A Leap in Time (12 page)

He didn’t even mind when I said Charlotte and Kate were coming to dinner to meet him. He laughed at my perplexed reaction to his unreactive approach to everything.

“You would tell me if and when all this becomes too much, right?” I gestured at everything around us.

“Of course, and it’s not too much. Right now, the language is the biggest challenge, but even that will work out. Now go to work.” He walked with me to the kitchen.

It’s hard to say at what point clarity and inner peace became prevalent. In so many ways, the painting was the portal to my salvation. Finding Pompeii has been the remedy to my restlessness. Meeting Marcus has filled me with a deeper sense of joy than I could ever explain or dream of. It’s hard to believe we were from two different worlds. Literally. Looking at him now as he stood beside me at the kitchen counter, I couldn’t conceive a single moment without him. He truly was the Yin to my Yang and for the first time in my young life, I understood and appreciated the unstoppable force of destiny and divine intervention. Regardless of the very unconventional way that Marcus and his world stormed into my life, there was no denying that our worlds were meant to collide.

“Maybe I should take a walk while you finish work. Explore a little.”

My stunned silence was enough to veto his idea. As amusing as it was to have him take a stroll in Beverly Hills in his toga and laced up sandals, I preferred we wait until he was properly dressed. He must have realized the absurdity of the idea and suggested he explore the strange contraption in my living room. I couldn’t think of anything more appropriate for him to do. He promised he wouldn’t answer the door and would stay inside. After a lesson in operating the TV, microwave and toaster, and a promise of a more thorough tutorial on the laptop, I hugged him and set aside some things for him to eat.

He kissed me chastely and bid me a good day at work, prompting me to laugh at his proper send-off. He gave me a playful smack on my bottom propelling me forward.

“Was that more appropriate?” He smiled, sending tingly waves down my spine. For a brief second, I debated calling in sick to spend the day with Marcus in bed. As if reading my naughty mind, Marcus reminded me of the reason I was going in, to request time off. Who am I to argue with logic?

Lunchtime couldn’t come fast enough. As soon as the clock turned to noon, I dashed out to the nearest Bloomingdales to shop for Marcus. I admit to buying more than he needed for the few days we would be here. With an armful of new clothes, I paid for my loot and rushed back to the office.

Naturally, I thought of nothing else all day but Marcus. Feeling quite satisfied by how much I had accomplished despite being mentally checked out, I re-read press releases with more attention.

I sighed at the memory of this morning—a nice way to start the day. A girl can certainly get used to this routine very quickly. Being this happy reminded me of how much I had missed by staying in a relationship that wasn’t meant to work. The dark memory of Mark made me that much more grateful for Marcus. As he often said, this relationship was blessed by the gods so of course everything would work out. Of course.

The thought of Marcus trying on the clothes I bought him, especially the undergarments made me smile broadly. I couldn’t wait to see him in them—and out of them. I suppressed another giggle as I imagined Marcus showing the undergarments to his Italian tailor asking him to replicate the job. Just like his ancestors before him, he was a businessman through and through.

The day finally came to an end and my two-week vacation request beginning Monday was approved. I just needed to get through tomorrow.

By the time I reached the staircase leading to my apartment, I was a ball of excited frenzy. I almost didn’t see Mrs. Ashton sitting in her usual spot in front of her door. She smiled sweetly. “There’s a smile I haven’t seen in a while. I’ve missed it dearly. Your work must be going really well.” She eyed me innocently enough, but the intense expression in her eyes was a true indication of her real meaning: my travels to Pompeii. I chuckled at her subtle attempt to ask for details. I would tell her everything, but I wasn’t prepared at this moment. It also wasn’t a good idea to divulge details so publicly. Who knows who might be listening? But more importantly, I wanted to rush up to Marcus.

“I’ve missed you too, Mrs. Ashton. The traveling has been amazing and you were right. I’ve enjoyed it more than I ever thought possible. I actually would love for you to meet my uh…friend…who’s visiting from uh…out of town. We’re only here for another couple of days and then we’re heading out again.”

“That sounds wonderful. I would love to meet Marcus. Maybe the two of you could come down for tea tomorrow evening.” She looked almost as happy as I was that Marcus was here.

“Done!” I flashed her a quick smile before bolting up the stairs to my Adonis.

“Remind me to tell you about my upcoming trip to New Zealand,” her voice trailed behind.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Mrs. Ashton was searching for her long lost childhood love or if she meant time traveling to New Zealand. With her, I never knew. Did she ever slow down?

It was no surprise to find Marcus lounging on the couch wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, remote in hand, watching TV.

I dropped the shopping bag on the arm of the sofa, my mind already swaying along the path of this morning’s rendezvous. He greeted me with the broadest smile, melting me on the spot. I rushed into his outstretched arms.

“You smell delicious,” I breathed between kisses.

Yes, I could get used to this homecoming. He didn’t waste any time getting me undressed—not that I had any complaints.

“I’m so in love with you, Alexandra. The day was almost unbearable without you…” He left the sentence unfinished as he kissed my neck and devoured my mouth.

“You watched TV all day, didn’t you?” I playfully accused him.

He laughed a deep throaty laugh and then confessed, “Thank the gods for your TV. It’s the best invention ever.” He half laughed and pinned me under him. “I missed you. Please promise we’ll always be together.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him deeply, promising to never be apart again. He made love to me and it was just as perfect as the first time. For someone who was just getting to know me intimately, he was very confident around my body.

We lay on the couch talking about the strange things he saw on TV—from cooking lessons, to people beating each other up, to sports and other programs that he had a hard time describing.

We needed to get ready for the impending visit from Charlotte and Kate. Selfishly, I regretted asking them over. It would have been nice to have him to myself for a couple more days. I sensed he felt the same, but to his credit he said nothing. Reluctantly, we got up to dress. I hoped the girls wouldn’t stay too long given that it was a weeknight and we all had to get up early for work the next day. I would feel better once I saw them, but at this moment I wanted more of him to myself without chaperones.

With my help, Marcus dressed in the new clothes I bought him. They fit as if they were tailored for him. He looked like he stepped out of a JCrew ad with his perfectly ruffled hair, untucked T-shirt, and snug jeans that hung low on his slim waist. How could he be from another world? There was no denying that he was gorgeous and I was the luckiest girl in both worlds.

Charlotte and Kate knocked promptly at six-thirty. After tearful hugs and kisses, they entered, making me laugh out loud. Their uneasiness was a little funny considering how normal he acted. I knew they would like him very much. At the very least, maybe they would provide less opposition to my decision.

They’d barely settled on the couch when Marcus came into the living room, relaxed and full of smiles for my two best friends. He extended his hand to Charlotte. “Hello, you must be Charlotte. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I translated while he shook her hand.

She stared at him open-mouthed. I couldn’t keep from giggling. Smooth Charlotte; very smooth. I smiled at my normally composed friend.

Marcus greeted Kate in the same way, inducing the same reaction. Surely they’d expected a weird looking guy in a toga—not this breathtaking Adonis who stood before them. He offered to bring us wine while we got caught up—or more for the girls to stop ogling him.

While he disappeared into the kitchen, I squeezed on the couch between the girls, eager for their reactions. “Well?”

“Nice job, Lexi. He’s HOT!” Kate cranked her head to look at him through the adjoining doorway.

“He’s also super amazing and nice and thoughtful,” I rattled on, giddy as a schoolgirl. “We have great conversations about everything and we really understand each other. I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with him.”

“I haven’t seen you look this happy in a long time.” Charlotte hugged me so tight the air squeezed out of my lungs.

“Thanks, Charlotte. I know you’re worried. I am too, but I know everything will work out. A wise friend told me that a while ago.” I winked in Kate’s direction.

“Everything will be fine, Lexi. He’s here. And he doesn’t look like a freak from another century.” She lowered her voice. “Does everyone in Pompeii look like him?”

I laughed at her subtle hint to find someone like Marcus for her. On cue, he walked in carrying an open bottle of red wine and a glass for each of us. He poured and handed each of us a glass before picking up his own. He toasted. We repeated the word friendship before clinking our glasses.

I found myself translating non-stop and yet it didn’t take away from the tranquil nature of the evening.

“I know you must have a million questions, so please ask away,” he said.

This ought to be interesting and fun. The girls laughed at his candor, listening intently to him chatting about our first meeting, life in Pompeii. They hung on every word. Any unresolved anxiety that arrived with my friends, quickly dissipated. The girls really liked and trusted him.

Marcus sat opposite us in the loveseat. It took great discipline on my part not to hop on his lap.

The girls took turns asking him everything from what he liked so far about our world. The TV was, of course, high on his list, followed by some of the basic conveniences like hot private shower, private bath, microwave, fridge, huge bed and a flushing toilet.

At some point we ordered pizza and sandwiches from the Italian restaurant on Olympic Boulevard agreeing it was best to stay away from foods that might seem strange to him, like sushi. There was no need to freak him out yet. We shared tons of laughs, stories about our college days, his childhood and early years pursuing a career in the family business. We promised him a proper tour of the city the following day.

“So, Marcus, what are your intentions for our girl, Lexi?” I could tell Charlotte tried hard to sound casual when she was anything but.

“I was wondering when that would come up,” Marcus teased. “I’m deeply in love with Lexi. I can’t imagine a moment without her. She’s everything I have been looking for. It’s weird how my dream girl is from another world.” His eyes fixed on mine with such intensity and longing I found myself choking back tears. I couldn’t believe how easily he shared his deepest most private emotions with two strangers. I felt the same, but I guess on some level, I was still expecting all the emotions to be one-sided.

Marcus got up from the loveseat and extended his hand to me. I gladly and wholeheartedly put my hand in his, allowing him to pull me next to him, to stand facing Charlotte and Kate. He rested his chin on top of my head. Gently, he turned me so I was facing the girls. He stood behind me, arms wrapped around my waist. “I was hoping for an opportunity to meet Lexi’s parents so I could ask for her hand in marriage.”

Chapter Fourteen

At his proclamation in front of my dearest two friends in the world, I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. They flowed down my cheeks. I imagined how bad my freshly applied mascara looked. Marcus tightened his hold on me and whispered, “I love you” in my ear.

“Seriously, do you have any brothers?” Kate wiped tears of her own. A quick glance at Charlotte confirmed that she approved as well. If Marcus wasn’t holding on to me, I might have floated onto a rainbow somewhere in Never Never Land where the world was always perfect and rosy.

After dinner, we fell into easy conversation. Marcus’s subtle mischievous sense of humor had us laughing so hard our sides hurt; I don’t know how I managed to translate. There was no mistake that he was the prankster among his family and friends. I made a mental note to keep an eye on him in case I fell victim to one of his pranks.

By the time Charlotte and Kate left, it was nearly ten o’clock. Marcus and I crawled into bed exhausted, happy and relieved by how well the evening had gone. He fell sound asleep almost immediately. I, on the other hand, lay there thinking of the day’s events, and grinning from ear to ear with joy at the wonderful turn of events.

We were excited to take Marcus sightseeing in the city we loved so much. Discovering Los Angeles through his eyes was thrilling. The first day, we spent the majority of our time in the west side of the city where we lived.

Getting into the car was an adventure in itself. Marcus’s alarmed expression and defensive body language whenever a car passed would have been comical if he wasn’t genuinely petrified. I had to pull over a couple of times to reassure him. For all his discomfort, he couldn’t stop pushing every button and opening every compartment with the inquisitiveness of a little boy. I suppressed a giggle at his sheer joy of the simple things we took for granted—like a cup holder.

We drove along Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, through Beverly Hills to Santa Monica and the beach while taking random detours along the way. We stopped at the beloved Tea Leaf & Coffee Beanery for a much-needed ice-blended café mocha with extra whipped cream, a local favorite and an immediate hit with Marcus.

Continuing to Tower Records where many music legends have paid homage and signed an endless number of autographs for adoring fans. Marcus loved the idea of CDs and vinyl records that were already becoming obsolete in our world. Our final mini-detour was through the beautiful neighborhoods of Beverly Hills where the mansions and landscaping were breathtaking. He couldn’t understand why one family needed so much space, and truthfully, it was hard to explain the difference between need and nice to have when money isn’t an obstacle.