"Book club?" Adam asked, and then went red in surprise and embarrassment when Alec suggested going straight to sex. "We haven't even kissed," he stammered, feeling awkward because he wanted both more and less, and he didn't have any idea how to behave. Alec had suggested slowing down when Adam had touched him, and now he was implying sex instead.

His only relationship experience was with Blue, which had gone horribly and had never gotten to kissing, and he had no idea how Shadowhunter culture might make for different dating customs or expectations.