This took me a lifetime to write because there was so much more to it than I had initially realised.

My outline for this chapter just wasn't enough.

So I hope you enjoyed it!

I wait for Jace by the lift and I've been standing here for the last 15 minutes staring at the time on my phone. Maybe he's not going to turn up, maybe he's still mad at me and it's not as if I don't deserve it. What on earth was I thinking?

But that brings me to my next point. I barely know anything about Jace and his love life beyond the rumours I've heard at work. We have talked about a lot of things but never that.

Of course I've mentioned Seb but just in passing and Jace has never asked me to elaborate. It's an almost unspoken thing. And of course I've never asked about his because I'm afraid of what I'll hear. But today my curiosity got the better of me. The way those girls were looking at him, it made me wonder.

I mean I have to admit you would seriously have to be blind not to think Jace is attractive. He is without a doubt the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. So deep down I expected some of it to come with the territory but seeing it in action with the way those girls just looked past me. I really didn't like it.

Even with Jace looking at me like I was the only thing he could see it had sparked something nasty within me. It wasn't even jealousy. Maybe it was but it felt worse. I felt inferior to the polished tall gorgeous women in front of me. My self confidence had shattered after my break up with Seb and I think that was a big part of it.

But at the same time there was so much we still had to learn about each other. I guess I just wanted to get it out of him so I could put it behind me sooner rather than later. The stories I had heard about Jace in passing had been whirling around my mind in those few minutes but I knew they couldn't all be true. It probably wasn't the best way to ask him or even bring it up but it was like someone else took over my brain and my mouth.

Right now I was starting to doubt he would ever speak to me again let alone have lunch with me.

I stare down at my phone again before pocketing it and sighing. He's not coming and I should just leave now with some of my dignity intact. I'll just go and grab some lunch and eat it at my desk.

I turn to hit the button on the lift and that's when I hear his voice behind me. My eyes widen and I school my features into a neutral look before turning around to look at him.

He's on his phone and I realise he's been held up by work. I'm instantly relieved by this that he wasn't just avoiding me. At least I hope not.

He nods to me and we both get into the empty lift together. Maybe he wasn't avoiding me but I'm staring to think that he's still mad at me and I feel myself blush involuntarily.

Then I feel him grab my hand and squeeze it reassuringly and I look up at him.

"Hey Martin. I've got to rush into another meeting but drop Sandra your queries and I'm sure she'll get back to you to as soon as." He says rolling his eyes, "Yeah sure let's catch up next week." And he hangs up and puts his phone away.

"Sorry about that." He says finally looking down at me and giving me an apologetic smile.

I blink up at him trying to find something to say until I finally blurt out, "It's fine if you were busy we could have rearranged."

He raises an eyebrow at me and looks highly amused by what I've said and then he takes one step closer to me and hits the emergency stop on the elevator and before I can open my mouth to ask what he's doing he's kissing me.

I let out a little squeak of disbelief at the turn of events but I'm kissing him back almost instantly. I can't help it. He pulls my body flush against his and I wrap my arms around his neck.

He's kissing me so hard and fast I can barely keep up he breaks the kiss momentarily to push me against the wall of the elevator and he's on me again. I feel his hands under my thighs pulling me up his body and his mouth drops from my mouth to my jaw to my neck. My legs are firmly wrapped around his waist and his hands run up and down my bare thighs.

I can vaguely hear the sound of the emergency alarm ringing. But it's distant all I can really hear is the noises coming out of our mouths. The breathy sighs, the moans, the whimper that escapes my mouth as he kisses my neck.

I grab his face and pull his mouth back against mine and I kiss him. I kiss him to tell him I'm sorry. I kiss him to tell him I trust him. I kiss him to tell him I want him more than I've ever wanted anyone or anything. I pour every emotion I can into the language of our kisses. And he returns my kisses with equal fervour. He kisses me like he is a drowning man and I am air. I love it. I think I love him and rather than it scaring me I try to pour my emotions into our kiss and I hope he'll understand.

I don't even know how long for but I'm pressed up against him and he kisses me until he has stolen my breath away. He pulls away and sets me back on feet and moves back to his previous position.

I'm still in shock and I lean against the elevator wall and look over at him. He almost looks composed. He's so good at it but I can see his chest rising and falling and I know he's just as out of sorts as I am. We're both gasping for air. So we stand there for a moment.

"Can you please report the issue?" A voice says over the telecom and my eyes widen. Shit. We are going to be in so much trouble.

"Sorry my hand slipped." Jace says in a blasé tone and hits the emergency stop again and the lift restarts.

I blink at him and he grins at me and takes my hand in his so we're standing side by side again as we zoom down to the ground floor.

"I didn't want to rearrange but there will be times where I won't be able to help it." Jace says finally breaking the silence, "I figure some good behaviour now will make you less annoyed at me for it later."

I'm confused but then I remember what I said before he kissed me, but I won't let him get away with it that easily. "You were late. That's hardly good behaviour." I say pointedly but he can tell I'm half joking.

"Well I figured you'd either want a kiss or an apology so I went for the former." Jace says easily.

"I don't think that kiss was for me somehow." I tease shrugging.

"Forgive me, Clary." He says looking over at me and I can see he's actually being serious.

"Jace... I was kidding." I say uneasily. I feel bad for ruining the mood after the perfect kiss we just had.

"Not about being late." He says sighing, "For earlier, when I was being a bit of an ass."

"Oh." I say not sure how to respond.

"Do you forgive me?" He asks gently locking his eyes on my own. He looks so genuinely apologetic that it makes my heart hurt to see him looking so guilty.

"There's nothing to forgive." I say blushing because I know I'm the one who should be asking for forgiveness but I don't know how.

The lift longs open and we both walk out and I let it slide. For now anyway.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jace takes me for lunch at a Vietnamese place that is near to the office and a perfect place for a quick lunch. So much so that I can see half of our office here or at least it feels that way.

I make a point of sitting across from him even though we're in a booth as childish as that is. I know that us being together isn't meant to be a secret but I quite liked the little bubble of anonymity we were wrapped up in. I know that the stares we're getting now are mainly because this is new and novel and it's better to get this over and done with sooner rather than later. So I ignore them.

We both order our food and are chatting about the movers Jace has organised. I gave him my key this morning so he could pass it on and they could just let themselves in. It is true that everything was packed apart from a few items of clothing and some toiletries and makeup so I left it all as it was for them to handle.

It's so strange but I'm quite excited to see Jace's place tonight. I still can't believe I'm moving in. I know it feels like we're rushing into things especially after our little falling out this morning but when he's near me, when he's kissing me and touching me it all feels so right. So perfect and I can't deny I want this next step more than anything.

But I know I need to broach the subject of this morning. Arguing is one thing and Jace forgiving me while sweet as it was doesn't mean the issue is resolved.

"Jace, can I ... ask you something?" I ask him carefully. He eyes me curiously for a second and I almost take it back but instead I just give him a small smile.

"Sure. Anything you like ..." He says nodding trying to look easy going. But I can see his that his mind has gone into overdrive trying to figure out what I'm going to say so I decide to be as kind as I can at this moment in time and come out with it.

"About before when I asked you about ..." I start but it's difficult when I remind myself how hurt he looked this morning.

"Go on ..." He says giving me an encouraging look that makes me wonder what on earth I did to deserve him. If he'll still look at me like that after I ask.

"About what I asked about Alice and Delilah..." I say uneasily pausing to take in the look on his face before I continue.

"Oh ..." He says nodding looking a little far away.

I'm afraid he's going to pull away from me again, "Don't be mad ..." I say gently because it's the first thing that comes to my mind.

"I'm not mad..." He says sighing, "I just ..."

"I wanted to apologise for assuming." I say cutting him off before I can chicken out of what I want to say, "You had every right to be off with me. I'm really sorry."

He's eyeing me curiously as if he's not sure what to say. And then he sighs letting out a deep breath but he's still silent.

"I shouldn't have asked..." I add without thinking trying to get him to say something.

"Don't apologise ... there's no need to and you can ask me anything you want. I won't lie to you I swear." He says earnestly and I wonder why he's always trying to prove that to me even though I already know it.

I grab his hand with both of mine across the table and tell him what I think he needs to hear, "I know you won't lie to me or hurt me or ever be dishonest with me Jace ... you don't need to prove that to me ... you already have ... we just need to learn to communicate better about these things." I say reassuringly. It's the honest truth.

He lets out a small laugh of relief and pulls me next to him in the booth so I'm right next to him. He takes both of my hands and looks at me with a serious look and I'm a little scared to hear what he's going to say next.

"I don't do 'that' with girls at work, Clary. I don't mix business with... pleasure." He says uneasily as he tried to find the right words, "Yes I was a little taken aback by what you said because it felt like an accusation and I know it wasn't but it was mainly because I never bother to defend myself against any of the stories people spread around... even when they're not true. If it's not to do with my work I just haven't cared enough to even respond to them. I've never felt the need to before and it just surprised me that I really felt the need to justify myself when you said it."

"I'm sorry." I say rubbing my thumbs over his hands trying to reassure him. He looks down at our intertwined hands and just grins.

"Don't be sorry. I'd rather you ask than reach the wrong conclusion." He says smiling finally looking himself again.

"That's insane ... but I've heard so many stories ..." I say mainly to myself as I process the information.

"And that's pretty much all they are ... I'm a flirt that's true it helps in my line of work ... you know that ..." He says shaking his head amused, "but none of that is real ... none of it is genuine... but I haven't been with anyone from the office ... not in that way at least ... well erm ... present company excepted ..."

I blush at the comment and figure now would be a good way to ask what I've been wanting to ask, "Really? So ... have you ever ... I mean have you been out with anyone ... from work?" I ask genuinely curious.

"Once or twice when I first started working here but I quickly realised it wasn't what I wanted." He says shrugging.

"Oh. Why?" I ask very curious about what made him change his mind.

"Hmm you'll have to get me a little drunk before you get that out of me Miss Fray... so that's a story for another time." He says chuckling.

"Oh really ..." I ask him playfully, wondering if he's being serious.

"Really." He says gently and I realise he is serious.

"Well I'll keep that in mind then." I say teasingly trying to keep the mood light.

"You can still ask me anything else you want, Clary... don't stop now if there's anything else." He says carefully. I know like me he wants to get anything that might cause us to have any misunderstandings out of the way.

"So if you haven't dated anyone at work ... then were you in a relationship with someone?" I ask.

"No." He says looking a bit embarrassed and I know now there's more to it.

"Come on ... someone like you ... doesn't just get by on flirting ... if the way you are with me is anything to go by ..." I say trying to get the words out carefully before my confidence completely abandons me.

"Do you really want to know?" He asks wrinkling his nose.

"Yes." I say nodding.

"I used to go out a lot more than I do now... What they said this morning they weren't wrong when they said I didn't turn down free drinks... but as for 'that' well it was mainly one night stands ... strangers ..." he explains looking a little worried about my reaction.

"Right ..." I say nodding. It was what I would have expected to be honest and it doesn't shock me. It just makes me wonder why he took an interest in me, when he clearly has no shortage of girls interested in him.

But I know when I'm with Jace what I feel is beyond reason. There is a physical pull between us, an inexplicable attraction which I have never felt with anyone before. If it's even half way as intense for him I think I get it.

I feel so safe with him and so comfortable even though we barely known each other. It's the strangest thing but it feels right. It feels like we're meant to be.

"I've never really been with anyone... who's looking for anything serious ..." He says trying to explain which pulls me out of my thoughts and then he seems at a loss for words which is so unlike him that it makes me nervous.

"I see ..." I say unsure of what it is I should say.

"Not that what's happening between us ... isn't serious" he says quickly looking a bit panicked.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me ..." I say as reassuringly as I can.

"But I swear I haven't been with anyone since we ... not since I found out you ..." He starts but quickly stops looking slightly pained.

"Found out what?" I ask him my interest piqued.

"Shit." He groans looking a bit pink.

"Go on ..." I say teasingly trying to calm him down.

"Not since I found out you were having issues with ... your boyfriend ... your ex boyfriend I mean ..." He says

"Really ... how did you ... oh right Simon..." I say nodding as I answer my own question, "so when was that?"

"Oh I don't know..." Jace says looking uneasy.

"You do know ... and I think it could be one of two things ... number one the most obvious was when you found out I broke up with him ... but you already told me about that so it can't be that ... and that was a few weeks ago so that's hardly anything to worry about ..." I muse out loud.

He just nods confirming that my theory is true.

"And the only other time Simon has actively known something is wrong was ... just before last Christmas because I was crying on his shoulder on Christmas Eve because Seb had stood me up to go out with his friends even though he had told me he didn't want me to hang out with mine because we were going to spend the day together ... I told Simon I finally had enough and that I wanted to end things between us because he was too controlling and ... I chickened out because we had just signed a years lease on our apartment a month before and I knew he would be vindictive enough to not let me out of it ... and I felt so stupid I never spoke to Simon about Seb again," I say quietly as I remember the beginning of the end, "so when did he tell you?"

"It wasn't like that I was just in the right place at the right time ... it must have been a week later ... I was having drinks with Izzy, Alec and the others and Simon turned up and he was arguing with Iz... they both told everyone to stay out of it when we tried to calm them down but she stormed off and he stormed off in the opposite direction. Alec went after Iz and I went after Simon." Jace says quietly as if he's reliving a bad memory.

"What were they arguing about ..." I ask my stomach turning as I think of my friends who barely see each other unless they're with me arguing so badly.

"Simon just said, 'She went back to him ... she's so broken when she's with him and she won't even listen to me ... I thought she might have finally walked away ... she won't listen to me but she might listen to Iz and Iz won't even try' ... and when I asked him who it was he said it was you ... and then Iz came over and they both spoke and made up and she said 'she's a grown adult believe me I've tried but when she's ready and when the time is right ... you'll see Simon it will all be perfect' ... and that's when I knew if I wanted to be with you when that time came I couldn't be that person I was then ... one who was anything like him who hurt you so much ..." Jace says looking a little far away.

"You haven't ... been with anyone in almost a year?" I ask him quietly his words sinking in slowly.

"Not since that day..." He says nodding.

"Jace ... I don't know what to say ..." I say blushing as it all sinks in. That he's been waiting for me for that long and I've been so oblivious.

"There's nothing to say, Clary," He says shaking his head, "I just want you to please try and forgive me if I get things wrong ... to know that sometimes I might mess up but it doesn't mean I want this any less ... this is all so new to me but it feels so right ... I just wanted you to know that."

"I know that ... only if you'll forgive me when I mess up too." I say with a shy smile.

"There's nothing you could do that I wouldn't forgive Clary." He says so earnestly and when I look into his eyes I know I'm falling hard.

"And I didn't even have to get you drunk for that." I say grinning trying to regain my composure but it's hard when Jace says the things he does. He has such a way with words that I can't compete with.

"Well that wasn't what you needed to get me drunk for but ... Again as I said that's a story for another time." He says smirking at me back to his assured self again, "My past ... it's not something I'm proud of but ... it's not something I want anymore. It filled a void that I had no idea I was trying to fill until ... you I guess."

"Jace..." I say gently as his words make me feel things I've never felt before.

"It's true Clary. I don't want that anymore ... I only want you." He says with a sexy smirk on his face and with his eyes on me I feel like the only person in the room.

I blink at him blushing. I have no idea how to respond to that. He just squeezes my hands reassuringly to let me know it's okay and I don't have to respond.

"I will tell you one more thing just so we're clear ... what's been happening with me and you ... that's not my usual ... its not like that for me usually ... it's never been like that for me ... I told you usually have a lot more self control when it comes to ... being with someone." Jace says quite pointedly and I know exactly what he's referring to.

"Do you think it's because ... you haven't ... in so long ..." I ask blushing barely able to get my words out. But I want to know, I need to know. The way I feel when we're together when he's inside me is so far beyond anything I've ever felt before. I wonder how it feels for him.

He grins at this, "No baby, It's not that, I didn't ... not that often ... it was meaningless and the more it happened the less I wanted it to the point where I barely was ... but with you I don't know what it is about you Clary but you make me so out of sorts ... make me want you so much more than I thought was possible ... feel so much more than I thought was possible ..."

I'm blushing again and I open my mouth trying to think of something to say.

"Especially when you blush like that." He says cupping my face and leaning down to kiss me.

"Jace ..." I groan stopping him from reaching my lips by turning my cheek, "There's a table of people from work right over there ..." I expect him to be annoyed when his kiss lands on my cheek but instead I hear him chuckle.

"Oh I noticed." He says hotly against my ear as he resumes kissing my cheek and then my jaw.

"Did you notice they're staring at us? And maybe we shouldn't ..." I start as he nips at my earlobe I let out a little squeak.

"Are they? Shall we give them something real to talk about babe?" He whispers in my ear and then he cups my face again and this time I don't stop him as he kisses me senseless.

When we finally come up for air I want to glare at him but I can't so I just manage to breathlessly get out, "I really dislike you sometimes."

"Do you now?" He says equally out of breath, "Because the way you were kissing me back ... I didn't think that seemed like dislike at all ..."

"Ass." I say rolling my eyes as my breathing finally returns to normal.

"I would stop but I know you love it." He says giving me that cocky self assured smirk that makes me want to kiss it off his mouth so he might be right.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We make our way back to the office and he drops me off at my desk despite my protestations that he didn't need to.

"See you later, baby" he says and gives me a lingering chaste kiss on the lips.

"Jace, you don't have to be so ... obvious ..." I growl under my breath as I see my colleague pretending to look busy with her work but clearly watching us from the corner of her eye.

"Why are you embarrassed of me?" He asks looking amused as he holds me close.

"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response." I say rolling my eyes because i know he's just teasing me.

"Do you really dislike it?" He asks still sounding very amused as he lets go of me allowing me to take a step back. It's hard to form a coherent thought being so close to him.

"Yes!" I say as I quickly as I sit on my desk.

"That's not what you were saying this morning ..." He says raising his eyebrow, "what was it you said?"

"Don't you dare ..." I manage to get out as my face heats up.

"Something along the lines of ... Jace I never want you to stop ... Jace I want you to ..." He says teasingly and I'm pretty sure I'm bright red right now and I remember what happened this morning.

"If you finish that sentence ..." I manage to squeak out in a barely threatening voice.

"You'll what?" He asks standing in front of me pulling me close again.

"Stop it ..." I beg as my body begins to react to him in ways I can't control and I think he sees it. I think that was his goal all along. To make me want him so much and not be able to do anything about it.

"Alright ... only because I like you so much, my little sex kitten." He says chuckling and I hear my colleague sitting a desk away choke on her coffee.

He grins when he sees her get up and rush off to the kitchen. And I glance around the room quickly to see if there's anyone else nearby and there isn't. They're all still at lunch.

"Jace, do you remember the Christmas party?" I ask him coyly as I stand up and kiss him gently to distract him.

"I remember ... what about it?" He asks as his guard completely slips as I move my kisses from his mouth to jaw trailing to his ear.

"Do you remember how you fucked me on your desk ..." I whisper in his ear teasingly as I hold him close.

"Clary ..." he groans and I can see his face is heating up at the memory.

"Okay well I just wanted to remind you ..." I say brightly pushing him away from me quickly, "enjoy your meeting, honey."

He has a meeting that starts in 10 minutes but he should have left by now but he's been enjoying teasing me too much.

He looks genuinely shocked for a second which makes me feel like I've won this little game we're playing and then he recovers with a killer smirk that makes me melt on the spot.

"You're playing with fire, Clary." He says shaking his head as if he can't believe it. I can't believe it either. When did I become the tease?

"What are you going to do about it?" I ask flirtatiously. It seems to have been the right thing to say because Jace breaks out in a grin.

"Oh Clary, don't think I've forgotten about the candy cane incident ..." He says with a killer smirk, "I am going to enjoy punishing you for all this teasing... so much."

"Is that a promise, Jace?" I tease biting my bottom lip seductively. I don't even know what's come over me but when I see Jace's eyes widen slightly I enjoy being able to bring that reaction out of him.

"Oh babe ... you are going to regret that ..." he warns with a chuckle.

"I'll take my chances." I say shrugging nonchalantly.

And when he leaves to go to his meeting I am hot and bothered and I am really looking forward to getting him alone tonight.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

When we reach the end of the day I call Jace on his office phone to see what time he'll be done.

"I have to work late tonight baby." Jace says apologetically, "Something has come up but you can go straight home ... the front desk are expecting you and will sort out your key and passes... baby I'm so sorry but honestly just go home and relax."

I feel my heart sink a little at this but I know Jace wouldn't do this unless he had to.

"Jace, I can wait for you." I say in a small voice because I know it makes no sense.

"After what happened yesterday I'm not taking any chances." He says and I blush at the memory of what we did in his bathroom.

"I won't know where anything is." I counter genuinely slightly terrified about being in his place alone.

"I'll have someone meet you there, don't worry they will show you where everything is." He says quickly and I feel bad that I'm pushing him so much so I finally concede.

"Okay." I say glumly. I know it will be fine but I am feeling a little irrational right now.

"Just go home, relax and take a nice long bath. Order some takeout. I'll be back before you know it." Jace says sweetly and I resolve to do exactly as he says. I know it will be fine. Apart from being shown around by his housekeeper I guess?

Jace orders me a cab home and when I get to the front desk they give me multiple pass cards for the all the facilities in the building and suddenly I'm feeling a little bit overwhelmed. I don't even need a key just a pass because the lift opens into his apartment and the entire floor is his.

I stand in the lift and feel like a little girl lost as the staff show me how to use it. I breath a sigh of relief when I'm finally alone and the lift opens up into his apartment.

My mouth falls open when I see how huge it is and I barely get a chance to recover when I turn around and see the last person I would expect to be standing there right now.

"Clarissa Adele Fray. You are so dead." She cries out.

And there standing right in front of me is Isabelle Lightwood.

So that's the end of the chapter and goodness it took so long to finish but I was determined to get it up for today (or tonight as the case may be).

Send me some good vibes and maybe we can finish this off by Christmas (at least get to Christmas in the story!)

Let me know what you think in the review box or if there is anything specific you would like to see

xxx