Chapter 11: So another month has passed and it seems Clace is doing well. We know Jonathan wants to change that, though….enjoy!

I do not own any of the characters, only the illustrious Cassandra Clare owns them. I do, however, own this particular story, so please don't be lame and copy/paste it elsewhere.

Previously: "...she's a Fairchild woman of Idris, like her mother was… and as such, deserves to be treated better than the peasant, mundane women you're used to. You must charm her, woo her, court her… You are a Morgenstern man…control your proclivities."

December

Clary Fray walked up to her mirror for a last look before she left for her lunch meeting with Valentine Morgenstern at his New York headquarters in Manhattan. Apparently he has a penthouse in the building and is bringing an associate from Idris. A woman named Amatis Graymark, his art broker. He contacted Clary recently to ask her to meet with him regarding several pieces of her mother's artwork that he had procured, over the years in Idris and to also discuss an opportunity for her. It sounded like he had quite the collection. Clary had been instantly intrigued. Works by her mother that she had possibly never seen…

She had asked Izzy to help her prepare for such a meeting. She wanted to look professional, but also present her artist persona. They had decided on a gorgeous cashmere dress her mother had given her for Christmas the previous year. It was a lovely shade of aubergine, with a scoop neck and tight long sleeves. It accentuated her emerald green eyes and gently hugged her curves. Showing a modest amount of cleavage, it fell just above her knees. She wore supple black high heeled boots that came just past her knees. Very appropriate for December in New York City. Her mom had always had impeccable taste and always knew exactly what best suited Clary. She had applied minimal makeup, just a light black liner, mascara, and lip gloss. Clary didn't like heavy makeup and her mother had discouraged covering her freckles. She missed her mom so very much. She especially missed drawing with her and sipping herbal teas, as they talked and laughed. Clary had tried to sit and sketch yesterday in her studio, but had a difficult time drawing a single line. Ever since Halloween…If I could just remember what happened. It was so infuriating and frustrating. She felt stunted by her creative block…her inspired itch was absent and it hurt. Okay, Fray, back down. It will come back. Back to looking pretty…

She had straightened her hair today and it hung all the way down to her waist in a thick crimson curtain. She pulled her hair over the front of her left shoulder and held up a delicate gold chain with a dazzling eight-pointed star pendant. It had diamonds at each point, with one at the heart of the star. It was lovely. She had found it in her Mother's safety deposit box, with coordinating stud earrings. She was curious about it, as she'd never seen it before. Izzy had helped her go through the contents of the safety box and insisted she wear the star set, in honor of Jocelyn, as it suited her purple ensemble.

Clary heard a low whistle behind her and smiled. "Baby, can you help me with my necklace before you go back to work?" She asked, as she watched her gorgeous boyfriend stalk up behind her through the mirror with a devious smirk on his face. She saw him take a long look up and down her backside. Clary smiled back and bit her lip, at his reflection. He loved the lip bite.

Jace hummed and ran his hands up and down her sides, her breasts, then squeezed her ass, as he nuzzled her bare neck. "Your dress is so soft, sweetheart. I can't stop touching you. Maybe I should take the rest of the day off and spend it petting your pretty dress and everything under it…" He lightly nipped her ear as Clary shivered in response.

He inhaled deeply. "I'm not sure I can abide another man seeing you in this dress, baby. He murmured into her neck, trailing wet kisses down to her delicate collarbone. "I'm absolutely seething with jealousy…how can I let you ride off in some billionaire's limo looking so fucking beautiful and sexy." He whispered. Clary moaned and leaned her head back against him as she felt a heated desire coil between her legs. I think my panties just fell off…god he makes me so hot.

Clary blushed a deep red that crept down her neck and across her chest. "Jace. You're not being very nice right now…" She turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on his perfect lips. "You know I'm not impressed with money, babe. I have plenty of my own…It's just a meeting. I'm actually intrigued about his collection of my mother's work." She looked up into his golden eyes and smiled sadly. "It will be like seeing her again, in a way, Jace. So much of her– her work burned in the fire…" He put his hands around her face and rested his forehead against hers, smiled softly and nodded.

She took a deep breath and continued, "...anyway, Valentine is sending a limo and his son, Jonathan to escort me, so I don't have to worry about hailing a taxi. They'll make sure I get back home safely as well. Okay? And stop worrying about my outfit. I'm afraid my burlap sack is at the cleaners. It's completely appropriate, my sexy caveman. I think old Valentine and his son have seen a woman before and should be able to keep their shit together." Jace groaned and pouted. "Clary ran her thumb over his pouty lip and whispered in his ear, ''How about if I let you peel this dress off of me tonight, after dinner if you like. I kind of like your "petting" idea. Izzy's staying at Simon's again. Let's get Taki's…" She handed him the all but forgotten necklace and turned back around. He caught a whiff of her light floral perfume and groaned in surrender.

He slid the delicate chain around her neck and clasped it. His eyes followed the pendant as it settled down, just above her cleavage, glittering in the light. "Goddamn, Red. You are so beautiful. You have no idea what you do to me. Fine. Run off in your old rich man's limo with his baby boy for a few hours. Just remind him and his son that I have a badge and a gun and I'm the jealous type. Oh! I will definitely take you up on peeling that dress off later…just do me a favor and leave those boots on. I'll walk you out, babe." He kissed her cheek and held out his hand to her. Clary blushed deeply and took his hand as they walked out to the living room.

Jace helped her slip on her dark gray wool coat, snapped his service revolver back in his shoulder holster and clipped his badge to his belt. He pulled his black leather coat on, zipping it up and opening the door for her. "Do you have your phone, Clary? Text me when you get there, okay…and maybe if your meeting takes a break…and when you're coming home. I'll come get you for dinner after work–" He stopped when he saw the annoyed look on her face. Shit. Here it comes…

Clary sighed, "Jace you know I have my phone and I am not texting you that much. I'll text you when I get back home. Stop being so overprotective. I'm safe. You already know where I'm going and with whom I'll be meeting. Also I will meet you at Taki's. Babe, chillout. Please." Jace shrugged sheepishly and said, "Okay. Sorry sweetheart…I'm sorry." He closed the door behind them and held her hand again as they walked to the elevator.

Jace admittedly had been quite fixated on keeping Clary safe, ever since she was drugged and attacked by that Sebastian bastard on Halloween. Sebastian. He was still out there and Jace had such a very bad feeling about him. He felt that Clary may have been his intentional target; that Sebastian already knew who she was, after what Kaelie had said…. When they had been fighting, he had heard Sebastian mutter something like, "Clarissa. Mine.." He hadn't told Clary that, as he didn't want her to worry more. So, he was unapologetically vigilant about her day to day activities. He and Alec were actively investigating her case, but had no leads...and nothing new from Kaelie. It's like he didn't exist. Except you do, don't you, fucker? I'm never going to allow anyone to harm her again. If Sebastian thinks he can ever touch her again, he has another thing coming. Jace decided he didn't want to stress Clary any more today. She's just having lunch with some old fart, art-collector dude…and his douchebag son…Clary hadn't mentioned him before. He's probably some weak-ass, inbred old money eurotrash puss–

Jace stopped when he and Clary walked out of her building. In the pick-up lane, leaning casually against an emerald green Aston Martin v12 Coupe was not some "inbred, eurotrash pussy…" and that is not a limo, but a fucking sweet ass British sports car. Like 007. Shit. Jace narrowed his eyes. This guy was a bit taller than Jace and obviously worked out. A lot. He looked like fucking Tom Brady with floppy white blonde hair or one of those Hollywood vampire movie heart throbs that Izzy used to flip over. He had on a long black wool coat and a thick dark blue scarf wound around his neck in some fancy, twisty way. I'm supposed to let her ride away with this guy? Fuck. I trust her...nobody lets Clary Fray do anything. She does what she wants. I'm not jealous. Nope! Liar… He looked at Clary who's eyebrows were raised in surprise, then she smiled warmly as they descended the steps. The pasty Ken doll's eyes lit up when he saw Clary, barely registering Jace's presence. He stood up straight and watched her and Jace approach, flicking his eyes once at Jace. Returning his gaze to Clary, he ran his eyes over her appreciatively. Do not punch this guy. Be nice. For now… Jace circled his arm around Clary's waist possessively and noticed the guy's eyes drop to his arm. Yep. My girl.

Clary sighed and spoke first, extending her hand in greeting. "You must be Jonathan Morgenstern. I'm sorry to stare, you look a lot like Valentine. I'm sure you've heard that before." She laughed, her eyes crinkling as Jonathan took her hand and leaned down to place a light kiss on the back of her hand. Jace tightened his grip on Clary's waist and bit the inside of his cheek. I'm right here, prick.

Morgenstern smiled shyly and shrugged, slowly releasing her hand. "Indeed, and you must be Clarissa Fray. I'm sure you understand exactly how that is. You look so much like your mother… I was so sorry to hear of her passing. She was a rare talent and from what I have heard, a beautiful soul. I'm so glad to have the opportunity to share our art collection with you. Please, do call me Jonathan."

Clary looked back at him and smiled gratefully, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Jonathan tilted his head, stepped closer and continued to stare at her. She took a deep breath and sighed. "That is so kind of you to say, Jonathan. I am looking forward to it. You don't know how much this means to me…since– Please call me Clary. Clarissa is so formal…" She looked over to Jace and smiled, leaning into him. "Oh! Sorry. This is Jace Herondale, my–"

Jace gently released Clary's waist and quickly jutted his hand out toward Jonathan, nearly hitting him in the gut and Jonathan stepped back. Oops. "...-her boyfriend. So nice to meet you. You can call me Detective Jace Herondale. Nice ride…" Jace said glibly and stared into Morgenstern's black eyes, smiling humorlessly. Jonathan gripped his hand tightly and squeezed as Jace returned the handshake, squeezing harder. Jace peeked over at Clary. She raised her eyebrows at him in annoyance and cleared her throat. Shit, Jace thought.

Jonathan chuckled and released Jace's hand, shaking his head in amusement. He gestured back to his car. "Well thank you. It's a recent purchase. I had it custom made for my twenty-fourth birthday. I couldn't resist the shade, Iridescent Emerald." He looked back to Clary, into her eyes. "It's my new favorite color." He looked pointedly to Jace. "It was so good to meet you, Detective. Perhaps we will meet again." He stepped away from the couple then, and opened the door to his car and reached out his hand. "Shall we, Clarissa? Our lunch has been catered by Chef Hong's newest restaurant. Father said Thai is your favorite…" Clary smiled and hummed appreciatively, then turned to Jace and kissed his cheek, before taking Jonathan's hand and slipping into the green sports car. Jonathan closed the door and walked around to the driver's side and opened his door. He lifted his face and looked at Jace. Giving him a triumphant smirk, he slipped into the car and drove away with Clary.

Jace narrowed his eyes as he watched them disappear into traffic. The first thing I'm going to do, when I get to work, is vet the hell out of Valentine and Jonathan Morgenstern. Especially Jonathan…there is something off about that smug asshole.