Read Online A Leap in Time by Engy Albasel Neville - Free Book Online Page B

palpable. I tried to remain detached and ladylike by engaging Catina in small talk, but I couldn’t keep from scanning the room for his every movement. To my delight, I caught him watching me more often than not. Maybe he felt something too.
    My feelings were unexpected and confusing. Maybe it was lust. Maybe it was lust and curiosity, or maybe both plus the forbidden fruit thing. Regardless, I didn’t care. Within a few short hours, I’d be home again and Marcus will become part of history in a city destined for doom.
    “Lexi, are you having a good time?” Catina surveyed the guests who were flowing from the gardens to the atrium with an excited buzz.
    “Yes, of course. It’s been wonderful meeting your family and friends. I haven’t met Julius yet. Is he coming?”
    “Yes, he and Octavia should be arriving shortly.”
    As the words left her lips, the most striking couple I’d ever seen made their entrance through the courtyard.
    “Oh here they are. Julius!” Catina ran into his open arms for a hug. Julius was tall like Marcus and similar in build, but the similarity ended there. Julius had whitish blond hair cut very short and very much in line with the conservative Roman hairstyles I’d seen on the men here. The style complemented his round face. Unlike Catina, he had fair skin. His piercing hazel eyes settled on me.
    The way he studied me made me squirm a little—all right, a lot—and I tried hard to stand with confidence. Undoubtedly he wondered about the identity of the stranger hanging around his sister. I smiled broadly, waiting for Catina to make the formal introductions.
    Octavia was tall with long, curly black hair, hazel eyes and a brilliant smile that lit up her face. She wore the most elegant magenta colored tunic that was coordinated, from the hair combs adorned in gems right down to her beautiful sandals. No doubt she came from wealth and an elite social standing.
    “They’re a wonderful looking couple, aren’t they?” Marcus whispered from behind me. I tried not to jump at the sound of his voice so intimately close.
    “Yes.” My voice sounded breathless and a little jumpy so I sipped more wine in hopes of calming my jitters. I felt like a teenager swooning over her first crush. Pathetic and completely hopeless since I wasn’t a teenager and hadn’t been in years. Hopefully the wine will tame my rattled nerves.
    To my horror, Marcus wore the most devious grin as if he could read every naughty thought playing in my mind.
    “How do you and Catina know each other? I don’t remember her mentioning you before, but now she can’t stop talking about you.” His brilliant green eyes bored into my soul and for a split second, I almost told him everything.
    Everything.
    Just as I was about to speak, Catina walked toward us with Julius and Octavia in tow. “Alexandra, may I introduce you to my amazing brother Julius and his betrothed Octavia.”
    Julius hugged Marcus and they exchanged a few pleasantries before he fixed his gaze on me again. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alexandra. Catina hasn’t stopped talking about you.” He held my gaze a few seconds too long. What was up with that?
    “Your sister saved my life and I owe her and your kind parents so much.” The Latin flowed fluently off my tongue. Why couldn’t I be this relaxed when around Marcus?
    “Be well, Alexandra, and I hope to see you again. I’d like to hear more about your journey to Pompeii,” Julius said.
    So he was suspicious of me.
    “I look forward to the opportunity.” I smiled and prayed our paths would never cross again.
    As soon as they walked away, I let out a sigh of relief. I had a feeling that nothing got past him. Worse still, he didn’t strike me as the kind of guy who would be understanding of unusual situations.
    “How exactly did Catina save your life?” Marcus’s close presence and level of intimacy made me gasp. A few guests turned in our direction. Marcus chuckled, completely unfazed by it