chapter 10

                                    

                                          
"Then don't stay away." The words shock me as I say them.
                          
His eyes go wide. "You don't know what you're saying."
                          
"Enlighten me," I blurt.
                          
Food abandoned, I meet his gaze and refuse to look away. I don't know if this is a leftover effect of my mild hangover, but I want him. Plain and simple.
                          
Amusement lights up his blue eyes. "What are your plans for tonight?"
                          
"I'm working today from 3," I suddenly remember. "What is the time?"
                          
"It's just after ten, you've got loads of time. What about tomorrow?" He carelessly leans back.
                          
"Clary and I are going to start packing. We're moving to London next weekend, and I'm working at Hatchards all this week."
                          
"You have a place in London already?"
                          
"Yes."
                          
"Where?"
                          
"I can't remember the address. It's uptown."
                          
"Not far from me," his lips quirk up at the corners. "So what are you going to do for work in London?"
                          
"I've applied for some internships. I'm waiting to hear from them."
                          
"Have you applied to my company as I suggested?"
                          
I shake my head.
                          
"And what's wrong with my company?"
                          
"I don't want to work with you," I shrug. "You're too entitled and I don't like that. Can I have my things back now so I can leave?" 
                          
"No. We're not done yet."
                          
"See, this is why I don't want to work for you." 
                          
"And why is that?"
                          
"You're bossy and you act like you always get what you want."
                          
"That's because I do usually always get what I want."
                          
I roll my eyes. Will cocks his head to one side and I flush and glance down at the table. I can't look him in the eye when he uses that tone of voice. His arrogance, as much as I hated to admit it, turned me on. 
                          
I am completely unaware that I am chewing my bottom lip. My mouth pops open as I gasp and swallow at the same time, squirming in my seat under his dark glare.
                          
"What time do you finish work this evening?"
                          
"About eight," I respond. "Why?"
                          
"Well, we could go to London this evening or dinner at my place." 
                          
"And why would I go to your place?" 
                          
"It's in your best interest to do so." 
                          
"That hardly makes sense." I start to grow annoyed. "Will, I'm serious, give me my things back!" 
                          
"Only if you promise to come with me tonight. And to let me drive you home."
                          
"Why!"
                          
"You'll find out later," he says exasperatedly.
                          
"And what do I get out of it?"
                          
"I promise I'll leave you alone once you've spent a night with me."
                          
"Really?" 
                          
He nods. "So promise me that once I give you your things, you will let me drive you home and you will come with me to London tonight." 
                          
"I'm free tonight." 
                          
He smirks. "It's settled then." 
                          
I cant help but grow nervous and wonder if I made the wrong decision. A persistent little voice inside me screams at me that this is a bad idea. Will was not for me. A girl like me is supposed to be involved with someone like Jem.
                          
"Are you smirking at me, Mr. Herondale?" He seems delighted that I agreed to meet him this evening.
                          
He narrows his eyes at me, picks up his phone and presses one number.
                          
"Thomas. I'm going to need the helicopter. From Liverpool at say twenty-thirty... No, standby at London... All night."
                          
He has a helicopter? 
                          
"Yes. On call tomorrow morning. I'll pilot."
                          
Pilot?
                          
"Standby pilot from twenty-two-thirty." He puts the phone down.
                          
"You can pilot a helicopter?" I ask curiously. 
                          
He gives a cocky smile. "Yes I can, in fact fly a helicopter. Wicked right?"
                          
I ignore this. "Do people always do what you tell them?"
                          
"Yes, if they want to keep their jobs."
                          
I purse my lips. "And if they don't work for you?"
                          
"I can be very persuasive, Tessa. I'll pick you up at Hatchard's at eight when you finish."
                          
"We'll go by helicopter to London?"
                          
"Yes."
                          
"Why?"
                          
He grins wickedly. "Because I can. Finish your breakfast."
                          
Swallowing my last piece of pancake, I peek up at him. He's eyeing me speculatively.
                          
"Good girl," he says. "Dry your hair first and I'll take you home."
                          
I head back to his bedroom. A thought stops me.
                          
"Where did you sleep last night?" I turn to gaze at him.
                          
"In my bed," he says obviously.
                          
"Oh."
                          
"Yes, it was quite a novelty for me too," he smirks.
                          
"Not having... sex." I blush when I say the word.
                          
"No," he shakes his head. "Sleeping with someone." He reaches into his back pocket and hands me my cell phone.
                          
What does that mean? Does that mean he was a virgin? He is the most cryptic person I've ever met. It dawns on me that I am the first woman to have slept with Will Herondale, and I wasn't even aware of it while it was happening. What would I give to see him vulnerable? To see him without that mask of arrogance he puts on? 
                          
Somehow, I find the image of a vulnerable Will hard to imagine.
                          
In his bedroom, I rifle through a chest of drawers and locate the hair dryer. I dry my hair the best I can, combing my fingers through my hair and untangling the knots. When I've finished, I head into the bathroom. I want to clean my teeth. I eye Will's toothbrush. Using it would be like having him in my mouth.
                          
I glance guiltily over my shoulder. I have never done anything as out of line as this before. I feel the bristles with my fingertip. They're damp, meaning he must've used them already. Without giving it a second thought, I quickly put toothpaste on the brush and brush my teeth.
                          
I grab my clothes from yesterday and put them in the bag that Thomas brought. I sling it over my shoulder and return to the main room, ready to leave.
                          
Will is on the phone talking to someone. Seeing me, he hangs up.
                          
"Ready to go?"
                          
I nod. I wonder what his conversation was about and why he hung up when he saw me. He picks up his car keys and heads for the door.
                          
"After you, Miss Gray," he says mockingly, opening the door for me. I hide a smile as I pass through. Even while he's joking he can be so charming.
                          
I recall his words - There's something about you. The feeling is entirely mutual, and I aim to find out what it is.