I immediately put Clary down and shield her from their view with my body. I don't want them to see or talk to her. What the hell are they doing here?

"What do you want? Why are you here?"

Kaelie is standing right in front of me, with Alec and Jordan by her side.

"May I remind you that I live here?" replies Alec, clearly embarrassed by the situation.

"I know but you shouldn't have been here Alec," I hiss. Turning to Kaelie, I snap. "And you, what do you want? I think I was clear enough about never seeing you again."

She comes closer to me and bravely puts her hand on my arm. "I know, Gorgeous. But I forgot my jacket last time I was there. So Jordan kindly offered me to come with me to get it back. Since I'm here, I thought you will be keen on spending time together again. Like that night after your show."

I close my eyes. Images of that night pop into my mind. Just flashes of her body, bent over the bed, while I pounded into her from behind, my hand gripping her hair. Not the best I've had but definitely a good moment. But as I suspected, she is going to ruin that memory, being clingy. Her daily tweets are something I can ignore but seeing her among my circle of friends is too much to bear. I take her hand from my arm and let it drop. "Remember what I said that night Kaelie? Remember the rules? I won't ever see you again. And that means you won't come near me or my friends again. Okay? Now get out."

I can't help my voice to sound angry even if I try to keep control of it. All I can think about is Clary and this awkward situation we are in. Five minutes ago, I planned on ravishing her the minute we were inside and now I'm just stuck with two of my best friends and one clingy one night stand.

Tears are slowly filling Kaelie's eyes, making me angrier immediately. Who does she think she is, making a scene in front of my friends and Clary? She knew it would be a one time thing. She knew my rules, she has been in our circle long enough to know that never have I allowed one of my flings to remain close to me. Especially not a fangirl. She seems not being able to move, totally stunned by my tone. I see Jordan coming closer to her and gently talking in her ear. She nods and lifts her head up. Anger has replaced sadness in her eyes.

"You're an ugly person Jace Wayland. You use people and you throw them away. One day it will be your turn," she shouts at me. "And you behind him…" she adds trying to look at Clary. "Don't be stupid and leave before he uses you like he did with me. Like he does with every girl he picks."

I come closer to her and grip her arm. "Kaelie, now get out or I promise you I will throw you out."

Jordan immediately stops me and put his arm around her shoulders. "Jace, she doesn't deserve this. She understands what you're saying. She is gonna leave. Calm down man."

Both of them immediately leave the room. I don't dare turning back to face Clary especially after what she heard. I was planning to tell her about my rules today like I did with Kaelie that night, but I feel bad now she has heard it from another girl, especially one I've fucked not long before. I knew Kaelie wouldn't give up easily but I haven't suspected she will be so mad at me. That girl has literally kissed the floor I walk on since a few years and she has always been there, even when I ignored her.

Alec discreetly coughs. I've totally forgotten he is still there. "Clary, hi! Nice to see you again. How are you?" He hugs her and brings her into the living room. "Sit down where you want, I'm gonna make you a cup of coffee before leaving."

She sits down on the couch without even glancing at me and immediately takes her phone to keep herself occupied. I decide to join Alec in the kitchen to give her space.

"Jace, what was that?"

"Sorry you have to witness this. But I didn't manage to stay calm. You know how she is, how she has always been. She won't leave me alone."

Alec slams the counter. "For god's sake Jace. You should have thought of that before agreeing to fuck her. Damn it. You have been knowing her since years. She is always where you go. Have you really thought she would sleep with you and leave after that without saying a word? That girl is in love with you Jace. You aren't just a crush. You are the love of her life."

I blink in surprise. "How… How do you know that?"

"Because she has been in tears since that night. Because you haven't contacted her. Because you have ignored her. As usual. Except that this time, she thought it would be different. So yes, Jordan and I took pity on her and spoke with her. Several times. She won't give up. She isn't like those other girls. You are gonna have to deal with her. But she doesn't deserve your anger. Remember what I told you a few months ago after Aline when you started sleeping here and there? One day it won't be easy to get rid of one of them. That day has come."

I sigh. "I know. I knew it. It was the only way I found that night to stop thinking about Clary."

He smirks. "Oh yes and it worked, right? Wait… no because she is currently sitting on my couch, surely wondering what she has just seen. What are you doing Jace? I told you. Stop that thing with her. There's nothing to gain. She is married, damnit. She lives abroad. You spoke about your sacred rules to Kaelie but have you told Clary about them? Do you even respect them by bringing her here? A one night stand is a thing but asking her to come to see you at home doesn't seem like an innocent demand. What do you want Jace?"

"Nothing more than with the others. It's just I like to get what I want. I wasn't able to have her that day, I want to finish what we've begun."

Alec sighs. "Are you sure of that? It doesn't seem it's a one-time thing. You stepped in front of her as soon you saw us to protect her, you were utterly mad at Kaelie for speaking to her. I don't want you to get hurt in the process if there's more. I won't be able to see you heartbroken again like when Aline dumped you."

His words deeply touch me. He's been my friend for so long, always been there whether I was happy or sad or angry or hurt. Patting his back, I reassure him. "Don't worry Alec, I won't get hurt. It's not different than what I've been doing for these past few months. I'm enjoying life. I'm not ready to fall in love again soon, trust me."

"I hope, Jace. I hope. But ask yourself if this is just innocent for her too. I don't think so. She has a lot to lose coming here; her life, her husband... Her heart." He replies, leaving the flat.

Taking my head into my hands, I sit down at the counter. He is right. She had a lot to lose and yet, she is here. I need to sort things out with her. Even if I find her funny and sexy and beautiful, I'm not looking for more than a good time with her. I need to make sure it is the same for her.

I take the cup of coffee Alec made and go back to the living room. She is still sitting on the couch totally absorbed by something on her phone screen. I can't help admire her. She is so different from the girls I usually bring back home, nothing to do with the tall models I usually date. She is petite and has beautiful curves, long reddish hair and brown eyes. I stare at her lips, red and full and the only thing I want to do right now is take them between my teeth.

"Ahem... Hey," I begin, placing the cup on the coffee table in front of her.

"Hey," she replies, looking at me. She is smiling but I can see there's concern in her eyes.

"Well Clary, sorry for all that. It wasn't supposed to happen, you know. I didn't want you to see me angry like that." I sit next to her, taking precautions not to touch her.

"It's not important Jace. Don't worry. It's just… It was so awkward, seeing Kaelie here."

I exclaim. "Wait, you know Kaelie?"

She laughs. "Jace, seriously. Everybody knows who Kaelie is. In the fandom, I mean. She is in love with you. She has been for a few years indeed, I think."

I cringe. "I didn't know that. Should I have been aware of that I would never have slept with her." I stop talking, realizing what I'm doing. The dumbass I am is telling the girl he brought back about the last girl he had sex with. Great, I've reached another level on the scale of stupidity. "Shit. Sorry about that too. I'm being an asshole. Forget what I've just said."

She smiles kindly before turning her attention back to her phone. Silence settles between us. I don't know how to make the first move or even break the ice between us. Time is flying so fast and we are here, sitting on a couch not knowing what to say to the other because of what happened.

"Jace?"

"Yes, darling?"

"What are the rules you and Kaelie spoke about?"

Yes, that's it. I need to have that conversation with her. It's easier to do when all of this comes naturally, without being planned. Sometimes I don't even have to tell them. The girls I mostly meet don't live in London and the chances I see them again are scarce. I only have to tell them when girls know who I am.

"Well... How can I say that without being a prick?"

She bursts into laughing "Don't even try. Tell me in pure Wayland style."

I chuckle. "Ouch that hurts. If you're sure...» My face gets serious as I tell her. "I never fuck the same girl twice and never see them again after that."

"And that will be the same with me, right?" She replies immediately.

A little voice in my head urges me to answer no. My mind is telling me it will be different this time. I choose to ignore it. How can it be different given the situation? At least the girls I usually sleep with are single. Or I believe it. "It will. I told you. I don't do relationships. Anymore." I can't help cradling her cheek with my hand and it is just so contradictory to what I've just told her. A caring gesture when I've just told her I won't care after today.

She doesn't reply. She is just staring at me. What I would give to know what she is thinking at the moment... Leaving? Staying here? The easier way to know would be to pop her the question but I'm not brave enough to risk seeing her leaving. I want her. Period.

Her phone buzzes and offers us a welcoming way out of this conversation. She immediately begins to type.

"Hey...What is so interesting on your phone that you prefer it to me?" I whine.

"You don't want to know, trust me!" she chuckles.

"Show me, Clary!" I manage to grab her phone and recognize the Twitter app. Tons and tons of mentions and pictures of me. Remember when I say ladies call a spade a spade? They have very nice nicknames for my body parts I must say. Smirking, I give her her phone back. "I didn't know my ass was so popular in the fandom, really. I'm honored".

"Oh please, shut up. I'm mortified. You shouldn't have read this." The more she speaks the redder her cheeks get. I know she doesn't dare looking at me now, and she pretends to put her phone back on her bag to avoid my eyes.

"Don't be ashamed. I feel honored, really. And stop putting your head in your bag to hide, damnit. Come here."

Slowly, she gets up and comes in front of me. Her eyes linger on me. "Instead of speaking about it with your friends, why do you think about doing unspeakable things to my body?"

Standing between my open legs, she slowly licks her lips and blushes.

"Touch me, Darling. Put your hands on me."