Disclaimer: All characters belong to the lovely Cassandra Clare. Cover art by Cassandra Jean.
"Clary." I heard someone interrupt me.
I turned around to see the one face I'd been avoiding all day.
I felt the smile I previously had while talking to Sebastian slip.
It was Jace. Shit.
"Can we talk for a moment? In private." He said.
I was silent for a minute until replying, "Well, I was in the middle of a conversation with Sebastian. And I'm sure whatever you have to say, you can say in front of everyone else."
He shrugs. "Ok. But you should know, I don't exactly have a filter."
I look around the hallway that's bustling with students trying to get to their next class. A good number had already paused and were watching us to see if something exciting would ensue. Ugh, nosy. I thought to myself.
"Fine." I huffed.
Jace started walking past the students in the hallway without looking back to see whether I was following or not. Finally the number of students started to thin, and that was when Jace opened a closet door and pulled me inside.
We stood there for a good five minutes; him staring at me intently, while I took a sudden interest in my shoes.
Finally after what seems like years, he blurts out "You left your underwear."
"What!" I say not at all expecting him to say that.
"Shit, it wasn't supposed to come out like that. I-I mean it is true, but I was going to say something else." He says rubbing the back of his neck.
Was Jace Lightwood blushing?
He clears his throat. "Listen Clary, about that night-"
"What night? I don't remember anything about a night. Especially not one involving you." Slick, Clary. Real smooth. I mentally berate myself.
He gives me a pointed look.
"Okay fine, maybe I do slightly remember. But I already know what you're going to say and I completely agree. We should just forget about what happened." Even as I say it, I feel a small pang in my chest.
Jace takes a step closer to me. His scent of lemon and sunshine wash over me and the memories of that night come back to me. I was so worried about what was going to happen, I hadn't thought about what did happen. I think of his warm hands on my body, his mouth everywhere. Just the thought of it makes me blush.
"That's not what I was going to say at all." He says taking another step closer.
My head snaps up to meet his eyes, but before I can say another word, I feel his strong arms envelop me and his warm lips pressing against mine.
I lose myself in his feel of his warmth and his scent. Time seems to stands still as he moves his mouth against mine and even as I feel our bodies pressed together it doesn't feel close enough. It's as his tongue swipes against my lips asking for entrance that I finally pull away.
We stare at each other for a moment in the dim light both struggling to catch our breath. I break his gaze and let out a sigh. What was happening to me? I thought. If someone were to tell me a week ago that I would be kissing Jace Lightwood in a janitor's closet, fully sober and enjoying it I would laugh myself hoarse at the idea. I knew this couldn't go on for any longer though. Jace, being Jace, would probably tire of me soon and move on. Anyway, it wasn't like I had any real romantic emotions towards him. Not like I did Sebastian. Somehow thinking of Sebastian while being in this situation with Jace made me feel guilty.
"Jace", I started, "I don't really like you that way." It was true. I practically knew nothing about Jace other than in purely physical matters. He aloof and a bit mysterious. I knew that he had a lot of experience with girls and that cared for none of them. The only friends he had were his adoptive siblings, Alec and Isabelle. Really, I've never met a person who hid so much about himself. How could I like Jace when I didn't even know him?
"Oh, how you wound me" Jace states sarcastically, looking a bit irritated. I was surprised by how easily he brushed off my comment. "Clary, I'm pretty sure I've never had a relationship before where I actually felt something for the girl. Relationships for me are purely physical. And you can still pine after Verlac if you wish."
I sucked in a breath. "How did you-" I start.
"It's obvious to anyone with eyes." He says. Then he turns to me serious again. "Don't you feel this connection between us?"
I shrugged, but truth was I did. I felt a spark when he touched me and when he kissed me it was like my whole body lit up in flames. dI knew that feeling was rare.
I looked into his golden eyes. "So what are you suggesting?" I asked, knowing I was digging myself deeper into this mess with him.
"I say we keep doing this. No strings attached." He says evenly.
This was it. I either turn Jace away now and forget what ever happened between us; or I take the risk and let myself go to whatever physical pull I have to Jace without having to be in an actual relationship. Truthfully, feelings scared me. The thought of falling in love was too big and it's easier to get lost in the feel of a person when you don't have to worry if they like you or not.
"Okay", I whispered, even though every fiber of my being was telling me that this is a big mistake.
That was when I stood on my tiptoes and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing our mouths together. I knew there was no going back now.
It flames were liking up my insides and making my stomach coil as Jace moved his mouth fervently against mine and pushed me against the wall. I felt his hands grip the back of my thighs making me shiver. He hoisted me up and I wrapped my legs around him making him moan hotly against my mouth. Then, without warning, I felt his hands move underneath my skirt and slip my underwear down my legs.
His golden orbs looked into mine for a moment silently asking for permission and before I could actually think about it I nodded. We started moving together slowly until I was begging for more. I felt myself engulfed in the scent of Jace and the feel of him inside me.