Hera Lightwood's P.O.V.

My palms are sweaty, legs giddy as streams of excitement rush and fill my lungs, my face pressed against the cool glass of the window as the taxi slows down in front of the biggest building I've ever seen. I tip my head back as far as I can, and I can just barely see the top. It must have twenty stories, maybe more. I've never seen anything like it before.

Back home, you can look out for miles in any direction and only see rolling fields, cows, and crops of corn. The center of town is made up of a few mom-and-pop shops. There’s the grocery store, the drug store, a small library, a coffee shop and bakery. There's one elementary school, and one high school that houses every child aged twelve to eighteen. It's a small town where everybody knows everybody and being in the moment and far away from home makes me realize how far have gone from that country life ..

I feel like I'm on another dimension entirely. I've seen images of the big city in magazines and movies over the years, but to actually be smack in the middle of it all is leaving me breathless. The busy city streets sends streams of flutters and butterflies in my stomach...

Am even too excited to eat, seeing as I haven't had the chance to grab a bite to eat. The taxi driver opens my door, then moves to the back taking out my bags. He drops them without caution onto the sidewalk then checks his watch. His left foot taps impatiently as he grunts “Uh hm,” as if to say, “Come on, I don't have all day. Get the hell out of my cab.”

“Thank you,” I say, handing him what I owe him for the ride. “Have a good night.”I say Politely as I gave him a smile, and he grumbles something back under his breath as he climbs back in his car and leaves. The taxi peels back out into traffic, causing a few angry honks at the same time.

I guess the only thing the big city lacks is politeness, nobody seems to give a shit!

Boston. . . I'm actually here in Boston.

I can't believe I'm doing this!

I tip my head back and look straight up at my new home. The apartment looks more of those penthouse I see in movies. Which is odd since I look out of place to even be here.. The front door is massive and also beautiful. I can see stacks of small metal mailboxes attached to the interior wall on the left side of the door.

People are walking past me in both directions, bumping into me like I'm not even standing here. The street is full of cars and city buses. I inhale a deep breath, taking in all the different smells. The exhaust is thick in the air as a bus drive by ejecting a puff of gray smoke.

I wave a hand in front of my face, coughing a few times before I take another breath. I can smell the pizza place across the street, and the Thai restaurant adjacent on the corner. They both smell amazing by way...

My excitement and nerves collide in my gut like a tsunami. I've never done anything like this. Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to live in a big city. Now I'm here. I'm doing it.

I grab my bags and lug them up the crumbling set of steps to the front door. The bags are heavy, full of all my clothes and the things I'm going to need to start building my life here in this new world.

The building does not look like the picture I saw on Google. It's actually more beautiful and exquisite, I guess am lucky to be the one who gets to live in this apartment. It's also fully furnished. A girl named Isabelle Herondale put out an ad online looking for a roommate. It was the perfect opportunity for me to do this. We chatted for a few weeks, and she finally said if I wanted the other room, she'd be happy to have me.

There's so much we have in common; I can only imagine we're going to become great friends. It would be nice to have someone who will have my back in this huge and unknown world.

There seems to be a garage and a nice black sport car which was parked there, seems this Isabelle girl is not only rich but likes her toys. My heart keeps skipping a beat as I glance around and I smile instantly as soon as I see the little garden at the back. Dropping my bags, I grab the doorknob and jiggle it. It's already unlocked, so I push the door open. Isabelle must be home, I can't wait to finally meet her face to face.

“Hello,” I call out as I shuffle inside, dragging one bag and pushing the other inside with my foot. “Isabelle?” I muster but gasp out in shock standing in surprise.

There’s a boy!

No..

Not just a boy—a MAN, standing in the living room shirtless. His back is to me, and it's cut in a million different directions with thick muscles and deep grooves. He's wearing gray jogging pants, his ass is round, firm, and clenches tightly as he turns around.

The air in my lungs gets shocked out.

As I tried not to choke in my own spit!!!

Shit!!!

If anyone had told me I would run into one of my novel male lead fatasties I wouldn't have believed...

Holy shit, this guy is hot. . .!

This Man! Not boy...

Doesn't look like a country boy, he looks like he was carved personally by Zeus himself, thick firm muscled body and the sun or light doesn't seem to help save my sight..

It gathers around him like a halo!!

Strangely I could hear the echoing of angels humming and singing as I tried not to drool over him....

Golden hair, short on the sides and tousled on top glistening just like his skin, seems he just finished working out because his sweat beads seems like liquid Gold. My eyes run down his body. His chest is muscular with steppingstones for abs. I think I count eight, and then do a recount. Yup, this guy has a damn eight pack!

Did I just go from Boston busy street to pure heaven!

My eyes continued it's Hollywood tour as I drift down his body, a gorgeous tattoo written with black ink painting sits beautifully on the sleeve of his left arm, my jaw drops open as I spot his perfectly outlined cock. Thank God for whoever created gray sweatpants.

He smirks slightly, his big blue shining eyes bright as the ocean. They're striking, a contrast to his golden blonde hair and skin. I blush instantly as my eyes connect with his. The blood heats my cheeks and I glance away quickly.

My heart racing, as I'm temporarily frozen in place. Then it hits me. This man doesn't belong here. It should be Isabelle..

Who the hell is this?

Or could he be her boyfriend?

Holy crap!

Don't tell me I just sexually raped my new roommate boyfriend with my eyes!

Everything around me starts to sway as my brain drums up all kinds of reasons for this stranger being here right now.

Or could he be a home invader?

Isabelle never mentioned she lives with her boyfriend!

He could be a killer!

He's here to hurt me.

“HEL—” I start to scream for help, but before I can get the scream to full blast, he launches forward and throws his hand over my mouth.

Despite the adrenaline running through my veins, and my stomach flipping upside down with fear, his cologne swirls around me, stealing my senses. Sandalwood and citrus. He smells incredible.

The man pulls me further inside, and slams the door shut with a kick of his foot. “Shh,” he says, his hand tightly clasped over my mouth. “Calm down. You're Hera, right? I'm Jace, Isabelle brother. You don't need to scream, just relax. I'm not some crazy intruder.”He whispers his dark husky voice sounding like music to my eyes.

My breathing heavy and labored as I digest what he's saying. With wide eyes, I mumble into his hand. “Her brother?” I ask, my words muffled by his palm.

“Yes. Can I remove my hand now?” His voice is husky and thick. Smooth as whiskey and sharp as vodka, but soothing enough that I trust what he's telling me.

He's holding me tightly, his arm around my chest and hand over my mouth, pulling me in against his chest. His muscles bulge and pop against my back, shifting my emotions from fear to lust.

I nod yes.

Today is a day where I've experienced a lot of firsts. First time flying. First time in a taxi. First time in a big city. First time living away from home.

And my first time wrapped in the arms of a guy built like a Greek god.

Coming from a small town has its downside. One of them being the guys I had to choose from had all been my friends since we were little kids. Because of that fact, I'm a virgin. I was never attracted to any of those boys.

But this Man!

This man is making my body do things it just shouldn't. My heart is fluttering at a million beats per second. My blood is running hot, so hot I'm sure my cheeks are red as radishes. Every inch of my skin is tingling, and my panties are damp. I'm breathing heavy, and it's not because I'm afraid anymore, it's because of him.

“Good,” he says, pulling his hand away.

I turn around to face him. “Her brother?” I ask again.

“Yeah, like I said, my name is Jace” He takes a step back and holds out his hand.

I shake it. “Hera Lightwood.”i manage to squeak out.

"So Hera huh! Like the goddess of all goddesses, wife of Zeus?"He says playfully smirking..

"What? Oh I guess I am"I say murmur laughing as I try not to stare too much while talking..

“Where you from again?”He asks...

“Shouldn't I be asking you the questions? I mean this is my new place.”I say sassily, as I try to snap my head back into action..

“And it's also my sister's, which inherently makes it mine while I'm here.” He smirks, crossing his arms over his chest. His pecs flare and his abs clench.

My body goes crazy again. Heart jumping into my throat and my mouth salivating. I have to look away. I'm afraid if I don't, my body is going to burst into flames.

“Right, your sister. And where is she exactly? She told me was going to be here yesterday.”

“You haven't talked to her?”he asks..

“No. I tried to call her, but all I got was her voice mail. I just figured her phone died or something.”i reply licking my lips slowly as I feel my mouth go dry from nervousness.

He takes a small step forward, looming over me like a sexually charged wire . The temperature feels like it's rising. My hands are clammy and sweat is beading up on the back of my neck.

Why is it so damn hot in this apartment?"I thought as I swallowed hard my knees going weak every minute am in this enclosed space with him.

“Isabelle had to travel so she won't be staying here for now"He says...

“i hope she's okay?"I ask concerned

He holds out his hand and pats the air. “Don't worry, she's okay."

“But she's all right?”I ask wondering if she fell sick or something..

“She's fine. Trust me, that girl is tough. I've tried to get rid of her since we were kids, it hasn't worked yet. She just had to travel I guess you could call it a vacation” He chuckles, giving me a thick smile that makes two dimples crease at the corners of his mouth.

God!

He keeps getting beautiful by the minute. I know that's not usually how most would describe a hot guy, but this guy isn't just hot, he's fucking gorgeous. My belly swirls into knots as he relaxes his arms and lets them hang at his sides. Every muscle ripples as he moves, like waves in the ocean.

“So, until she's back I'm your roomie for now.”

My jaw falls open and I open my eyes wide in shock. “What did you say?” I didn't hear him right. He must mean something else.

My mouth watering!

“That's right, you and me. I'm going to live here until she's back Literally.” He grins again, those damn dimples popping on his cheeks making my heart skip a beat.

“You and me?” I ask, pointing between us.

“That's what I said.” He turns to his left, and points at a door. “That's your room. I'll be right across the hall. So, if you need anything—anything at all, don't hesitate to ask.”

“I won't need anything. I don't ask for help. I can do things on my own.”I say sharply

“Whoa,” he says, holding up open palms. “Calm down now, I'm just being polite.”

Polite is one thing, but I don't want him thinking that just because I'm here, that I'll become his friend with benefits or something. I know how men think. And I know by the looks of him that he's a guy who knows he's good looking and might be used to getting what he wants.

I'm not that kind of girl. Drawing the line in the sand now is best for both of us. He needs to know upfront.

“Well, even so, don't go getting any ideas. We're roommates.” I slice my hand through the air, making sure he gets my point. “That's it. So, you better behave yourself.”

Damn!

I didn't just say that!

Why didn't I sound convincing though?

Is this a coincidence or somekind of twisted fate!

There's no such thing as Fate where am from...