the first thing that came to mind but then again mentioning the idea of then kitchen wasn't bad, I could feel my stomach growling in agreement.
"Follow me. I think some people are up so I can introduce you to them." He turned to continue.
"Jace," Halting he smoothly looked over his shoulder. "I- Umm… I'm really sorry about yesterday." I sucked in a deep breath, "I just overreacted. Bad memories that's all." He stared at me through those long lashes. "So I just wanted to say I'm sorry, I was a jerk."
Both eyebrows raised to his hairline now as if he was questioning why I was apologising. "Clary, listen. I was a dick for doing that to you. If I have know that you had bad memories with things I promise you I wouldn't have. But don't worry, I will stay right away from you now, I just thought it would be fun to get to know you since your moving in and all." He swung his hands out around him and turned to lead the way. I assumed that was an acceptance to my apology which was suppose to be relieving but somehow it left a pit in my grumbling tummy.
Nodding to myself I followed. Maybe this guy wasn't as bad as I thought he would be. Sure he had a rocking body and all but that didn't change the fact he was still a jerk and I was going to keep my distance. Guys like him didn't end up well.
Cautiously keeping a acceptable distance back he lead me into a modern kitchen filled with natural light from the towering windows.
"Hey Clary." Alec says, looking over his shoulder at me whilst cooking a rather deliciously smelling breakfast. Was that egg? And bacon? My mouth was watering. I had to stop this. I hadn't had a cooked breakfast in years but it was clear by the look of Jace's face that I wasn't having any.
"Hi Alec." I say, raising a hand to wave to him across the room.
He turns off the heat and runs over, flinging his hands out and catching me in a rough friendly hug. "Good to see your up beautifu, I have breakfast for you." He winked.
"Need I remind you that your gay Alec?" Jace says with a yawn. I had forgotten he was still there.
Alec grins, "Just ignore Jace," he says to me, "He's a moody son of a bitch."
Someone chuckles behind me. I peel myself from Alec's arms and peer behind.
"You must be Clary," says a tall man wearing a pair of matching silk pyjamas. "My name is Magnus." He smiles before sliding into Alec's arms and passionately kissing him on his plump lips. "Your not trying to steal my man are you Clary?" Magnus says looking at me.
"I couldn't if I tried." I say giving him a quick grin.
Magnus turns to Alec, "I like this girl already!" He whips his head round and gives me a wink before quickly kissing Alec and going to raid the fridge.
"I'm going for a jog." Jace says in a gruff voice while swiftly exiting.
"Is he usually this grumpy?" I say.
"Always." Alec says with a chuckle, leading me towards the sizzling content of breakfast.
Tell me your thoughts...
*These characters have been used out of The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare*
