"So Alec, how's everything at work going?" My mom asked once we all had our food.

"Oh, it's pretty good, lots of new stuff on the way which is exciting. I'm also thinking of expanding a bit on what we're publishing, moving a little away from thrillers," I said cutting into my steak.

"Really, what are you publishing then?"

"Right now I'm working on this erotica that just came to me. Actually, it was brought to me quite a bit ago, but I'm giving it a chance now."

"An erotica, really? I guess those are pretty popular."

"Alec isn't getting sex anywhere else, so he's living through his books again," Jace said trying to hide his smirk.

"Oh shut up," I said scowling. "You know I've been getting sex, you're the one who helped with that whole online dating thing."

"You're online dating?" My mom asked.

"Yeah, I have been for a while now, did I not mention that?"

"No, I would have remembered if you had. How's it going?" She asked, clearly trying to block out the previous talk of my sex life.

"It's going alright, I did actually contemplate stopping a little while back, but I've recently been talking to this one guy for the past week, and things seem to be going well with him," I told her, not being able to hold back my smile.

"What's his name?"

"Magnus Bane, he's an English professor."

"No wonder you've been swooning over him," Izzy said smiling. "Though I am glad, you've been considerably happier since you started talking to him."

"Have you met him yet?" Mom asked.

"Ummm, no, we've just been emailing."

"I found that weird too mom," Izzy said in response to the shocked look on our mom's face. "Why haven't you two gotten together yet?" I sighed, I really didn't want to have to tell them this.

"Well, um, you see. Magnus lives in London…" I said trailing off, the room grew silent. "He's only there on sabbatical, teaching, and he only has six more months. We've agreed to be friends, and then maybe see what happens…"

"He lives in London, but how did you even get matched with him in the first place?" Jace asked.

"He's from New York, he had an account while living here and didn't delete it before going to London so it still thought he was here."

"But what if you start falling for this man, what will happen then?" My mom asked.

"It'll be alright, we're just keeping things light right now. I'm a grown man, I can handle myself," I said before digging into my food again, trying not to glance at the sad look Izzy was giving me. It was like she already knew I was screwed.

000

How was family dinner tonight?

I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face as I saw the new message Magnus had sent me. I had just gotten home, fed Chase, and now I was in bed going through my emails. Seeing one from him made the job better.

Hey, though you're probably asleep by now. Dinner was pretty good, thankfully they only spent about an hour talking about my sex/love life so it was bearable tonight haha. I did end up telling them about how I was talking to a guy who lived in London, they were surprised, to put it mildly. I'll tell you more about it though once you're awake, talk later :)

I started looking through my other emails, making notes on the ones I should answer first thing in the morning, knowing they wouldn't like me to respond at ten o'clock at night. Once that was done I debated whether or not I should finish the manuscript I was reading, when I got a new email, from Magnus.

Hey, nope not asleep yet…though I really should be. May have got distracted by a book, and maybe waiting for you to get back…. Glad you had a somewhat good evening, and if you aren't tired out from talking about it I would love to hear about your sex life ;) joking…maybe…I may just be delirious from lack of sleep though. Now I need to know how they reacted about me! But I mean it's not that weird talking to someone so far away, we're just being friends for right now, no harm done :) Well maybe sleep deprivation…but I think it's worth it.

Isn't it like 3 am there! How could you not be asleep, though it's cute you were waiting up for me…anyway of course you'd want to hear all about that :P though it's really not that interesting, and better saved for another time. You're probably going crazy from lack of sleep, and I feel bad about that since it's because we've been talking so late this whole week. Ugh, stupid time difference. I have an idea though, just save talking for the weekends, then at least you won't have to get up early if we end up talking into the night, what do you think? Then I'll tell you all about their reaction to you. Don't email me back until Friday when you're free, go get some sleep! :P

I closed my laptop and leaned back on my pillows, there was a warm feeling settling over me, one that always seemed to happen after talking with Magnus. Which probably wasn't something that was meant to happen after talking with a friend, it sure didn't happen after talking with Simon or Maia. I set my laptop on the nightside table and moved under the blankets, smiling when I felt Chase jump up onto the bed.

"So you got any weekend plans?" Julia asked as we both walked out of the building.

"Not a whole lot, though I think my sister is dragging me to some party tomorrow night, which I can't get out of," I said.

"Wouldn't it be a super high-end model party? Why would you want to get out of that, bet it'll be crazy."

"Of course it will be, all her parties are. I just rather have a low key weekend," I told her, stopping at the curb to wait until we could cross.

"You totally just want to stay in so you can talk to Magnus all night long," she teased.

"Oh shut up," I said heading across the street.

"I'm only joking, I think it's wonderful that you've found someone you connect to like this. Really, Alec, I am happy for you."

"I know you are, but don't get your hopes up too much. We're only friends at the moment since he lives so far away."

"Yes, but that's for the moment," Julia repeated. "You guys talk way too much for this friendship thing to last very long."

"Well I'm just trying not to like him too fast, long distance relationships are never a good thing," I said sighing.

"Especially since you guys wouldn't be getting any sex," she said, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

"I am leaving you now," I told her, going to turn in the opposite direction.

"You just know I'm right!" She called laughing. I just waved behind me and wished her a good weekend, then made my way home where I had the feeling a new email from Magnus would be waiting for me.

000

I was right of course but decided to wait until after I took Chase for a walk to open it. I may have been less patient than normal when he wanted to stop and sniff everything we passed. Once we got home I practically dove for my computer, thankful that there was no one around to witness how exactly pathetic I am.

Hey, so I may or may not have rushed home after my class was done just so I could write to you… can't let you know how pathetic I am right off the bat ;p Also Camille was not too happy when I said I couldn't come out tonight since I would be talking to you, but that's her problem… also, I promised I would go out tomorrow night (it was the only way to calm her down) Anyway how was your day? And you still owe me the story of your family dinner! Not letting you get out of that one.

Don't worry I won't spill your secret on how pathetic you are ;p though for the record I'm just the same amount of pathetic so we're in this together. And I hate how I'm taking you away from your night out! But also secretly glad…and tomorrow night works perfectly since my sister will be dragging me to a party which I was told that I had to go to or risk sudden death… clearly she is a very sweet sister :p But oh yes the family dinner, really there isn't much to tell. My brother is just way too invested in my sex life to the point of it being a little creepy, and he's worried that I'm not getting laid enough…but I'm fine. Then there's my sister who wants me to find that perfect one and be happy…but once again I'm fine. Though I don't think it helped all that much when I brought you up since you live so far away, and they were a little taken aback by it, even when I told them we were just friends. I think that's the thing they found the weirdest. But it's not their problem, I am perfectly capable of living my own life….So, sorry for that rant I just went on, let's talk about something else

Wow, your family is something that's for sure. It is sweet that they want you to be happy and all, but still…wow. I mean I don't have any siblings so this could just be normal, but still weird how your brother wants you to get laid so much. Though isn't he the one who told you to start online dating? So I still give him points since it led me to you…was that too cheesy considering we're just friends…for now…hopefully….I'll change the subject. So a party your sister is hosting, won't that be filled with fashion stars? So jealous of you right now! You better tell me a second by second recap of what happened! And how about we play 20 questions? Or more like *insert amount of questions until we run out* I'll go first. Favourite movie? Favourite colour? Favourite song?

No, this is definitely not normal sibling behavior, well it is for mine, but not for anyone else's. But I guess you're right, he did help with the whole online dating thing which yes did lead to you :) And no you're not being too cheesy… well, maybe a little…but I like it. And yes, hopefully :-* (that's meant to imply blushing, though I could have done it wrong) Anyway don't worry I'll make sure to fill you in on everything that happens tomorrow night. But yes I'm all in for the questions! To answer yours: Rocky horror picture show would have to be my favorite, though moulin rouge is a close second. Fav color, maybe green, though my sister would say black since that's the color of my wardrobe. And my fav song at the moment would be Despacito, I have a thing for Spanish accents. Now for you. Favourite book? Biggest fear? Favourite drink?

Don't worry that's the sign for blushing, which I bet you look adorable doing :) I shall work on making you blush more, maybe by telling you I happen to know a little Spanish, my R roll is quite amazing ;) Those are great movie choices, I actually went as Dr. Frank-N-Furter for Halloween one year, I may actually still have that costume somewhere… My eyes are green by that way, with a little gold swirled in. And okay, hitting me with the hard question, how am I suppose to pick a fav book? It will hurt all the other books feelings. I'm re-reading Two Can Play by Charlotte Gardner so I'll say that one at the moment, though it changes every time I read a different book. My biggest fear would be heights, I'm afraid of falling. And drink would be a margarita :) Now for you…Fav food? Dream vacation? Biggest fear? I'm interested.

Yeah, I'm blushing again, it's a good thing I don't know what your voice sounds like, to begin with, or else I'll just be imagining it speaking Spanish and then we'd have a problem, especially with the image of you in that outfit… And now I think green-gold is my fav color ;) And actually, I'm the publisher of Charlotte's books :) So I'm glad you're a fan! Now my fav food would have to be sushi, I can't get enough of that stuff. Dream vacation would be to Italy, or maybe to England again ;) And biggest fear, would have to be dancing, anything that requires me to move my body in front of people, no way. I do not have the coordination for that. For you, Fav show? Celebrity crush? Worst date?

That's how we spent the next few hours, asking each other question after question, and it wasn't until it was almost 4 am in London that we finally said goodnight. I couldn't stop smiling as I fell asleep.

"Alec, you look great!" Izzy said walking over to me, carrying two glasses of champagne. One of which she handed to me.

"Why do you say that like you're surprised?" I asked, accepting the glass. "I've been to your parties before, I know the dress code."

"Sometimes I just forget that you know how to dress yourself, I'm so used to having to help you."

"Well clearly all your hard work has paid off, aren't you proud of me?" I teased, taking a sip and sighing as the bubbly liquid hit my tongue. I really loved champagne.

"Whatever, I'm just glad you look nice. There are a lot of hot guys here tonight," She said, sweeping her hand around the club that was booked for the night. It was like she was waiting for a spot-light to shine on all the available men.

"That's good to know, though I'm not really looking to hook up with anyone tonight," I told her.

"Is this about Magnus?" She asked. "Because I thought you said that you two were just friends."

"We are-"

"Then it shouldn't be a problem to survey some more options," She said taking my arm. "Come on, I'll introduce you to some of my favorite people." I sighed and accepted my fate, there was no way I would be getting out of this.

000

"So are you a model?" Guy asked. And yes that was actually his name.

"Umm no," I said, taking another sip of champagne, my fourth glass since I got here. Izzy had abandoned me some time ago to talk with whomever, and I hadn't minded the freedom, that was until people started talking to me.

"Oh, you in movies then?"

"Nope, not that either," How could he not tell that I had no desire to talk to him? Or maybe he just didn't care.

"So what do you do then?"

"I'm an editor," I told him.

"Like, books?"

"Yeah, that's exactly it," I said, watching as his face changed from interest to confused. Cleary he was wondering what I was doing here.

"My sister is the model. She's the one throwing this party."

"Oh," he said. "That makes sense."

"Yeah…oh look there's someone I need to talk to, over there," I said pointing across the room at no one. "See you around." I quickly walked away, grabbing another glass off a passing tray.

"Hey bro," Jace said, coming out of know where and putting his arm around my shoulders. "How are you holding up?"

"Pretty good, I've had a few glasses of champagne so I'm right on track to making this night bearable," I told him, lifting the glass up as proof.

"That's the way to go, though you could try actually talking to people."

"Have you not seen, I've been talking to people all night. It just gets exhausting trying to explain what my job is, and then telling them my sister is throwing the party and that's why I'm allowed to be here."

"Well, someone is salty," He said, leading me over to a cluster of couches. "I'm sure I can find you some interesting people to talk to."

"I'm alright, I'll probably just leave soon. I think I've been here long enough that Izzy won't be mad, or maybe she won't even notice I'm gone. I haven't seen her in a while," I said looking around.

"I'm pretty sure I saw her and Simon sneak upstairs. Probably to have sex," Jace said, shuddering at the thought.

"Thank you for sharing that with me, I needed that image in my mind."

"Just drink more, it will make things better," Jace said smiling. I nodded in agreement. "How about I get us more to drink and I'll keep you company so you don't have to talk to anyone else."

"Sounds good," I said as he got up and headed to the bar. He was hardly gone two minutes when I felt someone sit beside me.

"You trying to hide from everyone else too?" The guy asked.

"You could say that," I said turning to look at the intruder. I instantly disregarded that term when I saw him, he was hot. Like really, really hot. Or maybe that was just the champagne talking.

"The only reason I'm here is because the model I photograph invited me, though I've hardly seen him all night."

"I'm only here because my sister's the one throwing the party, and I didn't feel like getting killed by her," I said, draining the last of what was in my glass.

"Your sister is Isabelle Lightwood? That's pretty awesome," he said, clearly impressed. "So what is it that you do?"

"I'm an editor, so not from this world," I told him, wondering where Jace was. I looked over at the bar and scowled when I saw him clearly chatting up some red-head. He looked over at me just then, then at the guy talking beside me. He grinned, and then said something to the bartender, pointing over at me. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm sorry what?" I said, tuning back into what the guy was saying.

"Oh, nothing. Just that that must be a cool job."

"I suppose, I think so at least. Clearly, it's not as glamorous as this world."

"Glamour is over-rated, as long as you love it that's really all that matters," he said, just as a waiter came over a deposited a try on the table in front of us. There was a bottle of champagne on it, along with ten shots of what I could only guess was tequila.

"Wow, what's this from?"

"My brother, he desperately wants me to talk to people here. Clearly, he thought we were getting along," I told him.

"Well I like to think we are," he said smiling a little, and okay it was actually a little breathtaking.

"Why don't you tell me your name and we'll go from there."

"Oh right, I'm James," he said sticking out his hand.

"I'm Alec," I said shaking it.

"Well Alec, would you join me in taking some shots?" He asked, separating them and putting five in front of me.

"Why not, it will make this night more fun," I said before taking the first one.

"Agreed," James said before taking one himself. I realized this was probably a bad idea, but I deserved some fun. We each finished the shots before we started talking again.

"So, you didn't bring anyone with you tonight?" James asked as he began pouring us each a glass of champagne.

"Nope, no one to bring, unfortunately. Though my sister was happy, said there were a lot of hot guys here tonight and I should take my pick," I said, accepting the glass and taking a sip.

"And have you chosen a guy for the night?" He asked, and I could swear I saw something flash across his face, maybe lust? Or that could just be my book fuddled brain trying to come up with the right words. I probably had too much to drink as well, but I didn't put the champagne down.

"Not yet," I said slowly.

"Well the night is still young," he said holding up his champagne glass. I held up mine too.

"It is indeed," I said catching his eye.

We continued talking, and we continued drinking. What happened was inevitable. It started slowly, almost like it snuck up on us. We were laughing about something, we both got too close. We stopped, we stared into each other's eyes, and then we were kissing. Lips pressed together, tongues seeking entrance. Then hands were running down arms and creeping under shirts. We stopped, we looked at each other. Then James whispered that he didn't live too far away. Then we were both stumbling outside, he pushed me, or I pushed him against the brick wall of the building to kiss again. To taste the inside of each other's mouths, to push our very obvious erections against one another. We both groaned, and ground against each other harder. It was like we were teenagers. Then there was a cab and more kissing. Then we were in an elevator, trying not to rip the clothes off each other. Then there was a door, we were at his place. Then more kissing and skin on skin touching 'cause our clothes finally came off. There was stumbling and laughing as we hurried into his room, the softness of the bed as we fell onto it. His hard body on top of me, touching all the right places, teasing me. Then finally the feeling of being so full, the pleasure of him thrusting into me, kissing and touching everywhere else. Then whiteness as he pushed me over the edge, his cry as he too fell with me.

As I was falling asleep, I thought of Magnus, and how we were just friends.

Hope you all liked this chapter, though it didn't end so great. Maybe Alec isn't so okay with this friends thing? I'll be back on Friday! :)