I stayed in bed for a long ass time, sorry LMAO
Jace had truly died and gone to heaven.
Clary had come out of the bathroom in a dark green bikini, the smallest of triangles covering her as she stood in the doorway of the bathroom. His realization of how he felt about her made it hard for him to even look at her without wanting to cross the room and touch her, to take her in his arms and do away with her in the most sinful but lovingly of ways. Her hair was starting to poof from her straightened hair as it was twisted at the top of her head. Her makeup was still on from the dinner, but her gown was gone as she laughed at Jace.
"Come in the bath with me." She said. Jace felt his heart fall to his stomach.
"Wh-what?" He blinked, unsure of what she said was real.
She laughed at his expression, "It's a jacuzzi tub, get your swim trunks on and hangout with me." She nearly demanded. Jace was half tempted to enter the tub naked but he just nodded his head at her in silence.
He heard the bath water running and could see the steam as she smiled and turned to return to the bath.
Jace rubbed his face, he'd need to get control of his emotions, especially if he was going to be alone with the girl he loved. He listened as he heard the water splash gently as she entered the bath. Jace dressed quickly, his hands were shakey as he did so. He imagined the way her skin felt under the hot water, the way the cloth felt under his hands if he held her close, the way her lips would press against his.
He shook his head aggresively as he tied his trunks, thankful he had brought a pair with him.
There she was, her red hair twisted up and sitting against the back of the tub so she could watch him enter. She smiled at him and gestured at the bubbles that surrounded her. He noticed that she was sipping on a pink wine, a glass poured for him. Alcohol was dangerous, but he'd need something to take the edge off.
Jace laughed, "You would add bubbles."
She shrugged, "Of course." Jace swallowed as he stepped in the water, the hot liquid inviting and dangerous as his skin was already burning. He settled in across from her, it was a large tub, could have fit a party in it's cube shape.
Clary handed him his wine and he smiled, he put all his attention into not making his hand shake as they clinked their glasses, a light chime touching his ears.
"You know," He started after taking a large gulp of wine, the high temperature of his body now growing, "Bath tubs are usually used without swim suits." He only half joked, his heart thumping fast as he imagined her without the thin cloth.
Clary giggled and rolled her eyes, "Jace Wayland, I know that I'm stunning, but your flirting have no affect on me." She blew bubbles in his direction.
"I think that's the first time you've actually accepted your beauty." He teased her but felt sad that she never saw how amazing she really was.
She stirred played with the bubbles absentmindedly, "That's because I'm on cloud nine tonight and this is my second glass of wine."
"Well if I get you drunk enough, my flirting very well could affect you." Again, he was only half joking. He wondered if he could at least get her to get a little touchy with him.
Clary rolled her eyes, "I mean, if you want a quick lay, you do have someones spare room key."
Jace's face twisted, "Don't remind me."
Clary's laugh twinkled and made Jace's heart fly.
"I think we might have to cut our marriage pact short just so she'll leave me alone. How 'bout it?" The idea of getting down on one knee actually didn't freighten Jace. Marriage was scary to him, but he was young and wanted to sleep around while he could, he hadn't fallen for someone like he was falling for Clary. He could see it, slipping a glittering ring on her finger, her walking down in a white dress, little blond and red haired children pulling at him. He could live a life like that, live a life with Clary and love her more and more each day.
Clary's giggles pulled his vision out of focus, "I mean, we have a car, we could take a road trip to Vegas."
He smiled and shook his head, "I'd never have a Vegas wedding with you." It was nice to play pretend with Clary, talk as if they were together and as if the idea was real for the both of them. How did Clary feel about him, he wondered.
"What kind of wedding would you have with me?" She sipped on her wine, intrigued at the topic of conversation.
Jace felt high, "All big white wedding. In a big old church and a fancy reception. You'd be wearing a lacy wedding dress and looking as elegant as always. We'd play our favorite music, I'd play you songs on the piano, our friends and family telling stories about our long life together. Izzy would be crying a lot, that's clear. Magnus too."
Clary smiled at him, her cheeks were pink and her eyes were glossy as she imagined the picture that Jace saw.
"You sound like you've thought about it?" There was a strange tone in her voice that he couldn't pinpoint.
He shrugged, trying to play off his emotions, "Well, I've had to since we made our pact. Someone's gotta make plans." He teased her. She blushed and looked at the bubbles.
"Yeah, I'm not very good at planning. I just kinda wing it, don't I?" She looked at him through his lashes, what he'd give to touch her cheeks. He fisted his hand under the water to stop the itch in his fingers.
"You didn't start packing until yesterday, and Izzy had to pack for you." He teased her.
Clary laughed with him as her head lolled to the side.
"Well, if we get married, I'm holding you to all of what you just said." She smiled at him sweetly.
"When. When we get married." He slipped up, he hadn't that much to drink, there shouldn't be a reason his words came before his thoughts did.
Clary gave a short laugh, "Oh? So I basically have no choice?"
He shook his head and then took a drink of his wine. Clary noticed how little wine he had as she reached behind her to grab the bottle. She came around the tub so she could pour more into his long glass. Jace's heart skyrocketed as she sat close to him, the water stirring around him as it felt warmer. His hands itched again to just touch her, feel her silky skin under the water.
"Are you trying to get me drunk?" He accused her and she smiled at him, he could see her coverup coming off from the long evening, her lips pink and her scent of strawberries under his nose.
She set the wine bottle on the edge after filling her own glass but didn't return to her spot, settling close to Jace.
"I'm trying to get you on the same level as me. I'm on my third, you're only on your second."
"If you're trying to get me to take advantage of you, you could have just asked." He flirted, the images that played in his head made his stomach flutter.
There was look in Clary's eyes that flashed as quickly as it came, something in Jace told him to make a move, but he pushed it down, locking it in a drawer and throwing away the key.
"I'll remember that." Now she was the one that flirted, her eyes glossy and her arm came up to rest on the edge of the tub as she rested her head on her elbow to look at him.
"Did you have fun tonight?" Jace needed to say something to break the fire that crackled in his belly.
She nodded, "I did. It was wonderful. I'm glad you were there to keep me calm." She giggled at herself, the moments where her tongue had been caught and Jace spoke to save her tickled at his memory.
He shrugged, "It was a pleasure. I don't think I've ever seen so many thankful looks in my life."
Clary blushed and took a drink of her wine.
"I doubt Sebastian would have been able to do that." Her voice was only a little sad, but it was still thankful.
Jace frowned, "He shouldn't be the reason for your frown." He said quietly, his hand came up from the water and touched the corner of her mouth, his fingertips prickling. Only a few inches and he could be kissing her.
"Then what should be the reason for my frown?" She asked. Was it just him or was she inching towards him?
"There should never be a frown on your beautful face." His voice was hoarse, his mind had to be playing on tricks on him, did she just look at his mouth, he thought.
They were quiet, the only thing was the soft sound of the bath bubbles popping and the faucet of the tub dripping into the water. They were still, looking at each other as their faces were inches apart.
It was taking all of Jace's strength not to close the distance, not to kiss her desperately even though his body was begging him to. But why was Clary not pulling away, he wondered. Was three glasses of wine actually enough to make her want what he did, or was it all in his head, he thought.
The shrill sound of Clary's phone ringing on the bathroom counter scared them apart, Jace shooting to one side and Clary shooting to the other. They looked at each other, just blinking until her phone ringed a second time. Clary shook her head and stood up in the tub, stumbling as she got out. Jace nearly groaned as he watched her wet half naked body leave. He scooped the water in his hands and washed his face, needing something to sober him up, and not just from the wine.
"Hello?" Clary seemed breathless as she put her phone to her ear, Jace wondered if it was from her racing to her phone or something else entirely.
She paused as the other person spoke, Jace only heard the a soft buzz of mumbles.
"Oh, hi, Izzy." She breathed, her cheeks red and Jace noticed that her knees shook as she braced her hand on the counter.
Jace stood and pointed to the bath, asking if she still wanted the water for herself. She shook her head no, her eyes wide and disoriented.
"No, no, we were just taking a bath." She said but realized how odd that sounded as Jace heard a loud noise from the phone.
He chuckled, "I-I mean, like it's a jacuzzi. Like a hot tub. Like-like a swim suit hot tub." Clary's stuttered to try to explain herself, Jace's chuckle growing into a fit of laughter as she glared at him. Why had she been so tongue tied, he wondered.
Jace pulled the drain and the water started to lower as he stepped out. He grabbed one towel and drapped it over Clary and she smiled at him tightly as he left the bathroom to change. The sound of her voice explaining their evening calmed his nerves as he quickly changed into basketball shorts and laid on the bed. The window curtains still open for him to see the city lights and white moon hanging in the sky. His arms behind his head as he settled in the big bed.
Soon Clary came out of the bathroom, still on the phone with Izzy as she gathered pajamas and smiled at Jace as she went back to the bathroom to change.
Jace calmed the nerves that sparked when she'd leave the room. It was silly of him to get anxious when she'd even go into the next room, but he loved seeing her, loved knowing that her presense was near him.
She returned, her phone in her hand instead of at her ear as she wore an oversized shirt of Jace's, his last name on the sleeves. It hung on her like a short dress and his chest squeezed as her hair started to naturlaly frizz and curl. Her makeup had been removed and her accesories were gone. She was fully natural, and her natural beauty shined though. He sighed in relief as she pulled the blanket free as she stepped in.
Even with how large the bed was, Clary still snuggled closely to Jace. He didn't protest as he wrapped his arms around her held as he pulled Clary in tight. She smelled like stawberries and hairspray, her skin still as warm as the bath water was. She sighed, her breath hot on his bare chest.
"I'm glad your here, Jace." She said quietly, the room was dark, the only source of light from the city from the window. Jace felt like the room was smaller in the darkness, even felt as though the bed had shrunken and feeling as though there was no room to move away from each other.
"I'm happy I'm here with you, Clary." He kissed her hair and she nuzzled closer.
Silence fell over them but the noises of police sirens and cars from the busy streets. It was like a lullaby, feeling like they were still at home in New York, the familiarity of holding each other helping sleep pull them under to their dreams.
Well, it's New Years Eve, if I haven't updated after like... 8 or 9pm, then I probably won't update until the new Year. But it's still early before I head off to celebrate so I'll more than likely post one more chapter today. Thank you all for the updates, still think it's funny how confused you guys were about who was going to be with who, like damn, let the characters develop and learn about themself lmao, I kid I kid. It won't be a short story but I can't promise how many chapters there will be because I'm just kinda making up the story as I go... if you couldn't tell(?). Like I know how I want the big things to happen, but I gotta add fluff and let the story grow so it's not so choppy and forced. Anyways, I'll stop rambling and get started on the next chapter, your reviews are so helpful, ILY