Jace arrived back home around noon, a duffle bag of footballs slung over his shoulder. He deposited it in the hall closet before coming into the living space.
"Hi Jace! How was your weekend?" Jocelyn greeted him with a pleasant smile.
Jace hesitated in thought. "Interesting." He settled. "And how was Chicago?"
"Very productive, thank you!" When she noticed him heading upstairs, she called back out. "Oh, Jace honey, by the way, I think Clary is still sleeping in your room. She fell asleep watching a movie in there last night."
Jace nodded slumping upstairs, tired himself. Reaching his room, he closed the door behind him and rested back against it. Sheets were strewn across the bed. In a small, swaddled, pile of comforter, Clary's red tendrils peeked out. The corner of Jace's mouth twitched. With a sigh, he stretched onto the empty space next to her, the mattress groaning in the settled silence of the morning. Her back faced him so, he pulled back the blanket down to her hips. For a moment he watched the gentle up and down shift her shoulder made with each breath. The rays that seeped through the parted blinds cast stripes of light across her fair skin. It was a contrast with his two, tan fingers that walked up her upper arm. Yet, it complimented nicely.
He leaned close to her ear, his breath just barely stirring her hair. "You know how I know that you aren't actually asleep?" He whispered. Clary's eyes remained closed and her breathing light and even.
"Because, you usually snore." He concluded. At this, the smooth, dry lips of hers split into a grin. With a twisting stretch, she faced him and threw a petite leg over his hip.
"It's a cute, little grumbling snore, right?" She insisted.
Jace shook his head, his hair messing against the pillows. "No, it's more like this..." He then continued to make the most obnoxious sounds of gargling and snorts that he could.
Clary's cheeks flamed and she went into a fit of laugher, climbing on top of him, a hand clamping over his mouth. But Jace snaked a hand around the back of her neck to pull her face down to him. It was a swift move that gave her a sharp gasp and her hand pulled away.
"Did you dream about me?" He asked, his tone suddenly changing. His lips brushed purposefully against hers as he spoke.
"I wish..." She offered truthfully. The smolder in his eyes had her stomach tightening. Jace smirked, before giving her a deep kiss that had her humming. When he released her, Clary drew back up, still straddling him. "So, what are your plans for today?" She wondered, resisting the urge to fan herself.
"I can think of what I'd like to do." He responded with a buck of his hips. The bulge of his junk pressed right into hers. Clary clicked her tongue and glanced back at the door. Unfortunately, she knew Jocelyn was up and about. "Definitely against our rules." She countered.
Jace seemed unbothered by it, however. In fact, he looked quite content laying there in front of her, hands cradling the back of his head.
"Which means, this is typically where I would go do my own thing..." She added. "So, I guess I'll just leave yah to it." But before she could scamper too far away, Jace was up right on her tail, his arms winding into a cage around her. Clary was smiling, enjoying her game of hard to get.
"Sorry, not this time, Ginger." Jace admonished. He lifted her and placed her bottom on his desk before taking a seat in his desk chair. "You are going to sit right there and keep me company." He instructed.
Clary eyed him skeptically as he opened his lap top and school books. "You expect me to sit here and watch you study?" Her distain was clear. "You sure know how to give a girl second-thoughts."
Jace smirked and gave a shrug. "This is what couples do right? It's not like we can go to Takis. Other people are bound to be there and see us."
"What about Java Jones?"
"Nerds talk, too." Jace poked, still typing away.
Clary scoffed. If she was going to be with Jace she needed more attention than watching him study. Her foot poked out at him. She playfully stroked it along his leg before tickling into his ribs. Jace grinned lightly and snatched her foot. Gently, he ran his calloused hands along her ankle. It became and idle fidgeting motion as he read. Until, Clary adjusting the low sweeping collar of her night dress, caught his eye. Her nails grazed across the top of her breast and underneath her collar bone as if the feel of it soothed her. She uncrossed her legs and Jace unconsciously trailed his hand up to her knee. Jace tried to keep his eyes on his Lab notes but they kept shifting back to the red-head. Bottom lip trapped under her teeth, she gazed at him up and down. Her hand took his hand that wasn't caressing her thigh. She played with it close to her chest, her soft touch further enticing him. She pulled at the bottom of dress, the thin panties coming into his view.
Jace had to clear his throat. On some level he was trying to prove to Clary that he really did care about her. That his feelings went past just his desire for her. That now they could spend time together in other ways. Yet, it seemed the more time he spent with her and the more he came to care for her, his desire only grew as well.
He stood up abruptly, resolve breaking. He not so gently hiked up the rest of Clary's dress. She didn't object, her face mirrored the same hypnotized look. He hooked his fingers into the stringed straps of her thong, ripping them down her legs. His mouth claimed hers and Clary clung to him in equal desperation.
And then, the exact reason they should not have been kissing came knocking right at the door. As Clary's body leapt onto the bed, her heart leapt into her throat at the sound of her mother's voice on the other side of the door.
"Jace, is Clary in there with you?" Jocelyn questioned.
Jace cracked the door slightly and whispered to her that Clary was still sleeping as he studied and he didn't want to wake her. Jocelyn merely scoffed, obviously much less concerned. "It's the afternoon, Jace, she needs to get up. I don't care if it's a Sunday." She voiced loudly.
Clary rolled her eyes and hopped off the bed. "Mission accomplished, mom. I'm awake." She exasperated and shoved past Jace and Jocelyn.
"Maybe you should study with Jace." Jocelyn suggested.
"Jace really is not very good at studying." Clary wrinkled her nose with a smirk as she stood in her doorway.
"Well, there is a flea market sale happening a couple blocks over if you guys are interested." She told them, as she left.
Clary plopped down on her bed. The frustration with her mother knew no bounds. Thong in hand, Jace traipsed into her room, his own frustration clear. "Maybe we should head out into public, after all. I clearly can't be trusted with you here. Now put some pants on before I lose my mind." He said, chucking her underwear back at her.
"Ten minutes!" Clary announced, popping over to her closet.
Awhile later, they were walking through rows of booths mixed with junk and secret finds. Jace's hands dug deep in the pockets of his jacket and Clary gripped tightly around the ends of her scarf. All to keep away the temptation.
"Oh!" Clary sighed in adoration. "Look at this cute, little, cliché sign. And they only want forty bucks for it!" She held up a board of nailed wood slabs with fancy letters painted across it.
"Nope. Pass. Put it back." Jace ordered.
"Excuse you?"
"You can get the same thing for half that price at a craft store, and seeing how many duplicates there are, my guess is that she did."
Clary gapped and looked up to see if the merchant woman was listening. "Hush! Rude." She scolded Jace. "I cannot fault a girl for trying to make some money." Clary winked at the merchant as she dug around in her small satchel for some cash.
However, Jace was not deterred. "Clary you have practically that same sign at the bottom of your closet and have yet to hang it up."
"Well, now I will have two and can hang them both."
Jace rolled his eyes and caged an arm Clary's chest, forcibly dragging her away from the booth. "You have no more room on your walls!"
"Stop policing my purchases!" Clary growled as she struggled against him.
"If you are planning to live off your own money instead of your Dads, then somebody has to!"
Clary shook him off and fixed her scarf. "Says the guy who bought three pairs of the same eighty-dollar sneakers."
Jace frowned. "They were all different colors."
"I know that at least two of them were the same!"
"Nope! One was gray and the other was greige. I would expect you, as an artist, to know the difference." He said with a chuckle and started to walk on.
"And I would expect you, as a straight man, to not." She smarted back, catching up. This time her hand slipped into his without another thought.
"Don't test me when it comes to athletic gear."
Clary grinned despite herself. "You are such a guy." She cooed. With a little turn of her knee, Clary kicked up her foot to the side, smacking it right into Jace's butt.
He flinched, surprised. "How the hell did you do that?" Jace demanded, trying to flip out his foot in the same manner and failing repeatedly. Clary burst into laughter.
The next morning, the duo hustled into the school building just minutes after the final warning bell sounded.
Mrs. Penhallow, the assistant principal, was standing in the commons area when they arrived. "Mr. Herondale, I believe this is your second tardy this semester." She announced, inspecting her clipboard. Clary smirked at Jace, knowing exactly why they were late. "And Miss Morgenstern, your third. Which means detention after school."
"Mother Fucker." Clary sighed.
Mrs. Penhallow smiled politely. "Make that tomorrow as well." Clary grimaced back at her. "Now if you two will kindly follow me, you have an appointment with the principal, if you may recall."
Clary slapped herself in the forehead as they walked down the hall. The coach's words, suddenly coming back to her. "Son of a—" She started, but was cut off when Jace wrapped a hand over her mouth and tucked her head into his side like a football. "Do yourself a favor and stop talking." He mildly suggested.
As Mrs. Penhallow led them into Mr. Aldertree's office, Clary muscled out of Jace's hold. The door closed for only a second before Mr. Aldertree forced it back open and came barreling through. "Sit." He ordered. Coming around to the other side of his desk he slapped down a couple manila folders. Clary flopped down into a guest chair across from him and Jace took an easy seat.
The short, fat man's bald head turned toward Clary. His thick fingers folded together atop the desk in front of them. "Morgenstern." His tone clipped. "Two fights in one semester. Did you enjoy your last suspension that much?"
"It was my fault, Sir." Jace interjected. Aldertree did not scare him. Jace rarely found himself in trouble. He knew how to handle adults and manipulate a situation to his favor. Clary did not fear authority, either. However, where it made Jace calm and collected, it made Clary brass and outspoken.
Aldertree turned his attention. "Herondale. Honor roll, class cabinet member, varsity quarterback. Why am I even looking at you?" He spat, annoyed. Jace remained stoic, figuring it was the best to see where Aldertree intended to take the situation.
The older man shook his hands out at them. "Look, I am aware of your parent's relationship and the living arrangements that have changed over the past year! That being said, Herondale, I suggest you don't let this disaster drag you down with her."
"I object!" Clary shouted, comically slamming her hand down on the table. "Your evidence behind that accusation is circumstantial."
The principal heaved in annoyance. "I am also aware of why you did not receive your scholarship Miss Morgenstern." He acknowledged and Clary's eyes blazed.
"Don't get her started." Jace mumbled.
"Regardless," Mr. Aldertree continued. "I have decided to overlook this little incident seeing as it involved non-students and occurred after hours. Plus, Coach Starkweather would hunt me down for benching his starting player and Valentine Morgenstern was more than gracious with his donation fund after your last discretion." His eyes glared at Clary once more.
"Gotta love daddy's bribe money." She chirped, cheesing at Jace who smirked back at her.
The two set their eyes back on the principal who was still scowling. "I don't want to see either of you in here again. Get out." He barked.
Clary popped up, not needing told twice, and Jace held the door open for her. "Think you can get me out of detention too, pretty boy?" Clary wondered as they headed back into the commons.
"I barely even said anything." Jace smiled.
"Because, your reputation proceeds you." Clary drawled as her attention spotted Simon walking toward them, his headphones on.
He jogged over, once he spotted Clary. "Hey! We have that sub that always marks everyone present for first period. Do you want to take a joint break with me?"
Clary glanced at Jace with a mischievous smile. Her shoulders shrugged up and down in an excited dance. Jace shook his head in disapproval. "Don't." He warned.
Clary gave an exasperated sigh. "Well, now I have to, simply out of my need to rebel." She clapped hands with Simon, and they walked to a back-exit door. Clary looked over her shoulder to give Jace a wink and all he could do was roll his eyes at her care free nature.
When lunch rolled around, Clary and Sebastian were one of the first friends there. They chatted at they gathered food on their trays. Sebastian as friendly as ever, apparently still trying to win her over. Or just really trying to get in her pants. All bets were still on. Jace's weighing heavily on the latter.
"Here I got it." Sebastian offered, taking out extra money for Clary's meal as well.
"You don't have to do that!" She implored.
He chuckled, waving her off. "I'm trying to prove myself here." He insisted.
Guilt washed over Clary. "That's not what I meant." She murmured.
Just then, a small freshmen walked up to Sebastian and handed him a slip of paper. Sebastian groaned. "Random drug testing." He explained. "I'll have to catch you in a bit." He nodded goodbye. And Clary took a seat alone at the table.
A couple minutes later, Jace dropped down on the bench across from her. "Can I assume you didn't get caught?" He began.
Clary smirked. "Well, if you must know, I decided to just keep him company. I had a in class project I needed to focus on the next period."
Eyebrows rising, Jace showed a wicked grin. "Am I actually influencing your decision making now?" He marveled.
"Don't let it go to your head." Clary replied. She continued to fuss around her tray until she eventually looked back up at Jace. He beamed at her with a day-dreamy smile, just watching her.
She bit at her lip, his attention weighting her like a warm blanket. "You should really stop staring at me like or people will notice." She warned.
"But you are so pretty." He expressed. Clary's cheek flamed a shade of pink. Then Jace's face turned serious. "And I really want to bone you."
Clary picked up a fresh broccoli stalk and flung it at him. "Go get your lunch, loser!"
Jace chuckled and Clary watched him walk away to get in line, he turned back to give her a wink just as she had done earlier.
"What's with you two?"
Startled, Clary nearly fell out her seat. Simon had sat down across from her, just where Jace had been. "What are you talking about?" She questioned innocently.
"You are all into how he flirts with you now." He grunted as if it disgusted him.
"No... I just know he does it to get under my skin, so I've decided to no longer give him the satisfaction." It sounded like a reasonable defense to her.
Although clearly not convinced, Simon hummed in understanding, his attention taken to the chattering Isabelle who sat down next to him. Near the end of lunch, the whole gang sat at the table, carrying on different conversations. Sebastian had returned and sat on Clary's side that Jace didn't already occupy. The two boys spoke across her, a conversation about the pros and cons of the leading professional football team. Tessa chuckled at the pained look of agony on Clary's face.
Sebastian's hand rested on her knee and she couldn't help but wonder what Jace had to say about that. She got her answer, when she looked down to see his white knuckled fist placed on his bouncing knee.
Speaking to the table, Sebastian then suggested that they all go bowling that weekend. Clary, knowing she had no plans already, nodded along without much thought, too focused on finishing the burrito in front of her.
"Well, I guess it's a double date then." Jessamine purred. Clary glanced up curious to what she just missed.
"Sorry, I just don't see Sebastian that way." Jace jested. Clary realized that the double date must have included Jessamine and Jace along with her and Sebastian... Because that would end well.
As the bell rang, Clary suddenly stammered, trying to come up with an excuse she forgot.
"Oh, come on," Sebastian pleaded. "I know what I said the other night but, no pressure with us. I just want to have a good time."
Clary softened. Sebastian was her friend and he was sweet, she could not just blow him off, even if she wouldn't mind Jace doing the same to Jessamine... She nodded and headed down the hallway with him. When she looked around for Jace, she realized he had already stalked off.
On Saturday, Clary stepped into Jace's doorway, her arms sliding into her maroon, leather jacket. "Are you ready to go?" She bit her lip smiling. He was still shirtless as he had been during their hump session a few minutes before. A sheen of fresh water from his shower still shown across his pecs. Apparently, he was too preoccupied with fixing his hair to get dressed.
Jace gave an enthusiastic clap. "Yeah I am! Nothing like being balls deep for the first time all week and then going to spend some quality time with my side-chick!" He stretched his t-shirt overhead and when he looked back at Clary her frown was murderous. "What? Weren't you thinking the same thing?" He quipped.
"You are hilarious." She deadpanned.
"Come on, babe. You know this is a bad idea." Jace chuckled knowingly.
Clary sighed and roughly pinched his face. "They're our friends, Herondale. We can't bail. And just because we are a secret does not mean we can stay cooped up. It's suspicious."
Jace rolled his eyes. "Look Jessamine likes me but, she gets it. However, Sebastian's my friend and I know how you thinks. This is just going to lead him on and I already told you, I don't share."
Clary scoffed. "No, I told Seb I'm just not interested in a relationship right now."
Jace pursed his lips, dismayed. "'Right now.'" He echoed. "Why is it that you always feel the need to add that part?"
Clary huffed in irritation. Regular relationships were dramatic enough. She was seeing that theirs would just be increasingly complicated "Really? I'm just covering all my bases." She replied.
Jace sat back against his dresser and folded his arms. "So that you don't feel guilty if you figure out there's someone better?" He couldn't help but be defensive. He liked this girl. Cared about her more than he ever had for another girl, family situation be damned. Yet, what was point if she would never really feel the same?
Clary stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets. "It's not me I'm worried about." She begrudgingly retorted.
Jace was slightly taken aback. "What does that mean?" He questioned, his voice gentle. He reached out for the lining of her jacket and dragged her in front of him, his hands rested on her waist.
Clary stared at him somberly for a minute, reluctant to speak. She cast her eyes away embarrassed. "It's not like it's a secret that you have your pick of the crop, Jace." She grumbled. She was slightly in disbelief with herself. Why was she confessing her insecurities to him? She had done plenty of rejecting on her part but now, the thought that he might change his mind weighed on her.
Jace turned her face back to him, his eyes scrutinizing. He had used all the words he could imagine, explained the reasons why, did all he knew to show her that this was not a game to him. How could she still doubt him? "It's like you don't even listen to me when I talk." He mumbled, tucking away her hair.
Clary sighed a shaky breath. Sometimes the way he looked at her was just too much. "I hear you. But my inner voice is louder." She informed.
Jace made a displeased face. "Well, tell her to shut the hell up because, I'm not going anywhere and the only thing I'm interested in is this."
Clary couldn't help a laugh "Me too." She offered.
"Good, then we have nothing to worry about tonight." He stated, releasing her. Any unease from earlier seemed to have vanished from him.
Jace grabbed his jacket and Clary followed him down the stairs. "Well, I will admit though, you might have been right. I don't know if Jessamine and Sebastian have the same understanding we do."
"You just need to not let Jessamine get under your skin." He shrugged.
Clary halted mid-step. "Pardon! Moi?" She exclaimed. "Yeah, I'd like to see who can better keep their jealousy in check."
Jace turned, smirking. Their faces level. "Challenge accepted. But, do not act like you don't like seeing me jealous." He purred.
The enticing wave of his voice, drew her in with promise and she was suddenly ready for round two. "It's a novelty, I must say." She breathed. She wondered if he was staring just as intently at her lips. Clary swallowed before speaking again. "This is about to become some twisted game of foreplay isn't it?" She uttered, meeting his eyes. Jace simply grinned wickedly back at her.
Not long later, the couple were at the bowling alley flirting with their respective dates. Clary was on a gutter ball streak. She had hoped the more beer she drank the better she would play. Her theory was failing. Sebastian came up around to demonstrate how to aim and Jace watched her dramatically roll her eyes. Jace smoothed over his smile, hiding it. Jessamine finished her turn and sauntered over to him to sit on his lap. He welcomed her but immediately searched for Clary's reaction. She grinned effortlessly, unbothered, to Jace's slight disappointment. She was better at this than he had anticipated.
"Too bad that strike couldn't save you, Seb. We win!" Jessamine cheered as her and Jace high-fived.
Sebastian did not take it too hard. He stretched an arm behind Clary when he sat down on the bench beside her. "It's okay, I owed Jace a win this time anyway. He's been losing to me for a while."
Clary's curls were flipped over to one side and Sebastian tucked a stray strand behind her ear.
"That's cute Seb. But I think we both know who comes first. Right, sis?" Jace shot back. Clary knew exactly what play on words Jace was invoking yet, his use of the word "sis" made her want to gag.
"Besides," Jace continued. "Pool, is really my forte."
"Should we go rack em' up?" Sebastian suggested.
Jessamine clapped her hands and said she would buy the next pitchers of beer. Jace smacked her ass as she walked away and Sebastian went to get some quarters.
"Good game, bro." Clary muttered, aiming a fist at Jace's crotch. He instinctually flinched and batted her away with a laugh.
"You having fun?" He countered.
"Yeah, it feels good to share my toy." She chirped, walking to the pool table.
Jace chuckled. "You haven't shared any of your toys with me?"
"Bend over later and I will." She smirked at him over her shoulder. When they came up to the table, Sebastian inquired what had Jace laughing so hard but he only shrugged.
By the tie breaking third game of pool, Jace was starting to feel buzzed. And he most certainly knew as was Clary. Jace had spent the past hour doing his part to respectively give Jessamine the wrong idea, but Clary and Sebastian were more distracting. Clary might have played nice on the playground but Jace, eventually, always wanted his toy back.
It was Jace's turn and he strategically lined up his shot. But, in front of his ball, was the view of Clary throwing her head back in a giggle. Sebastian leaned in close whispering in her ear, his hand running up the inside of her thigh. Jace felt the low growl in his throat. He slammed his pool stick too hard, his shot going wide and missing the pocket.
"Dammit! Touch her again Verlac and this pool queue is going up your ass!" He threatened. "Your PDA is making me sick."
"Dude, do us a favor and lay off the big brother routine for one minute!" Sebastian exasperated. He stepped to the table to take his own turn.
"Coming off as more the jealous boyfriend to me." Snarled Jessamine from the corner. Jace glared at her before knocking back the rest of his beer mug. He stepped up to the busty blonde. Light as feather, his fingertip, ran over her collar bone and over the swell of her breasts. "The jealous boyfriend role was always your favorite." He murmured, seductively. Jessamine hummed, when Jace swooped back her blonde curls. He tickled her neck with his lips, kissing under her ear. Jessamine turning her face into his, searching for his lips. Yet Jace pulled back, satisfied that he was teasing her. He smiled over his shoulder to see Clary's face but she was gone.
Shocked, his eyes swept the whole bowling alley but, only Sebastian remained, chalking up with queue. "Where did she go?" Jace queried.
"Said, she wasn't feeling well all of a sudden and wanted to go home." Sebastian shrugged, disappointed.
Jace cursed under his breath and threw on his jacket, Jessamine forgotten. "I should make sure she gets home okay."
"I offered to go with her but she said she's just going to stay at her dad's place. I guess he's waiting up for her." Sebastian explained.
Cursing again, Jace shoved past him. He didn't care or have time to think of any other explanations for them. Jogging out of the building, he looked back and forth till he saw her vibrant hair strutting away in the distance. Jace ran catching up with her. "Hey!" He called out. "Don't start what you can't finish, Ginger." He teased. He caught her hand and without hesitation, Clary whipped around smacking him square in the face.
"What the fuck?!" He shouted in shock, cradling his burning cheek.
"Took it too far, Herondale!" She wailed while he was still recovering. She grabbed two small fist-fulls of his jacket and shoved him back into the brick wall of an alley. The next thing he knew, Clary's mouth was on his and her arm clutched around his neck. He could feel the arousal pouring off of her, and despite the pain in his face, it fueled his own. He moaned against her and roughly pulled her up onto him. With a roll, he pinned her tight to the brick.
"I think you are insane." He growled in her ear. "And you're going to pay for that slap later."
Clary pushed him back, biting her swollen lip. "You win. I don't like it. No more other girls, okay?" She told him firmly.
"Not a one." Jace confirmed without a hesitation. A feeling of satisfaction overtook him. He claimed her lips once more and she panted against him, her hand grappling at his belt.
"Babe." He reluctantly murmured. "I'm not going to catch Hepatitis in this alley, even for you. This will have to wait till we get home." He said, releasing his hold on her.
Clary looked around the street, and her eyes lit up when she spotted the glowing sign. She grabbed Jace's hand dragging him across the street, between traffic. Then, they ducked into the lobby of a small hotel where Clary slapped her credit card down on the counter.
When they finally got up to the room, Clary's blood was still pumping. As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, Jace hoisted her on the bed. They stripped each other of their clothes like unwrapping a present. In seconds, Jace had her chest pinned to the mattress and he was buried in her from behind. Clary moaned with each pounding, tension fracturing up her walls. And then Jace's hand came rippling across the tender flesh of her ass cheeks. Clary cried out, but the pain only fueled the fire of her nerves. Each grind of his body against her was carnal and ferocious. She gasped at each overpowering wave of pleasure.
In one fluid movement he flipped her onto her back, his hand pumped his member until his seed spilled and splattered across her bare breasts. Clary watched him tense and pant above, till she let her own eyes roll back in her head. He collapsed to mattress space beside her.
"And here I thought we were all done with the hot hate sex..." She sighed, simultaneously wondering if she would have fingerprint shaped bruises around her hips.
"I don't hate you." Jace hummed, smooching her shoulder. "What do you say, we shower, put on fluffy robes, order room service, and order movies on HBO for the rest of the night?" He stood and grasped both of her hands, pulling her up with him.
"What else is a credit card for?" She agreed with a smile.