eyebrows. As if sensing my attention, he glanced at me from the corner of his eye, smiling in the seductive way that turned my insides to mush. He hesitated then leaned in for a kiss that I welcomed eagerly. I couldn’t get enough of him. He held me tenderly, offering what assurance he could at this moment, so publicly shared with Catina. I tried to wriggle free from his lap, but he held me against his chest, almost afraid of letting go.
Had it not been for Catina being with us, it’s predictable what would have happened next. I was actually grateful for her presence. Everything was happening so fast.
“All right, we’ll behave.” He trailed a few feather light kisses along my jawline, sending me into a complete frenzy of uncontrollable need.
I hated to think of the truth shattering us before we had a chance at a real relationship. I battled myself straddling the line between my two realities.
We regained our composure then apologized to Catina, again. “I need to tell you both something, it’s important that you hear me out.” I dusted off the dry leaves that clung to my tunic. I stayed close to Marcus resting my hand on his thigh, needing the physical contact. His breath hitched at my touch. Taking a deep breath, I told my story beginning with that fateful day to the antique store, the sounds from the painting, and finished with coming to Pompeii.
They stared at me in complete silence giving no indication what they were thinking.
“Please say something.” I touched Marcus’s face, desperate to maintain contact. His silence and lack of reaction left me imagining the very worst scenario. For a glimmer of a second, I thought I saw tears cloud his usually crystal clear green eyes.
The thought of Marcus never forgiving me was too much to handle. Tears spilled down my cheeks and sobs caught painfully in my throat. The lid was open and the secret was out.
“If all this is true, and I’m not saying I believe you yet—was this entire visit a charade for you?”
“The trip started as an exploration of Pompeii. I didn’t count on liking it here, or coming back, or meeting anyone—or falling in love with you. I expected to look around and then return to my ordinary life back in Los Angeles. All I knew was that I was meant to come here. I just didn’t know why until I met you, Marcus. You’re the reason I was meant to come here.”
He slowly pulled my hand away from his face and walked to his horse.
“Marcus, please don’t leave. I never meant to hurt you or lie to you. I was scared. Don’t you understand? I needed to know I could trust you with such an important secret. Please Marcus…”
He rode away without a second glance.
Chapter Twelve
Catina’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me up so we were sitting next to each other on the hard ground. “Stop crying, Lexi. It won’t solve anything. You need to give him some space to process what you just told us.”
Again, Catina displayed unwavering loyalty.
“I’m so sorry. I should have told you the truth sooner, but I was scared. I thought you would think I was crazy.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy. Sorcery isn’t out of the realm of our world here. It’s all right to dabble in magic. I just wish you told us sooner that you were a sorceress,” she continued.
“No no no. I’m not a sorceress. I literally time traveled from another country thousands of years ahead of your calendar year. I didn’t use magic. You have to believe me. I can show you once we get back to Pompeii.” Oh God, the more I explained, the crazier I sounded. “I’m so afraid of losing him.” The words coming out of my mouth felt like a knife being jabbed into my heart and I was a sobbing mess once again. With Marcus, I could be myself. Actually, that’s not completely true. I felt the best parts of me bubbling to the surface—bold and daring in their possessiveness over Marcus and my somewhat new life. With him, I spoke my mind without worrying how he would
Had it not been for Catina being with us, it’s predictable what would have happened next. I was actually grateful for her presence. Everything was happening so fast.
“All right, we’ll behave.” He trailed a few feather light kisses along my jawline, sending me into a complete frenzy of uncontrollable need.
I hated to think of the truth shattering us before we had a chance at a real relationship. I battled myself straddling the line between my two realities.
We regained our composure then apologized to Catina, again. “I need to tell you both something, it’s important that you hear me out.” I dusted off the dry leaves that clung to my tunic. I stayed close to Marcus resting my hand on his thigh, needing the physical contact. His breath hitched at my touch. Taking a deep breath, I told my story beginning with that fateful day to the antique store, the sounds from the painting, and finished with coming to Pompeii.
They stared at me in complete silence giving no indication what they were thinking.
“Please say something.” I touched Marcus’s face, desperate to maintain contact. His silence and lack of reaction left me imagining the very worst scenario. For a glimmer of a second, I thought I saw tears cloud his usually crystal clear green eyes.
The thought of Marcus never forgiving me was too much to handle. Tears spilled down my cheeks and sobs caught painfully in my throat. The lid was open and the secret was out.
“If all this is true, and I’m not saying I believe you yet—was this entire visit a charade for you?”
“The trip started as an exploration of Pompeii. I didn’t count on liking it here, or coming back, or meeting anyone—or falling in love with you. I expected to look around and then return to my ordinary life back in Los Angeles. All I knew was that I was meant to come here. I just didn’t know why until I met you, Marcus. You’re the reason I was meant to come here.”
He slowly pulled my hand away from his face and walked to his horse.
“Marcus, please don’t leave. I never meant to hurt you or lie to you. I was scared. Don’t you understand? I needed to know I could trust you with such an important secret. Please Marcus…”
He rode away without a second glance.
Chapter Twelve
Catina’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me up so we were sitting next to each other on the hard ground. “Stop crying, Lexi. It won’t solve anything. You need to give him some space to process what you just told us.”
Again, Catina displayed unwavering loyalty.
“I’m so sorry. I should have told you the truth sooner, but I was scared. I thought you would think I was crazy.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy. Sorcery isn’t out of the realm of our world here. It’s all right to dabble in magic. I just wish you told us sooner that you were a sorceress,” she continued.
“No no no. I’m not a sorceress. I literally time traveled from another country thousands of years ahead of your calendar year. I didn’t use magic. You have to believe me. I can show you once we get back to Pompeii.” Oh God, the more I explained, the crazier I sounded. “I’m so afraid of losing him.” The words coming out of my mouth felt like a knife being jabbed into my heart and I was a sobbing mess once again. With Marcus, I could be myself. Actually, that’s not completely true. I felt the best parts of me bubbling to the surface—bold and daring in their possessiveness over Marcus and my somewhat new life. With him, I spoke my mind without worrying how he would
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