Jace Herondale's P.O.V.
So after many days of tiptoeing around eachother, the sexual tension. They still tried to live together and now they're trying to have dinner like any normal roommate.
Although pretty sure they're anything from normal!
But that still doesn’t tell me why medicine.”Hera placed her elbows on the table, leaning closer.
“I knew from an early age that one day I’d have to carry on the family legacies. It was the only thing I was sure of. But I didn't just want my family's legacies, yes I have a responsibility. I guess subconsciously I chose a field where taking care of others was the focus and making a name for myself.
Smiling at me fondly, Hera twirled a piece of her shiny blond hair between her fingers. “Were you always such a good kid, a serious student.”
“Don’t patronize me. I was a nerd.” I set my napkin beside my now empty plate.
She laughed, and I couldn’t help but smile. “I didn’t say that.”
“That’s only because you were trying to be nice.”
She shrugged. “It’s rare to be so disciplined about studying and goal-setting at such a young age. You’re actually kind of amazing, Jace. And now you’re going to be a doctor in a few short months.”
Her compliment radiated through me. I rarely took the time to examine my way of life. I just did the work that was in front of me and kept going.
Of course, things had changed in the past handful of years. My parents would still like me in the family legacies but they were still immensely proud of what I’d accomplished, so I just continued on making lemonade, living the only way I knew how.
We finished dinner and carried our dishes to the kitchen. Standing side by side, she rinsed while I loaded the dishwasher. We made a pretty good team. Our new living arrangement should have felt strange, with all our old history and this new sexual tension crackling between us, yet it felt natural in a way I didn’t anticipate.
“Any big plans for tonight?” Hera asked, handing me the last dish.
I shook my head. “Not really. I may go out with some friends later, grab a beer. You’re welcome to come along.”
“No, that’s okay. I brought my laptop home. There’s a couple of work things I need to get done.”
“Work on a Friday night?”
I made a low sound of disapproval in my throat, but the truth was, her presence would cramp my plans if I was going to pick someone up. And something told me that alcohol plus Hera was a bad combination. All of our inhibitions would be lowered. Not that I was going to fall into bed with her—I had enough self-control to prevent that. Well, probably. But who knew what I might say?
Am kind of intrigued tho, for a girl from a small town you still managed to acquire your degree"Jace says .
She nodded. “I guess you could say hardwork I guess. which is why I can't be cut dead slacking, I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Have fun tonight.” She grabbed her laptop bag from the floor of the dining room and disappeared to her room, like she was desperate to get away from me.
But what had I expected?
After a nice dinner together and easy conversation, I was pleased to see that perhaps our new living arrangement would work. Yes, I was sexually attracted to her, but that didn’t mean I’d act on it.
I headed to my room since I still had an hour before I was to meet up with the other interns from my program and a few friends from the hospital. Collapsing onto my bed, I stuffed a pillow under my head and let out a heavy sigh.
Hera had been a surprise tonight. She was down to earth and easy to talk to. Optimistic and sweet. I knew I was cramping her style being here, but she handled it all with such grace. Of course, I wished she hadn’t felt the need to sneak off to her bedroom under the guise of having to work, but whatever. Everyone needed alone time occasionally. I was the same way. After a busy shift at the hospital, I craved silence.
Fishing my phone from my jeans pocket, I opened a social media app I seldom used. For some reason, I found myself typing Hera’s name into the search bar, clicking Enter, and then waiting while it pulled up her photo.
I clicked through the few photos she had shared, noting that most of them were either selfies or pictures of her.
After tossing the phone onto the mattress beside me, I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes and took a deep breath. Just looking at her had my cock rising. Knowing she was in the next room and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about my attraction to her was a bitch of a combination. I wasn’t used to having to exercise such self-control.
My hand wandered under my jeans, adjusting where my now hard cock was pressing into the zipper. Biting down on my lip, I took the weight of my cock in my hand and began to stroke.
I told myself it was merely cleaning out the pipes before I went out for the evening. It’s not like I could bring a girl home to Hera’s place.
Unbuttoning my jeans, I freed myself from the denim prison. Stroking in hard pulls, I imagined how Hera’s small, soft hand would feel moving up and down my shaft, her delicate fingers massaging my balls. With a swallowed grunt of pleasure, I pumped faster, racing toward my release.
A noise of surprise caught my attention, and I opened my eyes to see Hera standing in my doorway.
Fuck!
Unable to tuck my swollen cock back into my jeans, I pulled a pillow into my lap and gazed up at her. “Are you here to lend a hand, princess?”
Her face turned tomato red and she stammered out an apology before scurrying off down the hall.
After a few deep breaths to get myself under control, I tucked a very unhappy camper back into my pants and went in search of her. Hera was in the living room, standing in front of the window, her shoulders tense.
When she heard me approach, she turned to face me. “Oh my God, I am so sorry.” Her expression was pained, and I could tell she genuinely felt terrible. “I didn’t mean to just barge in like that.”
“Then why did you?”
“I thought I heard you say my name.”
Fuck. Had I? I blew out a frustrated breath and pushed my hands into my hair.
Hera crossed the room and sat on the edge of the couch. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think this is going to work.”
Still reeling and on edge, I took another deep breath. Lacing my fingers behind my neck, I stood before her. Her cheeks were still stained pink, and her eyes were glassy.
“I get it. You don’t think we can stay together under one roof without fucking each other’s brains out.”
She made a noise of surprise in her throat. “I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to, princess. Your reactions to me told me everything I needed to know.”
Hera’s blue eyes widened, locking onto mine. I’d given her one hell of a shock. But the look in her eyes was far from disgusted or angry.
Fuck. Playing with her was almost too easy. And fun.
Aside from her physical response to me.
“You can’t tell me you’re not interested. The way your tight little nipples poke out, begging to be licked, the hammering of your pulse in your throat, the flush of your cheeks, the greedy way your eyes fell to my lap when you walked in.”
She chewed on her lower lip, her gaze darting away from mine.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We have chemistry. Plain and simple,” I continued, my tone soft, alluring.
“I do not . . .” She anchored her hands to her hips, which pressed her breasts out, her beaded nipples still hard and straining.
I suppressed a laugh. She could deny it all she wanted, but I was a fourth-year med student. I’d been studying biology and anatomy for years. She had all the classic signs. She was turned on.
“We’re practically in a messy situation Jace. Isabelle would—”
“We’re not family. But yeah, Isabelle would freak the fuck out, which is why we’d never tell her.”
“It’s not going to happen. Ever.” Her voice wavered. It was slight, but it was there.
I shrugged. “Whatever you say. It was just an idea.” And obviously a bad one.
Part of me was relieved she refused my suggestion. If I broke Hera’s heart, not only would my sister kick my ass, but I wouldn’t forgive myself. But toying with her like this, watching her reactions to me . . . that I couldn’t resist.
Pulling a deep breath into her lungs, Hera fought to regain control.
“Listen, if you don’t want me here, if you don’t think we can behave . . .” I lifted my brows suggestively. “I can find somewhere else to crash..
After a scoffed grunt, she straightened her spine. “I can behave like an adult if you can. It’s only two months.”
So she admits that misbehaving appeals to her. “Sounds reasonable,” I murmured.
Actually it sounded fucking depressing, but I wouldn’t push her. If she wanted to deny she was interested, there wasn’t much I could do. And given my track record with women, it was a damn good idea to keep it in my pants.
My career was the one thing in my control. It felt good to set goals and work toward them.
Yes, the need for pussy often forced me into clubs seeking a quick release with a willing partner. One-night stands and the occasional short-term relationship helped squelch the burning need low in my groin. But it never detracted from my mission. And after this last particularly painful breakup, I was done with relationships, even short-term ones. From here on out, I would stick to clinical matters of the heart, and avoid the metaphorical ones that often landed you in a messy breakup.
“I really didn’t mean to interrupt,” Hera said, her voice softening. “Are you mad?”
I shook my head and sat down beside her. “I’m not mad. Horny? Yes. Mad, no.”
She gave me a sweet smile, her blue eyes crinkling in the corners. There was no way I could be mad at her. I just needed to figure out how to survive this!!!
Hera Lightwood's P.O.V.
"Do you want a drink because I need it"Jace says..
I accepted the glass of wine he offered and sat down in the armchair next to him. Fancy galas weren’t generally my thing, but it was nice to change it up once in a while. “Isabelle really wants you to sign up for that dating thing,” he said, appraising me. “Are you going to?”
I was sure I was reading more into his sudden interest than was actually there, but the question still triggered a swarm of butterflies inside me. I took another sip of wine to buy myself a few more seconds.
The truth was, I did want to find a good man. And the chances of finding my Mr. Right on a dating app were slim. But maybe that was okay. Maybe a Mr. Fun-for-Now would be nice too. A few decent orgasms wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I hadn’t had sex yet but I intend to and according to Isabelle, it's not normal for a woman in her twenties. Maybe I just wasn’t as bold and liberated as she was. But why couldn’t I be? What was holding me back? Why couldn’t I grab life by the balls and live, take my pleasure as I saw fit?
Isabelle too has mentioned the dating app thing too just like my Friend the other day.
Pushing all that aside, I was much more interested in finding out about Jace. “I dunno, probably not. What about you? Any interest in dating?”
His expression turned serious, and I wondered if I’d struck a nerve. He was a grown man and could date whoever he wanted to.
After a pause he said, “My past has dictated that I live by a strict set of rules when it comes to sex. It only happens once, and no exchanging names or numbers.”
I rolled my eyes. “How romantic of you.”
“You don’t approve?”
“Spoken like a true manwhore.”
“It has nothing to do with being a manwhore; I can promise you that. My number is actually fairly low. Healthy, but low.”
“What’s the point then?” I took another sip of wine, enthralled by his deep, low tone.
“In my experience, women turn into crazed creatures after sex.”
I huffed. “Crazed? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” He made it sound as though we were nothing more than delicate hormonal messes who lost their minds at the thought of mating.
“I have a long and storied history with this. Trust me.”
“Beginning with?”
“You want to know about my first time?” He grinned and I nodded. Shaking his head, he set his glass down on the table. “I was sixteen when I lost my virginity. Amanda was two grades older, but I’d known her for years.”
“She said yes and we did the deed.”
“And then?”
He looked down at his hands. “She tried to commit suicide two days later.”
Jesus. I winced.
“Yeah. And while the situations haven’t all been that severe, they’ve been close. From near strangers who profess their love after a quickie, to stalkers, to one who handcuffed herself to my bed, let’s just say I’ve not been lucky after getting lucky.”
“Is your dick cursed with black magic or something?”
He shrugged, dragging his eyes up to meet mine. “No, just eight inches long. I also have wicked stamina . . . and an advanced understanding of female anatomy.”
My insides clenched violently. Fuck.
Now it was his turn to smirk. “You having a problem there?”
I spread my hands in a who me? gesture, my wine sloshing a little in its glass. “Jeez, Jace. I’m sorry, I’m just a little fucking thrown off here. Besides I know nothing am just a lot girl from Kentucky.”
His smile was devilish. “We’re both adults now, so there’s no reason we can’t discuss sex without it turning weird. Besides, you’re the one who brought it up.”
I grumbled, but couldn’t argue. That much was true. “So, what happened after that?”
“I tried another tactic. For a while last year, I temporarily swore off sex.”
“All of it?”
“Well, I’m no saint. Oral was still on the menu. But the actual act of penetration was not.”
I made a noise of surprise. Was he serious or just trying to get a rise out of me?
“Turns out women get pretty angry when you refuse to fuck any part of them except their mouths. Even if I offered to return the favor, they took it as a personal insult.”
“You think? God, do you hear yourself? You sound like an egomaniacal dick.”
He shrugged, a sexy smirk pulling up his lips. “Just protecting my interests.”
“Which are?” I knew he was driven, but I didn’t know what his precise goals were. Not really, anyway.
“My mom and sister have been through a lot. They’ve done so much to make sure I get where I am today. I’m this close to graduating med school and landing a residency. I won’t let pussy, or a woman who thinks we’re suddenly in love because I fucked her better than her boyfriend ever could, ruin my future.”
The only reply I could manage was “Well said.”
During the entire conversation, my heart had been hammering away in my chest. This sexy, forbidden man was giving me a glimpse into his sex life. I could only imagine women throwing themselves at him. Not only was he gorgeous, but he was also a doctor. And if he was telling the truth about how big his cock was . . .
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.
My heart beat fast and loud and hot. “So you really believe that after sleeping with you one time, women fall in love with you?”
He nodded. “I wish it wasn’t true, but yeah, that’s what I’m telling you.”
Something snapped inside me.
Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the twinkle in his mischievous eyes. Hell, it could have been the eager bulge in his pants, but the fixer in me wanted to help—wanted to prove him wrong. Of course I wanted to experience true love one day, but in the meantime, I was damn near lightheaded at the idea of having a hot tryst.
“What if I could prove you wrong?” My voice was surprisingly steady for how nervous I suddenly felt.
“What are you saying?” His posture was stiff, as if his body was coiled tight, all his muscles on alert.
Wicked thoughts flashed through my brain. I tried like hell to talk myself out of them, but fuck, I’d seen this man naked, and now we were living under the same roof.
“Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is?”
“And have sex with you?” His lips twitched, distracting me.
My eyes met his and held. I didn’t even need to say yes out loud.
“What’s in this for you?” he asked.
“Aside from a few orgasms? The chance to prove your theory is bullshit.”
He pushed his hands into his hair and stared up at the ceiling. “Fuck.” His voice was thick and laced with need.
Boring Hera had vanished, and in her place, the new Hera was saucy, sexual, and daring. I felt alive and brazen and wicked. I hadn’t felt anything like this in the longest time. Besides, my new plan now is just to live together for two months. What was the worst that could happen?
“When do we start?” I murmured. The alcohol must have been hitting me much harder than I’d thought, because holy shit, what?
He sat forward again. His sin-soaked smile sent the thrill of victory through me. I had won; I was going to get everything I craved. He reached out to stroke his thumb along my cheek, and I couldn’t have stopped myself leaning into his touch if I’d wanted to.
“I’m not fucking you when you’re drunk.” His voice was far too husky to be saying something like that. “Sleep on it. If you still want to do this tomorrow, I’m game.” And then he rose to his feet and disappeared down the hall.
Part of me was pissed off—not to mention so horny I could scream. But most of me was relieved. I unsteadily rose to my feet and headed down the hall for my bedroom. That suggestion had passed “bold” and gone straight into “completely insane.”
Jace had been a gentleman, giving me an out. It was probably for the best. I was sure that by tomorrow morning, I’d come to my senses.
At least, I hoped so.