"Alec Lightwood. Nice to meet you", Alec greets my boss's wife in a friendly manner. I look at him and see a warm honest smile on his face. Mrs Wayland beams and her cheeks turn slightly pink. I've never seen her like this before.

"Eliza. May I say Alec?" No one. Not one of the people here at the party calls Mrs Wayland Eliza. I didn't even know her name until two seconds ago. Even Mr Wayland always affectionately calls her 'my flower'. I used to think that was mega cheesy, now it warms my disposition.

"But of course. Nice garden you have."

"Thank you. That's what I like to hear. Would you like something to drink? A beer or one of those wonderful cocktails?"

"A water will do just fine. I still have to drive. And I don't want to risk my husband being ashamed of me just because I lose control", Alec replies laughing and Eliza, well Mrs Wayland has little hearts instead of pupils in her eyes. Laughing, she puts a hand on Alec's arm and looks at him, fascinated. I too look at Alec, though my eyes are more stares with my mouth open.

"Hold him tight Magnus. I'll be right back. And then I want to hear every detail of your wedding. I love weddings", she whispers and disappears towards the bar. I follow her, spellbound. Her gait is light and lively. She seems to be floating on air and I wonder if it's all down to Alec. Mrs Wayland has a hip condition and some days you can see the pain in her face. Immediately after entering the garden I noticed that today is another such day. She has been treated by Andrew for years. He helps her as much as he can.

A touch on my hip brings me out of my thoughts. Alec. Slowly he slides his fingers under my shirt and his thumb strokes my skin. Warmth spreads to the place where Alec touches me.

"I hope you didn't wait too long for me." He murmurs in my ear again. Is this our thing now? He whispers things in my ear and I cringe?

"No. Not at all. I haven't been here long myself", I say quickly.

"Good. What do we tell Eliza?"

"Definitely not the truth", I reply promptly.

"We don't know the truth either. Only bits and pieces and what the videos and pictures have revealed to us. And believe me, that's not what she wants to hear. She's more the pink-cloud type than the I-don't-care-wild-and-inhibited type." Instantly I'm getting hot and my muscles are tensed to the max. Eliza returns with two drinks in her hand, so now it's here, the moment of our test.

"Relax Magnus. I'll handle this", whispers Alec, giving me another light kiss on the cheek.

"They really do make a lovely couple", flutters Mrs Wayland, raking in Alec. She leads us to the gazebo, we sit down and Alec puts an arm around my shoulders. I've never seen Mrs Wayland beam so much.

"When Michael told me Magnus had married, I couldn't believe it. After all, you were always against marriage. Your friend told me. Two years ago, I think." She thinks hard about when the conversation with Julian took place. I know exactly. At the Christmas party last year. By chance I overheard the conversation. And I suspect that's when the idea of simply planning a wedding and presenting me with a fait accompli matured.

"It's all the more beautiful to see how happy they make him. Because marriage is a precious thing. True love." Embarrassed, I look past Mrs Wayland. I don't like telling her a lie. But Alec doesn't seem to have a problem with that.

"I don't like talking about Magnu's past. I didn't exist in his life at that time. The future is much more important. I said that when we first met. Magnus is my future. Life is too short to dwell on the past." Alec lovingly strokes my arm and takes a sip of water. I watch him do this and am fascinated by his words. He is twenty-one years old. He is young and beautiful. He could have anyone. But for some reason, inexplicable to me, he sits in my editor's garden and tells his wife about a wedding that never happened. And this kind and always friendly lady hangs on his lips, soaking up his every word like a sponge. Her eyes sparkle and I know that Alec is making her the happiest person on the planet with his story.

A breeze, warm air and the smell of lemons catapult me back to my house. Alec's voice in the background, vibrating in my body with its deep bass and melodic words. The soft caress of his fingertips over my skin and I find myself in a state of ecstasy again. Mentally. I see Alec and me closely embraced as we look deep into each other's eyes and together experience an intense orgasm that sends an unprecedented and breathtaking wave of happiness through my veins. Hot desire only slowly satisfied, trembling bodies and quivering lips.

Alec let himself fall, pulling me with him, and I let him. Placed my head on his chest and my hand on the place where his heart resides. His skin was hot and moist, his heart beating hard in his chest, making my fingertips vibrate. The vibration went through my whole body and I was barely in control. Alec breathed kisses into my hair and stroked my back and sides tenderly. He murmured words and I closed my eyes. Tears ran down my cheeks and I didn't understand what was happening.

"That was wonderful Magnus. You are wonderful." I felt it. But I didn't let it happen.

"I'm very happy to go with you." Yes. Alec pulled me tightly into his arms.

"Let me get to know you better." No.

"Go out with me Magnus Lightwood." It was too much. Without a word, I broke away from Alec's warm protective body, stood up and walked up the stairs to the bathroom. I stepped into the shower and leaned my forehead against the cold tiles. My breathing was rapid and I was on the verge of hyperventilating. What is happening? Why is this happening to me? I couldn't find an answer to my questions.

We didn't talk about it. That night we didn't see each other again. For a fortnight we've only talked the bare minimum. It's been two weeks since Alec held me in his arms.