Clary's brain stirred slightly but her body stayed unmoving in hopes to calm the lurching of her stomach. She cautiously registered that Jace was moving somewhere about the room. With slow stiff muscles, she stretched the loose sheets over the top of her head, hoping to shield from the beaming light on the other side of her eyelids.

She cried out in offense when Jace's strong hand came out of nowhere, spanking her round backside. "Get up, ginger. We have to pick up coffee for everyone." He announced.

Clary made a groan of the waking dead. Keeping her head buried under the sheets, she lamely stuck out her empty palm to him. After only a few seconds, Jace laid two pills in her hand. Clary scarfed them into her mouth and reached back out of the sheets to grab her water off the side table. But after that, she made no move to get up, simply curling in on herself, willing the aches away. That was until her sheet fortress was ripped away. She cried out in annoyance as Jace said something to her.

"I hate you." Clary groaned deeply.

Jace gave her a lopsided grin though her face was hidden under a curtain of curls. He arched his neck to peek the clock beside her head. "Back to that, already?" He said to her. "It's only been a few hours." He chuckled, however Clary was bemused. "Why don't you go freshen up?" He suggested.

Clary moved from the bed as if she were still asleep and her body was simply a puppet of a paranormal entity. He still eyed her body with admiration as she trudged out his room in only her panties and a tank top. Her taught nipples showing through the fabric.

While Clary was in the bathroom, Jace grabbed a pair of her leggings and his sweatshirt she kept. Clary came back out into the hall and Jace chucked the pants at her. She stretched them on, a sour look on her face. Jace draped the sweatshirt of her head and she slid right into it. He pulled out a pair of his dark sunglasses and slid them over her eyes. For good measure he raised her hood and jerked the drawstrings. The hood wrinkled tight around her face.

"Comfty?" He beamed at her.

Clary simply nodded, hiding a small smile. Jace laced his fingers with hers and pulled her along behind him as they headed out.

As they rode along in the truck, Jace kept tight on her hand. Clary had loosened the drawstrings of her sweatshirt but kept the hood up, feeling warm and cozy surrounded by his scent. She had wondered what the morning would be like, knowing that Jace had feelings for her. Would he have embraced it or become embarrassed? But, oh he was embracing it. And for some reason she found those eyes full of puppy love quite humorous.

Jace looked over at Clary snickering to herself and raised an eyebrow. He asked what she thought was so funny.

"You have the biggest crush on me, don't you?" She replied. It was more of a statement than question, her tone a mix of disbelief and light mockery.

Jace just shook his head smiling to himself. He brought their clasped hands up and kissed the back of hers. She wasn't wrong...

Clary's heart warmed at the gesture. Jace was being sweet on her. A side of him that she had never seen him show anyone and it was almost unbelievable.

They drove to a coffee shop drive-through and Jace read off a list of orders from his phone. Clary smirked when Jace ordered a "black, classic roast for the tortured soul" next to him. Jace ordered the same with added cream. After they pulled to the other window and collected their order he passed her a cup. "Enjoy your dirt water." He said.

Clary chuckled and sipped her coffee. She made a face when it was sweeter than expected. Looking at the side, she saw a heart and phone number written in Sharpie. "I think this is yours." She snapped. Handing the cup to him, she traded for the one he had thought was his. Jace just shrugged unconcerned. But, Clary was befuddled by the baristas boldness and it came to her attention, that Jace was often hit on right in front of her. Yet, it hadn't been something that irritated her until now. Were girls just plain rude or was it so impossible to believe Jace and her to be a couple?

Clary kept to herself the car ride. When they pulled into the driveway of Alec and Isabelle's house, Jace grasped her chin, giving her a tender kiss. The stress in her thawed immediately and she bit her lip, wishing to have more of him right then. Is this what it would be like from then on? Would he know exactly when and how to melt her?

Jace pulled away, glad he had tamed her sudden spurt of irate jealously. Although, part of him felt the need to tell her to behave today. And then he thought better of it.

Heled them into the house, knowing that the parents were away for the weekend just like theirs. Clary darted up the stairs and Jace set the things down in the kitchen. Sebastian was sprawled on the couch just then stirring. Will and Tessa both slept soundly on the rug in front of him. They faced each other, inches apart, their heads resting on their hands as if they had fallen asleep in the middle of talking. "Rise and shine! Coffee and doughnuts." He loudly announced.

Upstairs Clary headed straight for Isabelle's room. She marched in and flung herself on the bed, right between a groggy Isabelle and Simon.

"Where did you go last night?" Isabelle inquired.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

Isabelle snorted. "I already do. I was only asking as a curtesy. Your phone location told me that you went to a different bar nearby. Why? Did you go hook-up with your hottie with a body?"

Clary clicked her tongue. Honestly, Jace practically being her step-brother made things easier to hide their affair. She'd never be able to conceal a relationship otherwise. "Maybe." She offered in reply.

Isabelle snuggled closer, clearly intrigued with the chance for gossip. "Did you sneak off and sex it up in the bathroom?"

"Not that time..." Clary answered honestly.

"I feel like you two forget I'm here sometimes." Simon inserted from the other side of her.

"What did you two do last night?" Clary asked, grateful to deflect the conversation from herself. Isabelle caught her up on the Jonathan drama. And Simon revealed he finally got the chance to explain the entire plot synopsis of Star Wars to Isabelle.

Jace wandered upstairs in search of Alec. When he came to his cracked door he peaked in to see Alec asleep in bed, his arm wrapped around the bare chest of a sleeping Magnus. Jace only raised an eyebrow before pulling the door shut with a resounding click. He walked to Isabelle's room where he found Clary in bed with her two friends, chatting animatedly. Clary and Simon were facing Isabelle, their bodies looking spooned together. Jace tried to qualm his own pang of jealousy that curled inside him. It caught him off guard. He thought knowing that Clary felt the same for him would calm the growing possessiveness he felt for her.

"I made you breakfast, Ginger." He voiced, cutting off Isabelle's rant. Clary scampered out of bed, breezing past Jace with an enthusiastic 'thanks.' He watched her go before he noticed the scrutinizing gaze of Isabelle and Simon. "There is coffee and doughnuts downstairs too." He added. That seemed to perk Isabelle up out bed. Yet, the change in the way Simon regarded her was not lost on Jace.

Back downstairs, Jace made himself a plate of eggs, as all their friends roused to eat and chat with one another. Clary sat crossed legged on the counter, her eyes still concealed by dark sunglasses. Leaning against the counter opposite her, Jace ate his food as she did. With blank faces they stared at each other in almost a contest as if trying to decipher the other's thoughts. Jace only broke concentration when Alec pulled out a bar stool near him with a groan.

"My back is so stiff today because Magnus stole my bed and I had to sleep on the floor." He explained. Although, no one had prompted him. Jace cast Clary another glance and the side of her mouth tweaked up in silent agreement.

"Sure, buddy. Here." Jace handed him a coffee.

The front door slammed, and in waltzed Jonathan. His eyes darted around the room in heated search.

"You're not wanted here!" Shouted Clary from her perch on the counter.

"Bite me, Clary." Jonathan coldly spat. She replied with a quick chomp of her teeth. Jonathan ignored her and moved to Alec. "Where is Izzy? I need to talk to her."

"Probably still upstairs with Simon." Alec replied without thought. Seeming almost as hungover as Clary, he drank his coffee, clearly irritated.

Just then, Isabelle skipped down the stairs, Simon on her heels. They paused at the sight of Jonathan, Isabelle looking pissed and Simon looking fearful.

"You're a dead man!" Jonathan raged, lunging across the room. Simon turned, tripping up the stairs in retreat. Will and Sebastian leaped from the couch to corral their furious friend and prevent an unneeded beating. Isabelle shoved angrily at his chest.

"Alec!" Isabelle roared. "Get your dumb, hot-headed, cheating ass friend out of my house!"

Alec growled pushing away from the counter. Shoving past all of them, he headed for upstairs and muttered to Jonathan to just leave.

Jonathan shook off the other two guys. "Izzy are you really going to throw the last year together away all because of some bimbos that don't mean anything?" He demanded.

"Do you hear yourself? Clearly, I didn't mean anything either!" She sparked back. "So, guess what? I'm sorry I ever wasted my time with you."

Clary's hands came together in the works of a slow clap. With an indignant huff, Jonathan's fuming turned on her. He only made one step toward her in confrontation before he met Jace's stiff hand. "For your own health, I encourage you to not even think about it." Jace said in a low warning.

Jonathan walked backward to the door. His dismay evident. "Fine." He uttered. "You guys want to be friends with all these losers. Go ahead. Fuck you all." He stormed out the door almost running into Jessamine who was walking in.

Jessamine was in much better shape that the rest of them. Her long blonde waves were neatly pinned back, her nails freshly polished and makeup done up. A designer handbag hung on her arm. "I visit my grandparents for one night and I miss all the fun." She drawled, curious eyes glancing around the room. As everyone went back to relaxing, Jessamine strolled into the kitchen with Jace. "And I missed the coffee run?" She pouted.

"I got an extra." Jace politely offered to her.

Jessamine gratefully took it. "Awe, thanks babe." She hummed. Her sleeking hand curled around the back of his head, bringing his mouth down for a sensual smooch. When she pulled away Jace chanced a look at Clary. He couldn't read her eyes behind her sunglasses but mouth held a slight smirk.

"You two make a cute couple." She piped out of nowhere. Jace rolled his eyes. There was the animosity.

"I keep telling him." Jessamine agreed.

In a swift movement, Clary slipped down off the counter. She traipsed by them and went to the back of the living room couch where Sebastian was sitting. "Need any extra sugar?" She offered, leaning over him. Before Sebastian could replied, Clary planted her lips on his. Her kiss lasting seconds longer than the one Jace shared with Jessamine. Not that he was counting. Once she was finished, she patted the top of Sebastian's head and went back upstairs. Jace stayed silent, his jaw flexing. Maybe they were going to have some problems...

Not much later, a few of the boys found themselves in the Lightwoods private weight room. It was a loft area that had a glass wall overlooking their indoor pool and sauna. It was a pretty extravagant display for one's personal home. They were a well-off family, much like Clary's father. Yet, it made sense. Robert Lightwood use train with Olympian swimmers.

Breathing slightly heavy and covered in a sheen of sweat, Jace took a break in between his bench sets. He stood by the glass wall looking down at his friends in the pool. Isabelle, Tessa, and Magnus lounged around in the hot tub. Clary and Simon seemed to be playing some sort of game. Jessamine was just climbing out when she caught Jace's eye and twiddled her fingers in a wave. She adjusted her bikini bottoms, the tight wet fabric snapping on her tan behind. Jace watched her curiously as she smirked at him. She strutted all the way over to shower stalls. Under the raining water she peeled out of her swimsuit. Though the shower stalls were supposed to have some privacy, the high view from Jace's corner of the weight room could see well over the top of stall. He had a decent eye full of Jessamine's bare, no tan lined breasts and he knew she was well aware. Jace smirked to himself, amused by her antics. He looked back over at Clary and saw she was then standing at pool edge, scowling at him. None too worried and feeling only slightly guilty, he shrugged with a chuckle. It was typical Jessamine.

Sebastian came up by him asking what was so funny. Jace just nodded down to the girls. Jessamine had wrapped a towel around herself out of the shower and strolled behind Clary. Frowning the red-head pointed up at them in the weight room and said what he could only assume was a snarky comment. It was enough for Jessamine to pause and shove Clary in the pool. The two boys laughed and watched Clary sputter before pulling herself back onto the edge. Peering up at them for a beat, she turned around and pulled down the straps of her backless one-piece. She took it off completely, stepping out of it as it laid sopping at the pool edge. Jace frowned at the shameless view of her fully nude backside, while Sebastian's grin only got wider. From up there, Clary's skin looked a perfect cream, though Jace knew up close it was splashed with light caramel colored freckles. The only thing standing out against her skin was the deep black tattoo, low on the back of her hip. He crossed his arms, as jealousy rose in him once again. He didn't like that he now wasn't the only guy to have seen it.

Clary walked straight back to the towering racks of towels and wrapped herself in a white, fluffy one. She looked back up at them and he could plainly read the challenge in her eye as she marched into the sauna.

Sebastian let out a low whistle. "I got to get down there. She wants me so bad." He insisted.

Jace pulled the small sweat towel from around his neck. With a quick twist and release of it, he whipped Sebastian hard in the chest. "Come on. You got two more sets." He ordered.

Within minutes, all the guys finished their work-out and headed down to the pool. Sebastian dove straight into the pool while Jace headed for the sauna first. He stepped into the dim lit room of warm wood. The entry was shadowed and cooler with a small built-in shelf of towels. Jace dropped his trunks and wrapped one of the towels around his waist. He stepped around the corner to the open sitting space. A display of steaming rocks spouted in the middle creating a thin fog about the space. Built into surrounding walls were long wooden benches. Clary laid stretched out on the far bench, her damp curls spread out in halo. The seams of her towel parted around the thigh of her raised knee. When Jace sat down on the bench opposite of her, she winked opened one eye, just to see who it was.

"You just missed her... Jessamine had to leave already." Clary volunteered.

Jace audibly stretched his shoulders. His hands raked through the blonde waves of his hair as they began to scrunch in the humidity. "Not that I didn't know you were jealous before but, I think it's cute how obvious it's becoming." He replied.

Clary snorted and sat up. She had an enticing smile as she scooted into the corner. "It's cute or you like it?" She queried, with a nip of her bottom lip. Her red tendrils were all messed to one side, curling and tangling together. She looked like a page out of playboy.

Jace just raised an eyebrow, watching her intently. His guard rose at her sudden mood change.

"It's kind of a turn on for you, isn't it?" She clarified. Her finger tips traced around her knee cap and up her thigh.

"Maybe." He hummed, enjoying her teasing.

"And when I flirt with Sebastian?"

Jace scowled and slammed back against the wall. "That... I do not enjoy."

Clary pursed her lips and Jace knew it was all supposed to be a taste of his own medicine. "It's all for pretenses, right?" She cooed. Her hand ran between the seams of her towel and cupped the valley of her thighs.

Jace rested forward, elbows on his knees, and held his breath watching her. Her hand moved back and forth over the sensitive nub Jace knew all too well himself. He met her eyes and they bore back at him. She was thoroughly enjoying the way she pleased herself.

"You know this is torture for me." He accused. "Putting yourself on display when you know I can't touch you right now..." Jace's member twitched and stiffened along his leg, wanting the same attention she gave herself.

Clary snickered softly and pulled back the end of her towel so he could gaze in all her womanly glory. "If Jessamine can put on a show for you why can't I?" She mused.

Part of him wanted to assure her that there was never any competition but, he decided it would be best not to interrupt. Her delicate fingers ran along her folds, slipping in and out of her. Jace ran a hand over his staff, gripping and stroking out the arousal building within him. Clary's eyes slipped closed. Her headed pressed back into the wall as her chest arched away from it. Wet stands of curls plastered against her face. The heat in the room became heavier, as both their breaths became fuller and ragged. Fingers turning white, her other hand squeezed the edge of her seat. Jace groaned, his own manhood fully uncovered now as he pumped himself toward release. She looked amazing trussed up against the wall pleasuring herself.

The wooden sauna door creaked and then slammed shut. Clary and Jace quickly covered themselves, both straightening into their act. Jace swallowed hard. He made adjustments to his towel to conceal his hard on. Clary smoothed at her damp hair. He could see the slight tremble in her hand and lip, as she had halted at the cusp of an orgasm.

Sebastian entered from around the corner with his cocky smile. "What are you two talking about in here?" He questioned only with curiosity of societal pleasantry.

"Jace was just telling me about Einstein's theory of relativity." Clary joked smoothly. Besides the slight squirming of her thighs, she seemed to be getting better at the whole lying thing. Nevertheless, they were getting in the habit of getting interrupted and that could happen only so many times before they were caught.

Sebastian played along with a chuckle and slid right up next to Clary. "Such a know it all." He agreed. "By the way, was that a tattoo I spotted earlier?"

"Maybe..." Clary replied.

"Mind if I get a closer look?" Sebastian urged.

Clary's eyes passed over Jace. "Sure." She said, standing.

Arms crossed, Jace lounged backward watching their exchange. Though his body language was one of comfort and lax, his stoic face was completely unamused.

Clary rested one knee on her bench and parted her towel to show him a better look. Sebastian leaned in, studying it. His fingertip even came up to trace it. At his touch he noticed the slight hitch in Clary's breath. Sebastian looked up at her face with a surprised grin. Feeling welcomed, his other fingertips trailed happily up the inside of her thigh.

"I'm. Right. Fucking. Here." Jace growled. The thought of Sebastian sending her over the edge right there, in front of him, instead of him... made his vision blur with red.

Clary cleared her throat and sat back down, waves of discomfort flooding off of her.

Sebastian groaned. "Well, no body is stopping you from making yourself scarce." He nagged. "Look, make all the rules you want man. Some things are just inevitable." He winked at Clary who smiled hesitantly back. Sebastian looked at Jace expectantly and put an arm around Clary. Perhaps he would finally take a hike and let them be alone so real things could happen. However, Jace made no move, not even a flinch. He simply bore into Sebastian with his death stare of disapproval. It was a showdown Sebastian didn't feel like playing, fore he knew he would lose.

With a sigh, he relinquished his hold on Clary. "Alright, man. You win." He conceded. "This time, eh?" He added playfully as he stood. "It's too hot in here, anyway."

"Hey! We're right behind you." Clary tightened the top of her towel and popped up to follow him. Jace did the same.

But when the door slammed behind Sebastian, before Clary could grab it, Jace pulled her back. Pinned forcibly against the wall, Jace immediately slid his fingers into her sex. Clary gasped and Jace's other hand clapped over her mouth to hold her cry at bay. Her womanhood was still aching and swollen from her own workings. His slightest touch of her, had her insides coming apart. Fingers pumping and curling inside her, Jace practically had to hold her up as her body melted against the wall. It was an orgasm that crashed like waves on rocks and she was at his mercy.

Seeing that she was spent, Jace slowly released her. One by one his fingers rolled off her lips. She sighed a heavy breath. "You're welcome." He said in a heavy breath, betraying his own arousal. "Now stop letting him touch you." He ordered, opening the door for her.

Clary scoffed, fussing her towel. "Maybe I will, when you stop eye-fucking Jessamine and letting her grope you with her mouth." She marched past him.

"That's different." He insisted.

"How?" She snorted.

Jace stared at the back of her head for a moment. Did he really have to explain it to her? Jace had always made it apparent that he had no feelings for Jessamine. Sebastian, however, well, Clary had had nothing but good things to say...

"Because I am Jace Herondale." He finally replied. Clary didn't even have to look at him. She could hear the smirk in his voice.

"You're so full of shit." She grumbled.

The pool exit door slammed behind her and Jace let her go. He shook his head and cannon-balled right into the pool.

The gang hung out at the Lightwoods all day. Isabelle's friends ended up watching a movie and Alec's boys spent time in the game room, playing pool. Eventually, everyone wound up eating takeout and playing video games. The room was dim, the giant, bright, flat screen illuminated most of it. When Clary stretched out on the couch, Sebastian scooped up her legs, and placed them on his lap. Jace's blonde head was right in front of her as he sat on the floor against the couch. She eyed him for the slightest movement to see if he noticed.

However, Jace was too enthralled in the video game. He cursed under his breath another time, restraining himself from breaking the controller in half. Spinning around in the game chair, Simon taunted him with another triumphant smile.

"You know... you're never going to beat him." Came Clary's whispering voice in his ear.

"We'll see about that." He huffed. He did not handle losing well. No matter what he did, Simon's character seemed to out power him.

Clary's arm reached out for the controller. "Give it to me."

Jace scoffed and swatted her hand away. Clary groaned and rolled forward. She rested her chin on his shoulder, arms surrounding him. She placed her hands over his on the controller. Jace turned his face, slightly into hers, breathing in her scent. Her fingers danced around the controller clicking away a sequence of buttons.

"I meant it when I said you would never win. Because he's using cheat codes and you are not." She whispered, releasing him. But not before her hand flapped against his cheek. "Punk."

Jace's character powered up, finally a match for Simon. It was close a game, Simon had clocked in a lot of hours of experience. But at the end, Jace finally had victory.

Simon spun around angrily, already knowing exactly what had happened. "Dammit Clary!" He accused. "Whose side are you on?"

"Just trying to level the playing field." She shrugged sheepishly.

"Couldn't let me have this one thing..." He grumbled to himself.

Jace's hand reached behind him to find Clary's. He pulled her hand forward for a chaste kiss of thanks. She blushed lightly, keeping aware that Sebastian was probably watching her. Deciding it was as good as time as any to leave, Clary stood up and stretched. "Alright, I'm ready to get going." She announced.

Jace tossed the controller to the side and stood up, gathering himself. "I'll grab the keys."

From the bar counter, Alec interrupted. "I thought you were staying the night. We have to coach that kids camp in the morning."

"I'll take you home, babe." Sebastian offered before Jace could argue. He slid in hand into Clary's pulling her along.

Clary didn't see how she could object. It's not as if they were a sudden package deal. And Sebastian was her friend, she could ride home with him. Just because Jace could not control his jealousy did not mean he could dictate who she was allowed to talk with or let touch her. Especially when she wasn't allowed to do the same! She cast one lingering look over her shoulder. But, Jace was already watching the T.V. screen again.

When Sebastian and Clary came out the front door, both jerked in surprise. Pinned against a porch pillar, Tessa passionately made-out with Will, one of her legs hooked around his thigh. They slipped sloppily apart when they realized they had been caught.

"Tessa, I thought you left an hour ago." Clary noted with a smile.

Face a deep flush, Tessa covered her swollen lips and tried for an innocent nod but, she could not keep her small smile at bay. Will pet his hair into place while he chuckled at her expression.

"Don't let us interrupt." Sebastian waved, moving around them.

Just after Clary and Sebastian left, a sheepish Will and Tessa walked in holding hands. Jace clicked his tongue, feeling anxious. "I should probably make sure she has her key..." He mumbled aloud, peering around in case anyone cared.

Hurried, he swiped his keys off the counter and darted out the front door. In the florescent light of the porch, he collided with Clary's small frame.

"Ah, I uh, realized I don't have a key." She explained.

Jace smirked and laughed once. His dexterous fingers slipped a small metal key off a ring. "I figured." He placed it in the flat of her palm. Her small unpolished nails curled around it. Through the dark, Jace could see the Sebastian's headlights at the back of the drive way. "Text me when you are home safe." He murmured and gave her chin a gentle nudge. Although his eyebrows were weighed with worry.

"Fear not. You will see me again." She teased with a wave.

Once everyone one went home, Alec and Jace were left alone watching television both dozing. He checked his phone again. Clary had not texted him. He was unsure what that meant. Where she could be. What she could be doing. Doing it with... He was going to kill Sebastian.

When the ring of Jace's phone finally went off he popped up, suddenly awake. With a glance to see if Alec had fallen asleep, he went outside for privacy.

"Hey." He breathed into the phone.

"Hi." Her voice spoke back. And then quiet followed. Even after what an enlightened time they had the previous night, after the day they had, he worryied if they were okay.

"Your bed just isn't as warm without you in it." She started.

Jace grinned against the phone. "You're in my bed?"

"Maybe."

"And what are you wearing?" He mused, liking where the conversation was going.

"Sebastian asked me to be his girlfriend." She said abruptly.

Jace's smile fell. He nodded to himself casually, while looking around for something to break.

When Jace didn't respond Clary continued. "I told him that I wasn't sure I was ready for that. But, I would think about it and let him know."

"Didn't know it was something you had to think about." Jace snapped. Honestly, were they ever on the same page?

"That's not fair, Jace!" She fumed back. "I know you said you care about me but, what does that make me in our situation exactly?"

"Mine." Jace piped, accompanied with an eyeroll.

His answer seemed to quell her budding irritation because he heard her chuckle on her end. "When did I give you the idea that I'm the kind of girl to be owned?" She questioned.

"Didn't seem to have any complaints last night." He replied.

"Jace... you mean a lot to me. I just don't know if we can handle all this."

Jace winced. "Look, Clary, I don't know how you feel about Sebastian but, I meant it when I said I wasn't interested in sharing." He could hear her start to interrupt but he kept going. "I don't know what this is, I'm not going to make promises because I wouldn't ask you to do the same. But please just do me a favor right now... and tell him no. Give us a chance to 'explore' this and... I'll take you on a proper date."

After a short silence her voice came. "Okay." She said simply.

"Okay." He blew out a heavy breath. His anxiety only slightly relieved.

Their call lingered but he didn't know how to end it. Feeling that there was a specific something he needed to tell her. How did one some up a phone call with someone they liked? 'Goodbye' felt insufficient and detached at that point. But it was Clary who found the right words.

"Night, babe." She whispered, her tone endearing.

Jace smiled once again. "Night, babe." He echoed.