"I am so tired" Izzie complains. "My feet are so painful".

"Well who had the great idea of wearing heels today? Seriously?" I laugh.

We have been walking around London since our arrival this the morning. Big Ben, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Picadilly Circus, Soho, Tower Bridge, all the tourist attractions. I want Izzie and Simon's first trip to London to be a real success. We even ate in a pub a few hours ago, an iconic fish and chips and now, they seem happy but totally exhausted. Especially Izzy whose feet are badly painful. She is the girl who thinks that wearing four inch heels for a day of walking is a good idea.

"Please Clary, have pity on us, let us rest for a moment", Simon laughs.

"Okay Si, I think I have tortured you enough for one day".

I spot a bench along the Thames where we can sit for a few minutes before resuming our walk. We are lucky, the weather is nice, a light wind but sunny.

"Here, sit down. And stop complaining. You can't want to see one of the most beautiful cities without walking around".

The view we have from the bench is amazing. I let Seb talking with his friends and go to take a Picture of st Paul cathedral in front of me, to post on my Twitter account.

londonaddict
"A beautiful day in London. Feeling like being at home. Always a pleasure to visit it with friends."

And I add.

londonaddict
"Special memories of my last visit."

Do I hope he will read it? Yes. Do I hope he will find me? Yes.

Something has changed since yesterday and my conversation with Izzy. I have realized that this baby is what everybody is expecting of me, family, friends, and Seb. Everyone wants me to be someone I am not, when all I want is enjoy life and be free. I don't know where that will lead me if he finds me but I need to try. That moment has totally changed me, what I feel, what I want. I despise what I have in mind but I can't help myself.

"Clary! Do you want something to eat?" I turn to see Seb standing next to me. Izzy and Simon are still sitting on the bench sharing an ice cream.

"No thanks, I'm good. You know what? While they're eating, I'm going to quickly visit the Tate Modern. Do you want to come with me?"

He laughs: "God no, Babe. You know what I think of modern art, or art in general. I prefer waiting with our friends. Take a moment alone, you deserve it after this day spent playing guide around London".

"Thanks! See you in an hour, okay?" I say, pecking him on the lips.

I am totally in love with museums, especially this one. Apart from very modern art that I don't like that much, there are a few French paintings of Picasso and masterpiece of Dali that I love seeing each time I come in London.

Before entering the place, I take a photo of the building and tweet it.

londonaddict
"Quietest place in London to get lost in thought for an hour. En route to my favourite painting".

xxxxx

The museum is nearly empty on this sunny afternoon. It is the perfect time to view art without being disturbed by loud voices of huge groups of tourists. I can easily walk in the aisles, enjoying paintings and sculptures I have already seen a dozen times.

Drinking coffee from a paper cup, I go to the last room of the second floor to one of my favorite painting, a triptych of Francis Bacon. The place is totally empty which is very unusual. I don't complain, I can sit in front of it and contemplate it. I don't know why, but I have always loved this work of art, and all the works of Bacon. From the colors to the lines, everything in his paintings represent chaos and pain. And I love that. I guess it suits my state of mind, especially at the moment.

The sun is hitting my face through the window next to me and I'm basking in it. I close my eyes to completely appreciate the quietness of the place.

Suddenly, I feel the bench move besides me. Great. When I want to be alone, there is always someone to annoy me. Take twenty free seats in a room, you can be sure that if someone comes to sit, it will be next to me. I am always that lucky, yeah. I decide to keep my eyes closed, maybe it will scare my intruder.

"I didn't think you were a Bacon admirer. I would have bet for something happier".

My heart leaps at these words and at this voice. It can't be. It shouldn't be. I may be dreaming. If I don't open my eyes, I won't wake up right? I don't want to wake up, I want to keep on believing that I know this voice.

"How can you admire it with your eyes closed?" He laughs.

"I know it by heart, the painting is imprinted in my mind" ... As your face is, I almost add. I don't want to open my eyes to remember every line of his gorgeous self, for fear that if I do, he disappears.

"Your eyes are too beautiful to stay closed, Darling", he replies, almost whispering.

How to resist this? His seductive tone is leaving me no chance. No other choice than turning my head towards him and opening my eyes. And nothing can top that moment when I look at these blue eyes and this smirk. It feels like meeting him for the first time and yet like knowing him since a long time.

"How... how.. do.. you know I was here?" I stammer.

"I recognized the place from the pic you posted on your account. I live in the neighbourhood".

"I can't believe you have found me. There are so many people that follow you".

He gently touches my cheek, smiling.

"Fate, right? As you said, mrs Red Lips. By the way, this username would definitely suit you better". With these words, his finger lightly grazes my lower lip. If I think my cheeks couldn't get redder, it was before this moment. All I can think is kiss his finger, pull at his hair, devouring his mouth. With just the sound of his voice, he makes me feel so alive. So free. He can almost make me forget I am not here alone.

I flinch and get up, looking around me for traces of Seb.

"Relax, Clary. He is still sitting on a bench in front of the Thames. I have seen him before going in". In front of my puzzled look, he explains. "I saw you with him during the show two weeks ago".

I sit down again, nervously twisting my fingers. He immediately takes my hand in his.

"Stop That. We aren't breaking any rules. We are just chatting. Don't feel guilty".

"I am not comfortable, he could come and get me, he knows where to find me. I spend a great deal of time in front of this painting".

"Come on, follow me, I know somewhere where we can be alone" Jace replies, getting to his feet.

From where I am sitting, I can only stare at his beauty. He has cut his hair since the last time, and even if I prefer him with long hair, this shorter hairdo shows his eyes better. Beautiful blue eyes whose hue is accentuated by the blue color of his denim shirt. He extends his hand towards me and lifts an eyebrow, smiling.

"Trust me".

I look down at her tiny hand in mine. She seems still not sure why she has followed me. I have brought her to the 5th floor of the Tate, where there is a little terrace that is generally empty.

God, she is even more beautiful in plain light. Her clothes hug her in the right places. I already thought she was a beautiful woman when I first met her, but she is totally gorgeous. I chuckle. I can't wait to have her in my bed, under me, while I will do unreasonable things to her. You can call me what you want, it doesn't even cross my mind that she will turn me down. After all, she let me find her, she followed me, she trusted me. Don't mistake me, I have respect for her, I don't think about her in the same way as Kaelie. But I know that nothing lasting can come out of this situation and I know that she loves her husband. But for an unknown reason, she chose to follow me. So she must have the same thing in mind.

Clary lets go of my hand and comes nearer the parapet. I know the view from here is breathtaking on the City. Closing her eyes, she enjoys the sun hitting her face, her hair, which seems redder with the light. I can't help running my hand in her red curls, slowly caressing her neck. She immediately responds to my touch, tilting his head on my chest. I come closer, putting my hands on the parapet on either side of her body. Bodies seem to have a memory as ours are leaning to each other at once. I feel myself hardening at the contact of her ass on my thigh.

What is this girl doing to me? She is going to be the death of me. I must have her quickly if I don't want to become crazy. I know that today is not possible, she deserves more than a quickie in a public place. I need to see her again soon.

"I know you haven't a lot of time, Clary. When do you come back? I need to see you again. Alone."

She sighs. "It's not a good idea, Jace. I can't"

"You can't or you don't want, Darling?"

"I can't. I am married. I don't even know why I followed you".

"Because you want me Darling. As much as I want you. Don't say otherwise" I groan in her ear.

She remains silent. Just the speeding of her breath confirms it.

"Come back to spend a day with me. No pressure, no promise. Let whatever there is between us go where it must go. Please."

She turns to face me, and as soon as I see her eyes, I know I have won. "Give me your number Clary, I will contact you in a few days" I ask, taking my phone. Even if she seems different than others, I stick to my rules and doesn't give her my number. I will probably call her from Alec's phone later.

Her phone starts ringing. She searches her bag to grab it. Her husband is calling her. No way this bastard is going to ruin this moment.

"Don't answer Clary. Just give us two minutes and you can call him back."

She protests. "But I must answer, he will wonder what I..." It's enough to make me act. I grab her neck and assault her mouth. Slow and languid kisses to which she immediately responds, while her hands grip my shirt. My tongue slowly caress her lips, to make her mouth open. But as soon as she opens to me, I step back, smirking at her.

"I just needed two minutes. Take this as a foretaste of our next meeting. See you, Darling" and with a quick kiss on her lips, I put my sunglasses back on and leave her.