So I probably should have posted this over the weekend but I just haven't liked anything I've written lately ...

Beta for this story, stat.

This story has only a few chapters left but somehow I keep writing more ... so just when I think I'm almost done ... I want to add something more ... but I think I will finish this as it is and add a series of post story epilogues.

let me know what you think in the review box.

Jace calls me a cab and insists on coming with me because its late and he wants to make sure I get home safely. He comments at least he'll know where I live now. I think he's also wary of what happened last time he put me in a cab on my own.

I invite him in. Because it's the polite thing to do even though I'm pretty embarrassed because this is the hellhole I had to move into to be free of Sebastian. It's pretty much the only place I could find at such short notice.

Izzy had begged me to stay with her until I found something more suitable but I just needed to get it done. To be free from him and not feel like the victim in it all. I didn't want her to feel sorry for me.

The area is questionable but it's a good travelling distance from work although the place is quite old with aged decor unlike the modern building I stayed in with that ass. But on the plus side most of my pay check isn't all going on rent anymore and that makes this so much better.

When Jace comes in his face doesn't betray anything but now I know that's because he's excellent at keeping things to himself. At being whatever the situation requires.

But even that doesn't last for long. As he looks around face grows more and more serious as he surveys the disaster in front of him.

There are boxes and boxes of my stuff to unpack and the kitchen looks like a bomb site. I barely spend any time here preferring to eat my meals out with friends so my bedroom is the only place I've cleared up. I've only been here for just over a week so it's just because I haven't got around to it yet.

"It's a mess I know but I couldn't stay at Seb-... my old place anymore. This is just temporary. Finding a place at such short notice was difficult. Im going to start looking again after Christmas." I defend even though he hasn't said anything.

I'm embarrassed. I don't blame him for judging this deathtrap. It's pretty dire. I'm starting to regret letting him inside.

He looks over at me finally and blinks at me as if I distracted him from a train of thought.

"Hmm ..." he says as if he's still thinking, "you know I have a spare bedroom at my place." He says simply as if he's making small talk.

"What?" I ask him in a confused tone. That certainly wasn't what I was expecting him to say.

"I mean it." He says quite bluntly, "It's much bigger than this shithole and frankly I couldn't let you stay here this neighbourhood is awful. I'd end up sleeping here every night to keep you safe."

He isn't even smirking. He's not joking. I'm suddenly feeling a twinge of anger building within me. The almost condescending tone he's using or maybe I'm imagining it. But still, who does he think he is?

"Did you just make fun of my place, asshole?" I ask annoyed. I'm fuming.

"I did." He says letting out a humourless laugh, "I'm staying right here tonight."

"Why?" I demand rolling my eyes at him.

"I actually don't want you to get shot on your way to work." He fires back not missing a beat.

"You can't just invite yourself over." I say firmly. This place isn't that bad, I mean there were some gunshots last week but they were coming from the next building over.

"This is not the sort of place I want my girlfriend living in." He says his voice taking that authoritative tone I hate, "I'm not even kidding. I'm not leaving Clary, so you can stop giving me that look."

"I'm sorry if this isn't quite the standard you're used to ..." I say sarcastically.

I huff and turn on my heel to walk away but he's already pulled me back right against him and he wraps his arms around me to ensure I can't escape. I'm still facing away from him and he buries his head against my neck and sighs.

"Don't be mad," he says gently against my hair, "I'm sorry if I came on a bit strong it's just ... I care about you ... I want you to be safe. That's all." He pulls me around in his arms but I can't look at him.

"Its safe here... it's not an issue." I mumble against his chest.

"Clary ... please ..." he sighs, "I don't want to argue with you ..."

"It's not that bad..." I say my anger slowly disappearing the longer I'm in his arms. I'm enjoying the feeling. But I'm not going to agree with him yet although he's probably ... erm definitely right.

"Okay..." he says sighing admitting defeat, "but can I stay with you tonight... please ..." he asks. I know he's not used begging and I look up at him and I'm placated by the earnest look in his eyes. It makes me fall for him even more. The way he gives in to me when I know how stubborn he is, it's enough to make me melt in his arms.

"No way. If you're staying thinking you're going to get lucky tonight think again ..." I say teasingly as I stare up at him.

He grins at this and shakes his head as if he can't believe I said that. I don't even know why I even insinuated it except that I do. He's turned me into someone I barely know. Being in his arms like this makes me want him so much and it's starting to become a pretty constant thing.

"I do believe I already got lucky tonight I'll have you know, baby," he says smirking and raising one perfect eyebrow at me, "And if you're honest you know you wouldn't be able to resist me ... That look on your face. I learn fast. I know what it means."

"Jace..." I warn pulling back. I don't know how to control myself around him and it makes my heart pound in my chest. I hate feeling this way. If it was anyone else it would scare me but I know Jace won't hurt me. He shakes his head as he pulls me more firmly against him.

"Breathe. I'm just kidding... I will never ever do anything you don't want me to," He says taking my hands and kissing my forehead lovingly. "I swear it."

"I know..." I whisper as i look up at him. I don't want to hold back but I know things have happened so fast and that we should try and take it slow.

"I'm sorry you just make me so damn ... I'm so out of control when I'm with you ... I'm not used to it ... Can I stay?" He pleads, "I'll sleep on the couch. I just want to make sure you're safe. Please."

He's so good to me. He's not like any guy I've been with before. He's thinks he's out of control when he's with me? And I thought it was just me who felt that way. I feel glad that I'm not the only one. And with that I feel my guard slipping that little bit more.

"Okay." I say quietly because even I don't know quite how he does this to me. Makes me feel so loved with everything he does.

"Thank you." He says and gently kisses my lips before pulling away. I feel his loss immediately.

"Do you want some dinner?" I ask him pulling myself out of the bubble we have been in.

"I'll order us some takeout." He says nodding and leaning against the kitchen counter.

"I can get it." I say defensively blushing. Does he think I live in this place because I don't have any money. I'm just not used to this sort of behaviour. It's making me feel so insecure and I don't know why.

"Babe," he says chuckling when he looks at my red face, "I know you can, but I'd like to treat you ... you didn't even let me pay for your lunch today."

"I ... but you've been sending me treats all week." I counter.

"Clary, you need to get used to this because I plan on treating you as often as I can ... not because I think you need it or want it. Its because you're my girl so it's just how things are going to be. I know you can look after yourself but I enjoy being able to ... You are not winning this one Clary ... you've got to let me have something." He says gently but firmly.

I know I'm not what he's used to but I can't help but stand my ground. I won't change myself for him. I can't do that especially when it's about something like this. I know a lot of other girls would kill for a man to spend money on them but it's never been the case for me. I like being self sufficient.

"Okay you can get it ... tonight..." I say nodding meeting him half way.

"You're impossible." He says shaking his head incredulously. But I can tell he's not mad.

"Sorry." I say blushing, "I just ... I'm used to being independent ... and ..." trying to explain as I stumble over my words. Even if he's not mad he must at least be confused.

"Don't be sorry, it's just as hot as it is infuriating..." he says smirking at me again as he pulls me back into his arms and kisses me again, "my ... strong ... sexy... independent ... beautiful ... little ... redhead." He says adoringly as he plants kisses one by one against my lips.

He stops himself and pulls away again before we get carried away. I blush at his words but I can't help it when he compliments me so constantly and freely. I'm not used to it.

"Okay, I'm going to a quick shower while you order the food," I tell him, "You can use it after I'm done if you want to."

We both definitely need after the night we've had. I need to get out of his way and calm down or we are going to be having doing something we both might regret later. Or not regret as the case may be.

As I get into the shower I let the warm water stream over me and calm me down. What a day ... and I try not to think of what might happen next.