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Tattoo of Love Ch. 01

By: virgofemme



*So this is a new story that i'm working on. I hope you all like it, and as usual I welcome comments and constructive feedback. Thanks for taking the time to read, and I hope that you find it to your liking!*



As Julia walked across the threshold of the tattoo shop, a biting guitar melody flowed from the speakers and surrounded her, mixing with the buzz of tattoo needles. Heading toward the display case next to the cashier, she noticed a woman standing behind the counter. There was an inquisitive look in her eyes, and Julia instantly began to feel very out of place. Julia offered her a friendly smile and the woman returned it with a weak one of her own.

"Can I help you?" asked the shopkeeper.

Possessing a type of beauty which could be described as exotic, the woman had thick, wavy hair and bedroom eyes. Spotting a tattoo which peeked out from the off-shoulder top that the woman wore, Julia noticed it was in the shape of a geometric flower.

Glancing down into the display case Julia answered, "I'm here to look at your earrings."

Specializing in Polynesian tattoos, the shop was revered for the incredibly talented tattoo artists who created traditional designs of a highly intricate nature. In addition to doing tattoos and piercings, the shop also sold a variety of unique jewelry which featured designs from various Pacific Islander countries. As her eyes roved across the various styles of jewelry, she found herself intrigued by the beautifully unique designs.

"Any particular pair that you're interested in?" Questioned the shopkeeper.

"No, not really. I just thought I'd have a look. I pass by this place all the time, but this is my first time coming in.

"Do you have any tattoos?"

Shaking her head Julia replied, "Nope. I have a very low threshold for pain."

Curling her lips into an amused smile the woman replied, "That's too bad, because I think you'd look good with one."

Surprised by the compliment Julia said, "I've thought about it before. Who knows, one day I might decide to overcome my fears and go for it."

Offering her a look which expressed doubt the woman replied, "Cool. Well I'll let you have a look at the jewelry and if you see anything you like, just give me a holler. My name is Sia."

As Sia turned around and walked away, Julia noticed that the back of Sia's shirt was cut out, allowing for a nice view of her back tattoo. Admiring the style of it, Julia found that it was quite breathtaking. She'd always loved the way Polynesian tattoos looked, and was also fascinated by the history behind them.

Turning her eyes toward a large circular mirror behind the counter, Julia caught glance of her reflection in the glass. Her shoulder length hair, which naturally formed into a mixture of ringlets and waves, had a sexy sort of "just woke up and rolled out of bed" look. 

She usually put more effort into separating and defining her curls, but she hadn't possessed the patience for it this morning, so she opted for a quick wash and go. She didn't mind the way it looked, though. Funnily enough, some of her best hair days happened when she stopped trying to perfect her curls and just let them do their own thing. 

The wall behind the display case was covered with a variety of photographs which displayed tattoo designs, as well as large colorful stickers and a flag which she instantly recognized as that of Samoa. 

A carving which was in the shape of a giant hook hung in the middle of the wall, demanding her attention with its awesome presence. Focusing her eyes upon it, she found herself humbled by the intricate designs which were carved into the wood. 

Noticing a slip of paper of paper taped beneath it, she read the lettering and discovered that the beautiful piece of art she was looking at was called a Samoan fish hook. It was fashioned out of a type of wood called Vesi, and was crafted by an expert carver who went by the name of G. Fatutoa.

She was astounded by the expert craftsmanship and found herself wondering how long it had taken to create. Lowering her eyes back to the items in the display case, she was pleased to see that one of the pair of earrings was in the very same shape of the hook on the wall. 

Etched with black ink in a Samoan tattoo design, the earrings were carved out of bone. A tag beneath it listed the price as forty dollars and although she was supposed to be on a spending diet, she was very tempted to buy them anyhow. 

As her eyes landed upon another pair of earrings, she saw they were in the shape of a triangle, and had a design upon them which represented spear heads and a fish. Roving her eyes from one earring to the next, she tried to decide upon which pair she wanted the most.

As she took a few moments to think it over she spotted a bottle of lotion on top of the display case and grabbed it, unscrewing the cap so she could spread some over her hand. Terribly dry and cracked and due to the lack of moisture in her skin, they currently resembled the hide of a lizard. 

Squeezing the bottle to release some into her hand, she found that the container was nearly empty. Turning the bottle completely upside down, Julia constricted her palm around the container and gave it a nice, hard shake. As the lotion spilled out she found that nearly her entire palm was covered in the cream, and she immediately turned the bottle right side up.

After returning it to its spot on top of the display case, Julia rubbed her palms together and tried to disperse the lotion evenly. This however, didn't accomplish much at all because the cream was thicker that she'd expected. 

Casually glancing toward the tattoo booths at the back of the store, she was relieved to see that Sia's attention was upon one of the clients who sat in the chair getting inked. Julia felt foolish with all of this lotion on her hands, and needed to get rid of it before somebody spotted her. 

Digging into her purse, she began rifling through it in search for a pack of tissues that she usually kept handy. As her hand came into contact with a plastic package she realized it was empty and uttered a sound of discontent. She was still rooting around in her bag when the sound of a deep voice suddenly came from behind her. 

"I think I have what you're looking for," the unseen person spoke to her.

As she turned around to look at the speaker she came face to face with one of the most gorgeous men she had ever seen. Undeniably Polynesian, he had a well-defined jaw and a set of eyes which instantly captured her attention.

As her orbs met his, Julia noticed that his eyes were roving over her features, unabashedly studying the details of her face. 

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean," she responded.

As his lips curled into a little smile she noticed how nice and full they were. She always did like a man with a nice set of lips, and she also noticed that he had a little patch of hair beneath his mouth, as well as a bit of hair on his chin. Extending his hand toward her, he offered her a few napkins. 

"Oh, right. The lotion," she grabbed the napkins from him with a bashful smile.

"You know that's for tattoos, right?" He motioned toward the bottle of cream that she'd used. 

Glancing toward it, Julia picked it up and turned it around so that the label was visible. Reading the words upon it, she saw it was indeed a cream specifically for use after receiving a tattoo.

"Oh, I didn't notice. Sorry about that, I didn't know it was a special cream."

"It's no big deal, just thought I'd let you know." Offering a little smile, he watched her wipe the excess cream off of her hands.

"So did you need any help? I noticed you checking out some of the jewelry in the display case."

Having gotten most of the lotion off, she balled up the tissue and slipped it into her purse. "Yeah, I was interested in purchasing a pair of earrings."

Walking behind the counter, he grabbed a set of keys from a drawer beneath the register and was about to open the display case when a phone mounted on the wall rang.

"Excuse me for one moment," he said as he picked up the receiver.

"Tatau Samoa," this is Nolan."

He abruptly switched from English to what Julia guessed was Samoan, and she found herself listening intently to the rhythm of the language.

With his attention diverted, Julia took the opportunity to check out his form. Standing over six feet tall, Nolan had a solidly built body of pure muscle. With broad shoulders and a firm chest, he had the type of physique which had been gained through an inheritance of genes, and not through hours of strenuous exercise. 

The lower half of a tattoo peeked out from beneath his T-shirt sleeve, and she could see that the taut bicep of his right arm was adorned in a traditional Polynesian design.

She wondered what the top half of the tattoo looked like, and was also curious if he had anymore. As Julia's eyes fell upon his hair she couldn't help but admire the thickness and luster of it. His locks were wavy and pulled back into a ponytail which reached the nape of his neck, and she began to imagine what it would look like unbound from its constraints.

Suddenly aware that somebody was watching her, Julia's eyes were drawn toward the other side of the store. As her gaze fell upon Sia, Julia noticed that the other woman's eyes were fixed upon her. 

Sharing a knowing smile, Sia seemed to silently express to Julia that she understood the attraction. Julia could only guess how many women came into the store and were instantly taken by his looks, and she began to wonder if Sia was his girlfriend. 

Filled with embarrassment, Julia returned Sia's smile with one of her own, then directed her attention to the jewelry in the display case. She'd been caught enjoying the view and there was no way she could play off what had just happened. 

Julia heard Nolan speak a few more sentences in Samoan and then he hung up, turning his attention back upon his waiting customer.

"Sorry about that," he said to her.

"No problem."

"So, what were you interested in having a look at?" He asked as he unlocked the display case.

Pointing out the earrings to him she replied, "The ones in the shape of a hook."

Retrieving them from the display box, Nolan sat them upon the counter so that Julia could get a closer look at them. Picking up the plastic holder that they were hooked into, Julia held the earrings next to her ear and picked up a hand mirror which sat on top of the display case. She wanted to make sure that they suit her before she invested the money in the purchase.

"Those will look lovely on you, I can already tell. You should get them," he said.

"You think so? I also had my eye on the spear head and fish earrings."

"Those are nice as well, but I really think that these ones suit you. The fish hook brings positive energy and good luck."

"Really? Well I can always use more of that." Glancing at the wall where the giant fish hook carving hung she asked, "Did the craftsman who made that carving on the wall create the jewelry as well?"

Glancing behind him at the wood carving which hung on display Nolan replied, "Oh, you mean Troy Fatutoa? No, he doesn't create jewelry. He only does larger carvings."

"Well it's a stunning work of art. Can I ask who made these earrings?"

"We have craftspeople in Samoa who create all of the jewelry you see here. They only provide limited amounts of each design, so if you buy from our shop, you'll know it's truly unique."

"Glancing admiringly at the earrings Julia responded, "They are one of a kind. Well I've made my decision. I'll definitely go with these." Setting the earrings on the counter Julia reached into her tan leather messenger bag and pulled out her wallet. 

As Nolan called out the total to her Julia handed him some bills and waited for her change. After placing the money in the register he retrieved a few coins and tore off the receipt, handing both of them to her with a smile. 

As he wrapped the earrings in tissue paper he said, "That's a nice jacket. You get it from Angela's closet?"

Made out of cream colored suede, the jacket she wore had faux white fur along the collar and the edges of the sleeves. Dubbed 'the rockstar jacket' by her friend Mimi, it was one of Julia's most prized articles of clothing. Worn more as an accessory rather than for warmth, Julia donned the jacket for days when the weather was mild.

"Yeah,I did. "How did you know?"

"I passed by the store last week and I saw in on display in the window."

"Yeah, it was kind of an impulse buy. I have plenty of jackets at home, but when I saw this one I just couldn't pass it up."

"I'm like that as well. When I see something I like, I have to make it mine." His eyes sparkled and he gave her a flirtatious smile.

Julia's lips curved upward and she delicately moved a few stands of hair from out of her eye.

"Is that right?"

As he handed Julia the bag with her earrings in it he replied, "Yes it is."

Wrapping her fingers around the handle, Julia tried to accept the bag from him but he held onto it, teasingly giving it a little pull as she tried to take it from his hands. As she gave another tug he relented and allowed her to hold the bag. As his eyes roved downward to rest upon a spot near her shoulder, she noticed his lips pull up into a smile. 

"So what kind of a geek are you?" He asked.

Julia blinked in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"I was referring to the button that's pinned to the strap of your bag."

Glancing down at it, her eyes focused upon the button which stated, 'self proclaimed geek.'

"Oh, right. I forgot I was wearing it." Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear she answered, "Well I'm not just one kind of geek but a combination. I'm a comic book geek and a food geek. Oh yeah, and i'm also a film geek."

The smirk he gave her caused her to wonder what he was thinking and she began to feel a bit awkward.

"What? Why are you looking at me that way?"

"What way?" He inquired.

"You're staring at me as if I have a booger on my face. I don't, do I?"

Releasing a chuckle he said, "No, you don't. I'm only staring because I find you interesting, and I think you have a nice looking face. Is that okay?"

"Of course."

Their eyes remained locked for a few more moments before Julia finally pulled her gaze away from his. 

"Well I guess I'll be going now," she reluctantly stated. "Thanks for helping me decide upon the earrings."

Turning his head to watch her leave he replied, "It was my pleasure. Come back and visit us again, okay?"

Giving a nod she replied, "Alright." Then she flashed him a smile.

As she pulled the door open and headed outside the crisp fall air greeted her, making her feel refreshed and invigorated. Lifting her gaze toward the sky, she saw that thick clouds were beginning to form. A sure sign that rain was on its way, she picked up the pace in hopes that she'd reach her destination before the streets grew wet. 

Continuing along her familiar route toward home, she began to recall Nolan's eyes, thinking about the way they had locked gazes. She also thought about the way he'd flirted with her, pulling the bag away as she tried to accept it from him. Then her thoughts turned to his body and she began to wonder how he'd look without his shirt on. She couldn't help noticing his nicely toned physique, and imagined what it would feel like to have those nice, strong arms wrapped around her body.

Pulling herself out of the fantasy, Julia slipped her hands into her pockets and continued along her path. The last thing she needed right now was to indulge herself in thoughts of a guy, especially one whom she'd just barely met. It was far too easy to lose herself in daydreams, and she knew that once she got started, it usually grew into something which wasn't easily stopped. 

As the delicious smell of baked goods flooded her nostrils she turned her head toward the building which was the source of it. Mimi's Bakery was the best spot in town to purchase all sorts of mouth watering creations, and as she passed by her place of employment, Julia saw Mimi herself at work behind the counter. 

Their eyes met for a brief moment and Julia waved. Mouthing a hello from behind the glass of the shop window, Julia's boss gave her a smile and then turned her attention back towards a customer.

Turning onto a small road which led to her house, Julia's thoughts turned to her family. Her sister Sage had a birthday coming up in the next few weeks, and Julia was still unsure of what she should get her. Julia had been pestering her sibling for the past week, trying to get some sort of idea as to what type of gift she would prefer, but as usual, Sage had refused to give her any hints at all. 

She figured her sibling's reasoning behind it was that she preferred to be surprised by whatever gifts were bought for her, but Julia couldn't help wishing that Sage would help her out just this once.

As the house where she lived came into view, Julia found herself anticipating the piece of cake which was waiting for her in the fridge. Going by the title of Chocolate Gateaux Deluxe, the dessert was sinfully delicious and had been receiving rave reviews from the customers who came into the bakery. 

Julia was always pleased to find that people enjoyed her creations, and she couldn't think of a more perfect job in the world. Getting paid to bake all day was like a dream come true for her, especially since Mimi had hired her without any formal training. 

Julia had known Mimi since high school, and they'd managed to keep in touch during the years that Julia had been living in Los Angeles. The two women had always shared a special sibling-like friendship, and it seemed that the years they'd spent apart had barely affected their relationship at all. 

Almost all of the baking knowledge Julia had came from Mimi's patient teachings, and Julia knew she was fortunate to have landed a job at such a top notch bakery. 

As she reached the stairs which led to her attic apartment she began to climb them, and was met with the sound of a loud meow. Glancing over her shoulder she saw her cat Samantha following closely on her heel. 

She could tell from the sound of the animal's cry that she was hungry, and as the cat raced up the stairs she nearly sent Julia tumbling backwards. Obviously eager to enter the apartment, Samantha impatiently called out to Julia, pawing and scratching at the door with her claws.

"Alright, alright, hold your horses you furball," Julia teasingly said. 

Once she reached the door she slipped the key into the lock and opened it, following behind Samantha as she trotted into the apartment. After closing the door behind her she took off her jacket and hung it on the hook by the door. Then she slipped out of her boots and headed for the bathroom. 

Once her bladder had been relieved she strolled into the kitchen and retrieved a can of food for her cat. As Julia popped the lid off the can of cat food, Samantha's cries became louder. After spooning half of the can into the cat's dish, Julia covered the remainder of the food and put it into the fridge. 

While she had the door open, she took out the piece of chocolate cake she'd been craving. She also took out a carton of milk, and was about to close the fridge when her eyes fell upon a large container of prepared salad. What she really felt like having was the dessert, but she hadn't eaten lunch yet and knew that she needed a proper meal.

Retrieving the bowl of salad she set it upon the counter and took a plate down from the cabinet. She gave herself a nice generous portion of the greens, then opened a can of tuna and mixed in some mayonnaise and spices. She also chopped up a leftover boiled egg she'd cooked earlier that morning, then tossed it into the salad. 

After filling a glass with water, Julia set her food on a tray and took it with her into the living room. The living area shared its space with the dining room, but since it was spacious it kept the area from feeling cramped. Large windows filled the room with sunlight, and a loft bed was located above the space where the kitchen was. Julia particularly liked that feature of the apartment, because it provided an extra sleeping spot if company were to ever come over. 


Tattoo of Love Ch. 01



The house below the attic was owned by a sweet old lady in her seventies, and the rent she charged Julia was more than affordable, it was a complete steal. As far as Julia was concerned, there wasn't a more perfect space in town, and she could definitely see herself living in this spot for a good, long time.

After setting the tray of food down on the glass coffee table, Julia switched on the TV and began to eat. One of her favorite sitcoms from the 70's was on, and she offered a few full-mouthed laughs as she watched. Once she finished her salad she went into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of milk, then grabbed the saucer of chocolate cake and took them into the living room. She was just sticking the fork into the dessert when a knock came at her door.

Thoroughly annoyed by the interruption, she expelled a sound of displeasure and set the cake down. It seemed that people always called or came by to visit when she enjoying her alone time. 

As she headed over to the entryway, Julia could see the top head of her visitor through the half moon window which was located on the door. As far as she could see, it wasn't anyone that she recognized. Placing her eye against the peephole, she called out to the unwelcome guest.

"Yes, can I help you?" As she peered through the tiny piece of glass, she saw a man with short black hair which was cut into choppy layers. 

"Hi, my name is Daniel and my mom lives downstairs. I have some news about her that I thought you might want to hear. If you don't want to open the door it's okay. I can talk to you from out here."

Taking a few moments to think it over, Julia decided to open the door and hear what he had to say. She wasn't getting any creepy vibes from him and she knew that her landlady had a son around his age, so she was pretty certain that he was telling the truth.

After unlatching the lock Julia pulled the door open and was met by a warm, friendly smile. 

"Hello there. It's nice to meet you face to face." His build was slim and he was of medium height

"Likewise. I'm Julia, by the way." 

"I know, my mom speaks of you quite often." 

Unconventionally handsome, Daniel had a certain charisma about him that Julia immediately picked up on. It was very understated, but it was definitely there. Dressed in a pair of slim black slacks and a white t-shirt and suspenders, he had a look which was effortlessly fashionable. Black horn-rimmed glasses framed his grey eyes, and although he appeared to only be in his early thirties, Julia could see that his hair was prematurely graying along the edges.

"What's going on with your mom, is she okay?"

"She's fine, but she'll be in the hospital for a few days. She told me your rent is due tomorrow, but says that you can wait until she gets back home to pay her."

"Okay, well thanks for letting me know. I hope she makes a quick recovery and please give her my best regards. She's a very sweet lady."

"Thanks, she thinks very highly of you as well." Colin took a glance down at his watch and then looked back up at her. "Well I'd better be on my way. I have an appointment and I don't want to be late."

"I appreciate you stopping by, Colin. Thanks for letting me know."

"No worries. Take care now." He gave her a smile and then headed down the stairs.

Closing the door behind her, Julia went back over to the couch and sat down. As she enjoyed the piece of cake she found her attention barely upon the program which was showing on TV. There was something about Colin that was very familiar, yet she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. She'd probably seen him around town before, but where? 

She spent a few frustrating moments trying to place where she'd seen his face, yet she consistently drew a blank. Finally deciding to give up, she figured it would probably come to her later. Whenever she tried too hard to recall a memory, it only seemed to elude her even more. Yet as she finished off her piece of cake, she realized she was more eager than ever to remember just who he was.

   ******

As the sound of a car horn came from outside her apartment, Julia took one last glance at reflection in the mirror next to the doorway. Her hair was styled into a pretty updo and a vintage pearl hairclip adorned her shiny curls. The dress she wore was made of a shimmering material covered by a lacy floral pattern, and the bodice featured a sweetheart neckline. 

Grabbing her beaded evening purse from the table next to the door, she headed outside and made her way down the flight of stairs. Unused to wearing heels, Julia took her time walking down the stairway, and once she reached ground level she headed for Mimi's car. Her breath clouded in the cold evening air, and as soon as she reached the vehicle she quickly opened the door and got inside. 

"You look stunning," Mimi said to Julia as she entered the car.

"Thanks, you look great yourself." Noticing that Mimi's hair had been cut into a fashionable shag bob Julia remarked, "And I love your new haircut."

"Well thank you, honey. I figured it was time for something new and I've never had my hair cut this short before, so I'm glad you like it."

"Yeah, it really suits you."

As Julia slipped on her seatbelt Mimi took off, backing out of the driveway and onto the road.

"Thanks again for coming with me," said Mimi. "I didn't want to attend this wedding reception alone. It's kind of depressing seeing your cousin, who's six years your senior, getting married to the man of her dreams. Yet here I am just a few days shy of my thirty-fifth birthday and i'm still waiting for that right one to come along."

"It's no problem, I'm happy to do it. It feels good to get out of the house and socialize. I love Samantha and all, but when you spend your evenings surfing cat forums, you know it's time to get out and meet some people."

Releasing a snort Mimi inquired, "You hang out on cat forums?" Her voice was full of disbelief as she continued, "I never took you for one of those people."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Julia said in a tone that was laced with mock hurt. 

"I didn't mean anything by it sweetie, I just figured you'd spend your time looking up video clips of those cute, messy haired rockers you seem to favor so much. Hey, speaking of, whatever happened to that guy you were going out with?"

"Oh, you mean Digby?" As Mimi nodded her head in acknowledgment Julia released an exasperated sigh. "We broke up a long time ago. It's been eight months since I last saw him."

"I figured as much, but what happened?"

"He was an egotistical pig. It seemed he was more interested in spending time with his groupies than he was with me." Shaking her head in disappointment she regretfully said, "I should have known better than to date a musician."

"I hear you on that one. I've dated a few myself, and it always turned out to be a disaster."

"That's exactly what it was between me and Digby; a complete and utter disaster. Oh well, maybe I'll have better luck next time. I really hope I do, because I don't know how much more of this dating thing I can stomach."

"Don't give up, Julia. You'll find a wonderful man soon, I can feel it."

"Hmmm, I think I've heard you say that before and yet i'm still single. So just what exactly are you feeling, Mimi?" She said it in a playful way so as not to offend her boss.

A chuckle slipped from Mimi's mouth. "Okay, so maybe he's taking a little longer to enter your life than I expected, but I know he's out there. He's just waiting to meet you and sweep you off your feet."

"Right, and I'm sure he'll gallop into my life on a white horse while wearing his suit of shining armor."

Mimi tsked lightly at Julia's sarcastic reply. "You're quite the cynical little thing, aren't aren't you?"

"I like to call myself a realist. I'm nearly twenty-eight and I still haven't found that special one, but you know what? I'm perfectly fine with it. I really am."

"Of course you are, hon. I wasn't trying to imply that you needed a man or anything like that. You're still plenty young. I, on the other hand, am beginning to run out of time." 

"You're kidding me, right? You're only thirty-five, Mimi. It's not as if you're some old spinster or something. Besides, it seems that every year you look sexier than the last. I should be so lucky to look like you once I reach my mid-thirties."

"Hey, I know i'm not old and decrepit, but I am interested in having children, so i'm beginning to get a little nervous about the condition of my plumbing."

"I don't think you should worry too much. You get plenty of attention from men all the time. I do, however, think you should stop being so picky. Please know that when I say that, it comes from a loving place."

With no choice but to admit it, Mimi said,"I am picky, aren't I?" I can't help it though, i'm just very particular when it comes to guys. My ex-husband made me that way. I'm trying to avoid encountering another like him."

Knowing full well the history between Mimi and her ex-mate, Julia offered some words of support.

"Hey, I totally understand that. Can't blame you for wanting to protect your heart."

Expelling a heavy sigh Mimi said, "Maybe I should do like you and just chill on dating for awhile.I think you're smart to take this time off to yourself, and just become comfortable with living life as a single."

With a nod of her head Julia replied, "I do enjoy being single. I have the freedom to just be myself and not worry about always being made up. I don't have to worry about taking birth control and I can spend my weekends slobbing around in my pajamas. I also don't have to worry about having my heart broken or losing myself in a guy. I love just being me, gloriously alone and without any restraints."

"Well you have made some very good points there Julia, but you can't tell me you don't miss the feeling of waking up to a warm body next to you in bed."

"Well that's what I have Samantha for, isn't it?" Her lips curled into a little smile.

"Now listen honey, I love my cat just as much you love yours, but nothing can replace the feel of a man's body next to your own. I'd much rather wake up petting a man, rather than a cat.

With a laugh Julia replied, "Yeah okay, I guess you got a point there. So maybe I do miss having a man around for my physical needs. I guess I can't lie about that." They were both quiet for a few moments and then Julia suddenly blurted out, "Maybe I should buy a vibrator."

"Wait, you mean you don't already have one?" The look on Mimi's face was nothing short of incredulous.

"Nope, I've been meaning to pick one up for awhile, but I just never really got around to it."

"Well you've been missing out. I'll have to take you to The Love Chest so we can pick a nice one out for you."

Giving a small laugh Julia replied, "I'm kind of embarrassed to go shopping for one, but if you tag along with me I suppose it'll be okay."

"Oh yeah, it'll be fun. You'll see."

As the car pulled off the exit Mimi turned right and they drove a few blocks further. As a large, fancy looking hotel came into view the car pulled into the parking lot. They spotted a space not too far from the entrance and Mimi quickly angled her car into it. 

Once the car was in park they both got out and walked toward the hotel's automatic doors. The plush lobby was warm and inviting, and a jazz instrumental flowed softly from the speakers.

As they approached the concierge desk a woman with a blonde bob and perfect makeup looked up from the computer screen and gave them a pleasant smile. 

"How may I help you ladies?" She asked.

"We're here for the Denmoore wedding," Mimi said.

"Go straight past the water fountain and right before you get to the elevators make a right. That path will lead you straight to the grand ballroom."

"Thanks," said Mimi with a smile.

As they made their way toward the ballroom, their eyes roved around the beautifully decorated interior, admiring the sights and sounds which were all around them. 

As they neared their destination, they heard a live band playing and chattering voices began to fill the air around them. 

Breaking into a sexy strut Mimi excitedly said, "Alright girl, let's go have some fun. This is going to be a terrific night, you'll see." 

Feeling a rush of nervous excitement Julia replied, "I certainly hope so." 

Their heels clicked on the marble floor as they strolled closer to the ballroom.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 02



*This will be a bit of a long chapter, because there really wasn't any way of splitting it up without making it awkward. So I hope you won't mind that. As always, thank you for reading!*



A grand archway greeted their arrival, and as they entered the ballroom they saw that the whole room had a white and lavender theme to it. Chandeliers with candles in them filled the room with soft glowing light, and as they made their way through the rows of guests, they saw there were mini lamps with glass shades placed upon each table. 

As they approached the head table, Julia noticed a woman in an elaborately designed wedding dress rise from her seat and walk over to greet them. Her lips peeled back into a wide smile at the sight of them, and Mimi called out to her cousin excitedly. 

"Well hello there, Mrs. Denmoore. How's married life treating you so far?"  

Expelling a little chuckle Mimi's cousin replied, "Just great, couldn't be better." 

As the two women embraced, Julia's eyes roved over the bride's gown. It was a fancy princess-style dress, and had a train which stretched well out behind her. She also noticed that the woman's ears were adorned with large diamond earrings, which sparked as they caught the light.

As Mimi and her cousin pulled back from the hug, the newly married woman turned her attention toward Julia. Extending a hand in a welcoming gesture she said, "I'm Lois, and it's very nice to meet you."

Lois had a brilliant white smile, and as Julia took her hand she was taken aback by the size of the bride's wedding ring. Julia found herself surprised that the woman could lift her hand at all, and it was very clear that the man she'd married was very financially secure. 

"It's nice to meet you, Lois. Thanks for inviting me, I appreciate it."

"I'm very happy to have you here. Mimi tells me you work with her at the bakery, and were in charge in of creating the wonderful desserts we'll be serving after dinner."

With a modest shrug of her shoulders Julia stated, "I couldn't have done it without Mimi's help. She is an expert baker, after all."

"Well I thank you for your involvement. I saw the desserts and they look absolutely delicious. They're almost too beautiful to eat, in my opinion."

Julia glanced fondly toward Mimi and said, "Hey, I learned from the best."

"She's being far too humble," Mimi spoke to her cousin. "All I did was provide her with some advice and she did all the rest."

"It sounds like you two make a great team." Lois's peach colored lips pulled back into a smile and with a tone full of eager anticipation she said, "Well ladies, let's join the party and have a good time, okay?"

Guiding them through the rows of tables, Lois halted at a small circular table and motioned for them to sit down.

"Take a seat and a waiter will come by to pour you some champagne. Dinner won't be served for a bit, but we have some wonderful appetizers in the meantime. So sit back, relax, and have some fun!" 

Normally a chipper attitude such as Lois's would have annoyed Julia to no end, but she couldn't dislike a woman who had complimented her on her baking skills. And besides, Lois seemed nice and she was also Mimi's cousin. Mimi was like a sister to her, so anyone associated with Mimi was definitely okay in her book.

The ballroom was teeming with energy from all of the different people around them, and as Mimi and Julia sipped champagne their eyes roved curiously around. They made comments to each other about the nice dresses the other women were wearing, and they also pointed out men whom they found to be attractive. 

Nibbling on a crab cake, Julia found herself focusing upon the people on the dance floor. The song the band was playing was a lively seventies tune, and as more guests spilled onto the dance floor Mimi leaned toward Julia and asked if she wanted to dance. 

With a shake of her head Julia responded, "No, I think I'll just sit here and enjoy my appetizer. I really don't have much rhythm, anyhow."

"Oh come on, Julia. You can't let me go out on that dance floor all by myself. Besides, if you're really that shy about your dancing then we can slip into the middle of the crowd, that way nobody sitting at the tables will be able to spot us."

Julia really was self conscious about her lack of rhythm, but since Mimi had been nice enough to invite her out she figured the least she could do was accompany her friend and dance with her. Setting her champagne glass upon the table Julia got onto her feet and reached her hand out toward Mimi's.

"Okay let's go. I'm warning you though, i'm a pretty terrible dancer so I just may end up embarrassing you."

Taking Julia's hand in her own Mimi responded with a little smile, "I'll take that chance."

As they walked onto the dance floor they saw some of the men glance in their direction. Mimi threw flirtatious looks to the ones she favored the most, and as she held onto Julia's hand she gently pulled her along. 

As soon as they were in the core of the crowd, the two women began moving to the music. Some time had passed since Julia last danced in public, so her moves felt a bit stiff and unnatural. She found, however, that as she got into the beat of music her inhibitions quickly disappeared. 

As they continued to dance, Julia and Mimi realized that a few of the men who were giving them interested looks gradually seemed to be moving closer and closer. The one who had his eyes on Mimi appeared to be no older than twenty-one, and as he gave her a wink Mimi shook her head and released a laugh. 

Talking loudly over the music Julia offered her friend an amused smirk, "Looks like you have an admirer there. You should go over and dance with him."

"Are you kidding, he's nearly an infant. And besides, I'm not about to abandon you on the dance floor, especially since you didn't even want to come in the first place."

"I don't care, go ahead. You deserve to enjoy yourself. He may be young, but he is quite cute."

As Mimi glanced toward him, Julia watched her give the young man a friendly smile and then a little wave. As soon as she did this he instantly made his way toward her, as if pulled in by the string of an invisible fishing rod. 

"Have fun," Julia whispered into Mimi's ear, then turned and made her way off the dance floor. 

She was halfway to the table when she suddenly felt a hand touch her shoulder. Turning to face the unseen person, her eyes fell upon a man with hazel eyes and spiky hair with blonde tips.

"Hey there, would you like to dance?" 

Julia opened her mouth to say no and then suddenly realized there wasn't any reason for her to turn him down. She didn't want to spend the whole evening just sitting around watching everyone else have fun, so she figured she may as well join in and take advantage of the festivities. 

Nodding her head she followed him back onto the dance floor and began moving to the rhythm. She was surprised to find that he could dance pretty well, and it didn't take long for her to begin to enjoy herself.

Once the song ended he gestured her off the dance floor so that they could talk a bit more. As a waiter approached them they helped themselves to some hors d'oeurves, as well as a glass of champagne. Standing at the edge of the dance floor, they began making pleasant conversation.

"Thanks for the dance," he said to her.

"No problem, I had fun."

"I'm Walter, by the way. And you are?"

"Julia."

"That's a very lovely name. So do you have a boyfriend, Julia?"

"No, not right now."

"Well would you like one?" his lips pulled into a little smirk.

"That depends," she flirtatiously answered.

"Upon what?" His lips widened into a grin and his eyes began to twinkle. 

"Well I've been single for quite some time, so it would take a certain type of man to make me give up that freedom."

Walter chuckled, "Well maybe you don't have to give up any of your freedom."

"What do you mean?" Although she had an idea of what he was hinting at, she wanted to see how he would respond. 

Leaning in a little closer to her he said, "I'm not opposed to one night stands. How about you?"

The smile on her face lessened as she responded, "I don't do one night stands."

"Are you sure about that?" His eyes roved lasciviously over the neckline of her dress.

"Oh yeah, I'm definitely sure," came her firm response.

Walter's voice was laced with disappointment as he said, "That's too bad, because I'd definitely love to take you home with me."

Unsure of how to respond to such a forward statement, Julia tipped the champagne glass toward her lips and took a sip. 

Unwilling to accept no for an answer he inquired, "What do I have to do to get you to change your mind?"

With a shrug of the shoulders she replied, "There's nothing you can say, really. I don't casually sleep around and that's all there is to it."

"Come on," he urged. "It's just sex, what's the big deal?"

Releasing a sound of annoyance Julia turned her back to him and began to walk away, but Walter still refused to give up.

"Hey, don't leave. I'm not finished talking to you yet."

As she felt his hand wrap around her waist Julia turned to face him, opening her mouth so she could tell him to buzz off, but what she saw stunned her into silence.

Noticing that Julia was focused upon a point beyond his shoulder, Walter turned his head to see what she was looking at. As his eyes focused upon the handsome Polynesian man, Walter threw him a look of hostility. 

With a serious look in his eyes Nolan questioned, "Is there a problem here?" His gaze was planted upon Walter as he said it. 

Before she could speak a word Walter briskly answered, "No, why would there be?"

"Seems to me you're bothering her. You have no right putting your hands on a lady unless she consents." 

With a tone of annoyance Walter said, "Look, I don't know who you are but this act you're putting on isn't getting you into her pants. She's one of those frigid broads, so save yourself the trouble and don't even waste your time."

"Just leave her alone and don't bother her again, got it?" Nolan responded in a terse voice. 

"Yeah, whatever buddy." Throwing a glance Julia's way he sneered at her and said, "Later, tease." As he was leaving he purposely bumped his shoulder against Nolan's, then walked off in the direction of a skinny redhead. 

As soon as he was gone Nolan spoke to her, "Sorry you had to deal with that jerk."

"It's okay."

"No it isn't. He was disrespecting you and that wasn't cool."

"Yeah, I know. He's not even worth me getting upset over, though."

"Well maybe not, but I still didn't like the way he was treating you. I was watching you two from across the room, and when I saw him touch you I knew it was time to intervene. The guy's a complete complete jerk."

"Yes he is and thank you, by the way. I do appreciate you getting him off my back."

"No problem, I was glad to do it." 

Julia gave him a little smile and he returned it.

"I didn't expect to see you again, especially not here of all places," said Nolan. "Who are you here with?"

"My friend Mimi. Her cousin Lois is the one getting married."

"I see. Well I'm glad you decided to come along with her." 

A waiter came by to offer them miniature egg rolls but they both declined, more interested in getting to know one another rather than eating.

"Well I guess I should properly introduce myself. I'm Nolan," extending a hand towards her, he lightly shook her hand, holding it more by the fingers than by the palm. 

There was a tenderness to the way he held her hand in his, and Julia found herself very taken by his presence. His long wavy hair was slicked back into a ponytail and he was wearing a pair of black trousers and a matching suit jacket. 

The look he was sporting was somewhat unconventional, as instead of wearing a dress shirt, he chose instead to don a grey t-shirt beneath his suit jacket. Nolan was a man who brimmed with confidence, yet he wasn't anywhere near conceited. 

"I'm Julia, and it's very nice to meet you. Again," she tacked on at the end of her statement.

Nolan smiled at her. "It's nice to see you again, as well."

"So who did you come with?"

"I'm by myself." Nolan showed her the camera that hung from the strap which was attached to his shoulder. "I'm the wedding photographer."

"Nice. So is this your side job?"

"Yep, I do it mostly during the weekends, but every now and again I'll have a gig through the week as well. I do all sorts of photography though, not just weddings."

"You must be pretty busy then, since you work at the tattoo shop as well."

"I only work there a few days out of the week. My brother is a tattooist as well as the owner, so I help him out with managing the shop. So yeah, I guess you could say my free time is pretty limited. But I make good money working as a photographer, so it's worth it."

"Well judging from this fancy reception, I'd be willing to bet she's paying you very well."

Offering a little smile Nolan responded, "I'm being well compensated. When I found out her husband was a big shot lawyer, I decided to raise my fee. I figured with money like his, he can afford to pay me more than most of the clients. That probably sounds bad, but I figured why not?"

"I think it sounds smart," Julia responded. "I'm sure you're very talented, so every penny they pay will be well worth it."

"That's kind of you to say, Julia. I appreciate that."

"I'm only saying it because i'm sure it's the truth. You must be quite good if they hired you to photograph a lavish event like this."

As his mouth pulled upward she saw he had a beautiful smile, and her eyes were hopelessly drawn toward his sexy lips. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him, and imagined that with lips like his it would probably be quite pleasurable. Nolan's voice suddenly sliced through her thoughts and Julia was instantly brought back into the present. 

"You flatter me too much. If anyone should be offering compliments, it's me. Here I am in the company of a beautiful woman and she's the one making me feel good. I knew there would be perks to working this gig, but I didn't know you would be one of them." 

Feeling her cheeks heat up from his compliment, she took a light sip of champagne and matched his gaze with a deep one of her own. 

Pushing a strand of hair away from her eye she asked, "Are you flirting with me?" 

She already knew the answer to that question of course, but she was curious as to what he would say.

"I don't know, are you?" 

She knew he was engaging her in a game and she was more than willing to play.

"Maybe I am. What do you think?"

"I think you are. I also think you have beautiful eyes and the way you're holding my gaze assures me that we have a great connection. Now what are your thoughts?"

"I'm thinking about how glad I am that I decided to attend this wedding with my friend. Running into you is definitely a nice coincidence."

A pleased smile crossed Nolan's lips. "I agree that it's nice seeing one another, but do you really think this was just a coincidence?"

"What, us meeting here?" She thought over his words for a few moments and then warily replied, "Sure, why not? Wait, you're not saying you planned this or something, are you?"

A small laugh passed Nolan's lips, "I'm an admirer, Julia, not a stalker. I just meant that I don't believe in chance meetings. I think that fate brings people together for certain reasons."

"So why do you think we were brought together?"

"Well the first time we met things didn't go so smoothly, but apparently we were meant to work things out, because here we are. Neither of us are entirely sure of what we have to give each other, but if we get to know one another then surely we'll find out."

"Is this your way of asking me out?"

With a smile he answered, "What I'm saying is that I hope we'll be seeing more of each other, because I really enjoy being in your presence."

Julia was just about to give her response when she spotted Mimi approaching them. Sensing that somebody was coming up behind him, Nolan turned his head to see who it was.

Offering him a smile Mimi said, "Hello." Then she glanced toward Julia and silently expressed with her eyes that she wished to be introduced. 

"Mimi, this is Nolan. Nolan, I'd like you to meet my boss, who also happens to be a very good friend of mine."

Nolan nodded in acknowledgment and said, "It's nice to meet you, Mimi."

"Likewise," she responded.

Turning his attention back to Julia he said, "Well I guess I'd better get back to work. It was very nice talking with you and I hope to see you again soon. You know where to find me, so don't be a stranger." He gave her a wink and then politely excused himself. 

As soon as he was out of earshot Mimi turned to face Julia and excitedly stated, "He's gorgeous. Was he one of the guys you were dancing with?"

"Nope, I only danced with one guy and he was a complete jerk."

With an expression of concern on her face Mimi asked, "What happened?"

"He tried to get me to go home with him, but when I told him I wasn't interested in having a one night stand he got really aggressive. Then when I tried to walk away he made a grab for me, and that's where Nolan came in."

"Wow, he really does sound like an asshole. Well i'm glad Nolan was there to sort him out."

"Yeah, so am I."

"So did you give Nolan your phone number?" Mimi's eyes lit up with hope.

Shaking her head Julia replied, "No, he didn't ask for it."

"You should have given it to him anyhow. I glanced at you two a few times while I was on the dance floor, and it looked like you were engaging in some pretty serious eye contact."

As Julia's lips curled into a smile, Mimi took her by the hand and led her to their table so that they could discuss things in private. 

Once they were seated Mimi asked, "Okay, so what are his stats? He's single, right?"

Shrugging her shoulders she replied, "I don't know, I didn't ask."

"Okay, so what do you know about him, then?"

"Well I know he's a photographer, because he's taking all of the photos for this wedding."

"Really?" Roving her eyes around the ballroom Mimi began to search for Nolan, wanting to see him in action. 

"Yep, and I figure he must be pretty darn good if he got booked for a ritzy gig like this."

"You got that right, because Lois has been very particular about this wedding."

Finally spotting Nolan, Mimi saw that he was taking photos of the band on stage. Julia's eyes followed her gaze, and she watched as Nolan took shots of the performers from a variety of angles.

"He looks quite professional, doesn't he?" Julia couldn't help but admire Nolan as she watched him kneel and lean back to get an interesting shot of the band.

"Yeah, and watch the way he handles that camera. You know what they say about men who work with their hands, don't you?" Giving her a sly smile, Mimi waited for her friend's reaction.

Julia's lips curved upward. "Oh come on, that is such a cliché."

"Hey it may be a cliché, but it's certainly the truth. Why do you think I favor going out with those blue collar guys so much?"

"Well you must be into them for more than just the sex."

"Of course I am, but knowing what to do and how to manipulate things with your hands goes a long way in the bedroom."

"Yeah okay, I guess I see your point," Julia took a sip of her drink and as the song the band was playing began to taper off, she watched Nolan make his way to the other side of the room. 

"You have to give him your number before we leave," urged Mimi.

"Only if he asks."

A small sigh of frustration passed Mimi's lips. "Come on Julia, snap him up before some other woman does. Besides, if you really like him then how are you supposed to see him again?"




Tattoo of Love Ch. 02



"I know where he works, so I can stop by there anytime I like."

"Wait, you didn't tell me that. So you know where his photography studio is?"

"No, but he has another job besides being a photographer. You know that Polynesian tattoo shop that's located on Monroe?"

"Sure, I pass by it all the time on the way to the bakery. It's only a few blocks down the way."

"Yeah, well that's where he works. I went in there the other day and that's when we first met each other."

"Talk about a small world. I've never been in there myself, but it draws my attention everytime I pass by it. So I guess you'll be making regular visits over there, huh?" A grin spread across Mimi's face.

"I might stop by every now and again, but I am not going to start chasing after him. The last thing I want is to seem too eager."

"So does he know you work at the bakery?"

"No, it never came up in our conversation."

"Well just wait until he finds out. I'm sure he'll be coming by regularly with quite the sweet tooth."

As a waiter approached their table, Julia saw that he was carrying plates of food toward them. The smell of food filled the air as the other wedding guests had food served to them as well, and as their meals were set in front of them both Julia and Mimi thanked the waiter. 

After flashing them a smile and wishing them a good meal he turned around and headed back toward the kitchen. As he retreated from them, Julia couldn't help noticing that Mimi's eyes were firmly glued to his backside."

"Enjoying the view?" Julia asked with a smile.

Breaking out of her daze Mimi turned her gaze upon Julia and offered her a sheepish grin, "I wasn't staring that hard, was I?"

If you'd kept your eyes upon him any longer, they would have burned holes into his butt."

Expelling a small laugh she said, "Well the man does have a nice ass. I don't usually date guys who are younger than me, but I'd be more than willing to make an exception for him. He was a total hottie."

"He was pretty gorgeous," replied Julia.

As they dug into their food both women grew quiet and focused upon the tastiness of the meal. Sticking a fork into her chicken alfredo, Maya twirled the thick noodles around her silverware and took a generous bite. As she ate her dinner she found that her eyes were searching the room for Nolan, and as they landed upon him she saw he was chatting to one of the waiters. 

She guessed they were having a conversation about photography, because Nolan was holding the camera up for the waiter to see, and pointing out the various buttons and controls upon it. 

Focusing her eyes upon his body she noticed how well his suit fit him, and began to wonder if it was custom made. It fit him like a glove and she couldn't help but admire his nice physique. Even through the suit she could tell that he had a nicely toned back, and she began to wonder what it would look like unclothed.

"Looks like you found something nice to look as well." 

As Mimi's voice invaded her thoughts Julia's gaze was broken and she broke into a grin. 

"You can't blame a girl for wanting a little eye candy to go along with her meal."

"Of course not, and truth be told, I got in a few glances of him as well."

Turning her eyes toward Mimi she teasingly said, "Hey now, don't go getting any thoughts about going after him, alright? I saw him first so hands off, woman." A little smile spread across her face as she said it.

Releasing a husky laugh Mimi responded, "Listen to you, getting all territorial."

"I'm only kidding," said Julia.

"Yeah I know, but I can't blame you for wanting him all to yourself. The man is quite delicious. Hey, I don't know if you noticed yet, but there are a few other women who seem to have their eyes on him as well."

"What, where? Point them out to me."

Smiling a little at Julia's interest in the competition, Mimi gestured toward a table a few feet away from them. There were four women sitting at it and they were engaged in an animated conversation. 

Their attention was turned directly towards him, and it was apparent he was the person of interest because as Nolan turned around and began to walk through the rows of tables, all four of the women's eyes intently followed his progress.

Julia was surprised by the pang of jealousy she felt, and as she watched Nolan weave his way among the seated guests, she noticed that his eyes were sweeping across the full room. It seemed he was searching for someone and she began to hope it was her. As she watched him continue along his path Nolan's eyes suddenly found hers and his lips widened into a smile. Giving her a wink, he altered his course and made his way towards her. 

From out of the corner of her eye Julia could see the four women at the other table watching her, and a strong feeling of satisfaction swept through her. As Nolan reached her table she fully turned her attention upon him and gave him a flirtatious smile.  

"Hey you," he said to her.

"Hey there yourself," she responded. 

"I hope you ladies are enjoying your dinner." His eyes were focused mostly on Julia, but not wanting to appear rude he roved his eyes towards Mimi and gave her a smile.

Answering nearly in unison the two women responded, "We are." Julia and Mimi gave each other funny little glances and then their lips curled into an amused smile."

Expelling a light chuckle Nolan replied, "Good. Well I just thought I'd stop by and say hello. The happy couple's special wedding dance will be happening in the next hour and after that they'll open up the dance floor for everyone, so I do hope you'll save me a dance." His eyes peered deeply into Julia's.

"Of course, I look forward to it."

"Great," said Nolan with a pleased smile. "Well I'll let you ladies finish eating and I'll be seeing you later, Julia."

"Yep, see you." 

As soon as he was gone Mimi gave Julia an excited grin. "Oh Julia, he really likes you. Not only is he gorgeous, but he also seems really nice."

"Yeah, he really is," she said with a dreamy expression on her face.

"So before we leave this evening i'll be expecting you to give him your number. No excuses, just do it, okay?"

"What are you, my love coach?" asked Julia with humor in her voice.

"Call it what you will, but I just want this to work out for you. You deserve a good guy and Nolan seems like great boyfriend material."

"He does, doesn't he? Which really makes me wonder if he is single? Even if he is unattached, I'm sure that he must be dating. He probably has all sorts of women throwing themselves at him." Clearing her throat Julia tilted her head in the direction of the women who sat at the table a few feet away from them. "Speaking of competition, did you see the way those chicks were looking at Nolan?"

Chewing on a mushroom Mimi replied, "I sure did. You probably didn't notice, but they were giving you the evil eye the entire time that Nolan was talking to you."

"Oh I noticed, alright. I could see them out of the corner of my eye and I know they were jealous."

"Most definitely. Don't worry about them, though. They won't be able to get their claws into him, not if I have anything to do with it."

"You're a good friend Mimi and I appreciate your concern, but if one of those women really wants to get with him, there isn't anything that either you or I can do to stop them."

"Are you kidding me? Of course there is. If any of them try to get too close to him, I'll just run interference to keep them away."

"Oh yeah, and just how exactly will you accomplish that?" Julia picked up her water glass to take a sip.

"You've heard of a tackle, right? All you have to do is say the word and I'll go for it."

Releasing a snort, Julia quickly grabbed her napkin and covered her mouth with it to keep from spitting out the water.

"You're crazy, Mimi. But that's why I love you."

"Right back at you, babe." 

Once dinner was finished and the plates had been cleared away, the waiters brought out trays of desserts and began serving them to the guests. Once they received their own plates of lavender lemon cheesecake they savored it, enjoying the rich taste and unique texture of it. After they were finished eating they sat back in their chairs and gave sighs of contentment. 

"You outdid yourself with that dessert, Julia. It was wonderful," said Mimi.

Basking in her compliment Julia responded, "Couldn't have done it without you."

As their full stomachs settled they made casual conversation, sipping on their coffee as they observed the other people in the room. They'd only been talking a few minutes when a man at the front of the room picked up a microphone and began to speak into it. As his voice came over the speakers the guests in the ballroom began to quiet, and listened to what he had to say.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come to welcome our newlyweds to the dance floor, so everyone get onto your feet and put your hands together for Mr. and Mrs. Denmoore."

The lights in the ballroom dimmed and a spotlight illuminated the middle of the dance floor. As the newlyweds walked onto the floor all of the guests stood up and clapped their hands. There were even a few cheers and whistles, but as the sound of a piano filled the air everyone grew quiet. Frank Sinatra's As Time Goes By was the choice of song for the wedding dance, and as the couple began to move to the music everyone gathered around to watch them. 

Julia was impressed by the way the couple moved so seamlessly together, and she couldn't help but admire the beauty of the moment. As the flash of a camera filled the darkened room, Julia turned her head toward it and saw Nolan photographing the couple. 

He took various shots from different angles, and as he moved around the edge of the dance floor her eyes remained faithfully trained upon him. She enjoyed seeing him at work, and was impressed by the fact that he could remain so in the moment, even with hundreds of guests all around him. 

As the newlyweds wedding dance came to an end, all of the guests were invited onto the floor as well. People who were already paired up as couples made their way forward, but everyone else who was single just hung around the tables and watched. Eventually most of the unattached women were asked to dance, and soon the marble floor was filled with wedding guests. 

As they watched the guests engage in a slow dance, Julia noticed that a man she hadn't seen before standing next to the floor taking photos. He had equipment which was similar to Nolan's, and it was obvious he was a professional because of the way he moved and angled the camera.

"I wonder where Nolan is?" She asked Mimi in curiosity. "Isn't he supposed to be the wedding photographer?"

"It's probably his assistant. Some photographers bring another person along to help them out on certain jobs."

"Oh, well if his assistant is the one taking pictures, then what's he doing?" Julia glanced around the room to see if she could find him.

"I don't know, honey. He's probably on a break. It didn't seem like he had anything to eat at dinner, so I'm sure he's just having a quick bite."

"You're probably right. I guess I should stop wondering where he is. I'm getting sort of pathetic, aren't I?"

"No, you're just curious is all. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm sure he'll be by any moment to ask you for that dance." Mimi gave her a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, and even if he doesn't it's not a big deal. I was never much a dancer, anyhow."

Realizing she was getting too wrapped up in Nolan, Julia began to eye the various groups of men who were standing around the room. Most of them were checking out the women who remained sitting at the tables alone, and as her eyes fell upon a man in the corner he offered her a little smile. He was older than her, most likely in his later thirties to early forties and wore his hair in a military crew cut style.

She held his gaze for a few seconds but then quickly averted her eyes, not wanting to give him the idea that she was interested. Remembering the last guy she had danced with, she wasn't too keen on the idea of attracting the attention of anyone else. That was unless, if that person was Nolan. The experience with that prick Walter had left her feeling apprehensive about the whole thing, and the last thing she wanted was to end up with another jerk like him.  

Her wish to be left alone, however, seemed to be ignored because the man whom she'd just been looking at was on his way over to where she stood.

"Oh no, please don't come over here." She softly whispered under her breath.

Following Julia's gaze Mimi asked, "What's wrong with him? He looks pretty good to me. Oooh, and he has one of those military haircuts! That means he's a soldier. I just love men who wear uniforms. Honey if you don't want him, I'll take him off your hands for you."

"Be my guest, because I'm not really interested in dancing with him."

As the man came closer he offered both Julia and Mimi a friendly smile.

"Hello there, pretty ladies. My name is Ronald. How are you two this evening?"

"Doing okay." Julia answered in a polite, yet curt tone.

"I'm very well and you?" Mimi gave him a look which clearly expressed her interest. 

"I've been having a pretty good time so far, but it's getting a little lonely just standing next to the wall watching all those other couples have fun. I'm surprised you two haven't been asked to dance yet."

"I'm not really all that great at it anyhow, so I don't really mind." Said Julia.

"Well I'm not that good either, but I'd be more than willing to give it a try if you're up for it." There was a hopeful look in his eyes as he said it.

Taking a quick glance to her right, Julia spotted Nolan strolling towards her. As their eyes met he gave her a small wave and a pleased smile, and Julia returned it with one of her own. As Ronald saw who she was waving at a look of disappointment crossed his face.

"Sorry, but I'm going to have to pass on that dance. I'm sort of waiting on a friend."

"Oh, okay. Well no problem." He started to back away but then glanced at Mimi and asked, "How about you? Care to have a dance with me?"

"I'd love to." Walking toward him, Mimi hooked her arm into his and they strolled off together. 

Turning her head back in Nolan's direction, Julia was dismayed to find that his progress toward her had been halted. Standing in front of him was a woman with a high ponytail and a red dress, and although Julia couldn't see her face, she knew exactly who the woman was. 

It was one of the four ladies who'd been eyeing him from their table, and as Julia watched them engage in conversation she began to feel very jealous. She silently willed Nolan to end the conversation and come over to where she stood, but to her utmost frustration he remained planted where he was. 

Julia wanted to know what they were talking about and began to wonder if Nolan even remembered that she existed. It was almost as if the woman in the red dress had some sort of power over him, because he was leaning forward toward her and seemed to be intently interested in what she had to say. 

He hadn't even taken one glance in Julia's direction to signal that he was still on his way. Nolan knew that she was expecting him, so why didn't he just excuse himself and come over and ask her to dance?

She already knew the answer to this question, of course. She'd been upstaged by another woman, and now Nolan was more interested in this red dress hussy than he was in her. Julia watched as the woman threw her head back and released a loud giggle, and couldn't help noticing that Nolan lips were pulled back into an amused grin.

Having seen more than she could handle, Julia turned her back to them and headed over to the bar. If Nolan would rather talk to some other chick then that was his business. She'd wasn't wasting any more of her time on him, and refused to pay him any more attention. 

Taking a seat on one of the barstools, she ordered a virgin pina colada. As the bartender busied himself with preparing it, Julia glanced at the dance floor and saw Mimi and Ronald dancing. As she watched them sway back and forth to a classic love song, Julia wished she hadn't been so quick to blow Ronald off. 

He really was a pretty cute guy, and if she hadn't been so stuck on Nolan, she could have been dancing and enjoying herself right now. Once the bartender was finished fixing her drink, he brought over her pina colada and sat it down on the counter in front of her. 

Julia thanked him and then took a few light sips. She wasn't really in the mood for a drink right now, but she'd felt awkward just standing there watching Nolan and that woman talk. She knew it was silly feeling this way because she'd just met Nolan a day ago, but she still didn't like seeing him talking with other women. She didn't know why it bothered her so much, but it did.

Realizing she'd read too much into his flirting, Julia urged herself to get a grip and stop acting so ridiculous over a guy. If he wanted to chat other women up, why should that matter to her? He wasn't her boyfriend, so what concern of hers was it if he wished to speak to other women? 

Despite Julia's attempts to pep herself up she still felt pretty lousy so she wrapped her lips around the straw and took a large sip, hoping to drown her disappointments in the sugary drink. Julia became so lost in her thoughts that as she felt a tap on her shoulder she gave a startled jump. 

Swiveling around on the stool, Julia came face to face with Nolan and watched as his lips pulled back into a beautiful smile. Under normal circumstances Julia would have melted, but since she was upset with him his grin had little effect on her.

"Hey there, sorry to have startled you. What are you doing sitting here at the bar all by yourself?"

She couldn't believe he was asking her such a question and was annoyed that he seemed so clueless. Couldn't he feel her disappointment? Surely he'd noticed that she'd been watching him and that other woman speak. 

Not wanting to seem bitchy she made up an excuse, "Just felt like getting a drink."

"Okay, well sorry I took so long to make my way over to you. That woman I was talking to was interested in having some professional photos taken, so I was just telling her about my personal style. Sorry if I came across as rude to you, I didn't mean to keep you waiting, so please accept my apology. I just wanted to see if she was serious about becoming a client."

"It's okay, I didn't mind." As the lie slipped from her tongue she averted her gaze from his and used her straw to stir the crushed ice which had settled at the bottom of her glass. 

"So, how about that dance now? That is if you're not too upset with me," he offered her a crooked little grin.

"I'm not upset, but I'm not really in the mood for dancing anymore."

The smile quickly left his lips as he responded, "Oh, okay. Well I was really looking forward it, so I'm sorry to hear you don't feel like it anymore."

Turning her eyes back upon him she said, "Yeah, so was I." Then she set her drink down and got up off the stool. 

She didn't even bother to look back at him as she walked away. As she was heading past the dance floor she saw Mimi heading towards her. Julia noticed that she seemed full of enthusiasm and it was obvious she was having quite a good time. 

As Mimi reached Julia she asked, "Hey, so how's it going with Nolan? I saw you two talking over at the bar. Aren't you going to dance with him?"

"Shaking her head Julia replied, "Nope."

"What? Well why not?"

With a shrug of her shoulders Julia replied, "I just don't feel like it anymore."

Giving her a serious look Mimi asked, "Okay, what happened?"

"Remember that table of women who were staring at him as he stopped by our table to talk to me?"




Tattoo of Love Ch. 02



"Yeah."

"Well I saw him chatting with one of them. The thing was, he was on his way to come over and ask me to dance, but instead of excusing himself he just stood there and had a conversation with her. A long one."

"Hmm, well just because he was talking to her it doesn't mean that anything serious was going on. Did you see her slip him her number?"

"No, not that I could tell. Anyways, I just found it a bit rude so it sort of turned me off."

"Well I understand that you're feeling a bit upset, but I still don't think you should give up on him. This other woman is competing with you, can't you see that?"

"Of course I can."

"Alright, so now you're just going to let her win? Come on, Julia. You aren't the type to give up on anything."

"Yeah? Well I'm giving up on this. I'm not in the mood for playing games."

"I don't think he's playing a game with you, Julia. Did he explain why he took so long to reach you?"

"Yeah, he said she was interested in having some pictures taken. He made it sound like it was only business, but she was doing some serious flirting with him."

"Of course she was, the man looks good. But hey, I think you should take his word for it. If that's what he says happened, then believe him."

Glancing toward the bar, Mimi saw Nolan sitting on a stool with a drink in hand. His back was to the bar, so they could see his face from where they stood.

"Look at him, Julia. He looks so sad sitting there all alone. Go back over and talk to him."

As Julia turned her gaze upon Nolan their eyes locked and she saw him give her a little smile. She tried to offer him one as well, yet found that she just couldn't move her lips upward. Still feeling a bit miffed, Julia turned away from him and stared out at the dance floor.

"So that's it? You're done with him now?" Mimi's voice held a mixture of annoyance and disappointment.

"I didn't say that."

"Okay, so what are you waiting for?"

"If he really wants me then I'll let him come to me, but I am not going back over there."

Shaking her head in disbelief Mimi replied, "Alright, have it your way. The funny thing is you said you're not in the mood for games, but don't you realize that's exactly what you're doing right now?"

"No I'm not."

"Sure you are. You're jealous and upset and you're expressing this to him by playing hard to get. You want to see just how far he's willing to go to smooth things over with you. Now does that sound about right?"

With a reluctant nod of her head Julia answered, "Yeah, okay. I guess I am acting pretty lame, aren't I?"

"Yes. So please stop acting silly and go over and talk to him. You always say how hard it is to meet decent guys, don't you? Well there's one right there, just waiting for you. Take your chance girl, before it's too late."

Releasing a sigh, Julia tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and glanced at Mimi for reassurance.

"Go for it," urged Mimi.

As Julia headed towards the bar she saw that Nolan's back was now facing her. She guessed that he'd turned around when she failed to smile at him, and now he was under the impression that she was no longer interested. 

Mimi was right, she'd been playing a game, and a very stupid one at that. She'd let her jealousy get in the way and now she had to work things out. How often did she meet guys like Nolan? The answer to that was never. 

She was only a few feet away from reaching him when suddenly the woman in the red dress walked up beside him and placed her hand upon his shoulder. Halting her steps, Julia watched as Nolan turned his head to give the woman a smile. Julia also noticed that the woman's hand was sliding across the left sleeve of his suit jacket, admiring his biceps beneath the fabric.

Noticing their silent observer, the woman in the red dress turned her gaze upon Julia and curled her lips into a triumphant smile. Her eyes seemed to silently express that the game was over. 

As the woman grabbed Nolan's hand to guide him away from the bar, Julia quickly turned on her heels and headed back towards Mimi. Seeing the hurt and defeat upon her friend's face, Mimi offered a few words of support.

"Don't give up, Julia. Do not let her win."

Waving her hand dismissively she answered, "I could care less. If that woman wants him so badly then you know what? Let her have him. I am not about to fight over a man."

The sigh of disappointment Mimi expelled told Julia that she was unhappy with the outcome of the situation between her and Nolan. Mimi was a natural born competitor, and Julia could see the frustration growing in her eyes. 

"Well since you've decided to give up on Nolan, why don't you come onto the dance floor with me and Ronald?"

"No thanks, I don't want to be the third wheel."

"He has a friend." As Mimi pointed him out to Julia, a man standing next to Ronald gave her a smile, then headed over to where she stood. 

Roving her eyes over him, Julia noted that he had a military haircut just like Ronald did. He was of medium height with a slim build, and he had a boyish face which made it difficult to determine his age. 

As he reached Julia he introduced himself, "Hey there, I'm Tim. Would you like to dance?"

"Sure, why not." Grabbing hold of his palm, Julia followed him onto the dance floor.

As they joined hands and began to sway to the music, Julia found that her eyes were continuously searching through the couples on the dance floor. It didn't take long before her eyes landed upon the strappy red dress of her adversary, and as her eyes focused upon Nolan she felt a strong pang of regret sweep through her. 

Nolan's hands rested upon the woman's hips, and the lady in the red dress had her arms firmly encircled around his neck. She was tall so her eyes were nearly level with Nolan's, and from where Julia stood she could clearly see that the woman's eyes were intensely focused upon the man in her arms. 

As Julia engaged in a dance with her own partner, she couldn't help wishing that she was with Nolan instead. The guy she was with seemed nice enough, but he wasn't who she'd been hoping to share her first dance of the evening with. 

Filled to the brim with wishes of an alternate outcome, Julia willed Nolan's eyes to meet her own. She needed to receive some indication that he was still interested in her. All she needed was one brief glance from him to let her know that he still wanted her, because she very much wanted him.

Apparently her thoughts and energy were focused on Nolan a little too much, because the sound of an annoyed voice suddenly sliced through the air. 

"Hello, Julia? Are you still with me?"

Turning her gaze towards Tim, Julia uttered an apology. "Sorry, I guess my mind wandered for a bit. Were you saying something?"

"I was asking if you'd like to go bowling sometime. Your friend Mimi says she knows of a brandy new alley that just opened."

"I don't know, maybe."

"Only a maybe, huh? Well how can I turn that maybe into a definite yes?"

Not wishing to lead him on, Julia responded as politely as she could, "Look Tim, you seem like a really nice guy, but I'm not sure if i'm ready to date just yet."

"I understand, but we can always just go as friends. It doesn't have to be like a real date or anything."

Only halfway paying attention to what he said, Julia muttered an uninterested, "Yeah, I guess."

Her eyes were focused upon Nolan's back, and she was thinking about what it would feel like to have her palms placed against his shoulders. She also imagined what his hands would feel like wrapped around her waist, and began to visualize herself in the place of the woman in red. As the powers of her imagination went into overdrive, Julia unconsciously held Tim closer to her. Nolan's body type completely differed from Tim's of course, but Julia didn't let that stop her from visualizing the preferred situation. 

With her eyes still peeled upon Nolan she closely observed the way that he moved. She noticed that he danced with a grace and skill she hadn't quite expected, and as his eyes finally met with Julia's brown orbs, she felt a sudden thump in her chest. Certain that he was no longer interested, she waited for the moment when he would redirect his gaze and focus upon something else. 

As they swayed in a circle with their respective dance partners, they found themselves caught in the continuing pattern of turning their backs to one another, then once again facing each other. Each time her back was turned to Nolan, Julia anticipated the moment when their eyes would re-lock. It seemed that they moved in a synchronization of sorts, because without fail, each time that they made a full circle their eyes would meet. Julia was pleasantly surprised that the timing was just right, because looking into Nolan's eyes as she was dancing with Tim helped her to imagine more clearly what it would be like if she were with Nolan instead.

As she swayed into another full turn with her dance partner, Julia anxiously awaited the moment when Nolan would come into her line of vision. Yet as she once again faced him, she was dismayed to find that her eyes met with those of his partner instead. 

As her eyes locked into those of the woman in the red dress, she realized that her competitor was throwing daggers at her. Obviously territorial of Nolan, this woman was making it clear that Julia was treading into unwelcome territory. Julia, however, was definitely not intimated by this other woman's stare. In fact, she was spurred along by it. She didn't know why, but Julia felt a sudden burst of adrenaline rush through her. Mimi's competitive spirit must have rubbed off on her, because she was beginning to think up all sorts of different ways to steal Nolan's attention. 

She knew he was still interested in her because they'd had some moments of heavy eye contact, but she wouldn't be fully satisfied until she was the woman dancing in his arms. Evan as the song came to an end, the two women continued to engage in a heated stare down. Julia didn't want to avert her eyes, but since the song had ended it was only natural for her to turn her attention back upon Tim.

"Thanks for the dance," He said to her. "Hope it wasn't too boring for you."

"Of course not, why would you say that?" 

"Well you barely answered any of the questions I asked you. Not to mention your eyes were planted on some other guy across the room."

Feeling her cheeks heat up Julia shamefully answered, "I'm sorry, that was so rude of me. I wasn't trying to be mean, I just spotted someone I knew and we sort of made eye contact."

"Hey it's okay, no need to apologize. I can't say I don't wish that I was the one you were staring at instead, but oh well. Whoever that guy is, he's really lucky to have a lady like you so interested in him."

"Thanks, that's sweet of you to say." She felt bad about her inability to keep her attention focused upon Tim, but was pleased that he didn't seem too upset by it.

"Well anyways, it looks like your friend is on his way over here so I guess I'll let you go. Have fun." Tim gave her a weak smile and then turned and walked towards another part of the dance floor.

"Bye," she called after him. 

Turning her head to look behind her, she saw that Nolan was indeed coming towards her. Giving him a smile, she glanced up into his face and offered a greeting.

"Hello." 

"Hi there. I take it you're not mad at me anymore."

Feeling silly about the way she'd acted, Julia gave a bashful smile. "I wasn't mad at you Nolan, just a little annoyed."

His lips peeled into a grin as she said it. "I seem to have a knack for making you feel that way, huh? Well anyways I'm here for that dance now, and this time I won't take no for an answer. So how about it?"

"I'd love to." She smiled.

As the guitar chords to Lenny Kravitz's, It Aint' Over Till It's Over played over the speakers, Nolan wrapped a hand around Julia's waist and brought her closer to him. Bringing one hand up to rest against his shoulder, Julia allowed her right hand to clasp with Nolan's left. In no time at all they fell into a perfect rhythm, swaying so gracefully together that it appeared as if they'd put in hours of practice. 

They gazed deeply into each others eyes as they danced, and Julia was surprised by just how sensual the moment was becoming. As they moved in time to the music she lost herself in the fragrance coming off of him. 

The cologne he wore was pleasant, and the scent of it was very alluring. As she studied his face she found herself admiring everything from the shape of his eyebrows, to his nice, strong jawline. There wasn't a feature on him that she didn't like, and as she stared into his face Nolan's eyes steadily watched her. 

For the time being words weren't of very much importance. They easily conveyed how they felt about each other through the strength of their gaze and the movement of their bodies. Lost within Nolan's eyes, Julia experienced a fluttering in her chest. She could feel Nolan's strong attraction to her and was certain he was receiving the same vibes from her. 

She couldn't remember having ever felt such a sudden and strong lure towards any man before, and she realized that this must be what people meant when they spoke about love at first sight. Julia knew that she wasn't in love with Nolan right at this moment, but she could already tell that falling for him wouldn't be very hard to do. 

He had this presence about him that intrigued her, and she hoped they would have many more opportunities to spend time with one another. They gazed admiringly at each for a few more moments and then Nolan began to speak.

"You're quite a passionate person, aren't you?"

"Why do you say that?" Her voice was laced with curiosity.

"You seemed quite upset when I was speaking with Rachel."

She began to ask him who Rachel was, but then suddenly it dawned on her that it was the woman in the red dress.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable from the memory of it she responded, "Yeah I know, I totally overreacted. Now that I think back to it, it was pretty embarrassing. I don't know why it even bothered me."

"Yes you do."

Julia blinked in response, feeling a bit surprised by his statement. "What?"

"Of course you know why you were upset. So share it with me. I'm interested in hearing the reason."

"Okay, I was jealous. Which I know is completely lame because we only just met each other yesterday."

"I don't think it's lame. I think it's very cute."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and it doesn't matter if we'd only known each other for a few hours. There aren't any rules about that kind of thing. You shouldn't feel weird about having feelings towards someone."

"I don't feel weird about it. I guess I'm just not used to it."

"Surely you've had a crush before."

"Of course, but this feels different."

"How so?"

Giving a slight shrug she replied, "I don't know, exactly. It's hard to put into words. Crushes are fleeting, temporary things. I've experienced enough of them to know that this is more than that."

"So what you're saying is you think we'll have something long lasting?" His eyes were inquisitive.

"Oh gosh, I didn't mean it that way. I'm not trying to rush things here, I just meant that I feel things for you a little differently than i'm used to. I wasn't trying to imply that we would be in a relationship."

"Well why not? Are you not interested in having one?"

"Well I'm not against it, I just think we'd have to feel each other out a bit more before we become certain of whether or not we wish to enter one. I mean we don't even really know one another."

"Not yet we don't. I'd really like to spend more time with you, though. Do you think that would be possible?"

"Sure, why not? I'd like the chance to get to know you better as well."

With a smile Nolan replied, "Good, I look forward to it."

As they continued to sway back and forth their bodies moved even closer. Both of Nolan's arms were now encircled around her waist and Julia was holding onto his shoulders. She could feel heat radiating off his body, and as he leaned down to speak into her ear there was the wonderful sensation of his breath tickling against her skin. 

Not understanding the words he'd spoken Julia questioned, "I'm sorry, I didn't get that."

Casting his gaze upon her he said, "I was speaking Samoan. I just said that you're beautiful."

"Thank you." Her eyes remained locked into his deep brown orbs, not wanting to look away for even one second. 

As they continued to dance Julia realized that her body was getting very warm. It wasn't an uncomfortable sensation, but rather quite an enjoyable one. She was intoxicated by his presence and the subtle intimacy between them was slowly building to another level. 

Placing her head against his shoulder, Julia immersed herself in Nolan's presence. With her palm against the back of his neck, she lightly trailed the tips of her fingers along the edge of his hairline. 

As her skin made contact with his, she heard a barely audible sigh pass his lips. Julia felt the warmth of his breath against her curly locks, followed by an intake of breath and she knew he was indulging himself in the fragrance of her hair. 

One of Nolan's hands was placed upon the small of her back, and he was tenderly stroking the indentation there. As his finger moved back and forth across the spot she felt a slight shiver go up her spine. It wasn't a spot she'd ever given much thought to before, but now that Nolan was paying attention to it, she realized how intimate it was to have someone touch her in that place. 

As the song they were dancing to came to an end, they remained in a close embrace. Neither was ready to let the other one go just yet, so they continued to sway as a jazzy, slow paced tune floated through the air. Nolan's hands had tightened around her waist and although he didn't say a word, she sensed that he wanted her to look up at him. 

Lifting her head up off his shoulder, Julia peered into his eyes and found him giving her a very deep and thoughtful look. As he bent his face down closer towards her, she noticed the thickness of his lashes and saw there was a small scar right above his left eyebrow. As her gaze moved downward she focused upon his lips and noticed that they were moving closer to her face. 

Feeling as if she were on the receiving end of a magnet, she lowered her eyelids and became lost in a daze. The music, the dim lighting, and his presence were intoxicating her and she found herself unable to resist him. Stroking a finger against her jawbone, he placed his lips to her cheek in a tender kiss. 

As his flesh met with her own, a spark of pleasure shot through Julia's body. She'd 

engaged in her share of hot and heavy make-out sessions, but not one of them compared to what she'd just experienced with Nolan. 

There was a gentleness about him which really turned her on, and she also appreciated the way that he held her. She felt like a prized jewel in his arms, and could tell from the way he was looking at her that his desire ran deep.

As the music began to taper off, Julia realized that the second song they were dancing to was reaching its end. Gradually their bodies began to still and then they were just standing there, still holding each other in the middle of the dance floor. 

Many of the couples around them left and began to walk back toward their tables, but Nolan and Julia remained in place. As reality filtered in and they came out of their own little world they finally released each other.

"That was very nice," said Julia.

"The kiss or the dance?" He asked with a crooked little smile.

"Both." She breathily answered, still coming out of her daze.

"I think it was more than nice, it was wonderful."

"Yes it was."

"I'd love to see you again. Would you mind if I gave you a call sometime?"




Tattoo of Love Ch. 03



*Thank you for the comments, votes and for reading the story. It's much appreciated!* 

The scent of freshly baked goods filled the air of the bakery, and as Julia rushed back and forth between the cash register and the kitchen, she began to wonder if the endless stream of customers would ever slow down. She was happy that business was doing so well, but since she was working alone it was all becoming quite overwhelming. As another patron walked through the doors she acknowledged them with a nod of the head and a friendly hello, then walked over to answer the ringing phone on the wall. 

"Mimi's Bakery, how may I help you?" 

"Hey Julia, how's business?" 

As the low, husky voice floated from the receiver Julia instantly recognized it as belonging to the owner of a thrift store called Angela's Closet.

"Hey there, Angela. We're busy as usual. What can I do for you?"

"Can you guys make a cake in the shape of a penis?"

Smirking at the straightforwardness of her inquiry Julia responded, "Wow, that's a question we haven't been asked before. I'm sure that we can, though. What's the occasion?"

"It's for my bachelorette party. Which by the way, I wanted to ask if you and Mimi would like to attend."

"I'd love to. Mimi's not here right now so I can't ask her, but I'll be sure to tell her that you gave her an invite."

"That'd be great. So how much would a cake like that cost?"

"Well first I'll need to get some details." She grabbed a small notepad from next to the register and then picked up a pen, poising it over the paper. "So what flavor did you want the cake to be?"

"Well the penis itself should be chocolate colored. But I want the rest of the cake to be vanilla buttercream."

"Okay, and how many people are you expecting?"

"Fourteen. Do you think you could have it ready by Saturday? I know it's kind of last minute so I'll pay extra to have it rushed."

"We can have it to you by Saturday, that's no problem. I can't tell you straight off the bat just how much this will cost, but once Mimi comes in I'll consult with her and then we'll give you a call back and let you know."

"That would be wonderful. Thanks so much for your help, Julia."

"You're very welcome. Have a nice day, alright?"

"You too. Later!"

"Bye Angela."

After hanging up the phone she tore the piece of paper off the pad and placed it in the stack of orders to be processed. As she turned to face the counter she saw a familiar face smiling back at her.

"Hello." 

"Hey Colin, how are you?"

"Oh, not too bad. How about you?

"I'm doing pretty well. How's your mom?"

"Much better. I'm picking her up at the hospital tonight to bring her home."

"Well good, it'll be nice to see her around again."

With a nod of his head he replied, "Yeah, she can't wait to get back." 

A moment of silence passed between them and Julia got the feeling that the true reason behind Colin's visit wasn't for food, but to be in her company. 

She heard the sound of him clearing his throat and then he finally said, "So, Julia. I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go out sometime. We could go to a movie, or maybe out to dinner. Or if you'd prefer somewhere else, we could do that too."

"It's sweet of you to offer, but i'm kind of seeing someone right now." 

A flash of disappointment passed over his face and then he responded, "Oh, alright. Well no big deal, I just thought I'd ask while I was here."

Glancing into the bakery display case, he began feigning interest in the pastries. 

Pointing toward the danishes on the lower shelf he said, "I'll take a pineapple bear claw."

Bending down to open the display case, she grabbed a pair of tongs and retrieved his pastry, then put it into a bag.

"You want anything else to go with that? How about a cup of coffee?"

"No thanks, just the bear claw."

As she looked into his eyes she saw the look of hurt in them and couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for him. She could tell he was the shy type and it seemed he'd had to work up the courage to ask her out. 

As she rang up his total, Colin shifted uneasily from foot to foot, giving her a look which was a mixture of admiration and yearning. 

After he paid for his danish she gave him his change, and as she placed it into his hand she offered him a friendly smile.

"Thanks for coming in, and tell your mom I'm looking forward to seeing her."

Giving a nod he replied, "Sure thing. Well I guess i'll see you later." Grabbing the bag with his pastry, he headed for the door. 

"See ya," she called out after him.

As he exited the door he looked back over his shoulder and offered her a parting smile. Julia returned it with one of her own, then walked over to a cake which sat next to a large pastry bag. Picking up the cone shaped bag, she began to spread icing along the edge of the cake. Her thoughts turned to Colin as she worked, and she thought about how his awkwardness was kind of endearing. He had that cute nerdy look about him and he seemed like a pretty nice guy, but the only man she was interested in right now was Nolan. 

It didn't take long before she was recalling the way his hands felt around her waist and she fondly remembered the sensation of his lips pressing against her cheek. It had been a soft, sweet kiss; almost innocent in a way. She couldn't remember the last time a guy had kissed her on the cheek, but she'd liked that Nolan had done it. It left her wanting more, and now she was wondering what it'd feel like to have his lips pressed against other parts of her body. 

If he was that gentle and tender all the time, she could only imagine how pleasurable an evening of intimacy with him would be. Gripping the pastry bag tighter, she became so lost in her thoughts that the icing rose she was creating turned out looking flat, rather than rounded. 

The sound of the bell over the door suddenly filled the air, signaling Julia that she had another customer. Turning her head to look over her shoulder, she was relieved to see that Mimi had arrived. 

"Thank goodness you're here. We have an order for fifty cherry cupcakes and they're due by tomorrow afternoon. The ladies Garden Club also contacted us, and they need twenty five almond teacakes for their Wednesday luncheon. Oh yeah, and Angela wants us to make a penis shaped cake for her bachelorette party." A smile crossed Julia's lips as she waited for Mimi's reaction.

Taking the wool scarf from around her neck, Mimi tossed it beneath the counter and walked over to the sink to wash her hands.

"Penis shaped cake, huh? That's a new one. How many people does she need it to feed?"

Releasing a choked laugh Julia gave a smirk, "Fourteen."

"With a playful roll of her eyes Mimi said, "You have such a dirty mind, Julia."

"What? I didn't say anything!" She grinned widely.

"Yeah, but I know what you're thinking about."

"You used the words feed and penis in a sentence together. I can't help but to be amused by that.

Giving into a snorting laugh Mimi remarked, "You're growing into a bit of a pervert, aren't you?" 

"I am not a pervert, I'm just sexually curious, okay?"

"M-hmm, call it what you will, but I say you're a closet pervert."

Shaking her head with a little smile upon her lips Julia changed the subject. "So what happened to you this morning? It's not like you to show up so late in the afternoon."

"I had to go to my sister's house to watch the baby for a few hours. The sitter was a no show, so she had to call around and find someone else to fill in for her. Sorry to leave you all alone this morning. I hope you've been managing okay without me."

"Well there was the usual morning rush and that was kind of hectic, but other than that things have been pretty okay."

After drying her hands off, Mimi grabbed a damp towel and began cleaning off the stainless steel table where they prepared the food. 

"So did you speak to Nolan last night? 

"Nope."

"Really? I'm surprised he didn't call you.

With a shrug of her shoulders she replied, "There's no hurry for him to call. We just met last night, so we have plenty of time to get to know each other."

"Yeah I guess, but aren't you eager to hear from him? That moment you two had on the dance floor seemed pretty special."

"It was, but I don't want to start getting all excited over him until I'm sure that things will work out. I've felt this way about guys before and it didn't pan out to be much of anything."

"You're afraid of getting your heart broken, aren't you?" Asked Mimi. Pulling a trash can over to the table, she began wiping crumbs off into it. "I don't think Nolan's the type of guy who plays games. He seems more like the straightforward type."

Setting the pastry bag down so she could refill it Julia said, ""Yeah, I get the same feeling, but i'm not about to let him preoccupy my mind. I've done that with enough guys in the past, so I don't want to end up in that same boat again. Whatever happens will happen, you know?"

Nodding her head Mimi said, "Yeah, I hear you." Glancing at the clock she saw it was nearly half past twelve. "What do you say we take an early lunch? I'll treat you to a slice at that new pizza place that opened up on 5th and Main."

"Sounds great."

"Oh, and I want to take you to this shop, so I hope you won't mind if we stop off there before lunch." 

Untying her apron Julia said, "Okay. I hope we won't be staying long, though. I'm starving."

"It'll be a quick trip, I promise."

After placing her apron on a hook next to the stove, Julia grabbed her purse from beneath the counter. "So where is this place you're taking me, anyways? Will they have anything there that I like?"

With a glimmer in her eyes Mimi replied, "Oh, I think so. They have one particular thing there that you've been needing for quite some time."

* * * *

"Hey Julia, what do you think of this one?"

Holding a hot pink jelly vibrator in her hands Mimi waved it in front of Julia's face, causing it to wobble obscenely.

Scrunching her nose up she said, "I think it's way too bright. Plus I hate pink."

"Who cares what color it is. This is like the Rolls Royce of vibrators. You get one of these babies and you'll wonder how you ever managed to live without it."

"It's really that good, huh?" Julia's eyebrows lifted in renewed interest.

"Oh yeah, I have two at home."

"Why two? Isn't one good enough?"

"Sure, but I like to have different sizes. Variety is always a good thing."

Spotting a package on a shelf next to her, she picked it up and studied the contents of the box through the see through window. 

"How about this one?" She asked while holding it up for Mimi to see.

"That one's okay, but it's not as good as Mr. Pink, here."

"Well what's wrong with it?" she asked. "According to the writing on the front of this box it's, 'certain to massage and titillate your clitoris.' It sounds pretty good to me."

"I used to have that model and it's not all that great. The vibration isn't very strong, and it felt really uncomfortable inside of me. I think you should get one that's made out of jelly. Those are the best ones, in my opinion."

Placing the package back on the shelf she walked over to a table where there were a number of testers sitting out. Mimi followed her and once they reached the table they both began to try out a number of the vibrators.

Going for the largest one on the table, Julia picked it up and turned the dial, causing it to vibrate wildly in her hand. Amused by the look of surprise on Julia's face, Mimi expelled a laugh and watched as her friend turned a control on the base of the sex toy. This caused the head of the vibrator to move around in circles. Julia looked on in fascination as the beads inside of the toy began to move around, twisting and turning with the rhythm of the tip. 

"Looks like fun, huh?" Julia's lips turned into a smile.

"I don't think it's vibrating hard enough. I think it needs more power."

Smirking at Mimi's sarcastic statement, Julia gave a chuckle. Turning the dial so that the vibration was no longer on, she set it down and eyed the other toys. 

Grabbing hold of a light purple vibrator, Mimi held it out for her friend to see. "I think you'll like what this one does."

As her eyes lay upon it, a small snort came from Julia's nose. "Glitter and sparkles? You have got to be kidding me."

Rolling her eyes at Julia's response Mimi said, "It doesn't matter what it looks like. The only thing you should be concerned with is how it performs."

"Yeah I know, but it's kind of silly looking."

Grabbing a light purple toy with textured swirls upon it, Julia flicked her thumb against the switch to turn it on. As it purred to life, the shaft was illuminated with a light and it began to move clockwise. As her finger pressed against the adjuster ring, the strength of the vibration increased, releasing a steady hum. She gave it a pleased look and then switched the toy off. 

"I made my decision. I'm getting this one."

"Good choice. I've heard great things about it," said Mimi.

After grabbing a new one that was packaged in a box, the two women made their way to the cash register. As the saleswoman rung up Julia's purchase, Mimi grabbed a few packs of batteries off of a small shelf next to the cash register. 

Setting them on the counter she said, "Always make sure you have more than enough batteries."

"Thanks for reminding me. I guess I should always have a few for back up, huh?" She gave her friend a smile.

"Definitely," responded Mimi.

After paying for her purchase, Julia thanked the saleswoman and grabbed her bag. As they exited the store they made their way down the sidewalk, heading back towards the bakery. They were a few feet away from reaching the bakery doors when Julia spotted a familiar figure approaching them from the opposite end of the walkway. The person was at least half a block away, but even from a distance she could tell that it was Nolan.

"Oh no," she muttered beneath her breath.

Following her friend's line of vision, Mimi realized that Nolan was coming towards them, and offered him a small wave and a friendly smile.

"Mimi, stop. I don't want him to see us." There was a nervous edge to Julia's voice.

"Well why not?"

"What if he sees this bag I'm carrying?"

"Yeah, and so what? It's not like he has x-ray vision and can see through it."

"He doesn't have to know what's inside in order to tell that I've been shopping at the local sex toy shop. I think the words, 'The Love Chest' printed in large bold red letters will clue him in as to what I've just purchased."

"So you bought a vibrator, big deal. Everyone pleasures themselves in some form or fashion. So what's there to be embarrassed about?"

"It's a private thing, okay? Of course masturbation is natural, but that still doesn't mean that I want Nolan to see what I've bought. I just barely met the guy a few days ago."

"Chill out, Julia. If you're that nervous about it, why don't you just roll the bag down to cover the name of the store? Then he won't be able to tell where you've been."

Following Mimi's suggestion, she rolled the top of the bag down so that the red letters were obscured from sight.

Glancing down at the bag Mimi said, "You see? He won't even be able to tell. Looks like he's spotted us now, so just be cool and stop worrying, okay?"

Giving an anxious sigh, she did her best to release her worry. As he came upon them Nolan's lips spread into a broad smile. "Hello ladies. It's nice to see you again."

"It's good to see you too." Glancing up into his face, Julia was amazed that Nolan seemed more handsome than ever. His hair, which had been pulled back into a ponytail the last time she'd seen him, was now worn loose. His wavy locks were sexily tousled, and a few strands hung across his left eye, adding to his already irresistible sex appeal. 

"So, where are you two headed?"

"Back to work. What about you?" She questioned.

"Heading down to the Burrito Hut to get some lunch. Would you two like to come along? It's my treat." 

Before she even had a chance to answer Mimi said, "I can't, but I'm sure Julia would love to join you."

Throwing her friend a sideways glance, she did her best to express her displeasure with Mimi's choice to speak on her behalf. On any other day she would have been thrilled to go to lunch with Nolan, but she was afraid that he would somehow be able to work out the contents of the bag.

"How about it, Julia?" asked Nolan.

"I'd like to, but Mimi and I sort of had plans to spend lunch together."

"It's no big deal, we can do it another time." Mimi said.

"Okay. Well only if you're sure." her eyes pleaded with her friend to provide her with an excuse.

"I am," came Mimi's quick reply. "So I'll see you in half an hour then. Have a good lunch, you two." A light smirk played at her lips as she turned away from them and headed for the bakery.

"Well I guess it's just you and me, then." He said with a pleased look on his face.

"I guess so," She said with a little smile as they began to walk down the street. 

"I'm glad I ran into you. You've been on my mind ever since last night."

"Really?" Julia asked.

Nodding his head Nolan replied, "Yep. I was hoping that you'd stop by the shop today."

"Well I was pretty busy so I didn't really get the chance."

"It's okay, I understand. So I take it you work at the bakery, then."

"I sure do."

"That's nice. I've never been there but I've heard good things about it. How long have you worked there?"

"About seven months." Turning her head to look at him, she noticed the way the sunlight illuminated his hair.

"So did you go to culinary school or were you trained on the job?"

"Mimi taught me everything I know. I really lucked out having a friend in the bakery business, because I could never afford those fancy schools."

"So do you like being a baker?"

"I love it. Couldn't imaging doing anything else."

"That's good. It's always nice to have a career that you enjoy."

Having reached the restaurant, Nolan pulled the door open for her so that she could walk inside first.

"Thank you," she said as she entered.

The rich scent of spices and the sound of food sizzling on the grill filled the air, enticing them with the promise of a delicious meal. As they approached the register the cashier greeted them with a smile.

"Hello, what can I get for you?" 

Glancing at Julia, he asked, "What would you like?"

"Looking up at the menu she responded, "I'll take the chicken enchiladas and a bottle of water."

The cashier punched her order into the cash register, then looked expectantly up at Nolan.

"I'm going to have the burrito supreme with extra steak and a large Pepsi."

Once their order was rung up the cashier said, "Your total comes to $13.55. Will this be for here or to go?"

"For here," he answered, and then he handed her the money.

After handing him back his change and a receipt the cashier retrieved a bottle of water from a small fridge behind the counter, then handed an empty cup to Nolan.

"Your order number is 251," she said to him.

Grabbing the cup from her he said, "Thanks." 

Turning away from the cashier, they headed over to the soda fountain so that he could fill his cup with iced tea. As he pushed the button on the machine, brown liquid flowed into his cup. Yet before he had filled it even halfway, he suddenly released the button and moved his finger to another selection. 

Pressing his finger over the Sprite logo, he filled his cup with a few splashes of the soda and then moved onto another selection. Watching him with amusement in her eyes, she began to wonder just how many flavors he was going to mix together.

"Having a hard time deciding, huh?" Her lips curled into an amused smile.

"Suicide sodas are the best," he responded.




Tattoo of Love Ch. 03



"You actually like those things? I think they taste awful."

"Yeah, if you don't know how to mix them right. The key is to add all of the different sodas in just the right proportion."

Finally pleased with the mixture, he placed a plastic cover over the styrofoam cup and punched a straw through the hole.

Holding the cup out to her Nolan said, "Here, take a sip."

"No thanks," came her response.

"Come on, just try it. I have quite the talent for mixing these sort of drinks, so I really think you'll like it."

Raising an eyebrow she said, "Since when is making a suicide soda considered a talent?" 

"Ouch," He said in a mock hurt tone. 

"Orange soda doesn't go with root beer and Pepsi." She proclaimed.

"Have you actually tried orange soda mixed with root beer and Pepsi, or are you just guessing that it tastes awful?"

"I'm guessing, but I don't like orange soda anyways, so I already know I'm not going to like it."

"You're quite a stubborn woman, aren't you?"

Releasing a soft chuckle she reached out her hand and took the drink from him. "And you're endlessly persuasive." Positioning the straw next to her mouth she added, "Just one sip and that's it."

He watched her with eager eyes as she wrapped her lips around the straw and took a drink. 

Once she'd finished tasting it she looked up at him and admitted, "Okay, so it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, it was kind of tasty."

"See, I told you. Let this be a lesson to never underestimate me," he said in a lighthearted manner.

"Yeah, okay," she said with a smirk.

Nolan chuckled and then nodded toward the counter where their food was waiting for them. "Looks like our order's ready."

Once they had retrieved their trays they headed out to the patio and took a seat at a table with red chairs and a yellow tablecloth. 

"So how did you get into photography?" Julia asked as she sliced a knife through her enchilada.

"Well I've always been fascinated by cameras. Ever since I was a kid I'd go around the neighborhood taking photos of random things. I used to only consider it as a hobby, but when I was in high school I decided to enter this photography contest, and I won first prize."

"Wow, so what did you get?"

"$200 and a Nikon camera." Releasing a little laugh he added, "The first time I held that camera in my hands, I felt like such a professional." Taking a bite of his steak burrito, Nolan glanced off into the distance and recollected. "I'll never forget the first batch of pictures I took with that camera. That experience was something I'll never forget."

Intrigued by his passion for photography she asked, "So did you take classes or are you self taught?" 

"I apprenticed under my uncle. He's an amazing photographer and without him I never would have been able to go pro. It wasn't easy learning from him, though. He's a staunch perfectionist, so if I took one bad frame he'd have me analyze it until I figured out what I did wrong. Then he'd make me retake the picture until I got it right. I remember once I had to retake a photo twenty times before he approved it and allowed me to move on to another project." 

"Wow, he sounds pretty serious." Picking up a tortilla chip, she dipped it into some salsa and then crunched into it.

"Yeah, but it really helped me become the photographer that I am. The reason I have a successful studio today is due to the fact that he instilled such a rigorous work ethic within me. If a picture was any less that perfect, he'd throw it out and have me start again. To this day, I basically follow that same principle. It's my job to make the client look good, so I have to make sure that I hold up my end of the deal."

"I guess that's how you landed that great gig for Lois's wedding."

"Yeah, that was a nice event. She was definitely one of the most generous clients i've ever had."

They ate in silence for a few moments as they enjoyed the taste and texture of the food. Then suddenly Julia realized that Nolan was looking intently at her so she rose her eyes to meet his gaze.

"What, do I have food on my face or something?" Grabbing a napkin, she began to dab at her mouth. 

Offering a smile he replied, "No, I was just studying your features. I hope you don't mind me staring at you, but I think you have great features."

She felt her cheeks grow warm from his compliment. "Thank you, that's sweet of you to say."

"I'm only speaking the truth. I bet you take great photos, don't you?"

"Well actually I always thought of myself as fairly unphotogenic."

"That's hard to believe. A face like yours would be a pleasure to photograph. You should stop by my studio sometime."

"Only if you promise to cut me a discount," she teased.

"I'd do it for free."

"Really? What's the catch?"

"No catch, I just want to have the chance to photograph you. I could take some really nice portraits of you."

"Yeah?"

"Yep. So what do you think?"

"I'd love to," she responded.

Nolan's grin lit up his face. "Great, I'll look forward to it. Just give me a call whenever you're ready, and I'll book you for a photo shoot."

"Lovely, I can't wait."

"Neither can I." 

His eyes met hers in a prolonged gaze and Julia found herself hopelessly mesmerized by him. As she stared into his orbs she suddenly recalled something he'd said to her at the wedding. She remembered him saying something along the lines of experiencing intimacy in a variety of ways besides through sex, and she realized they were currently experiencing one of those moments right now. 

Lowering her eyes to rest upon his lips, she began to fantasize about kissing them. Right now she wanted nothing more than to lean across the table and kiss those nice full lips of his, but there was no way she was going to make the first move, especially not here in public.

"What are you thinking, Julia?" Nolan's deep voice broke through her daze of lust.

Averting her eyes she replied, "Nothing."

Breaking into a smile he pressed her for another answer, "That's impossible, you have to be thinking of something. So what is it?"

"Well if you really want to know, I was checking out your lips."

His smile widened. "What about them?"

"I think they're nice."

"And?"

"I was thinking about kissing you."

"So why not change that thought into an action? I'd be more than willing."

Julia's lips curled into a smile. "I can't make the first move."

"Can't or won't?"

Julia thought about it for a moment and then replied, "Won't."

"You're shy, aren't you?" He asked.

"No i'm not."

"Then you're waiting for me to make the first move."

"Even if you did I'd still be a bit uncomfortable with it. We're in public."

"So?"

"I'm not really into public displays of affection. Besides, this isn't the way I imagined our first kiss to be."

"So you've actually thought this out, have you?" Nolan's eyes sparkled as he gave a little smirk.

"The thought has crossed my mind once or twice."

He gave a small chuckle. "That's nice to hear. I'm glad I'm not the only one."

Nolan's eyes stared deeply into her own and it seemed that each was willing the other to move a little closer. As the tension grew between them, their meals were forgotten and their hunger for food was replaced with a burning desire to feel each other's lips. Reaching across the table, Nolan grabbed her hand and held it within his, lightly stroking the back of it with his thumb.

"I like you, Julia. A lot."

"I like you too. I enjoy hanging out with you."

"Likewise. Which is why I'm hoping you'll let me take you out. I want us to go on a proper date, though. Not just to a fast food restaurant."

"That'd be nice." 

"Good. That's something to look forward to, then."

"Definitely." She gave him a warm smile. 

Nolan released her hand so they could go back to eating. 

"Have you ever eaten Samoan food?" He asked.

"I haven't. I've always been curious to try it, though. I always pass by A Taste of Samoa, but I've never gone inside. I'm sure you've been there before."

"Oh yeah, my aunt's husband owns the place. They've got great food there. I'll have to take you sometime."

"Sounds good, I can't wait." Julia dipped a tortilla chip into guacamole, then scooped up a generous helping of salsa. 

As she pushed it into her mouth her tongue was met with the sharp bite of jalapeno. She didn't mind, though. Ever since she was a kid, she'd loved spicy foods and it seemed that as the years progressed her taste for them grew. 

Eyeing her mouth Nolan said, "You've got a bit of guacamole smeared next to your lips."

Grabbing hold of a napkin Julia brushed it against the corner of her mouth but entirely missed the spot where the food was actually located.

"It's still there." Nolan's lips curved upward.

Julia gave it another try but Nolan's amused smile told her that the bit of guacamole was still there. 

Reaching a hand out toward her face Nolan said, "I'll get it for you."

As his thumb made contact with the edge of her lips, Julia felt her pulse quicken a beat. He touched her very tenderly and as he started to pull his hand away, she suddenly grabbed hold of his wrist. 

Nolan's eyebrows lifted in surprise and as she held the palm of his hand to her face, she made sure to keep her eyes glued intently into his. Nolan's thumb stroked the softness of her cheek, causing a delicious shiver of pleasure to rise up her spine. The rate of her heart was increasing and she gently bit her lip, a sure sign that her arousal was increasing.

"You have such a pretty face," He remarked.

"Thank you," she breathlessly answered.

Lost in their own little world, neither of them noticed that somebody was standing next to the table until a voice sliced through the air. Annoyed by the unwelcome interruption, both Nolan and Julia broke out of their daze. As their eyes unlocked, their gazes fell upon somebody who was familiar to the both of them. 

"Hey Nolan, I thought that was you. Sorry to interrupt but I noticed you here and thought I would-," as the man's eyes took note of Julia's features, his speech came to a sudden halt.

Feeling as if the man standing next to the table was a mirage, Julia had to blink a few times to make sure that what her eyes were seeing was real.

"Hello Julia." The man said to her.

"Hi," she coldly responded.

Realizing the strange tension between Julia and his friend, Nolan's eyebrow furrowed as he tried to work out the history between them.

Boring her eyes into the blue ones staring back at her, Julia felt a strong distaste rise within her. Aside from the faux hawk he was sporting, everything about this man looked exactly the same. He still had the silver nose ring and he was even wearing that faded t-shirt with the British flag upon it. It was the last thing she'd seen him in. It felt like eons of time had passed since then, and yet seeing him right here in front of her eyes brought back those buried memories like a bullet.

"So how have you been?" He asked in his thick English accent.

The look she gave him clearly expressed her disbelief at having him ask her such a question. 

Eager to clear the air between them Nolan curiously asked, "So what's this?"

Looking at his friend the man responded, "What's what?"

"You know what I'm talking about, Digby. What's going on between you two?"

Giving a shrug he replied, "Nothing. She's just an old friend, that's all."

Releasing a scoff Julia pushed back her chair and stood up from the table. Glancing toward Nolan she said, "I'm sorry but I have to get out of here."

"Julia, wait. Where are you going?" he asked as he got onto his feet.

"Back to work."

"But we still have ten minutes. Don't you want to stay and finish your lunch?"

"I'm not hungry anymore." She called out over her shoulder.

The expression etched onto Nolan's face strongly relayed his displeasure in his friend's sudden appearance, but all Digby did was feign a look of uncertainty. Roving his eyes back towards Julia, Nolan rushed after her. She was already approaching the door which led out of the restaurant when he finally caught up to her.

"Where are you going? Did I do something wrong?"

As she exited he followed behind her, walking quickly to keep up with her brisk pace.

"You did nothing wrong, Nolan. It's that twit I don't like."

"Yeah, I could tell. So tell me what he did to make you so upset with him."

"It's not something I can share with you right now. It's kind of personal."

"Did you two go out?"

A humorless laugh escaped her lips. "I guess you could call it that. Of course he'd probably tell you something entirely different."

Now only half a block from the bakery, Julia began to walk even faster. She knew Digby was all the way back at The Burrito Hut, but she still felt as if enough distance hadn't yet been put between them.

"Look i'm not trying to pry here, I just want to know what he did so I can decide if he's still worth hanging out with. If he's a total jerk, then just tell me."

Halting her steps, Julia turned towards Nolan and looked him straight in the eyes. "Alright, he's a jerk. He's also a liar and a conniving bastard. Now please stop asking me about him, because I don't want to speak about him anymore."

"Hey, I'm sorry okay? I'm not trying to be nosy, but it was kind of weird back there. One minute we're having this wonderful moment together and then he walks in and it's like everything took a nosedive. You can't blame me for wanting to know."

Trying to still the emotions inside of her she responded, "I know and i'm sorry for abruptly leaving like that. It's not you i'm upset with, it's him."

Nodding his head he replied, "Yeah, I know. He's obviously done you wrong in some way and I just want to know what it is."

Releasing a small sigh, she looked anxiously into his eyes. "I really wish you wouldn't ask about this."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't like bringing past issues into the present moment."

"Listen, whatever happened is over, so it can't affect what's happening between us now. If we begin a relationship, do you really think I want to have a secret like this being kept from me? I don't think that's very fair."

Averting her eyes to a coffee shop across the street, she focused her gaze upon a couple who sat at one of the outside tables. Their lips were sealed in a kiss which was nothing short of passionate and it was easy to see that they were very much in love.  

Had she ever been in love? She was pretty sure that she hadn't. The closest she'd ever come to having feelings about there being "that one" out there for her was with Nolan. Of course she wasn't certain about him yet, but he brought feelings from within her that she hadn't quite felt before.

Turning her eyes back upon him she said, "You're right, it wouldn't be fair. So I will tell you, but it's not something that I can go into right now. My lunch hour has come to an end so I really do have to get back to work."

"Alright, well I'm sorry about Digby interrupting us. He'll definitely hear from me about it. But give me a call later on, okay? " His eyes filled with hope at the latter end of his statement.

"Yeah, okay. See you later."

"Bye." He offered a weak smile and then turned around to head back to the restaurant.

As she walked towards the bakery Julia began recalling the state of her life eight months ago. Naïve and full of silly hope, she'd wasted six months of her life on Digby. Blindsided by infatuation, she'd had been unable to see just how wrong he was for her. With his raw charisma and sexy accent, he'd drawn her to him right from the start. As the lead singer for an up and coming band, Digby garnered lots of attention from all sorts of different women. 

Thinking back on it now, she felt foolish for ever considering that a relationship with a musician would turn out well. At the time, however, she'd been impressed by the way he'd been able to captivate and command the attention of an audience. She'd initially been fascinated by the idea of having a relationship with a man like Digby, but the thrill had quickly worn off once she saw what being the girlfriend of a musician was truly like. 

It wasn't only the hordes of adoring groupies that she'd constantly had to deal with, but also the lack of affection in their relationship. Foreplay with Digby consisted of rough pawing and terrible, sloppy kisses which eventually led to him thrusting like a jackhammer inside of her. Sex with him rarely lasted more than five minutes, which meant that she was always left feeling empty and unsatiated. 

The unfulfilling season of her life with him had finally come to a head one evening when he'd invited one of his groupies to the apartment where he'd currently been living. From the moment she'd seen this other woman walk through the door, Julia knew what Digby was expecting. Not interested in having a threesome, Julia had refused to perform the sexual acts that he demanded them to. This resulted in a flare-up from Digby and she stormed out of his apartment, both shaken and astonished from his sudden outburst. 

Completely insensitive and egocentric, he was one of the most narcissistic people she'd ever come into contact with. His endless infidelities and non caring nature were only a few of the things which led to the demise of their relationship, but she hadn't cried any tears over him. The last thing she needed was a messy emotional entanglement, so she'd been relieved when that chapter of her life had finally come to an end. 

Thinking back to the last time she'd seen him, she recalled how he'd been walking down the street with some random girl on his arm. She'd made eye contact with him just to see if he'd acknowledge her, but he hadn't even looked her way. He'd chosen instead to keep his eyes peeled straight ahead, as if she were completely nonexistent.

She'd never been in love with him and he was the biggest jerk she'd ever known, but it still bothered Julia to see his lack of reaction to her. She hadn't seen him around at all since that day, but she'd heard from a couple of acquaintances that he'd ended up going on tour with his band. There wasn't a shred of emotional attachment inside of her towards Digby, but she did still feel a bit of regret and disappointment that she'd thrown six months of her life away on a man who was so completely undeserving.  

Shaking off the unpleasant thoughts, she pulled open the door to the bakery and entered. Greeted by the sweet scent of pastries, she walked inside and headed behind the counter. Grabbing her apron off of the wall, she tied it behind her waist and washed her hands. After drying them off she walked over to a table where Mimi was preparing some dough. 

"So, how was lunch?" She inquisitively asked.

"Mmm, okay." Julia responded.

"Just okay?" Grabbing hold of a rolling pin, Mimi began to flatten the ball of dough. "Okay, what happened?"

"I ran into someone that I really don't like." Julia began cracking eggs into a large bowl in front of her. 

"Well, who was it?"

"Digby."

Pausing her assault upon the dough Mimi turned her head to look into Julia's eyes. "Seriously?"

"Yep."

"Well that's a surprise. So where'd you see him?"

"At The Burrito Hut. He just walked right up to the table and interrupted my lunch with Nolan."

"Wait, don't tell me he's trying to get back together with you. Not after the way he treated you."

Shaking her head Julia replied, "No, it wasn't like that. He's a buddy of Nolan's. I guess he came over to say hi to him, but when he realized it was me who Nolan was with, he just froze. You should have seen the look on his face."

Giving a snort Mimi said, "I bet he looked like such a moron. Then again he always looked like a moron, so I guess nothing's changed there."

"Yeah, well it was super awkward. What made it even worse was when he told Nolan that I was just an 'old friend'."




Tattoo of Love Ch. 03



Once again rolling the pin against the dough Mimi inquired, "What, would you rather he have given Nolan your entire history together?"

"No, of course not. It still bothered me to hear him say that, though. He's such an asshole. Do guys like that ever change?"

"Apparently not. I wouldn't worry about him, though. You've got a good man in Nolan."

"Except he's not my man."

"Not yet he isn't. He will be, though."

"I'm not so sure about that. Now that I know Digby is his friend, this is really going to complicate things between us."

"Don't sweat it. Nolan seems like a really nice guy, so I don't think he'll make a big deal out of it."

"I hope not. I still don't know how to tell him, though. I mean it's going to be so awkward."

"Maybe it will, but you can't keep it a secret from him. You don't want this coming between you two later on, do you?"

"No," Julia replied.

"So tell him, and do it quick before Digby does because you know he'll say all sorts of crazy things that never even happened between you two."

"Yeah, you're right. I don't trust that bastard so I'd better give Nolan a call tonight."

"I'm glad you're going to. Too bad your lunch with Nolan was ruined. Digby really has a way of showing up when you don't want him to, doesn't he?"

"You can say that again. He's been avoiding me for seven months and now he shows up."

"Well if he tries to get back with you, please promise me you won't do it."

Glancing at Mimi as if she were crazy Julia responded, "Are you joking me? Of course I won't get back with him. Especially not when I have a guy like Nolan interested in me. Besides, we were never actually seriously together. He was just using me for his own selfish purposes. Need I also remind you that he sucked in bed?"

Placing the flattened disc of dough into a pie pan, Mimi began to crimp the edges. "Oh yes, he wasn't too skilled in that department, was he?" 

"He was terrible."

Suddenly remembering their run-in with Nolan on the street Mimi asked, "Hey, so did Nolan ever find out about Bob?"

Grabbing a whisk to froth the eggs Julia inquired, "Who?"

"Your Battery Operated Boyfriend." Mimi's lips curled into a little smile but it slowly disappeared as she noticed the look of worry on Julia's face. "You do still have the vibrator, don't you?"

A wave of panic shot through Julia as she realized that she'd left her purchase back at the Burrito Hut. She'd been in such a rush to get away from Digby that she hadn't even thought to bring the bag with her. 

"Damnit, I forgot to bring it with me." Her mouth went dry as she imagined Nolan looking inside of the bag to discover her naughty little purchase.

"Well I'm sure he'll return it to you," Mimi replied.

"I'm not worried about getting it back, I'm worried about him seeing it. Do you know how embarrassing that'll be?"

Mimi rolled her eyes. "I'm sure he's seen a vibrator before. Nolan is a grown man."

"Of course he is, but I don't want him knowing what I've bought. Now everytime we hang out together, he'll probably imagine me using that vibrator."

"He probably will, but he'll fantasize about you anyhow, so what's the big deal? You think he's going to stop talking to you just because he knows you use a vibrator?"

"No."

"Okay, so there's no need to panic, right?" 

"Nope." She offered Mimi a weak smile but she was still a ball of nerves within. 

It wasn't just thoughts of Nolan finding the vibrator that worried her, but Digby. What if he were to lie and tell Nolan all sorts of weird things? She wouldn't put it past him to do something like that. 

Nolan knew that they used to go out and he'd seemed fine with it, but she still hadn't told him the entire story of just why she disliked Digby so much. Everytime she thought about telling him she felt terribly unsettled and began to wonder how he would react to finding out that she used to be involved with his friend. 

Would he not care and still want to date her anyways, or would he decide that a relationship just wouldn't work out between them? She didn't know the answer to this question, but she was certain that withholding her history with Digby would most likely do more harm than good.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 04



Patters of rain fell down on the glass of the skylight above her, filling Julia's room with the sound of it. As rivers of water streamed down the slants, Julia's eyes followed their journey. Leaves from the branches of an oak tree blew back and forth, swaying along to the rhythm of the wind. As Julia stared up into the night sky she willed herself to call Nolan. It didn't make sense just laying here thinking about him, and it certainly wasn't healthy to expect the worst.

Rolling over onto her side, Julia grabbed the phone from her night table and placed it onto her bed. The business card with Nolan's phone number was already on her mattress so she picked up the phone and dialed in his number. As the line rung she found that a part of herself wanted him to answer. Yet wasn't she also hoping that he wouldn't? She became certain that his voicemail was going to pick up but then she suddenly heard his voice speak to her.

"Hello?"

"Hi Nolan."

"Hey there, Julia. I'm glad you called."

She loved the way his voice had visibly lifted as he realized it was her.

"How are you?" She asked.

"Oh, not too bad. Doing a lot better now that you called. How are things on your end?"

"I'm doing okay. Just thought I'd give you a ring to let you know you were on my mind. I feel kind of bad about leaving you at the restaurant earlier today. It was sweet of you to treat me to lunch and I just want you to know that I did appreciate it."

"Well thanks for calling and telling me that. It makes me feel better to know that you still want to talk to me."

"Of course I do. I'm not upset with you, Nolan. I have no reason to be."

"Yeah I know, but I still couldn't help thinking that my associating with Digby would automatically default me to asshole status."

"You're nowhere near an asshole."

As a small chuckle escaped his lips Julia curiously asked, "What's funny?"

"You sound sort of cute when you curse."

Smiling she replied, "Oh, well thanks...I guess." She gave a little laugh. 

A short moment of silence passed between them and then Nolan asked her the dreaded question.

"So if it's not too much to ask, can you tell me what Digby did to you?"

Julia's throat clicked as she gave a dry swallow. "Digby and I used to date and he didn't treat me very well."

"Did he abuse you?"

"No, it was nothing like that." Releasing a hesitant sigh Julia continued. "He tried to force me into doing some sexual acts that I wasn't really comfortable with. There was one instance in particular that led to us breaking up."

An awkward pause passed between them for a few moments and then he finally spoke.

"Oh, I see. Well you didn't have to be afraid to tell me that."

"I wasn't afraid, it's just something I don't like discussing."

"I understand, and i'm sorry if it seemed like I was prying. I just wanted to know so that it wouldn't be like this uncomfortable issue hanging between us.

"Yeah, I know. I thought about that after we parted, and I realized it was important for me to let you know. Now that I've gotten it off my chest I do feel better."

"Well i'm glad that you did let me know. If you don't mind me asking, how long did the two of you go out?"

"Six months."

"How long ago was this?"

"About eight months ago. Why?"

"Just wondering." Quietly muttering beneath his breath Nolan said, "Asshole."

Hearing the words but not quite understanding them Julia questioned, "What?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking about something. This is probably going to sound strange, but I think I remember when he was dating you."

"Really? Did you see us together?"

"No, but I remember him talking about you."

"Well what did he say?" She wasn't so sure she actually wanted to know, but curiosity coaxed her to ask anyhow.

"He bragged about how he was dating this sweet girl that was totally in love with him, and how he was going to seduce you into doing anything that he wanted. Just a lot of boastful talk, you know?"

"Yeah, I can imagine. Digby is definitely a guy who loves to run his mouth." Training her eyes upon the pattern of her bed quilt she asked, "When he talked to you back then, did he give you any details about us?" 

"He told me some stuff."

"Was any of it sexual?"

He gave a short pause and then answered, "Yeah, some of it was."

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Julia released a heavy sigh as embarrassment washed over her. "Great, that's just great."

"I know he's a jerk and he totally did you wrong, but let's not allow what happened in the past to affect the way we feel about each other, okay?"

"I think that might be easier said than done," said Julia.

"Things don't have to be difficult unless we allow them to. Look, i'm not saying we'll just pretend that it didn't happen because obviously it did, but we shouldn't let Digby ruin this for us. We have a special connection and I really want it to continue. What about you?"

Comforted by his words she replied, "I feel the same."

"Good, I'm glad to hear you say that."

"So I have to ask, are you and Digby good friends?" 

"I wouldn't say we're best friends, but more like acquaintances. He hired me a few years ago to be his band photographer, and we've remained in contact ever since."

"Oh, so I guess you two hang out pretty regularly, huh?"

"No, not really. We usually just get together when he wants me to work on photography projects for the band."

"Okay, well I wasn't trying to say that you couldn't hang out with him. I was just curious as to how tight the two of you are. Yes, I think he's a total slimeball but I'm not trying to come between the two of you. So I completely understand if you'll still be hanging around him."

"You wouldn't be coming between us, because we were never that close to begin with. Now that I'm aware of the crummy way he treated you, I won't be able to look at him in the same way. In fact, I really don't want anything to do with the guy."

Releasing a small sigh Julia toyed with a curl of her hair, slowly wrapping it around her index finger. "I'm glad you feel that way, because if you were to remain friends with him, things would be unbelievably awkward."

"Of course they would and I know it'd make you feel bad, so I definitely don't want that."

Turning her attention back upon the skylight, Julia watched as rain slid across the slick surface of the glass, blurring her view from beyond the window.

Speaking once again Nolan said, "I hope you don't take this the wrong way because I am sorry that he hurt you, but I'm glad things didn't work out between you and Digby. You're far too good for him."

"Well thank you. That's nice of you to say."

"I'm not trying to be nice, just truthful. Digby could never appreciate a woman of your caliber."

Basking in his compliment she replied, "That's sweet."

"*You're* sweet. You're also beautiful."

Julia's lips curled into a smile. "Thank you, i'm glad you think so."

"So let's not allow this Digby thing to ruin what could be, okay?"

"Alright."

"Oh, hey. While I have you on the phone I thought you might like to know that you left your shopping bag behind at the restaurant."

Having forgotten all about the vibrator, Julia felt a nervous twinge in her stomach at the mention of it. "Oh yeah, I left in such a hurry that I didn't even think to bring it with me."

"Yeah, I know. So if you like, I can drop it off at the bakery tomorrow. Or you could come by my photography studio on your lunch break and scoop it up. Either option works for me."

" I'll drop by after work and pick it up."

"Okay, sounds good. What time do you think you'll swing by?"

"I should be there around six pm. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, sure. The address is on that business card I gave you, so that's where you can find me."

"Cool." Running her fingers through her hair Julia apprehensively asked, "You didn't see what was in the bag, did you?"

"No, I didn't. Why?" 

"Just wondering."

Noting the change in her tone of voice he asked, "Is there something in there I shouldn't see?"

"No. I mean, not really."

"Well which one is it? No or not really?"

Julia could hear the smile in his voice. "It's not that you shouldn't see it. It's just a little private, is all."

"Okay, well don't worry because I haven't peeked inside. At least not yet."

"What do you mean not yet?"

"Well now that you've mentioned it, maybe I will have a look. As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat."

She didn't have to see him to know that he was now grinning. "You're just trying to make me nervous. You're not really going to look inside, are you?"

"I'm just having a little fun with you. Don't worry, I'm not a snoop. Whatever you bought from The Love Chest is your business, so it'll remain a secret. I can't lie though, my interest is definitely piqued."

With a smile upon her lips she said, "Not piqued enough to look into the bag though, right?"

His light chuckle floated from the receiver. "I won't look inside, Julia. You have my word."

Feeling more settled she said, "I know, I believe you." Glancing at the clock she saw it was nearing ten pm and she said, "Well I guess I should get to bed now. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure thing. You have a good night and sleep well."

"You too. Later, Nolan." After hanging up the phone she rested her head upon the pillow and focused on the sound of the rain, watching as raindrops beat patterns against the window. 

* * * *

As he opened the door, Nolan's infectious smile greeted Julia, causing her to feel a fluttering in her chest. 

"Hey there, Julia. It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you, too. I know I'm a little late, so I hope that's okay."

"It's fine." Opening the door to welcome her he said, "Come on in."

As Julia crossed the threshold and entered, she was surrounded by bright white walls. The room was filled with all sorts of photography equipment, including a pair of studio umbrellas which stood in front of a muslin backdrop. A tripod with a camera attached to it was placed in front of a red velvet loveseat, and a table with a computer was located next to the door.

Walking over to a stool which stood in the corner, Nolan grabbed her shopping bag and handed it over. 

"Sight unseen, here it is."

Curling her lips into a smile Julia accepted it and said, "Thanks."

Roving her gaze around the interior, Julia curiously eyed the various photography accessories. "I don't know what any of this stuff is, but it all looks so cool. Being a photographer seems like a fun job."

"It can be, depending upon the client. Some are easy to work with but others can be more of a challenge. Either way though, it's quite an enjoyable profession."

As Julia's eyes fell upon the screen of his computer she stated, "Yes, I'm sure it is." Then she gave a little smirk.

Following her gaze, Nolan saw what she was looking at and a wry grin tugged at his lips. 

"Oh, that's Stacia. She's a tattoo model."

Walking cover to the computer so that she could have a better look Julia said, "I don't see any tattoos on her. Where are they?"

Placing his palm over the mouse, Nolan gave it a few clicks and a new photo came onto the screen. 

Now looking at a view of Stacia's back, Julia could see that the entire length of it was covered in a dragon tattoo. The scales of the animal had been outlined in silver, giving it a three-dimensional effect. 

"Wow, that's pretty cool tattoo. You did a great job photographing her. I can see all of the details so clearly."

"Thanks. This was sort of a challenge to photograph, because I really wanted to make sure that the colors popped, so it took a lot of shots to get it just right."

"Well it came out fantastic, so it looks like all of your effort was worth it. Do you take photos of a lot of tattoos?"

"Oh yeah, I do quite a bit of tattoo photographing." Giving the mouse a few more clicks Nolan began to scroll through various photos, "I've done a bunch of shoots for people who have all sorts of tattoos, but the style I love to shoot the most are Polynesian. They're amazingly complex and so intricate. I want to show you a photo of my cousin who got a tattoo done. But before I show you it, you aren't offended by partial nudity, are you?"

"No. I won't be able to see his junk though, will I?

Offering a crooked smile Nolan replied, "No junk. Just a shot of his backside."

"Okay, cool. Open the photo."

Placing the cursor over a folder marked 'Polynesian Tattoos,' Nolan clicked the button on the mouse twice. Once the folder was open he double clicked on a photo to expand it. As it came into view Julia saw the image of a man who was covered in a tattoo from his waist to his knees. The ink covering his skin was black, and the design was symmetrical, consisting of large blocks of color and straight lines. 

Studying the detail of the design, Julia couldn't help but admire the beauty of the tattoo. In awe of the intricate patterns, Julia could only imagine the level of pure talent which had gone into creating it. 

"This is a pe'a tattoo," said Nolan. "My cousin Troy got it done on his last trip to Samoa."

"Wow, that looks amazing. I've seen these tattoos in pictures before, but I never really had the chance to check them out in detail. How long did it take him to get it done?"

"Well it's a really painful process and is done in stages, so it took a couple of weeks to complete.

"What's the history behind them?"

"Back in the old days, in order for a man to receive a chief's title, he had to get a pe'a. Now in modern times, it's a way for us Samoan men to honor our heritage and show respect for the culture."

"Can women get them too?"

"Samoan woman have traditional tattoos as well, but they're called malu. They're less extensive than the pe'a, and only cover the thighs." Exiting out of the photo of his cousin, Nolan searched for an image which would give Julia an example. As he found the picture he was looking for he clicked upon it, allowing her to see what a malu tattoo looked like.

Admiring the delicate geometric pattern of the design Julia stated, "Nice. That's beautiful work. So how are they applied?"

"They use this instrument that looks like a comb, except the teeth are really sharp. Then they strike the comb with a stick, and the needle goes beneath the skin."

"Sounds even more painful than a machine tattoo."

"Well it definitely hurts, but the pain is well worth it." Closing the photo viewer Nolan turned to her and asked, "So, can I offer you anything to drink?"

"Do you have any juice? I feel like having something sweet."

"Yeah, i've got some juice. Actually I've got a particular drink that I think you'll really like. Why don't you follow me into the other room?"

Leading the way toward glass French doors, Nolan turned the handle and opened them, allowing Julia to go through them first and then he followed behind her. 

Unaware that Nolan's photography studio was attached to his home, Julia entered a living room and saw that it was outfitted in casual, cozy looking furniture. A navy blue sofa with black pillows was located next to a window with venetian blinds, and a small TV sat upon a glass stand which was held up by silver pillars. 

Eyeing the space around her Julia said, "Nice place. I didn't know you shared your living space with your photography studio." 

As Nolan entered the kitchen he called out to her, "Well since the garage is attached, I decided to convert it into a workspace. I figured it would be a good idea, that way I wouldn't have to worry about paying rent for a separate studio somewhere else."

"Well that was smart of you." Julia headed further into the living room to have a closer look at a tapestry which hung on the wall.

"As Nolan opened the fridge he asked, "Do you like pineapple?"

"Yeah, I love it."

"Cool, then you'll enjoy this drink."

Julia heard him set a few glasses on the counter, and then there was the sound of him pouring liquid into them. She was still looking at the photographs when he walked up behind her and handed her a tall glass.

"Thanks." As she lifted it to her lips, the strong scent of pineapple filled her nostrils. She took a small sip to test it out first, and then followed it up with a more generous one. 

"So, what do you think?" Asked Nolan.

"It's delicious. Did you make this?"

"Nope, my mom did. It's called Vaifala."

Taking another sip, Julia savored the sweet creaminess of the drink. "Mmm, this is good stuff. I think I have a new addiction."

Nolan's lips widened into a grin. "Well you're more than welcome to come here and get your fix anytime you like."

"I just might have to do that," said Julia in a flirtatious tone. Casting her eyes back upon the cloth on the wall, she studied the design, noting how it consisted of earth toned geometric shapes and patterns. 

"This is nice, is this something your mother created?"

"No, it was made by my aunt in Samoa. It's called a tapa cloth. She gave it to my mom on the day that I was born. "

"Well it's very lovely. Your aunt has a lot of talent."

"She does, doesn't she?" Nolan remarked with a smile.

Roving her eyes toward the couch Julia asked, "Mind if I sit down? I've been on my feet all day and i'm kinda tired."

"Oh i'm sorry, I should have offered you a seat. Go ahead and take a load off."

As she settled onto the couch Nolan took a seat next to her. For a few moments they both sat in silence, sipping their drinks as their eyes focused on various objects in the room. Both felt an urge to move a little closer to the other, and yet neither made any moves to do it. 

The clock ticked loudly in the silence of the room, and as the tension between them grew they each took turns stealing glances from out of the corner of their eyes. Julia willed Nolan to make a move, but as he continued just taking sips from his drink, she found that her frustration was growing. She was certain that he liked her, so what was he waiting for?

Setting his drink down on the coffee table before him, Nolan reached out and grabbed her hand, clasping it firmly within his own. As the flesh of their palms met, Julia felt his thumb gently stroke her skin. Scooting closer towards her, Nolan placed his fingertips beneath the underside of her chin, coaxing it upward so that her mouth was tilted toward his. Then he planted his lips against hers and they shared a searing kiss. As their tongues bumped together she felt a wave of excitement rush through her, and she realized that this was what true passion was all about. 

She'd been waiting impatiently for this moment to happen between them, and now that it'd finally come she found that it was even more perfect than she could have ever have imagined. Their lips worked passionately against each other, their tongues tasting and exploring the warmth of each others mouths. As their kiss deepened, each of their hands sought out the feel of the others body. Evan's slid across her hips and waist, while Julia's slid up the length of his back, travelling further up until they found his wide shoulders. 

Their lips sealed so tightly that it seemed as if they were suctioned together, and as his hands tightened around her waist she became even more turned on. She felt so small and delicate in his arms, and could tell just from the way that he held her that he was a man who possessed a lot of strength.

As their lips parted they found they were both short of breath, and strong waves of lust passed between them. Placing her hand against his shirt, Julia ran her palm across the expanse of his chest. She moved it slowly up and down his well-toned biceps, giving them a few squeezes as she admired the feel of his muscles. With an expression of longing in her eyes, she silently communicated her intense feelings toward him.

Tracing his finger over the pouty flesh of her lips, he studied her with his dark orbs.




Tattoo of Love Ch. 04



"What is it you want, Julia? Tell me and I'll gladly provide you with it."

Sliding her hand beneath the hem of his t-shirt she answered, "Take your shirt off, I want to see your chest."

With a smile upon his lips, he pulled the fabric of his t-shirt up and removed it from his body, tossing it uselessly to the side of the couch.

"Better?" he asked with a seductive look in his eyes.

"Much," came her reply.

Her eyes feasted upon his perfectly toned torso, admiring his nice pecs and smooth brown skin. Gliding her palms up and across his abs, she allowed them to travel further north until they reached the upper part of his torso. 

The left side of his chest was covered in an elaborate tattoo which consisted of swirls, various geometric patterns and different symbols which undoubtedly meant special things to him. The intricate pattern of the Polynesian design continued along his shoulder, and the upper half of his left arm was covered in ink as well. 

Noticing a geometrical sun on his bicep, she traced her finger around the edges of it, marveling at the beauty of the tattoo.

"So what do all of these stand for? They each have special meanings, right?"

Nodding his head he replied, "Yep. They pretty much tell a story about me and my family. It would take some time to breakdown the exact meaning behind every symbol and pattern, but I can explain some of them for you."

Taking her hand in his, he gently moved it upward so that her outstretched finger was placed against a design on the lower part of his arm. With Julia's eyes now upon this area of the tattoo, he began to speak about the symbolism behind it.

"This is a tortoise shell, and it's repels evil spirits." Each time he focused upon a new spot, he guided her finger to follow his path. "The manta ray stands for graceful strength.....the black patches represent the vast ocean....and the sun represents good fortune. "This black strip here represents my family, and the spearheads next to them symbolize my commitment to protecting them."

Placing her finger upon a design which swirled around his nipple, she lightly began to trace her finger along it, following the spiral as it curved inward. She liked the way it highlighted that area of his body, and she gently stroked the pad of her thumb against his nipple, causing it to instantly harden.

Releasing a sigh of contentment, he gazed down at her with half-lidded eyes of pleasure. "Mmm, that feels nice. I love the feel of your hands on me."

Giving him a sexy little smile, she placed a soft kiss upon the hardening piece of flesh, then gently nipped it with her teeth. Exhaling a throaty breath, Nolan burrowed his fingers in her shiny curls. Leaning in to press his mouth upon hers, he tenderly slipped his tongue between her full lips. As they engaged in another bruising kiss, Julia found that she was becoming swept away by her emotions. 

Unused to feeling so consumed by another, she struggled to control the emotions inside of her. She'd been without the touch of a man for eight months now, and the physical urges inside of her had grown quite strong. She hadn't stayed celibate due to a lack of interest, but because none of the men she'd gone out on dates with had been worth her time. Most of them had been lousy kissers, so she knew that was a pretty strong indication that they wouldn't be very good in bed. 

Of course sex wasn't the most important thing to her, but it was pretty darn high up on the list. Digby was the last man she'd been intimate with, and the majority of their physical moments together had been largely unsatisfactory. 

He'd been a terribly selfish lover, so Julia had no idea what it felt like to have a man cherish her body. This was something that she'd been deeply longing for, and it was her sincere hope that she could experience real lovemaking with Nolan.

Breaking his lips from the burning kiss, Nolan began to trail kisses against her collarbone. As his mouth pressed against her skin she broke out in goosebumps, imagining what his lips would feel like to be pressed against the more intimate parts of her body. 

"Mmm...oh Nolan," Julia breathily whispered, feeling her arousal increase as his wet appendage slipped out to lick her collarbone.

Her hands slid up and down his back, fingers sliding over the hard muscles beneath his skin. As her hands made contact with the taut flesh of his stomach she teasingly trailed the tip of her finger along the edge of his navel, moving it in tiny little circles. As her thumb began sliding along the edge of the waistband of his boxers, she felt his abdominal muscles tense up. Slipping her pinkie finger beneath the elastic hem, she allowed her nail to gently slide along his skin. As she dipped her finger in a little further, Julia heard the sound of his breath hitch. 

The heat which was radiating from his nether regions furthered her desire, and as the tip of her finger bumped against something firm, Nolan's body gave a little jerk in response. 

Surprised by the sudden contact, Julia glanced up into his eyes and he offered her a little smile. Knowing she wouldn't be able to stop herself if she went any further, Julia removed her finger from beneath his waistband and placed her palm against his chest, gently stroking his smooth brown skin. Placing his hand over her own, Nolan gazed down at her from beneath heavy lids. 

Sliding his hand down over her stomach, he slipped it beneath her short sleeved cardigan. As his palm made contact with her bare flesh she expelled a little sigh, staring deep into his eyes. Cupping her left breast in the palm of his hand, Nolan gave it a gentle squeeze, then flicked his thumb over her silk-clad nipple. His other hand slid beneath her shirt as well, and as it came into contact with her right breast, he offered it the same treatment. 

It didn't take long for them to grow hard, and as he gave them a little pinch she arched her back and released a lusty moan. It'd been awhile since she'd felt a man's hands upon her in this way, and she enjoyed the tenderness of Nolan's touch. 

Moaning beneath his ministrations, Julia closed her eyes and immersed herself in the feel of his hands. As he continued to fondle her breasts, Julia felt a strong need to have the bare flesh of his hands upon her. As her eyes came to rest upon his mouth, she also began to wish for the feel of his lips against her nipples. Resting her head against the back of the couch, she arched her back and pushed out her chest, indicating that she wanted more. 

Sliding his hands out from under her top, Nolan slowly undid the first button, then moved down and undid the second one. Once the last button had been undone he pulled her cardigan open and buried his face in her breasts, placing sweet, gentle kisses in the crevice of her cleavage. 

As she felt his fingers peel down the cup of her bra Julia rose her head up from the reclining position so that she could watch him. Unsnapping the clasp in the front, Nolan removed the satin cups from one breast, and then the other. With her breasts now exposed he gave each of her nipples a tender kiss, then flicked his wet appendage against the sensitive points of her nubs. 

As the tip of his tongue made contact with her peaks she felt a jolt of pleasure surge through her. The feel of his wet appendage against her skin was almost too much, and the visual of his pink tongue dancing back and forth against her hard points made her clit throb. 

The room was filled with the sound of her soft moans, and as he began to suckle her nipples she buried her fingers in his hair and threw her head back. She'd begun to grow very wet and as one of his hands slid across her inner thigh, she felt a pulse of heat between her legs.

Lifting his mouth from her breasts, Nolan placed his lips to hers in a feverish kiss. As their tongues tangled together, Julia realized that she couldn't go back to what had been. Now that Nolan was in her life a number of things would surely change, and while this made her happy, it also caused her to feel a bit nervous. 

She was already intensely attracted to him, and she knew the emotions which came along with this sort of connection could be powerful. It'd been quite some time since she was in a steady relationship, and she wasn't sure if she even remembered how to properly interact in one. 

Suddenly pulling back from the kiss Nolan looked into her eyes and gave her a thoughtful gaze. "Your mind is on something else, isn't it?" His eyebrows furrowed together slightly. 

Surprised that he'd been able to tell she muttered, "Why do you say that?"

"I could tell by the way you were kissing me that you weren't totally here. Is something wrong?"

Shaking her head she replied, "No, nothing's wrong." She didn't like keeping things from Nolan, but she didn't want to ruin the moment by unloading her worries upon him.

"You sure?" Cupping her chin, he allowed his thumb to stroke it. 

"Positive." Julia wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. 

"Okay. Just want to make sure that everything's alright." He gave her a peck on the nose.

Glancing behind him at the clock on the wall, Julia was surprised to see that nearly two hours had passed since she'd first arrived.

With a reluctance to her voice she said, "I should probably be getting home."

Giving her a look of disappointment he replied, "You leaving me so soon?"

"I'd love to stay and hang out, but I have to wake up early. Mimi wants me to open the bakery, so that means I'll be showing up at six am."

Nuzzling his face in her neck, he mumbled softly against her skin. "Mmm, I don't want you to go. I want you to stay here, with me." His fingers brushed a few curls over her shoulder so that he could kiss place tiny nips and kisses against her flesh.

Expelling a heated breath, Julia did her best to ignore his passionate ministrations. "I wish I could but I really do-," her voice trailed off at the sensation of his thumb rolling against her nipple.

"Yes, what?" His lips curled into a little smile as he observed the reaction he was having upon her.

"Have to go," came her quiet murmur.

"What if I don't let you?"

Smiling through her lust-filled haze she replied, "Trying to hold me captive, are you?"

"Captivity would suggest that you were being held against your will. That wouldn't be the case though, would it?"

"I guess that's true. You're just too darn sexy to resist." Gliding her hand across his chest, she allowed it to travel upward until it reached his neck. Julia laced her fingers into his hair and pressed her lips to his in a tantalizing kiss. 

As their lips parted she gave him a sexy little smile and then pulled away. After pulling the straps of her bra up over her arms, Julia buttoned up her cardigan and fluffed out her hair. Then she grabbed her shopping bag and rose up off the couch. 

"Well I guess I'll be on my way. I walked over here from the bakery, so I better get a move on before it gets any later."

"Wait, I'll walk you home." Nolan called out to her. 

He pulled his t-shirt on and then retrieved his keys from the coffee table. Grabbing a jacket from the hook next to the door, he slipped it over her shoulders.

"It'll probably be chilly outside, so it might be a good idea if you wear my jacket."

"I'll be fine, and you don't need to walk me home. My house isn't very far."

"Don't be ridiculous, of course I'll walk you home. It's dark out and I don't want anything happening to you."

Offering him a smile she responded, "It's a pretty small town, Nolan. Not much ever happens here."

"I'm still walking with you and I insist that you wear the jacket."

Realizing he wouldn't take no for an answer, Julia slipped her arms into the sleeves of his black corduroy jacket. She began to slide the zipper up but it only got halfway before it halted in place and jammed.

Noticing she was having trouble with it Nolan said, "There's a trick to zipping that jacket up. Here, let me help you with it." Stepping in front of her, Nolan slid the zipper down a few inches and then gently moved it side to side. This allowed him to pull it all the way up so that the jacket was fully enclosed around her.

With a pleased smile upon his face he said, "Hey, my jacket looks pretty good on you."

Nearly drowning in his garment she replied, "I think it might swallow me whole." The interior of it was lined with fleece, and as Julia wore it she realized that his scent was embedded in the fabric. 

Giving a little chuckle Nolan bent his head down to give her a sweet peck upon the lips. 

"You ready to go?" 

Julia nodded her head and as Nolan opened the door a gust of evening air blew in. Noticing that he was only wearing a t-shirt, Julia glanced at his bare arms and asked, "Won't you be cold?"

"I'll be fine." He gestured for her to walk out first and then he followed behind her, locking the door behind them.

As they made their way down the sidewalk they linked hands, strolling amiably into the night. Soft light from the street lamps lined their path, and the air carried the rich scent of burning wood. 

Nolan's chest rose in a deep inhale and then he said, "Mmm, I love the smell of burning wood."

"So do I," she responded. "It's a delicious scent, isn't it?"

Nodding his head he replied, "Yep. So tell me, what are some strange scents that you like?"

"Strange?"

"Yeah. Like unusual ones that people aren't normally attracted to."

Glancing up at the branches of a tree as they swayed in the breeze she responded, "Hmm, well I love the smell of paint. I also like the smell of burning rubber. Oh, and I don't know how unusual this is, but I just love the smell of newborn babies."

Nolan released a small laugh. "They do have a nice brand new scent to them, don't they?" He asked with a grin.

"Most definitely," she smiled. "So tell me some of your favorite smells."

"Unexposed film and photographic fixer. The scent of tennis balls is nice as well."

"Giving him an amused look she said, "Tennis balls, huh?" 

"Yep. Haven't you ever smelled one before?"

"Not really," she said through a half laugh."

"Well you're missing out. I have a pack of them at home. Remind me the next time you come over so you can see what they smell like."

With a broad smile upon her lips she said, "Okay, the way you said that sounded really funny. This has got to be one of the strangest conversations i've ever had."

Nolan's face creased into a grin. "It is a bit odd, isn't it? See, this is why I like our connection. If i tried to discuss this with anyone else, they'd probably think I was nuts."

Releasing a laugh she said, "Same here."

Stroking the back of her hand with his thumb, Nolan turned his head to glance at her, admiring the curve of her lips and thickness of her lashes. Julia's curls bounced as they walked, and he noticed that there was a light sheen to them. 

Rounding a corner, they were now five blocks from reaching Julia's home. The house she lived in was located on a hill, so she could spot it even from a distance. Noticing that light was illuminating the living room windows of the lower floor, Julia guessed that her landlady had been released from the hospital and was now back at home. 

"So when do I get to see you again?" asked Nolan.

"We could hang out this weekend."

"Really?"

"Yeah sure, why not?"

"Okay, that'd be cool. Anything in particular you'd like to do?"

"Nothing I can think of right now, but if I come up with something I'll be sure to let you know."

"Sounds good," he answered with a pleased smile.

Spotting a small rubber ball on the ground, Julia kicked it with the toe of her converse. It bounced a few times and then rolled ahead, coming to a stop a few feet away from them. As they walked ahead a few more paces, Julia aimed the tip of her shoe for it but Nolan blocked her kick, hitting the ball with the toe of his own shoe instead. 

As it bounced down the sidewalk, Julia glanced at Nolan and lifted her eyebrow. Her expression would have appeared very serious if it weren't for the hint of a smile upon her lips. "Running interference on my kick, huh?"

"Hey, I can't help it if you're not swift enough to avoid my block." His face creased into a smile as he said it.

"I could have if i'd wanted to."

"Uh-huh, sure." Nolan's mouth pulled into a lopsided smile.

As they continued to walk forward, they spotted the red ball lying next to a bench outside of a candy shop. Focusing their eyes upon it, each one was gearing up to kick it, and yet neither gave any indication that they would actually go through with it. As they reached the rubber object, they both came to a stop and glanced at each other. 

"Well, what are you waiting for?" The grin he wore reminded her of a mischievous boy.

"What are *you* waiting for?" She retorted.

"For you to kick the ball."

"Not going to happen."

"Why not?"

"Because then you'll just block me. I can tell by the look on your face that you're getting ready to."

"No I'm not. I was just going to watch you."

"Yeah, right."

"Seriously. This time I won't try to block you. Go ahead," his mouth pulled into a broad grin. 

Eyeing him warily, Julia aimed her foot toward the ball. Just as she'd expected, Nolan also aimed his and as his shoe made contact with the rubber object, it bounced off the ground and flew into the air. As it curved down into a fall, Nolan extended his leg forward to kick it back upward, but the path of the ball was suddenly redirected. 

Intercepting his kick with one of her own, Julia sent the ball sailing high up into the air. It got some maximum hang time before falling back down, just in time for it to one again make contact with her shoe. This time she kicked it outward, aiming the spherical object towards a large mural which was painted on the brick wall of a movie theatre. The ball went so high it nearly cleared the roof, and as it smacked against the wall it bounced back off, rolling out into the street. 

Nolan's eyebrows rose in an expression of surprise. "Hey, nice kick."

"Thanks." A pleased expression crossed her face as she said it.

"That was a pretty good block, too. You must have been a good kickball player when you were young."

"Actually my game was soccer. I joined a team when I was eight and stayed on for four years."

"Really?"

"Yep. I played on a team called The Monarchs."

"Which position?"

"Midfield."

"Interesting. So why did you stop playing?"

"I got bored with it and wanted to try something new. It was fun while it lasted, though."

"That's cool. So did you play any other sports?"

"Nope, just soccer. What about you? Did you ever play any sports?"

"I played a bit of rugby back in high school."

"Rugby, huh? I don't think I've ever seen anyone play it in real life. I watched a few matches on TV, though. Seems like quite the brutal sport."

"Well it definitely takes some strength to play it."

Glancing admiringly at his toned form she said, "Well you definitely have the body for it."

Nolan smiled at her compliment, then wrapped an arm around her waist to draw her closer to him. As they walked down the street a sense of peace surrounded them. Living in a small town like Blue Rock meant that most of the restaurants and stores closed down early, so there were few other people around. Yellow leaves had fallen from the oak trees which lined their pathway, and as they walked along the pavement their shoes made crunching noises. 

The sound of glass hitting the ground suddenly broke the stillness around them, and the approaching form of a man in a hooded sweatshirt and ripped jeans caught their attention. His gait was unsteady and as he came closer to them they saw that he was very drunk. 

As the intoxicated man passed by the couple, his eyes fixed intently upon Julia. Although she was completely covered up in Nolan's coat, the man's lascivious gaze still managed to make her feel as if she were half naked, and she was now glad that Nolan had insisted upon her wearing it. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 04



Nolan's grip upon her waist tightened, and as the man turned his head to look back at them, Nolan turned his as well. Their eyes met in a heated stare, and then the man averted his attention, stumbling along to the other side of the street. Although no words had been exchanged, the man had been able to clearly pick up on the silent message that Nolan had sent to him. 

Julia liked the way that Nolan held her, and she also appreciated the fact that he was so protective over her. It was apparent that he knew how to treat a lady, and she felt happy and proud to be in his arms. 

They were just approaching the hill which led to her house when a blue geo metro turned the corner, shining its headlights into their faces. Halting at the curb next to them, the driver of the car rolled down the window and leaned out his head. 

"Talofa my brother!" 

Nolan's mouth pulled into a smile as he recognized the man's face. "Hey there, Sonny. What's up, man?" 

The driver extended his hand toward Nolan and they engaged in a special handshake to signify their close relationship. 

"It's good to see you," said Sonny. "I was just on my way to your house right now. I was hoping to take a look at those photographs you took of the party last week." Glancing in Julia's direction, he gave her a nod in acknowledgment of her presence, and she returned it with one of her own. Roving his eyes back toward Nolan, Sid offered him a wide grin. "Ahhh, so I guess you're going to be busy tonight, huh?" His eyes sparkled merrily as he said it.

Still holding Julia by the hand, Nolan said, "Julia, this is my cousin Sonny. Sonny, this is my girl, Julia."

As Sonny reached his hand out toward hers, Julia shook it. "It's nice to meet you, Sonny."

"It's great to meet you as well." He replied.

Turning his gaze back upon his cousin, Sonny said, "So are we getting together to play basketball this weekend?"

"Yeah, I'll probably stop by on Sunday, after I go by my mom's."

"Cool. Well I'll let you two go now. I'll come back tomorrow to look at those pictures."

"Well if you like you can just hang out at my house until I get back. After I drop Julia off, I'll be coming back home." Reaching into his jeans pocket, Nolan retrieved his keys and tossed them to his cousin. 

As he caught them in his hand Sonny responded, "Cool, then I'll wait for you there." Turning his eyes upon Julia, he offered her a few parting words. "Once again, it was nice to meet you, Julia. Hope to see you again real soon, okay?"

"Likewise."

As the car took off, Sonny gave a few beeps and then accelerated. Continuing toward Julia's house, they began their incline up a steep hill. 

"Your cousin is nice." 

"Yeah, he's a cool guy. I'll have to take you by his house sometime. He's got a large collection of all sorts of interesting movies. Since you're a film geek, I think you'd enjoy checking his movies out."

"I'm sure I would."

As they continued up the hill their breaths grew heavier, and a comfortable silence passed between them. After a few minutes of walking up the steep path they finally reached the top and Julia led him toward her home. 

With eyes full of curiosity Nolan said, "This is a nice house. You live here alone?"

"Nope, an old lady owns the place. I only occupy the attic."

Glancing up at the half moon window of her bedroom he said, "I see. Mind if I take a quick look inside? I won't try to stay over, I promise. I'm just curious about what the interior looks like."

"Sure." She led him up the stairs and as they reached the door she unlocked it.

After flipping the light switch on Julia entered her apartment and Nolan followed. 

His eyes roved the interior of the living room, noting the old movie posters which adorned the walls. 

"You're a fan of Buster Keaton?"

Walking up behind him she said, "Yeah, I love him. You watch silent movies?"

"Not really. I've happened upon a couple of his films on late night TV, though."

Catching sight of a small statue on the mantle above the fireplace, Nolan walked over to it so that he could have a closer look. Carved out of bronze, the statue was of a man and a woman in a passionate embrace. As his eyes studied the detail of it, Julia watched him with curiosity, wondering what his opinion of it was. 

After a few moments of quiet study he spoke. "This is nice, who made it?"

"My mother."

Lifting his eyebrows in surprise he answered, "Really? Wow, she's quite talented."

"Oh yeah, my mom has quite the talent for making sculptures." 

Turning his attention toward a closed door Nolan asked, "So what's behind there?"

"My bedroom."

"Can I see it?"

"Maybe one day."

His lips curled into a grin and then he sniffed. Suddenly feeling a sneeze coming on, he turned his head and covered his mouth with arm, muffling the sound in the process. As he turned his attention back upon her, Julia realized that his eyes had begun to water. 

"You okay, honey?" She slid her hand up and down his arm in a gesture of concern. 

Giving another sniff he answered, "Yeah, I'll be fine. I guess i'm coming down with a cold."

"You want a cup of tea before you head back home?"

Shaking his head Nolan replied, "No thanks, I should be okay. I have been pretty sleep deprived lately though, so I probably just need a good nights rest."

Realizing she was still wearing his jacket, Julia unzipped it and slid her arms out of the sleeves and handed it to him.

"Here's your jacket. Thanks for letting me wear it home."

"No problem, I hope that it kept you warm."

Wrapping her arms around his waist she tilted her chin upward and looked into his eyes. "It did."

"Good." 

Placing his hands against her hips, Nolan bent his head down to give her a kiss. As their lips pressed together passion blazed between them, and Julia felt a strong urge to feel his naked flesh against her own. She was almost tempted to take him into her bedroom and just allow him to have his way with her, but she knew that the time wasn't now. 

As their lips parted Julia stared lovingly into his eyes, feeling as if she could get lost in them. Nolan's orbs met hers with the same intensity, but as his gaze diverted to some point beyond her, she noticed that the expression on his face had quickly transformed from lust, to one of disappointment. 

"Nolan, what's wrong?" She asked.

Turning her head to see what he was looking at, Julia noticed her cat peering sneakily at them from behind the couch.

"You have a cat?" Obviously rhetorical, Nolan asked the question in hopes that there was some other reason for the presence of the animal.

"Yeah, why? Is that a problem?"

"I'm allergic to cats."

With a crestfallen expression she responded, "Oh." Not knowing what else to say, she awkwardly stood in front of him.

Feeling another sneeze coming on, Nolan tried his best to stop it but it was intent on releasing itself. Pressing his mouth against his arm, Nolan sneezed loudly into it, causing the cat to scamper off in the process. 

Rubbing his eyes with his fingers, Nolan began heading for the door. 

"I'm sorry Julia, but I have to leave. If I stay any longer it'll just get worse." 

As he put on his jacket Julia opened the door. "It's okay, I understand."

Stepping out onto the porch he said, "We'll figure things out. The worst that can happen is you'll just have to hang out at my place. That won't be so bad, will it?"

"No, I suppose not." She said with a smile.

"Cool. Well Sonny's waiting for me, so I better get home. I'll give you a call tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay."

He gave her a kiss and a hug and then headed for the stairs. "Nite," he called out over his shoulder.

"Goodnight." Closing the door behind her, Julia listened to the sound of his retreating footsteps.

Having come out from her hiding place, Samantha trotted over toward Julia and gave a meow. Picking her up in her arms, Julia walked over to the window and glanced out of it. Her eyes scanned the sidewalk down below until she caught sight of Nolan. As he made his way down the hill, Julia's eyes remained peeled upon him, watching as he walked off into the night.

He'd barely been gone a minute, and already her heart was aching for him. She truly hoped that her having a cat wasn't a deal breaker for him. She wasn't planning on giving Samantha up of course, but since he had an allergy it was bound to make things a bit tricky. It seemed a bit unnatural for him to never be able to visit her house, and what if things between them began to get serious? 

She knew that things were still very new between them, but what if they were to one day move in together? If it did happen, she'd surely have to make the decision between Nolan and her cat, and she couldn't fathom the idea of giving Samantha up. Julia had found her abandoned by the side of the road as a kitten, and the bond they shared was quite strong. 

Yet she also couldn't imagine giving Nolan up, either, so what would she do? Releasing a heavy sigh, Julia turned away from the window and headed for her bedroom. Now was not the time to be worrying about such things. If she and Nolan ever got to the point where they were making more of a commitment, then she would deal with the issue at that time. 

Obsessing over something which hadn't even happened yet was useless, and she began to feel silly about directing so much of her attention upon a relationship which hadn't been fully cemented. The truth was, though, that she was already falling for him, and she wanted things to continue going smoothly.

Giving Samantha a scratch behind the ears, Julia turned away from the window and headed for the bedroom. On her way past the living room she stopped by the coffee table to grab her cell phone, and she caught sight of a greeting card that Mimi had given her. 

The words 'Crazy Cat Lady In Training' were plastered across the front of the card in bold black letters, and there was a cartoon image of an elderly woman donned in frumpy clothes surrounded by six cats. The card had been given to Julia as a joke, and she'd found it amusing when Mimi had first given it to her, but suddenly she was viewing it with new eyes. 

Pushing the card down so that the front of it lay flat against the table, Julia continued towards her room. She was nowhere near becoming a crazy old cat lady; not even close. 

*Oh yeah? Then why do you visit cat forums on a nightly basis? And what about the framed photo of Samantha that you keep on your bedroom dresser?*

Inwardly scoffing at the judgmental voice within her, Julia did her best to ignore it. Yet she couldn't help wondering if she was steadily inching toward becoming the very thing that she wished to avoid.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 05



*Thank you all for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy the chapter.*



As her classic VW bug puttered into the parking lot, Julia caught sight of a parking space next to a Hummer and smoothly pulled into it. Grabbing the basket off of the passenger seat, Julia got out of the car and locked the door behind her. As she reached the door of the software company, Julia pulled it open and entered. Smooth jazz played from the speakers which were built into the ceiling, and a waterfall sign located on the wall behind the reception desk identified the company as Cumberland Software.

As Julia approached the desk, a woman with a stylish boycut and doe shaped eyes glanced up at her.

"How can I help you?" she pleasantly asked. 

Holding the basket up for her to see, Julia responded, "I'm here from Mimi's Bakery and I have a lunch delivery for a Mr. Thompson."

"Oh yes, he's been expecting you." Gesturing her hand toward a set of glass doors she said, "Just head through those doors and make a right, then walk all the way down until you reach the very last cubicle. That's where Mr. Robertson will be sitting."

"Great, thanks."

As Julia entered the office, she was surrounded by a maze of cubicles. Telephones rang and fax machines screeched, filling the air with its annoying sound. As she passed by various office workers, she began to feel a sense of relief that she was only here as a visitor. 

Before she'd landed the job working in the bakery with Mimi, she'd suffered through three years working as an office drone for a data entry company. It had been boring work, and allowed her no chance to be creative at all, so it was the type of job which she knew she was destined to escape. Thankfully she'd been able to successfully do it, because now that she was back in this environment, she realized how stifled she'd been.

Coming upon the last cubicle, Julia poked her head inside and offered a greeting to the person inside. 

"Delivery from Mimi's Bakery," she called out in a friendly voice.

As the customer swiveled in his chair to make eye contact with her, his face lit up with a smile. 

"Hey Julia."

Suddenly recognizing his features she replied, "Oh hi Colin. It's nice to see you again."

"Yeah, it's good to see you too. How have you been?" Placing a finger against his glasses, he pushed them up on the bridge of his nose. 

"I've been good, thanks." Placing the basket of food upon the table, Julia began to unload it, placing a Styrofoam container and a bottle of juice on his desk. Retrieving a mini loaf of zucchini bread wrapped in plastic, Julia set it next to his container of food.

"So just to verify, you ordered a turkey club on foccacia bread, a bottle of passion fruit juice, and a mini loaf of zucchini bread." Handing him a receipt, she allowed him a minute to look it over.

Colin gave the paper a quick glance and then grabbed his wallet from the desk and pulled out some bills. As he reached into his pocket for change, Julia's eyes landed upon a Wolverine action figure which was located on a shelf next to his computer. She also noticed he had a small poster which featured many of the Marvel characters.

"So you're a Marvel fan, huh?"

Handing her the bills and a few coins he responded, "Yeah, I am. Marvel characters are my all-time favorites."

"So what's your favorite comic book?" She inquired.

"You mean I can only pick one?" Shaking his head he continued, "Impossible, I can't do it." 

"You know a comic book convention is coming to town in a few weeks, right?"

"Yep, and i'll definitely be attending."

"Cool, well maybe I'll run into you there."

"You're into comic books?" 

"Yep, I've been collecting them since I was a kid. I have a whole trunk full at home."

"Nice. So I've gotta ask, DC or Marvel? Which do you prefer?" 

"I like them both, but I've always had a special place in my heart for DC comics."

Nodding his head in appreciation Colin said, "Well I've gotta say it's cool meeting a chick who's into comics. They're a rare occurrence in this town."

Offering him a smile, Julia grabbed the empty basket from off of the desk. "Yeah, well I guess I'd better head back to the bakery. It was nice talking to you, though."

A look of disappointed crossed his face as he said, "Oh, right. Guess I'd better let you go, then. Well take care and maybe I'll see you around some time."

"Yeah, maybe. Enjoy your lunch, and have a nice day."

"You too, Julia. Later."

"See ya," she called over her shoulder.

Once Julia was back in the lobby she headed for the doors and exited, walking back towards her yellow Volkswagon. Then she got inside and drove away.

* * * *



"See ya, Mimi," Julia called out as she untied her apron and grabbed her purse from beneath the counter.

As she slung it over her shoulder she offered a wave and Mimi returned it with one of her own.

"Later, Julia. Have a good evening."

After grabbing a pastry box from off the counter she headed outside, keys jangling in her hands as she approached her car. Once she was inside she set the pink pastry box on the seat next to her and then fired up the car. As she drove along the familiar route that she always took home, Julia caught sight of the large mural which adorned the side of the vintage theatre. The words 'Brisbane Theatre' were painted in a large vintage script, and there was a film strip beneath it which featured the faces of various old movie stars, such as Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe. 

She passed by the mural nearly every day, but suddenly she was looking at it with new eyes. As she looked at the artwork it immediately triggered the memory of her walk home with Nolan the previous night, and she recalled their flirtatious interaction with the rubber ball they'd been kicking around. A little smile passed her lips as she thought about their interaction together, and how good it'd felt to be around him. She'd almost felt like a kid again, and she liked how his presence had coaxed that playful side of her personality out. 

As she came to a stop at the intersection, she suddenly felt a draw to head back in the opposite direction, so once the light turned green she made a sharp u-turn and retraced her path. 

She could feel a change happening inside of her; a feeling of longing and a need to be held, kissed and caressed. There was only one pair of hands which could give her the feeling she so desired, and as she thought of his bare flesh pressed against hers, she felt a jolt of sexual desire rip through her. The memory of his touch alone caused her skin to prickle in response and as she recalled the sight of his toned body, she felt an urgent heat rise between her legs.

Giving the steering wheel a turn to the right, Julia drove onto Nolan's street and was rewarded with the sight of lush foliage. Lined with oak and maple trees, the street was filled with the yellow and gold colors of fall. 

She only had to drive halfway down the street before she caught sight of his house, and as she pulled up to the curb she put the car in park and got out, carrying the pastry box in her hands. As she walked toward the house she noticed there were two pathways-one which curved around the side and led towards a gate, and another which led directly to the front door. 

The path which led through the gate was the way she'd taken last time, but since that led directly to his studio she decided against it and headed for the front door. They were on more intimate terms now, so she'd feel weird about entering through any other way except the front entryway.

Her shoes crunched against the carpet of leaves which covered the steps to his porch, and as she reached the front door she pushed her finger against the bell.

As the sound of footsteps approached the door she felt her heart speed up in anticipation, but as the door pulled open her excitement was quickly extinguished. Standing in front of her was a woman who shared similar features to Nolan, and judging by her age Julia realized that it had to be his mother. 

"Yes, can I help you?" The lady's voice was tinged with a light accent, and her eyes roved curiously over Julia, undoubtedly wondering what the purpose of her visit was. 

One of the main features which stood out to Julia was the woman's hair. Worn in a long black braid slung over her shoulder, it had a coarse texture to it which added to its thickness. 

"Hi, i'm here to see Nolan. Is he home?"

"Nope. He went to run an errand." 

The woman's eyes roved intently over Julia's face, moving from eyes to hair and then across the rest of her features. 

Feeling uneasy beneath her gaze Julia responded, "Oh, okay. Well do you know when he'll be back?"

"Nope." Her voice came out sounding flat.

Sensing that her presence was unwelcome Julia said, "Okay, no problem. Guess i'll just come back later."

She turned and began to walk down the steps but the sound of the woman's voice suddenly halted her.

"Why don't you come inside and wait? He shouldn't be gone for very much longer."

With a glance over her shoulder Julia responded, "No, that's okay. I can always come back another time. It's no big deal." 

"I insist," she firmly replied. The look in her eyes conveyed that the only option was for Julia to accept. 

Turning to face her, Julia headed towards the door and followed the woman inside. As she entered the living room Julia noticed that the strong scent of food permeated the air. The smell of coconut, onion, and various other spices mingled together and invaded her nostrils, causing her mouth to water. 

Waving her hand toward the couch the woman said, "Please sit."

Sinking down onto the cushy pillows, Julia removed her purse from her shoulder and set it beside her. 

"Would you like something to drink?" 

"Yes, a glass of water would be nice."

"Only water? There's juice and soda too."

Curving her lips into a smile Julia responded, "No thanks, water is fine."

As the woman passed beneath the archway and went into the kitchen, Julia watched her pull open the fridge and retrieve a pitcher of water. With only an island dividing the kitchen from the living room, Julia was free to watch the other woman with inquisitive eyes. 

Standing at medium height, the woman had a sturdily built body which was clad in a dress covered in a pattern of yellow and green flowers. Her skin tone was of a light brown color, and she had a way about her which commanded respect. 

After filling a glass with water the woman came back into the living room and sat it upon a coaster. Then she took a seat in an armchair which was located a few feet away from the couch.

Crossing her legs at the ankles, she settled comfortably into the chair and gave Julia a pleasant little smile. "I guess you already realized it, but i'm Nolan's mother. My name is Aveolela."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Julia." She offered a friendly smile.

"Nice to meet you as well. So you're Nolan's girlfriend." It came out as more of a statement, rather than a question. 

"Yes I am."

"How long have you two been together?"

"Not very long. We met each other a week and a half ago."

"I see. So how did you two meet?"

"At the tattoo shop where he works."

Clasping her hand upon her lap Aveolela questioned, "So, what do you think of my son so far?"

Feeling put on the spot, Julia was silent for a few moments and then she began to speak. "I think he's sweet, and he's a really nice guy. He's thoughtful, caring...," her voice trailed off as she tried to think of other words she could use to describe him.

She knew how she felt about him, but putting those emotions into words wasn't the easiest thing to do with Aveolela's eyes trained intently upon her. 

"So do you think he's a good match for you?" 

"Yeah, I do. We get along really well."

"That's good. I want Nolan to be with someone who will make him happy."

"Yes, well finding someone you can be happy with is pretty important, isn't it?"

Offering only a small nod in response, she watched Julia with a thoughtful gaze.

"So what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a baker."

Aveolela's lips widened into a smile. "So that means you can cook. That's good, because Nolan loves to eat."

With the scent of food still filling the air, Julia saw an opportunity to divert the attention from herself and redirect it towards food. 

"Speaking of food, whatever you're cooking smells really delicious. What is it?"

Glancing toward the kitchen Alveolela said, "Oh, I forgot! I have something in the stove that needs to be checked on. Excuse me." 

Rushing into the kitchen, she slipped her hand into an oven mitt and pulled open the stove door. Then she slid out a pan and set it on top of the burners. After closing the stove she took the oven mitt off and checked the contents of a large pot which was bubbling on the range. Giving the knob a gentle turn, she reduced the flame and then headed back into the living room.

As she settled back into the armchair Julia asked, "What are you cooking?"

"Some traditional Samoan food. The bread I just took from the oven is called pani popo, and i'm also cooking some palusami."

"What's palusami?"

Smiling at Julia's pronunciation of it Aveolela responded, "It's corned beef with coconut milk, onions and taro leaves, which is a plant that comes from Samoa."

"It smells wonderful. How long does it take to make it?"

"The taro leaves require a bit of preparation, but the dish itself isn't all that difficult."

"Well I'm sure Nolan will be happy to come home and have the house smelling so nice."

Giving her a smile Aveolela asked, "Have you eaten Samoan food before?"

"No, but I've always wanted to."

"The palusami won't be finished for a few hours, but you're welcome to try the pani popo. I think you'll really enjoy it."

"That'd be great, i'd love to."

Rising up from the armchair, Nolan's mother motioned for Julia to follow her. As they entered the kitchen Aveolela grabbed a shallow bowl from the cabinet and put one of the buns into it. Then she grabbed a spoon and dipped it into a container. As she withdrew the utensil, Julia watched her drizzle the liquid over the bread, covering it in thick, creamy sauce. The sight of it alone caused Julia's stomach to loudly rumble, and she suddenly realized it'd been nearly seven hours since she'd last eaten.

"You're hungry, huh?" Alveolela said as she set the bowl down on the table. 

Julia gave her a smile. "Yeah, I guess my stomach is letting me know it needs to be filled." 

Grabbing a kettle from counter she asked, "How about some tea? It's always best if you have a hot drink to go along with it."

"Sure." Tearing off a piece of the bread, Julia dipped it into the cream on the bottom of the bowl. 

As it entered her mouth, Julia's tastebuds were greeted with the wonderful flavor of sweet coconut and warm bread, and she immediately knew that she'd discovered another favorite in the long list of foods that she just couldn't live without. 

Not wanting to seem greedy, she tried her best to savor the delicious bun, but he attempts proved largely unsuccessful. With each bite that she took, she found herself craving more of the delicious creation. 

After filling the kettle with water, Aveolela plugged it in and grabbed two cups from the cabinet. 

"Would you like chamomile or green tea?"

"Chamomile, please," answered Julia around a mouthful of bread.

While waiting for the tea to boil, Nolan's mother went over to the stove and bent down to look inside. Then she checked the pot which was on the stove. As she lifted the top up, steam billowed around her face and the scent of bananas came out with it. Grabbing a wooden spoon, she began to stir the contents. 

Curious about what was inside Julia asked, "What's in the pot?"

"Suafa'i-bananas with tapioca and coconut milk."

"Mmm, smells heavenly."

With a smile upon her lips Aveolela said, "This was Nolan's favorite as a boy. To this day he still prefers it over every other dessert."

"Well I don't know what it tastes like, but judging from the smell I can see why he enjoys it so much." Smearing the last piece of bread with coconut sauce, Julia popped it into her mouth. 

As the electric kettle began to hiss, Alveolela put bags of tea into the cups and filled them with hot water. Then she walked over to the table and set a cup in front of Julia, then placed one down on the table in front of the chair where she would sit. After grabbing a bottle of honey from the counter and two spoons she sat down, taking a seat directly across from Julia. 

Grabbing the honey from the table, Julia squirted some of it into her cup and mixed it in. As they sipped their tea, her eyes wandered towards the clock which hung on the wall over the refrigerator. 

She didn't know where Nolan was, but she hoped that he would show up soon. His mother was very nice, but this one on one interaction they were having was quite nerve wracking. She could feel the other woman's eyes planted firmly upon her, watching her with that same curious gaze she'd had ever since Julia had first arrived. Feeling uneasy about maintaining direct eye contact for too long, she allowed her eyes to rove around the interior of the kitchen.

There wasn't anything all that interesting surrounding her, but the tense silence which pervaded the atmosphere caused her to feel very awkward. She tried to think of something to say, but it seemed as if her mind had suddenly been emptied of all thoughts. Feeling lame, Julia cleared her throat and snuck another glance at the clock. 

"Not to worry, Nolan should be back soon." Aveolela's lips curled into an amused smile.

Embarrassed to have been caught sneaking a peek, she felt her cheeks instantly grow hot. "It's not that I'm bored. I'm just a little eager to see him, is all." She took a gulp of her tea and then added, "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be rude."

"No, it's fine. You and Nolan are still in the early stages of your relationship, so it's understandable that meeting me so soon is making you nervous."

They sipped their tea in silence for a few more moments and then Alveolela once again spoke.

"Nolan is a wonderful man. He's loyal, honest and hardworking."

Sensing she was going to say more, Julia nodded her head and remained silent.

"He attracts lots of attention from women, and he's dated many different types of girls." She took a sip of her tea and then set the cup back down. "Sometimes he brings them home to meet me, and sometimes he doesn't, but all of the ones that I've met so far have not been right for him at all."

Looking Julia square in the eyes, she continued. "I know my son, and it doesn't take long for me to tell if the woman he's currently with will be right for him. In fact, I can tell within the first few minutes of meeting them if the relationship will work out or not. I read people very well, and I can always spot the ones who just don't fit."

Now certain that this woman didn't like her, Julia felt a pang of disappointment sweep throughout her. 

"I'm not trying to intimidate you Julia, it's just that Nolan is my first born, so I hope you can understand me being protective over him."

Nodding her head she replied, "Of course, that's completely understandable."

"His happiness means everything to me. I just want to make sure that he doesn't get hurt. So I hope you don't take offense to this little talk we're having."

"I'm not offended by it, but if you don't want me to be with your son then you can just come out and say it. It won't hurt my feelings." The truth was contrary to her statement, but she didn't want to appear overly emotional.

Setting her cup of tea down, Alveolela brushed a stray hair away from her forehead and said, "I don't dislike you, Julia. I'm pleased that you and Nolan are together."




Tattoo of Love Ch. 05



"You are?" The expression on Julia's face was of sheer surprise.

With a nod of her head she responded, "Yes, I actually think that you could be good for him. Out of all the other women that I've seen him with, you're one of the very few that i've actually liked."

Feeling a huge sense of relief, Julia's lips turned into a smile. "Well I'm glad to hear that. I was certain you were going to say that you didn't like me."

Shaking her head Alveolela replied, "Nothing could be further from the truth. I know we've only just met, but I can see that you're a nice girl." Resting her back against the chair, she added "You have a different way about you, and I think you're a refreshing change from the girls that he usually dates."

As Julia heard Alveolela say the words 'usually dates', she wondered just what those girls were like, and she was very curious to find out what the difference between her and them was. 

Opening her mouth to ask, Julia had just gotten the first few words of her sentence out when there came the sound of Nolan's key in the door. As he twisted the doorknob open and walked inside, he was greeted with the smiles of the two women.

His eyebrows rose in surprise at the sight of them, and as his eyes landed upon Julia he gave her a broad grin. "Julia, hey. What are you doing here?"

"What, you mean you don't want me here?" 

"You know that's not what I meant." He responded with a funny little grin.

Standing up from the chair, she walked over to give him a hug. As his arms wrapped around her she tilted her head up reflexively to offer her lips, but then suddenly she remembered that his mother was there watching them. Turing her head to glance behind her, she saw Nolan's mother offer them a pleased grin. 

Glancing back at Nolan, Julia gave him a bashful smile. Nolan uttered a small laugh, then gave her a quick peck upon the lips. As he headed for the kitchen his mother called out to him.

"Where's my kiss?" Standing at the stove, she was stirring the pot of bananas and tapioca.

He planted a kiss upon her cheek and then peered into the pot, inhaling the scent of the delicious mixture.

"Mmmm, smells good." Grabbing a spoon from the utensil holder on the counter, he dipped it into the pot, then brought it up to his lips to have a taste. "Perfect as usual. So what time is dinner?"

"The palusami should be finished in the next hour and a half."

"Okay, sounds good." Turning towards Julia he asked, "Are you hungry? I'd love to have you stay for dinner."

Not wanting to intrude upon their mother and son time, Julia declined the offer. "No thanks. I had some pini popo so I'm not really hungry."

Expelling a husky laugh Nolan replied, That's pani popo." 

Feeling a bit silly she responded, "Oh. Well hey, I tried."

Wrapping his arm around her waist he said, "Yes you did, and I give you an a plus for effort. I like hearing you speak Samoan."

Sliding a few fingers beneath the hem of her sweater, Nolan slyly rubbed his fingers back and forth across her bare skin. As she felt the touch of his flesh upon hers, a sharp tingle of desire shot through her. 

Glancing at the clock Julia said, "Well I guess I should be getting home now. It was nice meeting you, Mrs.Tuilagi."

Turning her gaze upon Julia, Nolan's mother responded, "Please call me Aveolela, and it was lovely meeting you as well. I hope to see you again soon."

"So do I. See you later."

Aveolela returned her wave with one of her own, then went back to stirring the contents of the pot. With Nolan's arm still around her waist, Julia stopped off to grab her purse from the couch and then they made their way to the door. As soon as they were outside he grabbed her by the hips, then gently pushed her back against one of the columns on the porch. 

As his mouth pressed hotly against her own, she expelled a moan of utter contentment. His tongue slipped into her mouth with passionate urgency, and the tips of his fingers pressed into the fleshy curve of her bottom. He gave it a firm squeeze, then stroked it with the palm of his hand. 

When their lips finally parted it was with great reluctance, but their eyes remained locked in a heated gaze. Expressing their emotions more perfectly than words ever could, they found it nearly impossible to look away from each other. As a light breeze swept through the air, a few locks of her hair blew around her face. 

Brushing them away from her cheek Nolan said, "I thought you didn't like public displays of affection." A little smirk crossed his lips as he said it.

"There's nobody around to see us."

The smirk widened into a grin as he said, "You don't really believe that, do you?"

With a shrug of her shoulders she replied," Sure, why not?"

Motioning toward the windows of the neighboring houses he said, "I'm willing to bet we just gave a few unseen people a little show. Somebody on this block is standing behind their curtains right now, watching everything that we're doing.

Suddenly feeling self conscious, her eyes scanned the windows of the houses across the street. "Hmm, I guess you're right. It's okay though, because I don't care." Her mouth widened into a grin.

"Mmm," leaning in towards her neck, he began placing tender kisses upon it.

Placing her hands against his broad back, she immersed herself in his passionate kisses. "You're making it very difficult for me to leave," came her breathless murmur. 

"That's the idea," he breathed against her skin.

The heat of his body radiated against her own, and as he pressed up against her she realized just how much he was enjoying this moment that they were sharing. 

Tilting her head down, she glanced at his pants and saw that he had a raging erection. A powerful tingle shot through her loins from the sight of it, and she realized they were getting a bit carried away. 

In a voice laced with lust she whispered his name, "Nolan...sweetie, we'd better stop." 

Lifting his mouth from her neck, he released a little groan of disappointment. Stroking her lips with the pad of his thumb he said, "I wish we could go inside and hang out together. Just you and me alone." A sexy little smile creased his lips and then he released a heavy sigh, "You have no idea how turned on I am right now." 

"Well I think i've got an idea." Her eyes darted southward to rest upon the tent in his pants. 

Placing his hand against his crotch area, he adjusted the fabric which strained against his excitement. "Just give me a minute and then i'll walk you to your car, alright?"

With an amused smile upon her lips she said, "No problem, take your time."

Leaning against the stair railing, she watched as Nolan turned away from her and took a few deep, heavy breaths. She wasn't sure what else he was doing as his back was facing her, but within a few short moments he'd rid himself of the erection. 

Once he turned back around he grabbed her by the hand and they made their way to the curb where her car was parked. 

"So what'd you think of to make it go down?" She asked with a smirk.

"Basketball," came his reply.

"Really?" 

"Yep. It works everytime."

"Hmm, interesting." A quiet chuckle passed her lips and he gave her hand a light squeeze.

As they passed by the living room window of his house he said, "Don't look now, but my mom is watching us through the curtain." 

"Seriously? I hope she didn't see us kissing."

Shaking his head answered, "I doubt it. She shouldn't have been able to watch us from the angle we were standing at."

Having reached the drivers door she opened it and climbed inside. Once she was seated with her safety belt on, he placed a hand on the hood and bent his head down into the car. His lips touched hers in a warm, wet kiss which was brief but still very enjoyable. The desire to taste more of her lips was strong, but he knew that his mother was still peeking at them, so he mustered all his willower and pulled his mouth from hers.

"I'll give you a call later this evening. Drive safe, okay?"

"I will."

As she started up the car he closed the door and gave her wave, then walked back towards his house. Looking into the rearview mirror, she watched him go inside and then she directed her attention back on the road in front of her, driving along the leaf lined street.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 06



*For those of you who have been wondering and waiting so patiently, the next chapter will take more of an intimate turn. I did add just a bit of spice in this chapter, so i hope you'll enjoy it. Thanks for your continued support, comments and for rating!* 



As the sound of a ringing telephone interrupted her sleep, Julia rolled onto her side and reached her arm out to answer it. Bringing the receiver up to her ear she muttered sleepily into it.

"Hello?"

"Hey beautiful, how are you this morning?"

A smile curled her lips at the sound of his voice and she rolled onto her back, allowing her face to be warmed by the rays of sun which shone through the skylight. 

"I'm doing good, how about you?"

"Not bad, I felt like hearing your voice so I decided to call you. I didn't wake you up, did I?"

Glancing at the clock on her bedside table, she saw it was nearly eleven am. "Yeah, but it's okay. I needed to be woken up. It's getting late."

"So do you still want to hang out today?"

"Sure, I'd love to."

Four days had passed since she'd last seen Nolan, so she was eager to be in his presence again. 

"Wonderful. So I'm not sure if you'll be up for this, but what do you think about going on a motorcycle ride with me?"

"Hmm, well I don't know. I've never been on one before."

"Does the thought of it scare you?"

Sliding her fingers into her hair, she began twirling a lock around her index finger. 

"I wouldn't say it scares me, but i'd feel unsure about taking a ride on one."

"Okay, well if you aren't up for it then it's no big deal, but I promise you'll be safe with me. I'm a very skilled rider."

Allowing herself a few moments to think it over, Julia pictured herself on a bike with Nolan. She'd always been curious about motorcycles and had fantasized a few times about taking a ride on one, but the dangerous aspect of them prevented her from actually going through with it. Yet wasn't the risk which was attached to them also somewhat of a draw to her? As she contemplated it she realized she was leaning more towards taking that ride with him.

"Well I have always wondered what it'd be like," she said.

"I think you'd really enjoy it. I was thinking we could take a ride out to Oakridge Park and cruise along some of the backside roads. Have you ever gone high up in the hills and gotten a good look at the city below?"

"No I haven't, but I hear it's quite a lovely view."

"It's fantastic. You can see the trails and canyons below, and it's so quiet and peaceful. If you let me take you out there, I'm sure you won't regret it."

Flipping onto her stomach she rested her weight upon her elbows, focusing on the shadow of a tree branch which was cast against her wall. 

"It does sound like it'd be a nice time." A small pause filled the air as she contemplated it further. "So how long have you been riding? I don't remember you mentioning that you had a bike."

"I don't, but my brother does. I learned how to ride a few years back when he first bought his motorcycle."

"So on a scale of one to ten, how skilled would you say you are?"

Releasing a chuckle he replied, "I've taken multiple courses and I went to a motorcycle boot camp. I also have completion cards for all of the classes that I took, so I can bring them over to show you if it'd make you feel more comfortable about it."

"It's okay, I trust you. I'm just feeling a bit apprehensive, that's all."

"Well if you're not totally okay with it, then we don't have to ride out there on a bike. We can just take my car instead."

She almost gave into her fear and decided against the motorcycle ride, but then realized that she could be missing out on an exciting and unique experience. Julia often imagined herself doing fun, spontaneous things, but how often did she actually bring those thoughts into fruition? 

The answer to that has hardly ever, so she knew that now was the time to take advantage of the opportunity which was presenting itself to her. Besides, she truly did trust Nolan and she knew he would do everything in his power to protect her and keep her safe.

"No, I want to go. I think it will be fun."

"Good, I was hoping you would say that. So what time should I swing by and pick you up?"

"Well I need to eat some breakfast and then take a shower and get dressed, so how about you stop by around noon?"

"Noon it is. Now do you have a good pair of boots you can wear?"

"Yeah, I just bought a pair a few weeks ago."

"Low heel or high?"

"Low."

"Okay, good. Make sure you wear a warm jacket, too. It's a pretty nice day out, but it's still good to be prepared and it's always best to have extra protection."

"Alrighty, I will. Anything else I need to know?"

"That's it." 

"Okay, so i'll see you in an hour."

"Looking forward to it. See you soon, baby."

"Later." 

With a smile upon her lips, Julia hung up the phone and got off the bed. Then she went over to her closet and picked out some clothes. After picking out a pair of black jeans and a burgundy knit sweater, she threw them on her bed and began to undress. Once she was stripped naked she headed into the bathroom to get washed up. 

Usually accustomed to long, lavish showers, she allowed herself just five minutes to soap up and rinse, and then she got out. She would have liked to stay in longer, but she still needed to do a few other things before Nolan showed up. After drying off with an oversized towel she slipped into her clothes and then spritzed her hair with some water to reactivate her curls. 

Once she was satisfied with her reflection in the mirror she headed for the kitchen to make herself some breakfast. As she entered the kitchen she saw Samantha sitting by her bowl, meowing to reinforce that she was hungry. After feeding the cat half a can of food, Julia poured some cheerios into a bowl and made herself a cup of instant coffee. 

Spotting a women's magazine on the kitchen counter, Julia flipped it open and began browsing through the pages, munching on her cereal as she read. It didn't take long before she came upon a quiz which was related to dating, and she found herself drawn towards taking it. 

Titled 'What Kind of Lover Is He?', it immediately caught her eye and she grabbed a pen from the drawer next to the dishwasher. With only twelve questions it didn't take her long to finish, and she began eagerly tallying up her score to see what the results would be. After adding up the numbers she matched her score to the answer key and eagerly read the small paragraph below it.

~You have a man who's passionate and spontaneous. Intent upon satisfying all your desires, he's an attentive lover who will take you to orgasmic heights. The attention he lavishes upon you is well-intended. Be careful, however, because if he ever fails to be his usual enthusiastic self, it can plant doubt in your mind and leave you feeling suspicious. 

He has a strong masculinity about him that women find irresistible. Don't fret, though, because honesty and loyalty mean everything to him, so you shouldn't have too much to worry about.~

Julia never placed much faith in these sort of quizzes, but she had to admit that it seemed to mention quite a few aspects of his personality. It wasn't hard to tell that Nolan would be a passionate lover, and his well toned body suggested he would possess the stamina to fulfill her every sexual desire. As the thought of Nolan's flesh pressed naked against her own dominated Julia's mind, she began to feel a rising heat between her legs.

It only took a brief thought of him to coax all sorts of emotions within her, and she suddenly had the urge to make use of her brand new vibrator. Grabbing a shopping bag off the dining room table, she reached into it and pulled out the pink box that the vibrator was housed in. Slipping the flap of the box up, Julia slid out the plastic container and removed the sex toy. 

With a length of eight inches, the jelly vibrator had realistic anatomy and a curved tip, allowing for easier contact with the g-spot. Tracing her fingers over the veins and ridges of the phallus, she found her thoughts turning to Nolan. 

Gripping the shaft in her palm, she gave it a light squeeze and imagined that it was his penis she were touching. She thought about how he'd react to her bare flesh upon his, and began fantasizing about what it'd feel like enclosed within her hand. 

Using her free palm to stroke the shaft, she slid it up and down the length a few times, then placed the vibrator between her legs and switched it on. As it vibrated against her denim clad center she felt a little tingle of pleasure rush through her loins. It'd been so long since she'd had proper stimulation there, and as she pressed it more firmly against the area she released a small moan. 

Slipping into thoughts of Nolan, she began to imagine what it would be like to have him lying on top of her, thrusting between her walls as she cried out in ecstasy. The mere thought of it sent a strong wave of lust through her body, and she suddenly realized just how sexually deprived she'd become. Of course she masturbated, but the feel of her own fingers just couldn't compare to the sensation of a penis inside her. Now that she had the vibrator, though, she definitely planned on making good use of it.

Bringing the toy up to her chest, Julia slipped it beneath her sweater and placed the tip of it beneath the left cup of her bra. As it made contact with her nipple she slid her tongue across her lips and closed her eyes, immersing herself in the sensation of the vibrator against her bare skin. 

She was just imagining the feel of Nolan's hands roaming across her naked body when the sound of the doorbell sliced through her thoughts, jolting her from the erotic fantasy. Switching off the toy, Julia set it upon the table and headed for the entryway. As she reached it she paused for a few moments to straighten her top and fluff out her hair, then she twisted the knob and opened the door. 

As his handsome face greeted her she leaned into his arms and tilted her chin up for a kiss. Encircling his arms around her waist, Nolan pressed his mouth to hers in a sensual embrace. When their tongues finally parted she saw him gazing at her with a look of pure contentment.

"You all ready?" he asked.

"Yep, just let me grab something to keep me warm." 

Pulling away from him she grabbed her jacket from a closet next to the door, then slipped into it and put some money and her cell phone into the pockets. After stepping outside and locking the door behind them, they descended down the stairs.

Once they reached ground level, Nolan led her towards a silver and blue Suzuki motorcycle which was parked in the driveway. Grabbing two helmets from off of the seat, he handed one of them to Julia and then slipped the other one over his head. 

After they were both outfitted in head protection, Nolan got onto the bike and then she climbed on behind him. She having second thoughts as she straddled the machine, but as she wrapped her arms around Nolan's waist she felt him place his leather clad palm against hers and give it a gentle stroke. It was a small gesture of reassurance, but it still managed to put her at ease. Turning his head to the side, Nolan spoke in a voice which was muffled by his helmet. 

"Ready to hit the road?"

"Uh..I guess. I mean yeah, I am." She responded.

A light chuckle came from beneath his helmet and he placed a hand against her thigh, giving it a brief rub as he said, "Don't be nervous, okay? I'll take good care of you, I promise."

Placing her hand against his she said, "I know, I trust you."

Moving his hand back to the handlebars, he offered her a few tips. "Now make sure you keep your arms wrapped around my stomach, lean in the direction that the motorcycle is turning, and keep your chest pressed tight against my back, alright?"

With a nod of her head she replied, "Okay."

As Nolan turned the key in the ignition and pressed his foot against the kick start, the engine came to life. The sound of the motorcycle revving filled the air around them, becoming louder and louder and then the bike jolted forward.

Gripping her hands more tightly around him, Julia took a deep breath and braced herself. Nolan steered the bike out of the driveway and turned onto the street, then suddenly within an instant the motorcycle gained speed and they were off, peeling down the road and into the distance. 

As the motorcycle sped along the pavement, Julia noticed that their surroundings were becoming little more than a blur of colors. For the first five minutes she felt extremely anxious, but as time went on she gradually loosened up and began to enjoy the ride. Weaving in and out of traffic with expert ease, Nolan handled the bike with a skill which impressed her.  

As they continued along their journey, she realized that the feel of the engine between her thighs was causing her to feel quite stimulated. She couldn't help likening it to the way the vibrator had felt pressed up against her center, and she felt an electric current shoot through her body.

It was quite a sexual feeling, straddling a powerful machine while simultaneously holding onto Nolan's well-built torso. Everytime they rounded a corner and slanted toward the pavement, she felt a wild thrill rush through her. The element of danger both scared and excited her, and with Nolan completely in control of the bike, she had no choice but to hold on tight and allow him to take complete control. 

As they approached a narrow street the bike made an especially sharp turn, leaning at such a severe angle that she became certain they were going to topple off and crash. Digging her fingers into his abdominals, Julia felt a strong urge to align her body vertically, but instead fought against it and leaned into the curve, shrieking inwardly in the process.

As the bike became vertical once again, she breathed a sigh of relief, but her arms encircling his stomach didn't loosen up any. They were traveling at such a fast speed that the wind whipped around them, blowing into her jacket and up into her pants.

It didn't take long for them to reach Oakridge Park, and as they approached the hilly roads which led up into mountainous paths, Julia unconsciously hugged him even tighter. As they ascended along the elevated road, she turned her head to look down into the canyons below, studying the lush greenery of the forested valleys. 

The bike curved and arced into bends, gradually climbing higher as they continued along their journey. With only a few scattered clouds in the sky, the weather was mildly windy and sunny. It was a perfect fall day, with pleasantly crisp, fresh air.

Rays of sun shone beautifully along the mountainous terrain, and tree branches swayed gently in the wind, moving with a rhythm which filled her with peace. Feeling a sense of uninhibited wonder, Julia was happy that she'd decided to overcome her fears and join Nolan on the motorcycle ride. 

The beautiful land which surrounded them left her speechless with admiration, and she knew it wouldn't have quite the same effect upon her if they'd decided to come up here in a car instead. 

As they motorcycle twisted along endless curvy roads, it seemed that each turn they made provided them with majestic views, filling them with a sense of wonder at the impressive display of nature. Julia felt as if she were finally experiencing life as it was truly meant to be lived-uninhibited and in total bliss, and the feel of Nolan's body tight against her own only added to the strong emotions she was feeling. 

Now approaching a turnoff which was canopied with trees, Nolan slowed the bike to a crawl and then came to stop. He let Julia get off the bike first and then he swung his leg over so that he was standing. After taking their helmets off he placed both of them on the ground and took her hand, leading her to a picnic bench which sat beneath the leaning branches of a large tree. Grasping her by the waist, he lifted her up so that she could sit upon the edge of it. Holding her face in his palms Nolan leaned his head down to give her a kiss, stroking her cheeks with his thumb as he did it. 

As their mouths parted he gave her a smile and asked, "So did you enjoy the ride?"

"Yeah, I did. It was pretty exciting."

"Good, I'm glad to hear. Hope I wasn't going too fast for you."

Pulling her shoulders into a little shrug she answered, "The speed didn't really bother me, it was the turns that made me nervous."

"Yeah, I sort of figured that. Whenever the bike slanted toward the ground i'd feel you dig your fingers in my ribs, so I guess that was a pretty good indication that you were frightened." A small laugh passed his lips. 

Feeling a bit embarrassed she said, "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"No, it's okay. I hardly felt it and besides, I loved having you ride behind me."

"Yeah?"

"Yep, it felt really nice having your body pressed up against mine." Peering deep into her eyes, he placed the palms of his hands upon her thighs, sliding them slowly up and down the length of them. "So tell me what you enjoyed about the ride."

"Well, I loved the feel of our bodies pressed up against one another, and I really liked how fast the bike went."

"What else?" Sliding his fingers along her inner thigh, he brought them dangerously close to her heated center. Yet before they could make contact, he redirected their path and glided them back downwards. 

"I liked the way the bike felt beneath me."

"What, you mean the engine?"

Stroking his strong, firm biceps she answered, "Yep."

"So you liked the vibration, huh?" His lips spread into a grin and his eyes roved over her features with curious interest.

"Yeah, I did." 

"Did you become sexually aroused?"

She felt her body grow hot as their conversation turned more erotic.

"What do you think?"

"I think you did, and I'm pretty sure you're still turned on right now."

"I might be."

"You definitely are," he confirmed.

The way he said it sent a shiver of pleasure down her back, and she became lost in his gaze. Sliding the zipper of her jacket down, Nolan slid his hand beneath her sweater and moved it across her bare stomach, gliding it slowly towards her chest.

"So would you say that riding a motorcycle is like an aphrodisiac for you?" His eyes peered intently into her own.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

Giving her a little smile he said, "Besides the vibration, what else about it excites you?"

Biting her lip she replied, "The speed and the power of the engine. I also liked relinquishing control and allowing you to take me where you wanted. It was quite a thrill."

"Really?"

"Yeah, you were so confident and you handled that bike expertly. At certain times I was really scared, but I knew you wouldn't let anything happen to me."

"Well I'm glad to hear that you trusted me. That makes me feel really good."

Sliding her hand down his torso she responded, "*You* make me feel really good."

"Yeah?" His breath tickled her cheek as he leaned in closer.

"Yes," she responded.

As his fingers made contact with her peaks, they instantly stiffened beneath his touch. Wrapping her legs around his thighs, Julia coaxed him closer towards her and arched her back, withdrawing a little sigh as his fingers made contact with her nipples. Nolan's thumb made small tight circles around her peaks, steadily moving towards the hard point of her nipple. 

The sensation of his bare skin upon her breasts sent a rush of excitement through her, and as he pressed his crotch against her center, she felt his stiff manhood press needingly against her.

"I could make you feel even better."

As his mouth leaned towards hers, she tilted her lips upwards so that he could capture her mouth. Julia's breath was nearly taken away by his passionate kiss, and his heated erection caused her clit to throb in response. Placing her hand against his crotch she teasingly slid a finger along the outline of his denim covered shaft. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 06



His mouth became more aggressive against her lips, and his fingers began to lightly tweak her nipples. Their tongues wrested intensely for a few more moments and then he pulled away.

"I love being with you." His free hand slipped into her curls, stroking them gently as he gazed into her eyes.

"I love being with you, too." 

Sunshine filtered through the tree branches above, casting a soft glow all around. The area they were in was peaceful and quiet, and since it was tucked away from the main road it gave them all of the privacy they needed.

The feel of his muscular thighs between her legs injected her with lust and she arched against him, feeling his erection press more firmly against her. A strong wind suddenly blew around them, causing the leaves to whisper and sway, and some of them fluttered down from the trees above. The air softly caressed her face and as Nolan's lips pressed upon her neck, Julia tilted her head backward and submitted to his ministrations. 

Shuddering from the sensation of his mouth and tongue upon her, she jutted her breasts forward and released a husky moan. As his warm, wet tongue sucked the sensitive flesh around her collarbone, Julia's hips repeatedly bumped against his to increase the stimulation of his penis against her sex.

The fingers of his left hand rolled and tweaked her nipples, while his right went to work between her legs. Pressing his thumb against her heated core, he began moving it back and forth against her fabric clad pussy. Within a few short moments Julia's panties had become soaking wet, and her arousal was so great that he could feel her swollen clit through the tight jeans she was wearing. 

Overcome with the need to be inside of her, Nolan lifted his lips from her neck and sensually moaned into her ear, "I want you." 

They were three simple words-quick and straight to the point, and as their eyes locked together Julia could see the feral lust within Nolan's. No words needed to be spoken on her part, as her excitement was evident in the reaction of her body.

Cupping her hand around his erection, Julia gave it a nice firm squeeze. The groan he expelled sent a sharp tingle through her loins, and the feel of his sizable manhood caused the heat inside of her to reach an almost unbearable point.

His adam's apple bobbed up and down as he gave a hard swallow, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her hips to envelop her in a tight embrace. Lying her head against his muscular shoulder, she breathed in the natural scent of his body, and found herself consumed by it. It was better than any cologne she'd ever smelled, and she realized that it was actually increasing her arousal for him. 

Closing her eyes, Julia immersed herself in the blissfully serene moment, indulging in the mild autumn breeze and the sound of rustling leaves as they swirled and danced in the wind. This was the way life was meant to be lived, and being with a person like Nolan provided her with a joy she could never describe.

As they pulled out of their embrace, he cupped his palm beneath her chin and tilted her eyes to look directly into his. 

"I've been thinking of you a lot these past few days."

"Really?" 

Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear he replied, "Yep. I thought about your smile, and your soft, lovely voice...," tracing his thumb along her mouth he continued, "...I thought about your lips, and how nice they felt against my own." Joining his mouth with hers, Nolan slipped his tongue into her warm cavity and gave her a sweet, tender kiss. As he released her from the oral embrace, he buried his fingers into her thick hair and slipped it through the strands. "I thought about your beautiful hair, and how nice it felt to stroke it." Moving his hands down her neck, he allowed them to travel further south until they reached her chest. "I also thought about your beautiful breasts, and how much I enjoyed sucking and licking your nice, hard nipples."

Slipping a hand beneath her sweater, he gave her left peak a gentle tweak, withdrawing a passionate moan from her lips. A small gust of wind carried the earthy, musty scent of decaying leaves, and as the breeze whipped her hair back Julia gave a little shiver. 

"Cold?" He asked in concern.

"A little, but i'll be okay."

Removing his hand from beneath her sweater, he zipped her jacket back up and encircled her with arms, sharing his body heat in hopes that it would keep her warm. She felt like she could stay wrapped up in the cocoon of his arms forever, and the strength of his embrace made her feel cherished and complete. They stood there for a few moments just enjoying the serenity of the moment and then Nolan's voice broke the silence.  

"Are you hungry?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't mind getting a bite to eat. Do you know what time it is?"

Releasing her from the hug, he slid the sleeve of his leather jacket back and glanced at his watch. "It's nearing two thirty."

"Already? Wow, that time went by pretty quick."

"Yep, so if you like we can hit the road and go get some food. What are you in the mood for?"

"Why don't we got to A Taste of Samoa? Remember you said you would take me there?"

A pleased smile curled his lips at her suggestion. "That's right I did, didn't I? Alright then, Samoan food it is." Grabbing her by the hand, he led her towards the motorcycle. 

Glancing towards a thicket of trees, Nolan said, "I better empty my bladder before we take off. Just give me a minute and I'll be right back, okay?"

Nodding her head, she watched him walk off and head behind some tall bushes. As she waited for him she walked over to a wood railing which was located along the edge of a small cliff and took a glance down. From the point Julia stood at, she got a really nice view of the hilly terrain which lay beyond. She spotted a few groups of people hiking along the trails, as well as a couple of mountain bikers travelling along a canyon. 

She was just focusing her eyes upon a large bird soaring through the sky when she felt Nolan's strong arms encircle her waist. Noticing that something colorful was in his hands, Julia glanced down and saw he was holding some unique looking flowers. They had a dark blue color to them and a bright yellow center, which stood out brilliantly against the dark petals. Long blades of grass had been wrapped around the stems of the flowers, giving them the look of a rustic bouquet. Retrieving them from his hand, she tilted her chin upward so she could look into his eyes.

"They're beautiful. Thank you, sweetie."

"You're very welcome." He gave her a quick peck and then they headed towards the bike. After placing the flowers into the motorcycle's compartment bag, they both slipped their helmets on and straddled the leather seat. 

As the powerful machine came to life, it sliced through the stillness with its rumbling engine and Nolan steered it back onto the highway, driving them towards their next destination.



* * * *



"So how's the palusami?" 

Pushing another spoonful of food into her mouth, Julia took some time to indulge in the delicious flavor and then she replied, "Delicious. I can't get enough of this stuff."

"You think that's good, you should try my mom's." 

Roving her eyes over the contents of his plate, Julia found herself curious about what his dish tasted like.

Poising a fork over his plate she asked, "Mind if I try a bit?"

Pushing the dish closer towards her he responded, "Be my guest."

Digging her utensil into the mound of food, she scooped up some of the corned beef and noodles, as well as a bit of onions. As it entered her mouth she expelled a sound of contentment, enjoying the flavor and texture of the various ingredients. 

After taking a second helping from his plate, she turned her attention towards the assorted menu items which were placed on the table. Everything looked so appetizing that she wasn't quite which she should try next. Deciding upon a plate of raw fish in coconut cream, she spooned a portion onto her plate and dug in.

A little smile played at Nolan's lips as he watched her, but Julia was ignorant to the fact that he was even observing her. Then suddenly her eyes rose to meet his and she noticed the amused expression which was plastered across his face.

"What's that smirk for?" She questioned in a lighthearted way.

Turning his attention back upon his food Nolan said, "I like watching you eat. You have quite a hearty appetite, don't you?" 

Feeling self conscious she responded, "Hearty? You make me sound as if i'm a lumberjack or something."

A soft chuckle passed his lips. "Alright, you have a *healthy* appetite. Does that sound better?"

"Too late, you already said hearty. You can't clean it up now."

"Oh, come on. I didn't mean anything bad by it."

"I know, i'm just playing around with you." Julia stuck her fork into a piece of raw fish and then popped it into her mouth. "So what, are you like totally turned off by me pigging out in front of you?"

With a shake of his head he replied, "Nope, I actually feel the exact opposite. I appreciate a woman with a good appetite."

"Really?"

"Most definitely. I love the fact that you aren't afraid to show who you really are. Most of the women I dated in the past were too afraid to eat in front of me. They'd take a few bites and act like they were full, but I knew they were just putting on a show. It kind of turned me off, because it was like they couldn't even show their real selves, you know?" He took a sip of his drink and then added, "You on the other hand, are not afraid to be who you are. I really like that about you."

Glancing up at him from beneath her thick lashes, she gave him a little smile. "Well that's refreshing to hear. I've never had a guy tell me that before."

He returned her smile with one of his own and then stabbed his fork into a piece of corned beef.

They ate in silence for a few moments and then she suddenly looked up at him with a thoughtful glace. "So what type of women did you go out with before me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well you're a photographer. So did you ever go out with any of the models that you shot?"

"Yeah, I dated a few of them. Why?"

Pulling her shoulders into a shrug she replied, "I was just curious, that's all."

Wiping his fingers on a napkin, he settled his back against the chair and asked, "Alright, so since we're playing this 'tell me about your ex's' game, what type of guys have *you* gone out with?"

"Well you already know one of them and that's Digby."

"So what about the guy before him? What was he like?"

"He was a yoga instructor."

"Hmm, interesting." His mouth pulled into a crooked smile. "So you're into yoga?"

"I do it occasionally, but not on a daily basis or anything."

"You must be limber, then. Yoga loosens tight muscles, doesn't it?""

"Yeah, and it also builds strength and increases your endurance."

"Well i'm all about building more strength, but I already do quite well in the endurance department," he said with a little wink.

As the words left his lips she latched her eyes upon him and saw that he was giving her a deeply sensual look. Trailing her eyes downward, they came to rest upon his lips and she was met with the memory of what his tongue felt like pressed up against her breasts. As strong pang of desire shot through her loins like a bullet, and she felt a strong urge to be closer to him. 

"Is that right?" came her reply.

"Yes, it is." 

She could see the sexual thirst in Nolan's eyes, and as his tongue slipped out to lick a spot of coconut sauce off his lips, she felt the fabric beneath her sex grow very moist.

They studied each other in silence for a few moments, sipping on their drinks and taking occasional bites of their food. Then he reached his hand out to grab hers, and ever so lightly slid his fingertip along the length of her palm. 

His flesh was barely more than a tickling sensation upon her skin, but it felt deliciously arousing and sent little tingly sensations up and down her spine. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so turned on, and she loved that they could experience such intimacy without blatantly advertising their strong attraction to one another.

As she enclosed her lips around the straw in her drink, she made sure to keep eye contact with him, and saw that his gaze was lowered to her mouth. It seemed he enjoyed the sight of her lips pursed around the plastic tube, and she didn't have to be a mind reader to understand that the thoughts which were going through his head were most likely erotic in nature. 

The sexual tension between them was so thick that it took the sound of the waitresses' voice to alert them of her presence. Clearing her throat, she looked down at the enamored couple and asked, "So should I offer you guys dessert, or did you decide to have it at home?"

Nolan and Julia shared a funny little smile and then he said, "Hey Leonie. Two orders of Puligi would be nice."

Wearing a slicked back bun and side swept bangs, Leonie had large brown eyes and a wide smile which reminded Julia of Nolan's.

As she cleared their empty dishes off the table she said, "You're in luck, because we just pulled some out of the oven." Turning her gaze towards Julia she added, "I don't know if you've ever had Puligi before, but it's a Samoan bundt cake and we serve it with pudding."

"That sounds very appetizing. I can't wait to try it."

"Oh it's really good stuff. It has this moist, buttery texture that just melts in your mouth."

"Mmm, sounds fattening and delicious, which means that I'll love it."

Leonie's lips curled into a smile as she said, "You must be Julia. I'm Leonie, Nolan's cousin." She offered her hand so that Julia could shake it.

"Nice to meet you, Leonie." As they clasped palms, the bangles around Leonie's wrist jangled.

Turning her attention back towards her cousin, Leonie asked, "You're bringing her to Uncle To'afa's going away party, right?" 

"Of course." Glancing at Julia he added, "Well only if you want to come."

"Sure, why not?"

Stroking the back of her hand with his thumb he replied, "Good, that way you can meet more of my family. I'm sure my brother would like to meet you as well."

"You have a brother? I don't remember you mentioning that."

Deciding to interject Leonie said, "Yep, they look a lot alike, too."

"Except I'm much more handsome," Nolan quickly mentioned.

Leonie uttered a snort of amusement and rolled her eyes, then lifted the stack of dishes up so that she could carry them away. Roving her eyes towards Julia she said, "Modesty guy, huh?" Shaking her head with a little smile, she walked away from the table and headed for the kitchen. "I'll be right back with that dessert." She called over her shoulder.

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the evening?" Asked Nolan.

"Well I'm supposed to go to this bachelorette shower with Mimi, but I don't really feel like it."

"You mean you're not looking forward to having some naked stranger gyrate his crotch in your face?"

She gave a small laugh and then answered, "Well now that you mention it, maybe I *should* go." As Nolan rose his eyebrows in a playful manner she offered him a little smile and said, "I'm only kidding. The thought of a male stripper is just hilarious to me."

"The person who's giving this bachelorette party, are you very close to her?"

"Not really. She's more of an acquaintance, rather than a friend."

"So it wouldn't be a big deal if you decided not to go?"

"No, I guess not. Why?"

"I was hoping to spend the rest of the evening with you."

"Doing what?"

Giving a small shrug he replied, "I don't know. Whatever you want to do, i'm up for. I just really like spending time with you."

"I like being with you as well."

"Good. So skip the party and let's hang out instead. That is, unless you're ready to be rid of me."

"Of course not, are you kidding? I love spending time with you, but I already told Mimi I would go along with her." 

The truth was, Julia really wasn't ready to end her day out with Nolan, at least not yet. The last thing she felt like doing was attending some silly bachelorette party, but she didn't want to come off as being too available. She knew that many guys enjoyed the chase, and if they caught you too soon, they would most likely lose interest. 

"Well I know you don't want to disappoint your friend, so if you'd rather attend the party, it's no big deal. Can't say i'm not hoping you'll change your mind, though."

Offering him a little smile, Julia looped a curly lock around her finger and then released it, allowing it to spring back to its original shape. They sat watching each other for a few moments and 

As Leonie arrived with their desserts she set the saucers upon the table and offered them a smile. "If you need anything else just let me know, alright?"

"Sure thing," Julia responded.

Contented silence hung between them as they ate, and every now and again they snuck flirtatious glances at each other. Each was thinking different thoughts but when it came down to it, they were feeling the very same thing-a deep, intense longing to share some private time together.

Sounds of contentment emitted from Julia's lips as she ate the dessert, and as Nolan watched her he realized he was beginning to feel quite aroused. He liked the way she tuned herself so completely into the present moment, and the way her tongue was sliding against the spoon caused a spark of lust to zip right through him. 

He wasn't into food fetishes or anything, but being around a woman like Julia who so enjoyed all of the wonderful things that life had to offer made her pretty much irresistible to him. Her passionate and sensual nature deeply excited him, and he knew that if she had this kind of reaction to food, her response to the incredible lovemaking he was going to give her would surely be intense. 

As his thoughts were accompanied by lustful images, a rush of blood flooded his penis, causing it to lift in excitement. As Julia's eyes locked into his own, Nolan offered her a sexy little smile and then averted his eyes. To say that the images in his head were racy would be an understatement. They were carnally passionate, and filled his body with a deep hunger that urgently needed to be satisfied.

As Julia's eyes focused upon Nolan, she could feel the desire radiating from his body. It hung thick in the air between them, and as the heat between her thighs flared in response, she knew that her original plans for the evening would undoubtedly be broken.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 07



*Sorry for the long wait between chapters. I've been trying to get them out as quickly as I can, but have had quite a bit going on lately. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this chapter.*



The ride to Julia's apartment had been accompanied by a light, steady drizzle, and as they arrived at her doorstep, they found that both of their clothes were damp with rain. After slipping the key into the lock, Julia pushed the door open and then turned to face Nolan. 

Encircling her arms around his neck, she offered her lips for him to kiss. His mouth pressed to hers in a deep, wet embrace, and as their mouths pulled apart, she was left with the taste of rainwater upon her lips.

"So what time is the party? He asked.

"It starts at seven thirty, why?"

Giving a little shrug he said, "Just curious." His eyes glanced beyond her and roved around the interior of her living room. "Mind if I come in?"

"I thought you were allergic to cats?"

"I'm taking allergy medication for it. I picked some up at the drugstore earlier today."

"Oh, okay. Well sure, you can come in and hang out but only for half an hour, because I have to start getting ready soon."

She knew that as long as Nolan was in her presence, it would be damn near impossible for her to resist his advances. Yet she didn't want to fully let on just how much of an effect he had upon her. It made her feel kind of pathetic to just drop her plans with Mimi so suddenly, but being around him was quite addictive. It seemed that the more time she spent with him, the deeper her feelings for him grew.

With a knowing smile upon his lips he responded, "No problem. I won't overstay my welcome." 

Once they were both inside the apartment she closed the door behind them and eased her jacket off, then hung it in the closet.

"Why don't I make us something hot to drink?" she offered.

"Sounds good," he answered. "I wouldn't mind having a cup of coffee." 

"Cool, well why don't you have a seat and i'll just pop into the kitchen and get the kettle going."

As she headed for the kitchen he followed behind her, eyeing her body with a longing gaze. "Why don't I come along and help you, just in case you need a hand." 

As they entered the kitchen, Julia grabbed a tea kettle from off the stove and filled it with water, then placed it upon the burner and turned on the gas. 

"I hope you don't mind instant," she said as she grabbed a can of coffee and two mugs from the cabinet.

"Instant is fine with me." 

Walking over to the refrigerator, he pulled it open and retrieved a carton of milk, then set it on the counter next to the mugs. Leaning against the counter, Nolan fixed his gaze upon Julia and studied her form. Roving his eyes across her backside, he noticed how the fabric of her jeans fit perfectly against her ass, and he also took note of her well-built, curvy legs.

As soon as the water began to boil, Julia turned the gas off and filled the mugs with powdered coffee, then poured in some hot water and topped it off with milk.

"Do you take sugar?" she asked.

"No sugar for me. I prefer it plain." 

A look of distaste spread across Julia's face. "Really?" 

Grabbing the mug of coffee from her he said, "Yes, really." Then he gave her a little smile.

Sipping their hot beverages in silence, each fixed the other with a gaze which clearly expressed their interest. They engaged in heavy eye contact for a few more tense moments and then Nolan set his mug down on the counter. 

Grabbing the cup which was enclosed in her palm, he set it down next to his and then placed his palm against her cheek. His finger stroked lazily against her jawline, tracing its way down to her chin and then he leaned in for a kiss. 

As their tongues met a spark was ignited, filling both of them with deep, carnal longing. Nolan's hand glided slowly along the length of her thighs, and as his fingers made contact with the heat between her legs, she uttered a silent moan.

Rocking her hips forward, she hoped to increase the friction of his digits against her fabric clad sex. Sensing her hunger for his touch he pressed his thumb more firmly against the spot, and began stroking it in small, tight circles. 

Grabbing the zipper of his jacket, she pulled it down and then slid it off his shoulders. After slipping his arms out of the sleeves, Nolan tossed the leather garment uselessly aside.

Sliding her hand beneath his shirt, Julia ran her fingers over the lightly muscled plane of his stomach. As her palm glided up and down his chest, small sounds of contentment fled his lips, and Julia could tell he was enjoying the softness of her touch. 

Cupping the soft mound of her breast in his left hand, he allowed the right one to trail its way southward. After undoing the button on her jeans, he grasped the zipper with two fingers and slid it downward. 

Slipping his hand beneath her panties, Nolan curved his fingers so that the tips of his digits could make contact with her womanhood. His finger traced gently along her wet, swollen lips and the scent of her desire was heavy in the air. 

Sliding two fingers between her tender folds, he allowed his thumb to graze her clitoral hood. As it bumped against the sensitive piece of flesh, she gave a sudden jerk forward and emitted a sensual moan. 

"You like that, huh?" His lips curved into a smile from her reaction.

"Yeah," she breathily replied.

Nolan moved his fingers so that they delved deeper into her heat, and as his digits penetrated her entrance, she released a husky cry.

"Do you like having me touch me you here?" His finger made wet, squishy noises as it pushed in and out of her pussy. 

"Mhmm," She murmured breathily.

"Then why don't we slip your pants off so I can play with you some more?" 

Biting her lip she said, "I'd like to, but..," her voice trailed off into a low moan as his lips began to caress her neck.

"But what?" He inquired.

As if on cue, Julia's cell phone began to ring, and as it vibrated against the kitchen countertop both Nolan and Julia's attention was turned upon it.

Reaching her hand out to answer it, Julia glanced at the lit-up display screen. She poised her finger over the answer button, but before she could hit it Nolan gently removed the phone from her grip. 

"Ignore it. They'll call back later." Pulling the neck of her oversized sweater down, he began tenderly kissing the bare skin of her shoulder.

"But it's Mimi." Her breath came out more as a whisper, due to the burning trail that his lips left behind.

"You don't still want to go to that party, do you?" His breath tickled her flushed skin.

"No." 

"So don't answer it." 

The phone gave a few more rings and then stopped, leaving only the sounds of their wet kisses and breathy moaning to fill the air around them. With his lips still upon her neck, Nolan pressed his mouth firmly against the side of her throat. 

As his lips worked against her skin, she was provided with a suction-like sensation, and the feel of it caused her to break out in a rash of goosebumps. Wrapping an arm around her waist Nolan encased her in his strong arms. 

She felt so safe and warm whenever he held her, and being in the embrace of such a gorgeous, strong man was enough to ignite a strong wave of desire within her. Removing her neck from the seal of his mouth, Nolan peered deep into her eyes with a longing stare. 

The way he looked at her drove Julia crazy, and it seemed that everything about him coaxed the embers of desire within her. She loved the way a few strands of his hair hung messily over his eyes, and the sight of his sexy, full lips filled her head with deliciously carnal thoughts. 

Sliding her palms up his back and over his shoulders, Julia admired the broad width of them. She began to imagine what his body would look like fully unclothed, and lying flush against her. All it took was just one thought in order for her imagination to go into overdrive, and a sudden flood of heat filled the space between her thighs.

Nolan dragged his tongue along the flesh of her bottom lip, then gently nipped and kissed it. His warm breath ghosted against her skin as he did it, and Julia slipped her tongue out to bump against his in an erotic dance. 

Slipping his hand beneath the fabric of her sweater, Nolan allowed his fingers to glide slowly across her bare skin. As they found her lace-covered nipples, he gripped one between two fingers and gently pulled upon it. Uttering a soft breathy noise, she hooked her fingers into the loops of his jeans and tilted her head back, offering her neck for him to kiss. 

Pressing his lips to her skin, Nolan gently brushed them back and forth, providing her with a delicious tickling sensation. Then he slid his tongue out and slowly ran it across the length of her collarbone. Following the wet trail he'd just created, Nolan gently blew air across it, withdrawing husky little moans from her lips. 

"Oooh. Nolan, that feels amazing." 

Sliding her fingers beneath the hem of his shirt, Julia slid her palms back and forth against his lightly muscled stomach. Allowing her fingers to venture further down, she slipped a few of them beneath the waistband of his pants. Finding the trail of his pubic hair, she lightly traced a finger back and forth against it, and as her nail dragged lightly against his flesh he released a little moan. 

Pulling away from her neck, he fixed his dark brown eyes upon her and said, "My dick is so hard for you, Julia. I want you so badly." 

Pressing his body flush against her own, he allowed her to feel just how much he truly desired her. Nolan's excitement poked insistently against her thigh, and as his fingers massaged the tender skin of her nipple she expelled a lusty breath, feeling goosebumps rise in the wake of his touch. 

"Don't you want me?" He asked with a questioning gaze.

Her full lips parted in response. "Yes, of course."

"Then let me pleasure you." Placing his lips against her neck, he kissed his way up to her mouth and then slipped his tongue inside. The kiss they shared was long and deep, and as their lips pulled apart, he stared longingly into her orbs. 

"Why don't we take a shower together? We both got a little damp out in the rain, so I think it'd be a good way for us to warm up."

Biting her lip at the thought of Nolan's wet, nude body she offered him a smile and replied, "I like that idea." Then she grabbed him by the hand and led him out of the kitchen.

Once they reached the bathroom they both stripped naked and left their damp clothes in a pile. Following her into the tub, Nolan shut the glass door behind them, and then Julia turned on the tap and adjusted the water until it was at a comfortable temperature. As she pulled the lever up, a spray of hot water splashed down upon them, bathing them in its essence. 

The shower head could be adjusted to provide a full option of experiences, ranging from a conventional spray to an invigorating water massage, and as Julia stood beneath it a strong spray of water rained down upon her, pleasurably kneading her back. 

Placing her fingers against her shoulders, Julia tried to massage the soreness out of them but her own hands were promptly replaced with Nolan's large, strong palms.

"Here, let me do that." 

The sound of his deep voice never failed to turn her on, and as he began to massage her flesh she uttered a pure sound of contentment. The sensation of his strong hands upon her muscles felt wonderfully pleasurable, and it only took a few short minutes for him to expel the tenderness from her shoulders.

"Mmm, your hands feel so wonderful that I almost don't want you to stop," said Julia.

"I won't if you don't want me to. I can massage you for as long as you like."

He massaged her for a few more minutes and then Julia took his hand and guided it down to her breasts. 

Tilting her chin upward so she could look into his eyes she said, "I need to wash up. Can you help me?"

His lips creased into a soft smile and he nodded. Grabbing a bottle of soap and a bath sponge from the shower caddy, he squeezed a generous amount of gel onto the sponge and then began to rub it along her body. 

Beginning at her neck, Nolan rubbed the sponge down toward her chest. Moving it in a circular motion, he began to bathe one breast and then the other, rubbing it lightly back and forth against her flesh.

The white suds contrasted beautifully against her chocolate colored nipples, and he suddenly found himself longing to lick and suck upon them. Julia's skin was soon covered in foamy suds, and each time the spongy material bumped against her peaks, she emitted a little sigh of contentment.

Sweeping his admiring gaze over her fleshy mounds he said, "You have such beautiful tits, Julia. I love touching them." 

He cupped one of them in his large hands and began to gently squeeze it, then flicked his thumb back and forth against her hardening nipple. Her back arched a little as he did it, and a small moan fled from her lips as he gave her tender bud a slight pinch. 

Using his free hand to slide the sponge downward, he made small, soapy circles upon the plane of her stomach. Moving the sponge around to her backside, he sensually stroked it against the skin of her ass, soaping one butt cheek and then the other.

With his hand upon her buttocks, he allowed it to journey across her soapy flesh, giving it a few firm squeezes along the way. Gliding his palm against the rounded curve of her ass, he allowed one of his fingers to erotically trail the split of her buttocks. 

Placing his mouth against her neck, he grazed his teeth lightly over her skin. There was a little sting against her backside as he connected his palm to her ass in a resounding smack, and the sensual little nips he placed along her flesh caused her to release an echoing moan.

Still holding the sponge in his right hand, he slid it back towards the front of her body until it came to a rest between her legs. Placing the sponge ever so lightly against her clit, he rubbed it softly in a back and forth motion. The spongy material provided her with a delicious friction, and she gave a sharp intake of breath as he suddenly slipped a finger between her folds. 

Nolan slid his digit in as far as it would go, then slid it back out and back in again. He repeated this move a few more times and then added a second finger, causing her hips to grind against his body. 

A pleased smile tugged at his lips as he watched her, and he began thinking about the variety of other ways in which he could pleasure her. Sliding his finger from her slit, Nolan removed the sponge from between her legs and placed it back in the caddy. 

Grabbing hold of the removable shower head, he placed his thumb against the dial and clicked it to the pulsating jet massage setting. Then he moved the shower head downward and positioned it directly between her legs. 

As a pulsing stream of water shot against her clit, Julia thrust her hips forward and gave a deep sound of pleasure. The sensation of water kneading against her most sensitive area was nothing short of blissful, and as the water continued its pleasurable assault, Nolan's free hand began gliding against her neck. 

Pulling her wet, curly strands over her shoulder, Nolan pressed his lips against the flesh of her neck. She loved the feel of his warm breath against her skin, and as his tongue crept out to taste her, she felt a small shiver run up her spine. 

Nolan moved the shower head in a circular motion, and as the water pulsed and beat a pleasurable rhythm against her, Julia closed her eyes and immersed herself in the blissful moment.

Sandwiching his fingers between her delicate lips, Nolan covered his thumb in her nectar. Then he placed it against her clit and gently began flicking it back and forth. The pressure was very light at first, but gradually he began to add more until she was quivering beneath his hand.

The feel of his thumb combined with the intense stream of water was nearly overwhelming for her, and as he tilted the shower head at a different angle, she let loose a moan which echoed off the tiles. Placing his lips against her ear, Nolan softly whispered into it.

"I love hearing you moan. You turn me on so damn much." His teeth grazed the flesh of her earlobe, gently tugging upon it.

Spreading her lips so that her plump clit was fully exposed, Nolan aimed the stream of water towards it. As he switched the shower head control to jet mode, Julia threw her head back and parted her lips, offering a heavy moan of gratification. Leaning his head in to kiss her, Nolan sealed his lips against her own and gave her a deep, bruising kiss. 

The feel of his lips passionately working against hers was pure ecstasy, and she could feel his crotch pressing firmly against her backside. The thick head of his cock felt wonderfully erotic against her ass cheeks, and it silently conveyed Nolan's urgent longing to be inside of her. 

As the kneading jets of water continued to pleasure her clit, Nolan brushed the pad of his thumb against one of her stiff nipples, then began rolling it between two fingers. The pressure he used alternated between soft and hard, and as he gave a little tug on her peak she parted her lips in a pleasured gasp. 

The sensation of his fingers upon her breasts, coupled with the feel of the water pulsing against her clit turned Julia's body into little more than a quivering mass of flesh. Encircling an arm around her waist, Nolan held her tightly up against him, enjoying the feel of her body as it shook with an oncoming orgasm. 

Needing something to hold onto, Julia clasped her hand to Nolan's arm and held it tightly in her grip. As waves of pleasure rolled through her, Julia expelled a breathless moan and her body shuddered in bliss. 

Removing the shower head from between her legs, Nolan set it back into its holder. Turning around to face him, Julia wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. His tongue caressed her mouth with a skill which left her weak in the knees, and as their lips drew apart she pressed her hands against his chest and gently guided him beneath the stream of water.

Grabbing the bottle of shower gel, she squeezed a large glob onto the sponge and then placed it against his chest, gliding it across his firm pecs. Soapy white bubbles slid down his abdominals as she washed him, traveling southward until they reached the nest of his pubic hair. 

Once she was finished soaping up his torso, Nolan turned around so that she could wash his back. As she washed him from behind, she couldn't help but admire the broad width of his back, and as the sponge reached the lower half of him, she tenderly rubbed it against his firm ass cheeks.

The mere sight of his deliciously toned body sent a flush of arousal through her, and it seemed that the beads of water which ran along his flesh only enhanced the smooth brownness of his skin.

Turning to face her once again, Nolan grabbed her hand and guided it toward his nether regions. Grabbing the bottle of shower gel from the caddy, Julia poured a small glob into the middle of the sponge. Placing it against his cock, she curled it around his length like a hot dog bun. As the spongy material encased his stiff length, Nolan released a husky groan of approval. 

Suds of soap frothed as she stroked his stiff rod of flesh, spilling onto the shower floor beneath them. She spent a few moments languidly stroking him this way, and then she moved the sponge downward so she could soap up his scrotum.

Taking his cock in her bare hand, Julia slid her palm up and down the thick length of it. Her hand moved slowly at first, and then gradually built up to a quicker speed. Staring at her through half-mast eyes, Nolan wrapped one hand around the shower rod and placed the other against the slick wall of tiles. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 07



Steam filled the space all around them, and the scent of vanilla hung heavy in the air. Her hands soon turned into little more than a frothy blur as she stroked him, and the grunts which emitted from his mouth told her that he was moving closer to the point of no return. 

The skin was stretched so tightly around the head of his cock that she felt as if it might be painful for him, but she could tell from his bucking hips and deep, heavy breaths that what Nolan was experiencing was closer to ecstasy.

Wrapping his palm tighter around the shower rod, he thrust his hips in time with Julia's ministrations, uttering words of encouragement as she continued to jack him off.

"Oh yeah baby, that's it. Stroke me just like that. Fuck me with your hand," he breathed.

With her free hand cupping his scrotum, she lightly stroked and massaged it. The velvety skin of his balls felt good against her hand, and as she tenderly caressed them, a sound of pleasure was released from deep within Nolan's throat.

It wasn't just the feel of her hands upon him that drove him wild, but also the sight of her beautiful face as she watched him. Julia's eyes were smoky with desire, and her curls hung loose around her face, plastered against her cheeks and shoulders. Her full lips were parted slightly, and her full, round breasts had little beads of water on them. 

Lowering his gaze to her womanhood, he hungrily eyed the fleshy lips of her pussy. He began to imagine what it'd feel to have his cock buried deep between the flesh of her thighs, and eagerly anticipated the look on her face as he filled her to the brim with his come.

The thought of Julia moaning beneath him as he filled her with his seed caused Nolan to lose control, and with a jerk of his hips he expelled a ropy stream of ejaculate. It landed against Julia's stomach, and as she continued to pump him, a second stream of cum flew out, this time landing against her thigh. 

A carnal groan swept from Nolan's lips and his legs began to quiver as sweet relief washed over him. As his cock began to soften, Julia released it and stepped beneath the showerhead so that she could wash herself off. The fluid of his cum felt slippery beneath her fingers, and she was surprised by just how much of it he had released. 

Once she'd finished washing her stomach and thighs off, she reached for a bottle of shampoo and handed it to Nolan. With a smile upon his lips, he leaned down to place a kiss against her forehead, then followed it up with one against her nose and then pressed his lips to her mouth. The kiss they shared was long and wet, and as he pulled back from her he tenderly stroked her cheekbone and gazed adoringly into her eyes.

"You're amazing, do you know that?" He asked her.

"So are you."

His lips curled into a pleased smile as he reached for a bottle of shampoo, and after squirting a generous amount into his hands, he began to work it through the strands of his hair.

Once he was all lathered up, he tilted his head beneath the shower and rinsed all the soap out. The water was barely lukewarm now, so there was only so much time left before it become cold. 

After turning the knobs so that the water was off, they both got out of the shower and stepped onto the rug. Grabbing two towels from a shelf next to the toilet, Julia handed one to Nolan and then began to dry herself off. Once they were both finished they headed out of the bathroom and walked into her adjoining bedroom.

It was nice and warm in her bedroom, and the smell of a lavender room spray hung in the air, adding to the pleasant atmosphere around them. Grabbing her by the hips, Nolan coaxed her over to the bed and gently pushed her down onto it.

Her damp hair spilled out onto the pillow as she got into a lying position, and as he slid his body over hers, she could feel the heat of it radiating onto her own. 

Placing his lips upon her jawline, Nolan began peppering kisses along the length of it, traveling further downward along her neck. He made his way further down toward her breasts, and once he reached them he took a flesh mound in each of his palms. 

Capturing her left nipple in his mouth, he sucked and nipped upon it gently, making it shiny and wet with his saliva. Then he removed his mouth and offered her right breast the same treatment. Moaning beneath his ministrations, Julia slid her hands into his wet strands and gazed lustily into his eyes. 

Raising his head so that he could look into her eyes, Nolan placed his face directly above hers and studied her closely. He seemed to be focusing intently upon her features, and Julia found herself wondering about his inner thoughts. 

"What's wrong?" she curiously asked, matching his intent gaze with one of her own.

With a shake of his head he responded, "Nothing's wrong. I just love looking at you. You're my beautiful girl."

As the words left his mouth, she felt a rush of happiness wash over her. She loved knowing that he thought she was beautiful, and hearing him refer to her as 'his girl', filled her with a wonderful rush of emotions. 

His mouth pressed to hers in a soft, sweet kiss, and as their mouths parted she realized that she felt a bit dazed. She couldn't remember ever experiencing this effect just from a kiss, and as she stared into his eyes she realized she was quickly heading down the path towards falling in love. 

She hardly remembered what it was even like to be part of a proper couple, but with a man like Nolan, she supposed it wouldn't be too hard to get used to. 

Gliding her hands across his shoulders, Julia admired his toned muscles and smooth skin. She loved the intricate patterns of tattoos which adorned his chest and left bicep, and the sight of his nude, toned body above her own was enough to incite blazing desire within her. 

Nolan's eyes roved admiringly over her body, drifting over the swell of her breasts and the soft curve of her hips. Gliding his hands along her soft skin, he slid his palm along the flesh of her torso, allowing it to travel over the slightly curved plane of her stomach. Following the journey of his hands, Nolan's gaze lowered towards her nether regions, and came to rest upon the flesh of her inner thighs. 

Placing his hands upon them, he began sliding them along her smooth, brown skin. It felt like velvet beneath his palms, and as his fingers grazed across the slit between her legs, she uttered a soft, breathy cry. The lips of her pussy were swollen and glistening with her nectar, and the scent of her arousal wafted to his nostrils, instantly putting him in a lust filled daze. 

Swallowing thickly Nolan felt his body grow hot, and prickles of excitement suddenly rushed through him. As Julia's tongue snaked out to wet her dry lips, Nolan felt a shiver of lust course up his spine. 

The sight of it snaking out against those full lips of hers created all sorts of carnal images in his mind, and he knew he couldn't wait a second longer to bury his manhood deep between her soft, brown thighs. 

Gracing her neck with a wet, open mouthed kiss, Nolan placed his palms against her inner thighs and spread them apart. Guiding his hips forward, he gently slipped his thick cockhead between her delicate folds, then plunged it deep into her warm, tight pussy. 

He thrust slowly and gently at first, allowing her walls to stretch and accommodate the size of his girth. Each stroke was long and deep, and with such a gentle tenderness that it made her already strong emotions for him solidify even further. None of Julia's former lovers had ever made her feel this treasured, and she realized that for the first time in her life, she was truly experiencing what real lovemaking was all about.

Sliding her palms down his muscular back, she grabbed hold of his nice, firm ass cheeks. Each thrust he gave caused the muscles of his buttocks to flex, and as his length pumped her velvety hole, she released little moans of ecstatic pleasure.

Their bodies collided in a perfect rhythm, meshing as one in an erotically charged dance of thrusts and gyrations. Pulling his hips backward so that only the tip of his penis remained inside of her, Nolan fixed her with an intensely heated gaze. Then with a sudden thrust forward he pushed deep into her tight entrance, burying himself to the hilt.

Giving a sharp intake of breath, Julia arched her hips and released a breathy whimper, digging her nails into the flesh of his hips. Her eyes roved over the muscles of his biceps, noting the way they flexed as he rested the weight of his body upon them. 

Lifting her orbs to meet with his, she found herself instantly consumed by the depth of his deep brown eyes. She loved the way that he gazed upon her, and as he stared into her orbs, she felt a shiver of lust rush through her body. 

Placing his hand against her left leg, Nolan tilted it at an angle so that he could slide even deeper. This caused Julia to writhe beneath his strong, well-built form, and a throaty moan of bliss expelled itself from her lips. 

"Oh fuck yes," she breathed in response, squeezing his buttocks as she submitted her body to his fervent strokes.

It'd been some time since she'd last had a sexual encounter, and none of the men she'd slept with before had ever been gifted with the level of bedroom skills that Nolan possessed.

Completely filled and crying out in ecstasy, Julia's inner muscles clenched him like a vice as he pumped her with abandon. 

Gratified with the reaction he'd created, Nolan took careful note of the expressions on her face. It seemed she responded most passionately to deep, long strokes, and each time his hips ground against hers, a slapping noise emitted from their bodies. 

Bucking her hips upward to meet his thrusts, Julia looped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Their mouths met in a feverish embrace, tongues tangling in a slick, erotic dance. As their lips finally parted he offered her a darkly seductive gaze, and her eyes peered back into his with an expression of deep affection. 

The pace of his hips were beginning to speed up, and his thrusts were growing harder and deeper. Julia's breasts jiggled in time with the rhythm of his pumping, and her hips rocked against his in a frenzy of passion. 

Placing his mouth against her breast, Nolan used his tongue to sensually trace the outline of her areola. As his wet appendage made circles around her nipple, they began to tingle in anticipation. Purposely avoiding contact with her stiff bud, Nolan circled his tongue dangerously close to her peak. 

Yet before it could make contact he swirled it in the opposite direction, and then turned his attention to her other nipple. Burying her fingers into the wavy strands of his hair, she arched her hips into his to meet his powerful thrusts. 

Her nipples hardened into little pebbles beneath his touch, and he eagerly captured one of her chocolate colored peaks into his mouth so that he could suckle it. 

Julia uttered a soft moan at the sensation of Nolan's tongue flicking against her nipple, and as he pulled his mouth back to release it, it popped wetly from between his lips. A light sheen of sweat covered his chest, and as she traced her fingernail along the peak of his nipples he released a deep groan of contentment. 

The sight of her crying and moaning in pleasure beneath him was truly a thing of beauty, and he could tell from the expression on her face that she was dangerously close to slipping over the edge. Her eyes were half-mast, and small cries of pleasure fled from her lips. 

Tilting his head downward, Nolan captured her lips in a kiss. Their mouths crushed passionately against each other, and as his tongue explored her mouth she hungrily kissed him back. 

Unable to hold back any longer, Julia pulled her lips from his and threw her head back against the pillow. As an orgasm crashed thorough her, a cry of ecstasy ripped from her throat, and her face contorted in blissful gratification. Her body bucked helplessly beneath him, and her she pressed her fingernails into his back. 

Gratified with the sight of her losing control beneath him, Nolan felt a spark of pleasure rip through his body. Bringing her to orgasm filled him with an incredible level of arousal, and as her walls contracted around his length, a clear stream of liquid flowed from between her legs.

The pace of his thrusts didn't slow even a bit, and as the orgasm ripped through Julia, her body quivered with pleasure. Her muscles clenched him like a vice, and it swiftly brought about his own release. As the pressure inside him built to unimaginable heights, Nolan knew that he'd reached the point of no return. 

He impaled her with a few more quick, hard thrusts, and then released his seed inside of her. As spurts of his semen filled his lover, Nolan released a groan of carnal bliss. 

Falling onto the bed beside her, Nolan clutched her by the hip and covered her mouth with his. The kiss they shared was hot and passionate, and Julia could taste the salt of his sweat upon her lips. As their lips parted ways, all they could do was just lie there and wait for their hearts to calm, and the only sounds which passed between them was the heavy breathing from their exertions.

The scent of their passionate lovemaking hung in the air, and as Julia rolled onto her side to cuddle against Nolan's chest, he lifted his arm and slipped it around her shoulder. His body had a slightly musky fragrance to it, and as she lay her head upon his sweaty chest, her cheek became dampened by it. 

The smell and feel of his body against her own filled her with a deep sense of contentment. Barely five minutes had passed since he'd last been inside of her, but the memory of his dynamic performance caused her womanhood to ache in desire. Her hunger to have him again would have to wait, though, because their intense coupling had left a delicious ache in her thighs.

The sound of their heavy breathing filled the room, and as they waited for hearts to slow down, they linked hands and basked in the moment. Julia felt him place a tender kiss upon the top of her head and then his voice broke the stillness. 

"Now that we're growing closer to each other, it'll be hard for me to sleep alone. You'll come over and stay with me sometime, won't you?"

"Of course. You're also welcome to sleep over here as much you like."

Pushing a lock of hair off her forehead he responded, "That'd be nice. I'd like that."

Pressing her mouth against his chest, she placed a light kiss upon it. Her fingers lazily stroked the patterns of his tattoo, and she could feel the warmth of his breath gently caressing the skin of her cheek.

Slipping his hands into her hair, he began toying with her thick, curly strands. The feel of his fingers massaging her scalp sent a tingle of pleasure along her spine, and a smile curled her lips as she nestled in even closer, murmuring beneath the pleasurable touch of her lover. 

* * * *

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Julia rolled her head against the pillow and focused on the digital display of her alarm clock. Seeing it was just after nine am, she expelled a yawn and turned onto her other side so that she could wake Nolan. As her eyes fell upon him, she saw that he was already awake. His elbow was propped up on the mattress and his head rested comfortably in the palm of his hand. 

Reaching a hand out to brush a lock of hair from out of her eye, he offered her a wide grin and said, "Morning, sweetie."

"Morning." Leaning her head in closer to his, she pressed her mouth to his in a kiss. 

As their lips pulled apart she saw that he was giving her a funny little smirk, as if he knew a secret that she wasn't aware of.

"Okay, what's that look for?"

"What look?" As he feigned ignorance, his lips pulled into a full blown grin.

"You're smiling like mad. Now what did you do?" She asked in a playful tone of voice. 

Releasing a small chuckle he replied, "I was only watching you sleep. Am I not allowed to do that?"

"Of course you are. I'm just giving you a hard time."

Grabbing hold of her waist, he scooted her closer to him so that he could wrap his leg over hers. 

"So what were you dreaming about last night?" He asked.

Lifting her shoulders into a shrug she replied, "I don't know, why? Did it seem like I was having a nightmare or something?"

"No, not a nightmare. You were moaning and giggling in your sleep."

"Really?"

Nodding his head he responded, "Yep. It must have been a pretty racy dream. You even called out my name a few times."

A small laugh fled from her lips. "Yeah, right."

"I'm serious. You really did."

Placing her hand against his back, Julia slid it downward until it came to rest against his firm, sculpted ass cheeks.

"Your performance last night must have inspired me to have it. You were incredible."

Rolling over so that he lay on top of her, Nolan gazed down at her and glanced deep into her eyes. 

"What you experienced yesterday evening was only the beginning. Just wait until I show you all the wonderful things I can do my tongue."

As the words left his mouth, a sharp pulse of arousal shot through her center, furthering her already strong desire. Pressing his lips against the skin of her neck, Nolan placed a trail of tender kisses along her throat, and continued his way southward until he reached the warmth between her legs. Placing a palm against her inner thighs, he spread them apart so he could have full access to her delicate folds. 

As his tongue made contact with her velvety flesh, Julia arched her back and slipped her fingers into his wavy locks. Slipping his tongue further in, Nolan sealed his mouth to her glistening sex and went to work. 

As he feasted upon her wet heat, Julia closed her eyes and emitted a mixture of soft moans and pleasurable cries. The passionate moment they were experiencing became all-consuming, and as the door creaked open neither of them took any note of the observer in the doorway. 

As the sound of a familiar voice suddenly hit the air, Julia's eyes flew open and she uttered a cry of surprise. Nolan's head shot upward, and as he caught sight of the unwelcome visitor he froze in place, offering them a look which was a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.

"Shit, Julia. I didn't know you had someone in here! I didn't mean to-" The woman's deep set eyes roved from Julia's to Nolan's face, and then back again. 

"Sorry!" She cried out, then whirled around and headed out the door, closing it behind her.

Fixing Julia with an inquisitive look Nolan asked, "Who was *that?*" 

"My step-sister, Sage."

There was a short moment of silence and then he said, "Oh, okay...so what's she doing here?"

"I have no idea, but she sure did pick a perfect time to come for a visit."

Sliding out of bed, she retrieved a t-shirt and a pair of underwear from the dresser drawer, as well as a pair of faded denim shorts. Once she was dressed she headed for the door and clasped her hand around the knob. 

Looking over her shoulder she said, "Be back in a minute, okay?"

Giving her a nod, Nolan watched her go out the door. As she headed towards the living room, she saw her sister reclining on the couch, flipping through an old TV guide. As Julia's footsteps came closer, Sage turned her head and got up to greet her.

"Hey girl, it's good to see you." 

With a heart shaped face and milk chocolate skin, Sage had a perfectly put together appearance. Her makeup was immaculately applied, and her hair was worn in a straight, layered hairstyle. 

A colorful kimono style dress adorned her hourglass shape, and as she enveloped her sister in a hug, Julia was surrounded by rose scented perfume.

"Yeah, it's nice to see you too." Julia didn't even try to hide the lack of enthusiasm in her voice.

"Offering her a crooked little smile Sage said, "Hey, sorry to surprise you like this. I know it probably wasn't the best time for me to come over." Releasing her from the hug, she asked, "So, how's it going?"




Tattoo of Love Ch. 07



Slipping her fingers through her messy bed hair Julia responded, "Uh, okay I guess. Why didn't you call to tell me you were coming?"

Giving a half-hearted shrug she responded, "Didn't think it was really necessary. I am your sister, after all."

"Well yeah, but it still would have been nice if you'd given me a heads up. You just walked in on me during a *really* private moment."

Offering a bashful smile she said, "Yeah, sorry about that. I really didn't mean to intrude. Hope you aren't too ticked off at me."

"Ticked off, no. Surprised, *yes*. You know I like hanging out with you, but it was pretty weird just having you walk into my room like that. How did you manage to get into the apartment, anyways?" 

Grabbing a set of keys from the coffee table, Sage dangled them in front of her.

"Mom gave them to me. When I told her I was planning to come out and surprise you with a visit, she gave me her extra copy of keys."

"Oh, I see." Julia made a mental note in her head to give her mother a call later on, and express her displeasure with what she'd done.

Although they weren't related by blood, Julia and Sage shared quite a history together. After a failed marriage with Julia's father, her mother had remarried and inherited Sage as a step-daughter. Two years older than Julia, Sage had always had a bit of a wild streak within her. With no other brothers or sisters to look up to, Julia had grown up admiring her older step-stepsister, and mimicking nearly everything that she did. 

Their bond they shared had been nearly unbreakable during their teenage years, but as they grew older and went off to college, they found that their relationship had increasingly grown distant. 

The last time they'd spoken to each other had been nearly three months ago, so Julia found it a bit strange that Sage would just pop up out of the blue like this all of a sudden. 

Glancing around the interior of the apartment Sage said, "This is a nice little place you got here."

"Thanks." Stuffing her hands into her pockets, Julia offered her a smile and waited for her to continue, sensing that there was something on her step-sister's mind.

Taking a seat on the edge of an armchair, Sage asked, "So tell me about your life here in Blue Springs. Are you happy?"

With a nod of her head Julia replied, "Yeah, I am. I like it here a lot. Small town living really isn't so bad. Things have been good for me here."

"Well that's cool, i'm glad to hear. So I guess that means you aren't coming back to the old neighborhood, huh?" A crooked little smile played at her lips.

"No need to, there's nothing for me back in the city. My life is here now."

Watching her with an inquisitive expression upon her face, Sage said, "Yeah, I understand. I still miss seeing you around, though."

"I've missed you, too."

"It makes me feel good to hear that, because I thought you'd forgotten all about me."

"Don't be ridiculous, Sage. I could never forget you. You'll always be my sister, no matter what."

A smile creased Sage's lips and she swept her highlighted bangs behind her heavily pierced ear. 

With a look of hope in her eyes she said, "So, I was wondering if it would be okay for me to stay with you for a little while?"

Julia shifted from one foot to the other and said, "Yeah, I guess that would be alright. How long would you need to be here for?" 

Noting the reluctance in her voice Sage answered, "Three, maybe four days tops."

"Okay. Well sure, you can stay. I hope you don't mind me asking, but why you need a place to crash?"

Releasing a little sigh she replied, "You remember Christopher, right?" Julia gave a nod and Sage continued, "Well we ended up having this huge argument, and now we're broken up."

"So what, he kicked you out?"

Looking as if she'd just been insulted, Sage replied, "He didn't kick me out, I left."

"Alright, so why would you leave if you didn't have any place to go?"

"I can't share an apartment with a guy I broke it off with. That would just be way too awkward of a situation."

"Listen Sage, it's not like I'm trying to get rid of you or anything, but couldn't you just stay with mom and Dave? I'm sure they wouldn't mind having you around."

"Yeah, right. I could *never* live with them. Not with all those weirdos that hang around the house."

"What weirdos?"

"Those people they bring over." Her eyebrows rose as if to convey that Julia should know what she was talking about. 

Fixing her with a look of curiosity, Julia remained silent.

"You mean you don't know? Your mom and my dad have an open marriage now. I'm surprised she hasn't told you yet."

"Wait, are you serious? Since when?"

"For the past six months."

Shaking her head with a look of surprise, Julia said, "Wow, I had no idea. I wonder why they decided to do that?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Sage replied, "Well they've been married for twelve years now, so they probably got bored. Which brings me back to Christopher- i'm glad we're through, because I was really starting to get tired of him."

"I thought you were in love with him?" 

"The key word there is thought."

"If you don't mind me asking, what did the two of you argue about?" 

"He seems to think I spend too much of his money, which is totally stupid because when we first started dating, he couldn't spoil me enough." Shaking her head in disappointment she added, "He's a dumb ass, and I hate him. In fact, I hate all men. I'm so tired of dealing with their shit!"

There was the sound of Julia's bedroom door opening, and as Nolan padded out into the living room, both women turned their heads to look at him. Clad in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, he walked toward them with an expression of mild unease on his face.

Coming to stand next to his girlfriend, he looped an arm around her waist and said, "This probably isn't the best time for me to show up, but I thought I would come out and formally introduce myself. I'm Julia's boyfriend, Nolan."

Gazing unabashedly at his tall, muscular frame, Sage held out her hand so that he could shake it.

"Hello, Nolan. It's nice to meet you." 

Clearing his throat, he offered her a little smile of embarrassment. "Same here."

"Sorry again about walking in on you two. I hope you can forgive me for that."

"It's probably easier said than done, but let's just forget about it, okay?" He simply said.

She offered him a friendly look and then replied, "Okay." Turning her attention back upon her step-sister, Sage said, "I had no idea you were all coupled up. So how long have you two been seeing each other?"

"Nearly a month."

"Nice." She offered Julia a weak smile and then said, "So are you living together?"

"Nope. He's just over for a visit." 

Relief was evident in Sage's eyes as she answered, "I'm not trying to be nosy or anything, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't intruding upon your lives."

She was indeed an unwelcome presence, but Julia didn't want to state the truth and hurt her step-sister's feelings. 

"You're not. You're very welcome to stay here." 

Her lips tugged into a pleased smile. "Good. So is it okay if I use your bathroom? It took me an hour to drive out here, and I didn't have a chance to stop for a break along the way."

"Sure thing. It's connected to my bedroom, so you can just slip through there and use it."

Sage uttered a quick thanks and then headed for Julia's bedroom. Once she heard the door to her bathroom click shut, she turned to face Nolan and said, "Sorry about this, honey. I had no idea she would just show up unannounced."

"Hey, it's okay. No need to apologize." He bent down to give her a loving peck on the lips and then said, "Well, I guess i'd better get going soon. Not that I want to, it's just...," his voice trailed off and he glanced towards Julia's bedroom, silently indicating the reason behind his impending departure. "Well, you know." He forced his lips into a half smile, and a look of disappointment filled his orbs.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gazed up into his eyes. "So what are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"I'll probably stop by my mom's and have breakfast. Then i'll meet up with my cousins and brother, and play a little basketball."

"Sounds nice."

Giving a little shrug he said, "It would be a whole lot better if I could stay in bed with you for a few more hours. I didn't even get a chance to finish you off."

His palms cupped her hips possessively, and his mouth pressed to hers in a searing kiss. Nolan's tongue explored her mouth ravenously, nearly taking her breath away from the intensity of it. As their lips came apart, Julia uttered a sigh of contentment and offered him a love-dazed stare. 

"I still have the taste of you in my mouth, and it's driving me crazy. I can't wait to make you cum with my tongue."

At the sound of his words, something primal and urgent pulsed within Julia, and her pussy responded with a gush of wetness. The memory of his tongue upon her velvety folds sent a sharp jolt of electricity through her body, and she felt an urgent craving to have his wet appendage buried between her legs.

"I want you so bad," she breathily whispered.

"Not half as badly as I want you." 

Heat rose between them with every breath, and as he leaned into her she placed her hand against his cheek, lazily stroking it along the hard line of his jaw.

Their lips were just about to connect once again when they heard the sound of the bathroom door opening, followed by Sage's footsteps. As she exited Julia's bedroom and walked back into the living room, she gave them a crooked little smile.

"I wasn't interrupting anything, was I?" she teasingly asked.

"Nope," Nolan curtly responded. Turning his eyes upon Julia, he said, "Well I guess I'll grab my jacket and then get on the road."

He headed back to the bedroom to retrieve his shoes and jacket, then walked towards the living room door. 

As Julia followed behind him, he grabbed her by the hand and asked, "Want to walk me outside?"

She gave a nod and then turned to address Sage.

"Be right back, okay?"

Looking up from the travel bags she was rifling through, Sage replied, "No problem, take your time."

The weather outside was gray and overcast, and as they made their way down the stairs and towards the motorcycle, a few ravens soared above them, releasing a series of caws.

As they reached his bike, Nolan cupped her face in his palm and gently stroked her cheek. "I had a wonderful time with you, Julia."

"So did I," she replied.

"I'll see you again soon, won't I?"

Giving a nod she replied, "Of course. I don't know what your schedule is like during the week, but I finish work in the afternoons. So if you're not busy, then maybe we can hang out."

A smile curved his lips. "Definitely." 

They studied each others faces for a few moments, as if committing the others features to memory. Then he captured her lips in his and offered her a deep kiss. 

Probing her mouth with his tongue, he slipped his hand into her curls and tenderly stoked them. The feel of his fingers in her locks always drove her wild with desire, and as the kiss deepened, their lips smacked nosily against each other.

Lost completely in their own little world, they found it nearly impossible to pull away from their deep embrace. As his mouth parted from hers, Julia uttered a sound of discontent and watched as he got onto his motorcycle. 

As the engine came to life, Nolan tilted the bike and grasped her around the waist, leaning in for one last lip lock. As their mouths came apart, his eyes stared heatedly into hers. 

Holding his helmet in one hand, he offered some parting words before slipping it on.

"Can't wait to see you again. I'll give you a call later tonight, okay?"

"Okay." Her lips still burned from his fevered kiss, and as she watched him roll out of the driveway, she felt a pang of love-sickness in her heart. She didn't know why it was so difficult for her to watch him go, as they would surely see each other again soon, but their parting seemed so abrupt that she just couldn't help it.

He raised his gloved hand to her in a wave and she returned it. Then he turned out of the driveway and accelerated down the street, rumbling off into the distance.

After climbing the stairs to her apartment, she opened the door and went inside. As she entered the living room, she saw Sage sitting on the couch. With a banana in one hand and a TV remote in the other, she idly switched from station to station. 

Glancing up to meet Julia's eyes, Sage said, "So I just got a text from Christopher and guess what happened?"

"I don't know, what?"

"He was begging me to come back. I mean he was literally crying through the telephone."

"Really?" Julia felt a rush of hope wash over her from Sage's words. "That's great. I mean, it's good that he wants you back."

Taking a large bite of the banana she replied, "Yeah, well I don't want him back."

"Well why not? I thought you still cared for him?"

Giving a little shrug she said, "Yeah, I guess."

"So if you still like him, and he wants you back, then what's the problem?"

"If he really loved me, he would never have let me go in the first place," she sadly stated.

"Well I think you should give him another chance."

"I don't know, maybe. But for now I'm staying here. He needs to suffer a bit before i'll even consider taking him back."

Inwardly sighing in frustration, Julia ran her fingers through her hair and said, "I'm going to take a shower."

"Okay." Having focused upon a reality show, Sage tucked her feet beneath her and continued munching on the piece of fruit.

As Julia headed for her bedroom, she heard the sound of an unfamiliar ringtone hit the air, and realized it was her step-sister's cell phone. As Sage picked it up, Julia heard her address the person on the other line. 

Once Julia reached her bedroom, she closed the door and began to get undressed, but even with a barrier between her room and the living area, she could still hear the sound of her unwelcome visitor's voice. It seemed to be growing louder with each passing minute, and judging from the tone of it, her Sage was engaged in quite a heated argument.

After stripping out of her clothes, Julia headed for the bathroom and shut the door. She was hoping that the extra barrier would give her a bit more peace, but to her amazement, the sound of her step-sister's voice still floated through it.

Once she was in the tub, she twisted the shower knobs on and then rose the lever up. As water pelted down upon her she positioned her head beneath the shower and deeply inhaled, trying to drown out the sound of Sage's ranting voice. 

Just half an hour ago, she'd been lying peacefully in bed with Nolan, and now suddenly things had taken a sharp turn in an uneasy direction. Exhaling the breath she'd taken, Julia hoped with every fiber of her being that her step-sister would keep her word on not extending her stay past four days. 

As hot water kneaded her shoulders, a quote she hadn't heard in years suddenly popped into her mind.

"The only sure thing about luck is that it will change."

When she'd been going through difficulties in her life, she'd used that saying to comfort herself. Yet now that she was experiencing more of the sweet things that life had to offer, it made her feel edgy and unsettled. 

A nagging feeling inside of her told her that getting rid of Sage would prove to be an annoyance. She knew how stubborn her step-sister could be, and when she was unhappy about something in her life, it sometimes spread to other people like a poison. 

Suddenly realizing that she was creating bad thoughts in her mind, Julia shook them off and began to soap up her body. Sage was flighty, moody and sometimes selfish, but what human being didn't have shortcomings? She'd known her for nearly a decade now, so what aspect of Sage's personality had she not been exposed to? 

Yet it never entered her mind that sometimes people could conceal faults they didn't want to be seen, and when that happened they would undoubtedly be revealed in unexpected ways.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 08



*Thank you all for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!*


Rolling over to glance at the clock on her bedside table, Julia groaned at the red letters which were displayed upon the screen. It was only two fifteen in the morning, yet judging from the sounds which came from the living room, Sage was engaging in a session of loud sex. As passionate moans and loud grunts floated through her door, Julia rolled her eyes and placed a pillow over her head. 

That, however, did little good to drown out the sounds of her step-sister's carnal relations, so she reached her arm out and flipped the switch on top of the radio. As an oldies song floated from the speaker, she concentrated on the words and tried to direct her attention to more pleasant thoughts. Julia hoped that the sound of the music would drown out the unpleasant noise, but to her amazement it seemed as if the sounds of their erotic coupling grew even louder.

She couldn't believe that her step-sister was so brazen as to invite a strange man into the apartment, and the amount of noise she was making told Julia that Sage was completely unconcerned with her reaction to it. 

Filled to the brim with irritation, she began fishing through her bedside drawer for a pair of headphones she kept there. After a few moments of fruitless searching, Julia suddenly remembered that she'd lent them to Sage a few days ago, and exhaled a sound of frustration at their unavailability. 

Julia kept her head buried beneath the pillow for what seemed like an hour, but as the groans and lustful cries continued, she realized that they most likely had no plans of completing their sexual union anytime soon. 

Bemoaning deeply beneath the pillow, Julia hoped they would finally grow tired and finish up their libidinous activities, but as the sounds continued on, she realized it was going to be a long night ahead of her.

* * * *

Julia awoke in the morning with tired, red eyes and a painfully stiff neck. Her head had been cocked in an odd position during sleep, and the sound of her step-sibling's coital activities had caused her to lose over three hours of much-needed rest. Sage's ear-piercing cries had continued until just before four a.m., and by that time Julia was left with little more than an hour before she had to wake up for work. Having been completely exhausted by the lack of sleep she'd gotten, Julia slept in half an hour past the time she usually woke up. 

With the time now at half past five, Julia only had thirty minutes to spare before she was due at the bakery, which meant that she had to hurry up and get ready before she ended up being late. Throwing the covers off her, she rose up out of bed and headed for the bathroom. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she slipped into a pair of jeans and a long sleeved v-neck top. Once she banded her hair into a ponytail and grabbed her purse, she exited the bedroom. 

The rich smell of frying bacon infiltrated her nostrils as she entered the living area, and she noticed that the air was hazy with smoke. As she headed for the kitchen, Julia began to internally plan out what she was going to say. 

Four days had now passed since Sage first arrived, and Julia was beginning to feel quite antsy about her step-sister still hanging around. It seemed that with each day that passed, she became more comfortable with living in Julia's apartment, and it was pretty apparent that she had no plans of leaving anytime soon.

She'd made several attempts to question Sage about when she was planning on vacating the apartment, but her polite nature made it difficult for her to convey her unhappiness with her unwelcome visitor. Sage's behavior last night, however, now gave her a perfectly solid reason to demand that Sage find another place to stay, because she wasn't going to put up with anymore unpleasant, awkward situations.

As she entered the kitchen, she was brought to an abrupt stop by the sight of a tall, nude man cooking at the stove. Clad in only a black fedora, his pale, flat buttocks were on display for her. As her eyes landed upon them, she spotted an oval shaped birthmark on the left cheek, and she dreadfully realized who he was.

With a spatula in one hand and a cigarette in the other, he was merrily humming a tune to himself. His back was to her so he was unaware that he was being watched, and as Julia observed him, she felt strong discontent rising within.

"What are *you* doing here?" she demanded.

As Digby turned to face her, his eyebrows rose in surprise and he said, "Oh hey there, Julia. So you live here too, huh?" The tone he used was casual, as if it was perfectly normal for him to be standing in her kitchen stark naked. 

Her gaze roved over his pretty boy features and as his icy blue eyes fixed upon her, she became filled with the utmost annoyance. Averting her gaze from his nether regions, she shielded her eyes and irritatingly asked, "Can you please cover that thing up?"

Offering her a half smile he replied, "Sure thing." Grabbing an apron from off the oven door handle, he wrapped it around his waist and then tied it in place. "Better?" 

Turning her gaze back upon him she asked, "Where is Sage?"

His eyebrow furrowed as he responded, "Sage? I thought her name was Cassandra." Some of the bacon grease dripped off of the spatula in his hand, landing on the linoleum floor.

Giving an exasperated sigh, Julia exited the kitchen and searched the living room for her step-sister. After seeing that the bed in the loft was empty, she walked back into the kitchen so that she could question Digby. 

"Was she here when you woke up this morning?" 

"We never really went to sleep," he hinted with a salacious grin upon his face.

Rolling her eyes she responded, "Just answer the question."

Realizing she was in no mood for jokes he replied, "She just stepped out for a bit to pick something up from the store." 

"And she left you here *alone*?" Shaking her head in disappointment she uttered, "Unbelievable." 

Having reached the peak of her aggravation, Julia stormed out into the living room and made a beeline for the window. She parted the curtains so she could study the street below, and then grabbed her cell phone from her purse. Her fingers were just plugging in Sage's number when she heard the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs to her apartment. 

Slipping her mobile back into her purse, Julia crossed her arms in front of her chest and anxiously awaited her step-siblings arrival. Her eyes were planted firmly upon the entryway, waiting for the moment when Sage would first enter. As the door opened and her step-sister's face came into view, Sage offered her a look of surprise.

"Morning, Julia."

Ignoring her greeting, she immediately began to air her grievances.

"You've got a lot of nerve leaving that man here alone in my apartment."

"I didn't leave him alone. You were in your bedroom sleeping."

"Oh, right, so I guess that makes it okay, huh?" 

"What's the big deal? It's not like he's an axe murderer or something."

"The point is that he's not welcome here. You know how I feel about him."

Furrowing her eyebrow, Sage replied, "What are you talking about? He's just some random guy I met in a bar."

Julia narrowed her eyes at her step-sister. "Oh come on, Sage. You knew that Digby was my ex-boyfriend."

"No, actually I didn't," she retorted.

"I've spoken to you about him over the phone, and I told you all about his band."

"Yeah, but how was I supposed to know that he was the one you had history with? I didn't even know what he looked like."

Ignoring her excuse Julia stated, "You *knew* who he was when you picked him up."

"I did *not*," Sage reaffirmed.

Shaking her head in disbelief she said, "I can't believe you actually had the nerve to pull a stunt like this. And the worst part of it is that you left him here while you went off to run your little errand. What the hell is the matter with you?"

Offering her a look which clearly conveyed her belief that her step-sibling was overreacting, Sage responded, "Look, I just went to the store to pick a few things up, okay? I'm sorry if I upset you, and I promise it won't happen again."

"You're damn straight it won't, because you're finding another place to crash."

"Oh come on, Julia. Don't kick me out."

"You disrespected my living space so you have to go," Julia firmly stated.

"I said I was sorry."

Walking past her step-sister so that she could go to the closet, Julia retrieved her jacket from a hanger and slipped into it, then began rummaging around in her purse.

Glancing up to address Sage, Julia said, "I was up half the night, and thanks to your little rendezvous, I only got a few hours of sleep."

"The only reason I brought him home was because I thought you'd be cool with it."

"Yeah, listening to someone have loud sex for hours on end is something i'd be totally okay with," she said in a voice which was dripping with sarcasm. With a look of disgust on her face she added, "You were screeching like a banshee."

An expression of annoyance crossed Sage's face. "Why are you being so uptight about this? You used to be so easy going and fun."

Julia lifted an eyebrow. "Uptight?" Releasing a scoff she continued, "You brought my ex-boyfriend home and had sex with him in my living room."

With a shrug of her shoulders she replied, "Just why does that matter so much to you? You're no longer with him, so what do you care?"

A look of absolute disbelief was plastered upon Julia's face. "It's a matter of decency, okay?"

"Look, i'm sorry about all of this, but I promise you that I didn't know who he was when I picked him up." 

"Yeah, right," came her snappy reply.

"Come on, Julia. Please don't kick me out."

"You've been here for five days now. That's one day past the time that you said you were going to leave."

"But I don't have anywhere else to go."

"You can stay with mom and Dave," she flatly replied.

Expelling a sound of exasperation Sage responded, "I already told you, I don't want to stay with them. That whole scene they have going on at their house is really weird."

Pulling her shoulders into a shrug Julia replied, "Well that's not my problem, and it doesn't look like you have many other options right now."

Having finally located her keys, Julia pulled the door open and gestured towards outside. The look which was plastered upon her face silently conveyed that the time had come for her step-sister to leave.

Making a last ditch effort to smooth things over, Sage said, "Please don't kick me out. I'm going through a difficult time in my life right now, and I just need a bit of support, okay?"

With a serious expression upon her face Julia replied, "You have other places to stay. Whether or not you choose to go there is your decision."

Realizing that her step-sibling wouldn't relent, Sage said, "Fine, i'll leave." Heading towards her travel bags on the floor, she began to made a dramatic display of stuffing her belongings back in.

"Oh, and i'm going to need my keys back," said Julia. 

Grabbing her purse from the coffee table, Sage reached into it and grabbed them, then tossed them in her step-sister's direction. They hit the floor with a loud jangle, and Julia bent down to retrieve them, then slipped them into the pocket of her jacket. 

"You have no right to be mad at me, you know. You were the one who messed up," stated Julia.

"Yeah, whatever," Sage countered. "I make one little mistake and you throw me out. I was only asking to crash here a few more days, but you can't even allow me that."

In a sarcastic tone of voice she replied, "Yeah you're right, i'm completely overreacting. I guess it would be a good idea to allow you to continue staying here with me. That way you can have access to my boyfriend and try to screw his brains out too, right?"

Throwing daggers with her eyes Sage coldly replied, "You have no right to speak me to me that way. You are such a bitch!" Slipping a pair of designer sunglasses on, she grabbed her bags and headed for the door in a huff. 

As she passed by her step-sibling, Sage icily uttered, "So long, sis. It's been *great* visiting you.

Having gotten dressed in a pair of pants and a t-shirt, Digby sauntered toward the door with a cigarette still in hand. As he offered Julia a nod goodbye, his lips creased into a pleased smile, as if he'd enjoyed the dramatic interaction between the two women. Then he crossed the threshold and followed Sage downstairs.

She watched from the front door as Sage threw her bags into the trunk, then walked around to the driver's side door. She was about to get inside when Digby grabbed her by the arm, causing her to pause and engage in conversation with him. 

Julia didn't know what they were talking about, but Sage's stiff body language and wild hand gestures suggested that the words which he'd spoke had angered her. Placing her palm against his chest, she gave him a rough push backward, then got inside the car and slammed the door behind her.

As she pulled out of the driveway Digby gave her the finger and then stormed out of the driveway, heading on down the sidewalk. Turning her gaze back upon Sage's car, Julia watched as it backed out of the driveway and turned onto the street. Then it began to accelerate and continue along its path, racing towards an unknown destination. 

As soon as it was completely out of sight, she felt a wonderful sense of freedom and relief come over her. She had no idea what all the drama between Sage and Digby had been about, but she wasn't about to let it occupy her mind. The apartment was solely hers to enjoy once again, and she no longer had to endure the annoying habits and unpredictability of her step-sister.

Glancing at her watch, Julia saw that she only had ten minutes to get to the bakery, so she closed the door and locked it behind her. Then she rushed down the stairs and headed for her car. Reaching her VW bug, she unlocked the door and got inside. As she drove towards the end of the driveway she glanced towards the direction which Sage had driven off in. 

With her step-sister now gone, Julia felt a definite lift in her spirits. Yet she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that the situation between she and her step-sibling hadn't yet reached a definite end. 

* * * *

As Nolan aimed the lens of his camera at her, Julia turned her head and hid her face, burying it in the pillow on the couch. 

Lowering the camera so it was no longer facing her, he asked, "Why won't you let me take a picture of you?"

Placing her attention back upon him she responded, "Because I look terrible, that's why."

"Not to me, you don't."

"Come on Nolan, I was up half the night. I've had a trying day at the bakery, and i'm not in the mood right now. There's no way i'm going to allow you to take a photo of me when I look like this."

"But it's for my eyes only. Nobody else will ever have to see it."

"I still don't want you to take it."

Setting the camera down on the coffee table, he encircled his arm around her waist and pulled her in closer to him.

"Don't you know how beautiful I think you are?" His eyes gazed lovingly into her own.

"Yes," She softly replied. 

"So let me photograph you."

"I'd rather you do it when I'm looking my best. I hardly have any makeup on right now."

"You don't need makeup."

"Well what about these bags under my eyes? They look horrible."

A little smile curved his lips as he said, "You're coming up with a lot of excuses for me to not take your picture. I could have snapped a few shots of you by now and already been done with it."

Placing her palm against his chest, she began to pick at a loose thread on the collar of his t-shirt. "I don't understand why you'd want to take my photograph when I look so tired and worn out."

"Do you think that all i'm seeing right now are your so-called flaws?" His eyebrows furrowed a bit as he questioned her.

"Well, yeah. It's pretty obvious that i'm not looking so great."

Stroking his fingers along her cheek he said, "The best photographs are often taken when one is unprepared. I'd much prefer photographing you like this, rather than all made up and perfectly put together."

"Why? I thought you liked it when I look nice for you."

"Well of course I do but when it comes down to it, I just really enjoy looking at you. I like studying your face."

Offering him a pleased smile she said, "I didn't know my face was interesting enough to study."

"Well now you do." The hand around her hip slid beneath the waistband of her jeans, sensually tracing the curve of her hipbone. "Of course I also take pleasure in giving my attention to this beautiful body of yours."

All it took was just the mere touch of his flesh upon her own and it instantly drove her crazy. As he leaned in to kiss her neck, she felt his warm breath ghost against her skin, and she offered a shiver of desire.

As his mouth parted from her flesh he asked, "So, how about letting me take that picture now?"

She remained quiet for a few moments as if mulling it over and then said, "I'd really rather you not."

Expelling a small chuckle he said, "You can be quite stubborn when you want to, can't you?"

Lying her head upon his chest she replied, "I suppose." Then she gave a yawn and snuggled in closer to him.

Tenderly stroking her hair he asked, "Sleepy?" 

"Mmm, a little," she murmured. "Guess I should head home and get some rest."

Uttering a sound of discontent he said, "I don't want you to go. Why don't you spend the night with me?"

"I'd like to, but I kind of feel nervous about leaving my apartment unoccupied all night."

"Why? You said she left peacefully, right?"

"Yeah."

"So what are you worried about? Are you afraid she'll come back and burn the place down, or something?"

Although there was a joking tone to his voice, Julia couldn't help but to contemplate his statement for a few moments. "No, I doubt she'd go that far. I just have this nagging feeling."

Offering a look of concern he asked, "Is she a vindictive type of person?"

"Not that I know of, but if she's mad at someone she can really hold a grudge for quiet a long time." She was quiet for a few moments and then continued speaking. "Still though, it's kind of weird that i'm feeling so nervous over this whole situation."

"Hmm, well try not to worry too much about it, okay? I'm sure that everything will be just fine."

Snuggling up closer to him she replied, "I sure hope so." They were both quiet for a few moments and then Julia spoke once again. "I'm so looking forward to having a peaceful night's sleep tonight. It was pretty difficult staying alert at work today."

"Yeah, I bet. Sorry you had to go through that terrible ordeal. They must have been really loud to have kept you up all night."

"You have no idea." Groaning at the memory of her step-sister's sexual rendezvous, she covered her eyes with her hands and said, "Oh great, now those horrible visuals are popping back into my head again."

"So you actually saw them going at it?" Nolan questioned in surprise.

Uncovering her eyes so she could look at him, she replied, "Oh heck no. I only heard them, but that was more than enough for me to unwillingly form pictures in my head."

Offering a little snicker he sympathetically responded, "You poor thing." His palm slid across the fabric of her top, then came to a rest upon the mound of her right breast. He gave it a light squeeze and then offered a seductive statement. "If you sleep over here tonight, I promise to make you forget all about yesterday evening."

As his finger bumped across her nipple, it instantly responded to his touch, creating a stiff peak beneath the fabric of her top.

"I'd love to stay over, but with you by my side I probably won't get much rest at all."




Tattoo of Love Ch. 08



Entwining his fingers through her own, Nolan said, "Tell you what, i'll leave you to sleep for as long as you like, but if you should suddenly wake up and feel an urge to be taken care of, i'll be ready and waiting." 

Julia felt a small tingle of desire shoot through her loins at the sound of his words. "Mmm, sounds good to me," she murmured pleasantly.

His lips curled into a pleased smile. "Great. Now how about we get you into my bedroom so that you can get some rest?"

As he lifted her up off the couch she wrapped her arms around his broad, firm shoulders. Nolan's muscular frame allowed him to carry her with ease, and as they headed for the bedroom she rested her head against his strong chest, uttering a sound of contentment at the pleasure of being in his arms. 

* * * *

Julia awoke in a room which was cast with a soft, glowing light and as her eyes focused on her surroundings, she suddenly remembered that she was in Nolan's bedroom. Glancing at the silver plated clock on the table next to the bed, she saw that three hours had passed since she first laid down to sleep. Noting that the bed was empty beside her, she threw the covers back and went off in search of her boyfriend. 

Having changed out of her work clothes before lying down in bed, she was now clad in one of his t-shirts. Her body was nearly swallowed by its size, and the scent of Nolan's cologne was embedded in the fabric. Needing to relieve herself, she headed down the hallway to find the bathroom. Once her bladder was emptied, she went to the sink to wash her hands and saw there was a note taped to the bathroom mirror. Written in his neat, fine print script, it read:

~I'm in the studio working on a project. Come to the door at the back of the room, and you'll find me there. I hope you'll join me.

x Nolan~

After drying her hands off, Julia grabbed the note from off the mirror and headed down the hallway. As she reached the French doors which led into his studio, she pulled them open and entered the room. Finding it quiet and empty, she roved her eyes around the interior. Spotting a door which was covered in band stickers, she headed towards it and pulled it open.

As she entered the room, she searched the room for Nolan but seeing he wasn't anywhere in sight, she softly called out to him. Receiving nothing but silence back, she curiously walked over to a counter where three trays were sitting side by side. As she peered into the plastic containers, she saw they were each filled with a certain type of liquid, and as she leaned over them the strong scent of chemicals wafted into her nostrils. 

There were a few shelves mounted on a wall next to the counter, and she noticed there were a number of bottles, camera lenses and books which were neatly lined up along it. A sink was located off in the corner of the room, and there were a few short, clear hoses hanging on the wall behind the faucet.

A multi-speed fan sat upon a shelf which was located above the area where the processing of the photos would take place, and as her gaze lifted she saw there were several black and white photographs which hung from clothespins on the drying line above her head.

Focusing her gaze upon the images, she found herself in awe of their beauty. For as long as she could remember she'd disliked the way she looked in photos, but these pictures that Nolan had taken captured her beautifully. As her eyes landed upon one image, she saw it had been taken while she was sleeping. The candles in the bedroom had surrounded her with a hazy glow, and her lips were slightly curved in a pleasant little smile. 

As another photo caught her eye, she took a few moments to closely study it. Lying on her back in a peaceful slumber, Julia's curly hair was splayed on the pillow, creating a dark fan around her head. White bed sheets were twisted around her body, exposing her nice, toned thighs, and the t-shirt she'd been wearing had hiked up around her torso, showcasing the black lace of her v-string panties. 

The photographs made her appear effortlessly sensual, as if she were some goddess-like woman who was posing in a high class fashion magazine. She'd always thought of herself as more of the cute girl next door type, but the angle at which Nolan had photographed her made her appear naturally beautiful. Every one of the images he'd taken perfectly conveyed how he felt about her, and for the first time in her life Julia found herself deeply admiring the beauty of her features. 

As a pair of large hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, Julia tilted her chin upwards and offered her lips to her lover for a kiss. Pressing his mouth to hers, Nolan began to explore her mouth with a light, tickling motion.

As their tongues bumped together he gently sucked upon her own, releasing a moan of pure contentment from deep within her throat. When their mouth finally pulled apart, Julia was left with the faint taste of mint and coffee upon her lips.

"So how do you like the pictures?" He asked.

"I think they're beautiful."

"Good, I'm glad you like them. I was hoping you wouldn't mind me photographing you as you slept. You looked so peaceful and content, that I just couldn't resist taking a few shots of you."

"I don't mind at all. I'm actually amazed at how nice they came out. You must have used some sort of magic technique, or something."

"What do you mean by that?" Curiosity laced his voice.

"I don't usually look so good in photos. It's a pretty rare occasion for me to take a picture that I actually like."

Hugging her more firmly against him, he replied, "Well there's only so much technique I can employ, you know. When it really comes down to it, it's the beauty of your face that makes these images so special."

"I say it's good lighting and the black and white that flatters me so much."

"Well I disagree, and I think it's about time that you noticed just how attractive you truly are. You're very sexy, don't you know that?"

Giving a little shrug, she softly replied, "Well I know i'm not unattractive, but I don't usually think of myself as being sexy."

"Well you are," he firmly stated. "It should come as no surprise, considering the way my body reacts to you everytime we're together."

Julia's lips curved into a little smile from his words, and she felt his hands sweep her curls over her shoulder, followed the sensation of his lips pressing to the skin of her neck. 

As he inhaled the scent of her hair, a little moan of desire swept from his lips and he placed a few tender kisses along the nape of her neck and her shoulder. She released a small giggle at the ticking sensation of his flesh upon hers, and his mouth creased into a smile from her response.

Taking her by the hand, Nolan led her over to the counter where the plastic trays were sitting. Grabbing a timer from the shelf above the counter, he set it for the time it would take to develop the photos. 

Retrieving a piece of photo paper from a small stack upon the counter, he placed it into the first tray and allowed it to sink into the water. 

"What kind of liquid is in there?" she inquired.

Standing behind her, Nolan enveloped her waist with one of his hands, moving his palms to rest upon her hips. She could feel his breath upon her neck as he spoke, and the sound of his deep voice was quite intoxicating.

"That's the developer. In another minute or so, you'll begin to see the photo materialize. But before it does, we'll need to give it some assistance."

Grabbing a pair of tongs from a holder which was mounted on the wall, he used them to swish around the piece of photo paper in the developer tray. The liquid rippled and swayed as he manipulated the photo, and as the picture began to appear, Julia uttered a sound of amazement. 

"Hey, that's pretty cool," she said. "Mind if I help?" 

Handing her the tongs he said, "Sure, go for it. Now what you want to do is grab the photo by the its edge and lift it out of the tray."

She allowed the glossy paper to drip off for a few moments after lifting it out, and then he instructed her to place it in the stop bath tray. When half a minute had passed, he had her remove it and place it in a third tray which held the fixer. Once that was finished she immersed it in the wash tray and then hung it up to dry. 

"Nice work, you're a natural at this." His palm glided over the small of her back and came to a stop against the flesh of her curvy backside. 

She slipped a second piece of photo paper into the developer tray, and as it began to appear, Julia found herself admiring the photograph.

"This is an interesting shot." Julia leaned in to study the candid photo more closely.

As she stared at the image, she realized it had been taken on the day that she and Mimi had attended the wedding. Taken from a profile, the photograph showcased her full lips and thick, long lashes. A few loose curls hung around her face, and her eyes had a sparkle within them, as if she were looking at something pleasing.

She wasn't one to toot her own horn, but she had to admit that it was quite a fetching photo of her. Her makeup had been meticulously applied that evening, and the light from the chandeliers in the ballroom cast a lovely glow across her face. 

What really stood out to her most in the image, was the fact that she could see the reflection of Nolan through a paneled mirror which she was standing in front of. Nolan had not only taken her photograph, but also captured himself in the process. 

The lens of his camera obscured the left half of his face, and his head was tilted slightly to the right. She found the image to be quite intriguing, and thought it cute that her lover had unintentionally shot a photograph of them together. 

"That is a nice photograph, isn't it?" Resting his chin upon her shoulder, he gazed admiringly at the image. 

She felt the warmth of his palm as it cupped her bottom, followed by the sensation of his thumb tenderly stroking the swell of her ass cheeks. He gave her a few sensual kisses along the neck, and as his palms slid along her thighs she uttered a sound of contentment. 

Once the photograph had gone through all of the necessary steps to completely process it, Julia hung it up by a clothespin on the drying line which hung above them. Unable to resist the feel of his hands upon her body, Julia turned to face her lover and hooked her arms around his neck. As her orbs met his own, she felt her body flush with desire. 

His gaze shifted from her eyes to lips, and as he offered her a needy gaze she cupped his cheeks with her hands, pulling him in for a kiss. As their lips came together he instantly took control, nipping and sucking on her lower lip, then moving his mouth downward so that he could lavish attention upon her neck. 

She could feel his hands sliding beneath her t-shirt, and as his fingers reached her nipples, he gave them a few gentle twists. A moan of passion swept from her lips and as his hips pressed to hers, she felt his cock grow beneath his jeans. The dim red light in the room added to the heated atmosphere between them, and she could hear the sound of his lips giving her neck wet, open mouthed kisses. 

Thrusting her chest towards him, Julia slid her fingers along his muscular shoulders and strong back, moving them lower until they reached his waist. Slipping her hands beneath the fabric of his top, she ran the palm of her hand across his skin, loving the way his body tensed as she caressed her fingers over the v-shaped cut of his abdominals. As the deep timbre of his voice hit the air, she immediately felt a spark of desire shoot through her body.

"You're so beautiful, Julia. I could never tire of the feel of your body next to mine. Just standing here like this with you in my arms, with the smell of your hair and the feel of your firm round ass in my hands...it's making me incredibly horny." 

Nolan's lips brushed against her cheek and he placed a few searing kisses along the line of her cheekbone. Pressing his hips flush against hers, he allowed her to feel his rock hard excitement. 

Then his lips were suddenly upon her, kissing her with such feverish passion that she found herself breathless. Julia was always amazed at how wet she could get just from sharing a kiss with him, and the spot between her legs began to ache with need. Suddenly pulling away from the kiss, Nolan offered her a deep, smoldering look.

"Let's go to the bedroom." The husky tone of his voice indicated just how aroused he was. 

"Okay," she breathily answered.

They shared a few more kisses before reluctantly disengaging and then made their way out of the darkroom. Nolan led her by the hand out of his studio and through the living room, and as soon as they entered the bedroom he began to undress her. 

After pulling her shirt up over her head and removing her panties, he gently pushed her back onto the mattress. After undressing himself he grasped her by the waist and flipped her onto her stomach. 

The next thing she felt was his body pressed flush against her own, and as his stiff length pressed against the flesh of her thigh, she uttered a groan which was thick with lust. Grasping her by the hips, Nolan guided Julia's waist upward so that her butt was lifted toward him. 

Then he got into a kneeling position and guided his penis between her legs. Her vaginal lips glistened with excitement, and as he pushed his cock between them, Julia arched her back and released a heated moan. Still holding her in his grasp, he sunk deeply between her walls. 

Lifting her gaze to focus upon the headboard, Julia noticed there was a circular mirror hanging above it. As she looked into it she saw Nolan staring right back at her, offering her an expression which was the epitome of bliss. 

His face was contorted into an expression of the utmost pleasure, and as he thrust in and out, he expelled deep grunts and breathy moans. The rhythmic sounds of their passionate lovemaking soon filled the air, and as Julia continued to stare at her lover's reflection, she found herself overcome by the carnal look in his eyes. 

"Oh Julia. Baby, you feel so good... so fucking tight." His hips began to work a little faster, and as his palm slid down to rest upon her ass, she felt his fingertips press firmly into it. 

The light from the candles cast flickering shadows against the wall, adding to the sensually erotic moment they were sharing. His large, heavy balls slapped against the swollen lips of her sex, and his shaft relentlessly stroked her body as she moaned and whimpered beneath him.

The sound of her impassioned cries coaxed him into a quicker pace, causing her to repeatedly cry out his name. As his moniker fled from her lips, Nolan's arousal hit it's peak, resulting in a tightening of his groin. He could feel the surge of a climax building within, and the sight of her face in the mirror brought him to the verge of orgasm. 

Nothing pleased him more than seeing that blissful twist of her features, and sensing the close proximity of her own release, he adjusted his position to maximize her pleasure. 

Keeping his left knee flush against the bed, he lifted his right one upward so that he could rest his weight upon the sole of his foot. This allowed him to penetrate her even deeper, and the power behind his hips also increased. Julia's lips parted in a breathless cry of delight, and the expression on her face was nothing short of utter contentment.

His heavy breathing mingled with her erratic moans, and as she stared into the mirror at him, she noticed there was an intense look of concentration upon his face. Feeling the need to be even closer to her, Nolan placed his chest flush against her back, positioning himself so there wasn't an inch of space left between their bodies. 

The hard lines of his well-toned form hugged her soft curves tenderly, and his hips rocked back and forth in a steady, urgent rhythm. As his thick shaft continuously stroked the deepest, most sensitive parts of her, a dam of pressure suddenly broke within Julia. Her taut form stiffened with pleasure, and an orgasm ripped straight through her body.

Losing himself in the velvety heat of her walls, Nolan gave a few more caressing pumps and then flooded her womb with his release. Pressing his lips to her ear, Nolan passionately called out her name. The warmth of his breath provided a delicious tickling sensation against her skin, and a spike of ecstasy rippled thorough her being. 

Completely spent of all energy, they fell against the mattress in a tangled heap. For a few moments they did nothing more than lay completely still, reveling in the haze of their orgasmic bliss. Then Julia turned towards her lover and looped an arm around his neck. 

A sigh of satisfaction passed her lips and she offered her mouth to Nolan, allowing him to claim it with his tongue. Their appendages danced together for a few moments and then parted, leaving them to gaze into each other's eyes. 

Turning onto his side, Nolan placed his palm against her arm and tenderly stroked her skin. Then he cleared his throat nervously and began to speak.

"You know how much I enjoy being with you, right?"

Noting the uncertain look in his eyes, Julia responded, "Yes, of course. Why, what's the matter?"

"Well nothing's the matter, really. It's just I have this choice to make, and I need to speak to you about it before I can make a concrete decision."

Feeling her mouth go dry Julia reluctantly questioned, "Is this about our relationship?"

"Yes." He gave a short pause and then continued. "You remember how I told you that my uncle is a master photographer, and how he taught me everything that I know?"

"Yeah."

"Well he's been hired by a major book publisher to take photographs for a coffee table book about the Polynesian Islands."

"Okay, so what does this mean for us?"

"He invited me to go along with him as his assistant."

"For how long?"

"Three months."

Julia felt her heart drop from his words. "Three months?" As he nodded his head she disappointingly asked, "So when will you be leaving?"

"We're scheduled to leave by the end of next month."

Silence filled the air as Julia struggled to keep her emotions under control, then once she was certain she could speak without her voice wavering she said, "Nolan, that's barely a month away. Couldn't you have told me this sooner?"

"My uncle just barely made the offer a few days ago. I wanted to think it over before I discussed it with you."

A little sigh fell from her lips and she turned onto her back, staring blankly up at the ceiling. 

"So are you going or not? It's fine if you are, I just want to hear it from you so that I know what to expect."

"That's the thing. I'm not entirely sure if I am going just yet." Gazing at his lover, he reached out to tuck one of her curls behind her ear. "I want to know how you feel about this, and if you're okay with me taking this trip."

Light from the candles on his dresser flickered dimly, and as Nolan studied Julia, he noticed that her body had suddenly grown tense.

"Well i'm definitely not thrilled about the prospect of it, but I know how much you love photography, so I think you should go."

"Really?"

"Sure, why not?" Her voice was laced with sadness.

Scooting closer to her, he inquired, "Are you absolutely sure that you're alright with it, or are you just saying this because you think it's what I want to hear?"

Her gaze roved from the ceiling to rest upon an abstract painting which hung on the wall.

"I'm okay with it. I'll miss you a lot, but I understand that it's a good opportunity for you."

Grasping her waist with his large palm, he coaxed her into rolling over onto her side. With their faces now only inches apart, he cupped her cheek with his hand and tenderly stroked her skin. Julia gazed into his face for a few moments and then dropped her gaze. She was beginning to feel very emotional, and the last thing she wanted was for him to see how moist her eyes had become.




Tattoo of Love Ch. 08



"Look at me," Nolan gently urged her.

"Why?" Her voice came out sounding soft and as she blinked, her vision grew cloudy.

"Just look into my eyes," he reiterated.

She allowed a few more moments to pass before finally lifting her gaze to meet his. As he looked into her orbs he lovingly stroked her hair, allowing her soft curls to slip through his fingers.

"This is a good opportunity for me, Julia. I've always wanted to do travel photography, and this will give me a chance to break into the field."

"I know, but I still wish you didn't have to go. A lot can happen in three months." 

"Like what?" His eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"I don't know. You'll be traveling overseas and visiting all of these different countries." She gave a pause and then continued, "I'm sure you'll meet lots of different people.

"And you're worried that i'll sleep with other women, is that it?"

Although she did have that thought in the back of her head, the last thing she wanted was to admit her insecurities.

"It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that sometimes people can grow apart."

"I'll only be away for three months, not a year."

"You'll be on the other side of the world."

Taking her hand in his, he brought it up to his mouth so that he could give it a tender kiss.

"We won't grow apart, Julia. Things are wonderful between us and they're going to stay that way." Snuggling up closer to her, Nolan placed a kiss on her shoulder and nuzzled his head in the crook of her neck. "Everything will turn out just fine, you'll see."

As his warm breath washed over her skin she held onto his hand tighter, focusing upon a candle which sat on the bedside table. Having nearly reached the end of its wick, the flame was dangerously close to flickering out.

Reflecting on her relationship with Nolan, Julia thought of how the passion between them had burned brightly from the very start. She found herself contemplating how long a special connection like theirs would continue, and couldn't help wondering if it was just like the candle-slowly but surely reaching the point of its extinction.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 09



*Thanks for the comments which were left, and I also appreciate the constructive feedback which was offered. I thank you for your opinion, as it really does help me to improve as a writer. I hope you all enjoy the chapter!* 

*

The sensation of something wet sliding across her torso caused Julia's eyelids to flutter open. Sleepily glancing downward, she saw that Nolan was straddling her body. Holding a plump strawberry in his hand, he trailed the tip of it along the center of her torso. 

As it reached her stomach he swirled it around her belly button a few times, and then allowed it to travel between her legs. Coming to a stop at the crevice of her vaginal lips, he sandwiched the berry between the heated folds of her flesh. He rubbed it back and forth a few times until it was coated with her juices, and then pulled it back out.

Placing the strawberry against her lips, he silently urged her to partake in its sweetness. Slipping her tongue out to caress the fruit, Julia swirled her wet appendage around the seedy exterior. Knowing it would drive him crazy, she allowed her tongue to flick back and forth a few times against the tip of the strawberry. Then she sunk her teeth into it and took a generous bite.

The flesh of the fruit was succulently sweet, and yet there was also another taste mingling along with it; a unique flavor which came from her womanly juices. As droplets of crimson nectar spilled from her mouth, Nolan slipped his tongue out to lick up every last drop. The sensation of his wet appendage sliding across her lips was nothing short of erotic, and a small sound of contentment fled from between her lips. 

Popping the uneaten portion of strawberry between his teeth, Nolan positioned his head next to her chest. Placing the half eaten piece of fruit against the swell of her breasts, he began sliding it across her skin. It didn't take long for her fleshy globes to become covered in the nectar, and as he glided the fruit over her nipple she uttered a little sigh of pleasure, enjoying the feel of it against her skin.

With her breasts now covered in scarlet juice, he devoured the piece of fruit and then latched his mouth around one of her nipples. A delicious shiver ran up her spine as his warm tongue slid across her bare skin, and the feel of his lips greedily suckling upon her erect peaks drove her absolutely wild with pleasure.

Flicking his tongue against the nipple of her right tit, he used his thumb and index finger to pinch and pull upon her left one. Whimpering beneath his ministrations, Julia arched her back and released a heated gasp, enjoying the pain which mingled with the pleasure. 

Grabbing another strawberry from a plate on the bedside table, he slipped part of it into his mouth and brought it up to her lips. She took half of it in her mouth and as they both bit down on their respective ends, juice from the berry burst out, coating their lips in its essence. Once he'd eaten his half of the fruit, Nolan leaned in to share a kiss with her. Their tongues moved sensually against each other, and the feel of his lips against hers was quite intoxicating. 

Pulling back from the kiss, he grabbed two pineapple rings from off the serving dish. Then he positioned them against her breasts so that the center of the ring encircled her nipples. The feel of the cold, wet fruit against her skin was deliciously erotic, and as he leaned in to place his tongue against one of her nipples, she felt them instantly stiffen in anticipation.

Dividing his attention between both of her breasts, he swirled his tongue in tight circles around the right peak, and then the left one. Using a slow, lingering lick, Nolan slid his tongue over the goose-pimpled flesh of her dark brown areolas. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as he did it, and her hips bucked upward as he sucked the swollen points into the cave of his mouth. 

Threading her fingers through his hair, she felt his hand slid along her inner thigh. Using a feather light touch, he allowed his thumb to trace patterns along her skin, and as it reached the space between her thighs, he slid it between the warmth of her folds. Slipping two fingers into her heat, he guided his fingers in as far as they would go. His digits pushed in and out a few times and then he removed them. 

Releasing her nipple from his mouth, Nolan removed the pineapple ring from her left breast. Placing it against her lips, he urged her to have a taste. As the sweetness of the fruit invaded her mouth, she reveled in its wonderful taste and texture. After popping the remainder of the fruit into his mouth, Nolan placed his wet appendage against the lower part of her torso and slid it upward. 

A trail of saliva was left upon her skin as it traveled upward, and as his tongue bumped against the ring of pineapple he hooked his tongue beneath it. Grasping the piece of fruit between his lips, he sunk his teeth into it and took a generous bite, then followed it up with a few more until the entire ring had been devoured.

With her breast now covered in the fragrant juice of the pineapple, Nolan glided his warm tongue along her fleshy globes, lapping up every last bit of the liquid. A light gasp crept from her lips as he did it, and she found herself incredibly aroused by the sensual food play they were engaging in.

No man had ever done anything like this to her before, and she appreciated the way he focused his attention so intently upon her. He made her feel special; as if she were the most sensually exciting woman in the world, and she loved that. 

Having licked her breast clean of all the pineapple juice, Nolan began placing kisses along the length of her torso, and as his head moved lower Julia felt a jolt of electricity rush through her loins. She knew exactly where he was headed, and as his breath warmed the skin of her thigh, she sensed that his hunger to taste her was strong. 

As his tongue stretched out to caress her glistening folds, she took a sharp intake of breath and lifted her hips, coaxing his tongue to slide in even further. Loving the effect he had upon her, Nolan took his time exploring the delicate tissues of her womanhood. His tongue slid up and down the length of her slit a few times and then traveled up to rest upon her swollen clit. With his hot breath ghosting against her pussy, he gently encircled it, and as the fragrance of her sex infiltrated his nostrils, Nolan became lost in her scent. Resting her palms upon his head, Julia arched her back and uttered a gasp of delight as he began to lap at the stiffening piece of flesh.

A shockwave of pleasure coursed through her being as his appendage worked quicker, and as he slipped two fingers deep between her folds she tilted her chin upward and expelled a cry of delight. The feel of his digits pumping her with abandon, combined with the sensation of his skillful tongue was rapidly bringing her to orgasm. 

Having lost control of her body, Julia had no choice but to writhe and buck beneath his ministrations, and she could feel the pace of his tongue synching with the rhythm of his fingers. Nolan could feel the trembling of her thighs, and as her pleasured cries hit the air, he removed his fingers and wrapped his palms tightly around her waist. 

A small flood of liquid was released as she came, and as the taste of her excitement hit his taste buds, he eagerly lapped up her nectar. The scent and taste of her pussy was almost like a drug to him, and as he looked up at her from beneath hooded eyes, he could see that her face was a picture of utter ecstasy.

A deep moan emitted from his mouth and as it vibrated against her sex, Julia was rewarded with a delicious jolt of electricity. Her pussy was extra sensitive from the orgasm she'd just had, and the additional stimulation of his pleasured groans were almost too much for her to handle. The pleasure he'd given her had far exceeded anything she'd ever felt before, and it left her in such a daze that all she could was lie there, quivering helplessly in the aftermath of her climax. 

Reveling in the achievement of sexually gratifying his lover, Nolan removed his mouth from her folds and offered them a light, tender kiss. Then he climbed back up so he could lay on the bed next to her. Resting his weight on one elbow, Nolan propped his head up in the palm of his hand and studied her face, enjoying the look of dreamy pleasure upon it. 

Returning his gaze through half mast eyes, she placed her palm against the back of his neck and slid her fingers into his wavy locks. The look he gave her was thoughtful, and she could tell that he had something on his mind.

"What am I going to do without you for three months?" He asked.

Having been caught up in the ecstasy-filled moment they were sharing, Julia had nearly forgotten about Nolan's impending trip to the South Pacific.

"Hmm, well you'll be surrounded by beautiful tropical scenery and get paid to take photographs of all sorts of cool places. I'm sure you'll be just fine without me." 

"I'm not saying I won't enjoy myself, but it's definitely going to be weird not having you around. I'm really going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too." A moment of silence passed between them before she continued on. "I'm happy for you though, and I know you'll do great."

Grabbing her hand, he laced his fingers through hers. "Thank you for being so understanding about this."

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know. I just want you to know that I appreciate your support." Nolan placed a kiss on the top of her head and then took a glance at the clock. "Well I guess we'd better get this day started. A client is due to drop by the studio at nine thirty, and you're due at the bakery by ten, right?"

Nodding her head, Julia stretched her limbs with a satisfying groan, then rose up from the reclining position and swung her legs over the bed. She felt the mattress dip in as Nolan got up, followed by the sound of his feet padding down the hallway. 

A tinkling noise emitted from the bathroom as he emptied his bladder, and then there was the sound of a toilet flushing. She heard the sound of water running as he turned the tap on, and then noises of him brushing his teeth. 

She was just getting up to head to the bathroom and take a shower, but the sound of a ringtone suddenly filled the air. Leaning down to grab her purse on the floor next to the bed, she retrieved her mobile and hit the answer call button.

"Hello?" 

"Julia?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"It's Colin, how are you?"

"Oh hi, Colin. I'm doing okay. What's going on?"

"Not too much, I just thought I would let you know that your mom stopped by your apartment yesterday evening."

"Really? Well do you know what she wanted?"

"She asked me if I knew when you would be returning back home. I told her I didn't know, but she didn't seem very happy with that answer. I'm guessing she was worried about you, because she seemed pretty interested in finding out where you were."

Julia furrowed her brows. "That's odd of her to visit without contacting me first."

"Well apparently she did call multiple times, but she told me that you wouldn't pick up."

Recalling the passionate night she'd spent with her lover, Julia said, "Yeah, I was probably already in bed by that time."

"I figured as much, but your mom seemed to think that something may have happened to you. Everything is okay, isn't it?"

Releasing a little sigh of annoyance, Julia thought about how typical it was for her mother to blow the slightest things out of proportion.

"Yeah, everything is cool. I spent the night at my boyfriend's house, so that's why I wasn't home all evening."

"Oh, okay. Well she stopped by again this morning, and it looks like her car is still parked in the driveway. So I guess she's waiting for you to get home."

For as long as she could remember, the relationship between she and her mother had been strained, so she was truly puzzled as to the reason behind her visit. The main reason Julia had moved towns to begin with, was due to the distant relationship she shared with her family, so the last thing she felt like doing was receiving a visit from a mother who barely showed any interest in her at all. 

With reluctance in her voice, Julia said, "Well I guess i'd better stop by the apartment before going to work." 

Recalling their last mother-daughter encounter, Julia unconsciously began rubbing her left temple. It seemed that everytime they came together, she was left with a terrible headache and a feeling of deep dissatisfaction. She loved her mother, and really did try as hard as she could to get along with her, but like oil and water, the two women just didn't mix.

Picking up on the uneasiness in her voice, Colin decided to question her about it. "Sorry if this comes across as prying, but you don't sound too happy about seeing your mom. Is everything okay?"

Julia glanced out the window at the gray, cloudy sky. "I'm fine. It's just typical mom drama, you know? Nothing too serious."

There was nothing typical about the relationship she shared with her mother, but it was far too complicated to even think about discussing with a casual acquaintance like Colin. 

"Yeah, I understand. Parents can be difficult to get along with sometimes, can't they?" As if on cue, the sound of a gravelly, elderly voice emitted from the background of his line. Expelling a light chuckle he said, "Speaking of parents, it sounds like my mother needs a hand in the kitchen, so i'd better get off the phone."

"I'll let you go, then. Thanks for the calling."

"Hey, no problem. I guess i'll see you around, and take care, okay?"

"You too. Bye."

Dropping her phone back into her purse, Julia quickly slipped into her clothes. She was just clasping her bra and about to pull on her jeans when Nolan came back into the bedroom. 

"Leaving already? I was hoping we could take a shower together." As he watched her get dressed, his face filled with disappointment.

"Sorry honey, i'm going to have to take a rain check on that. My mother's in town and is waiting for me at the apartment. 

"How long is she visiting for?"

"I'm not sure." She pulled up the zipper on her jeans and then buttoned them. "I'm guessing she'll just spend a few hours here, and then drive back into the city."

"Well i'd love to meet her, so just give me a chance to get some clothes on, and i'll drive out to your apartment with you." He made his way toward the dresser to retrieve a pair of underwear and quickly slipped into them, then grabbed his pants from the floor.

Less than thrilled with the idea of Nolan meeting her mother, she replied, "Actually, I think it'd be best if you met her some other time."

Slipping his legs into the pants of his denims, he asked, "Why not now? She's only going to be in town for a few hours, right?"

"Yeah, but you'll probably have other chances to meet her."

"*Probably*? That doesn't sound like a very sure thing."

"I didn't mean it that way. It's just that she doesn't come by to visit me very often."

His brows dipped into a slight frown. "So wouldn't that be even more of a reason for me to take this chance to meet her?"

Having gotten fully dressed, Julia slipped the strap of her purse over her shoulder, then withdrew her car keys from the outside pocket.

"I'll introduce you another time, okay?"

A puzzled look crossed his face. "You're being weird about this. Why don't you want her to know about me?

"It's not that, it's just...," contemplating the best words to use, she gave a brief pause. "I have sort of an odd relationship with my mother."

"Well how is it odd?"

Slipping her fingers through her hair, she did her best to tame her sleep tousled locks. "I can't explain it right now. It's way too complicated to get into."

Leaning his backside against the dresser, Nolan crossed his arms over his rock hard chest. "I understand you having difficulties with your mom, Julia. But I honestly don't see what that has to do with me."

The point he'd made was perfectly valid, so she really didn't have much of an argument.

Her fingers toyed nervously with the fringes on the strap of her suede purse. "You're right. The relationship we have has nothing to do with you."

"So let me come along. All I want to do is say hello and shake her hand. I want her to know me as your boyfriend. That's all that I ask for."

It sounded so simple to hear him say it, but knowing her mother as well as she did, Julia was certain that she would find some way to embarrass her, or worse yet, demean her character in front of Nolan. The last time she'd introduced a long term boyfriend, her mother had purposely revealed aspects of Julia's past which she was less than proud of. 

These were events which she'd experienced during a difficult phase in her life, and as a result of them being exposed, her then-boyfriend had decided to terminate the relationship.

She was no longer the person that she used to be, of course, but once people knew secrets about your past, it was often hard for them to see beyond it. Julia wished with all of her heart that Nolan and her mother could meet, but she cared far too much about their relationship to allow former events to jeopardize their future together.

"Look, Nolan. I really do want you to meet her, okay? But it's going to have to be another time."

"Well if that's the way you want it, then fine. Have it your way." A bummed out look crossed his face.

"It's *not* the way I want it, though. I wish you could see that."

Offering silence in response, he stripped out of his jeans and tossed them onto the bed,then made his way toward the bathroom. 

As her lover passed by her, she laid her palm upon his bicep so that he would stop. The hurt was evident in his eyes, and she felt something inside of her respond to his unhappiness. 

"Look, i'll explain this later. Just please don't be upset with me, alright?"

"I'm not upset with you, just disappointed." After speaking the words, he continued along his way and headed for the bathroom. 

As a flood of emotion rose up within her, Julia felt the urge to go after him and try to smooth things out, but she knew that could only be done if she fully explained the complex nature of their mother-daughter relationship. 

Now was not the time, however, to engage in such a lengthy conversation, so she knew that it would just have to wait until the next time they were together.

The squeal of a knob emitted from the bathroom, and as the shower turned on, Julia headed down the hallway so that she could say goodbye. Sticking her head in the room, she called out to him.

"We'll talk later, okay? I have to go now."

"Bye."

He was obviously feeling miffed, so there really wasn't much she could do at this point, besides accept it. She headed for the front door, and as she reached it she paused for a moment, taking a glance down the hallway toward the bathroom. Then she twisted the knob and walked outside, headed into the uncertainty which loomed before her.

* * * * 

As Julia arrived at her apartment, she parked her car next to a red Nissan which was sitting in the driveway. As soon as she put her VW bug in park, she saw the driver's side door of the other car open, and out of it stepped a tall, lanky man with a blond, thinning ponytail. 

Filled with disappointment at the sight of her mother's husband, she instantly felt a pang of annoyance rush through her body. As her eyes met with his, she saw a wide smile crease his lips, and his hand rose to her in a wave. Ignoring his greeting, her eyes roved to the passenger's side door. It opened to reveal long, well-formed legs which were clad in knee high boots, and as her mother exited the car, she shut it behind her with a resounding slam.

Julia could tell by the tight-lipped expression upon her mother's face that she was in one of her moods, and this resulted in a twist of anxiety in her gut. Expelling a heavy breath, Julia did her best to still her nerves. Running a hand nervously through her hair, she then got out of her car and headed toward her mom. Clad in a tiger print dress which emphasized her surgically enhanced bosom, her mother had an aggressive aura about her which came off as quite intimidating.




Tattoo of Love Ch. 09



A pair of four inch pumps expanded her already tall stature, and as she bent down to hug her daughter, Julia's nostrils were invaded by the strong scent of an expensive designer perfume. As they engaged in a half-hearted hug, Julia could see her step-father watching her with intent eyes. She knew he was trying to lock gazes with her, but she refused, choosing instead to keep her orbs firmly locked upon a point beyond him. 

As Julia was released from the embrace, her eyes curiously roved across her mother's features. It'd been awhile since they'd last seen each other, and she wanted to see if she looked any different from their last encounter. Seeing no changes except for a few golden brown highlights in her sleek bob, she offered her a weak smile. 

"Well it's nice to know you're still alive," said her mother. Always prone to overdoing everything in life, she wore makeup which overpowered, rather than enhanced the beautiful features she had.

"You can stop exaggerating mom, because you knew I was perfectly okay."

"Of course I didn't, how would I?" 

"Well it's not like you ever come to visit me, and we hardly ever talk on the phone, so I just find it a bit strange that you're suddenly worried about my safety."

She placed a hand on her hips. "We may not have the closest relationship in the world, but that doesn't change the fact that I love you. You're my *daughter,* Julia. Remember?"

"Of course, how could I have forgotten?" She quipped.

Ignoring her daughter's sarcastic remark, she grabbed one of her curly locks and judgmentally asked, "So when are you going to straighten your hair?"

"What's wrong with wearing it curly?"

"Nothing's wrong with it, I just think you'd look far better with it straightened out. It's almost past shoulder length, so just imagine how much longer it would be if you got it pressed." 

"I might get it straightened one day, but for now I prefer it curly."

"You were blessed with long hair. Don't you want to take advantage of that and show off its length?"

"Mom, just drop it, okay? I like it just the way it is."

As her mother released the curl from her fingers, it sprung back to its original shape. "Alright, have it your way. But if you ever change your mind, let me know. I found a fantastic salon in the city that does a great press n curl."

Deciding to add his input, Dave offered his step-daughter a leering gaze. "I think her hair is gorgeous. Leave her alone, Vivian, and let her wear it the way she wants."

Pretending not to hear her husband's comment, her mother asked, "Well aren't you going to invite us up to your apartment?"

"Yes, of course. Follow me." Her voice was filled with reluctance.

As they made their way toward the stairs, she heard her mother question her.

"Aren't you going to say hello to Dave? He was concerned about you, as well."

Turning her gaze upon her stepfather, she found herself staring into the mirrored sunglasses which covered his eyes. 

"Hello," she curtly said.

He nodded his head in response. "It's good to see you, Julia. How are you?"

Although his orbs were concealed by the glasses, she knew just where his gaze was aimed. Taking a quick glance downward, she was dismayed to find that she'd failed to clasp the top two buttons of her sweater. 

"I'm fine." Her fingers worked hastily to fasten the buttons.

As they reached the top of the steps, she unlocked the door and ushered them in, gesturing towards the couch so they could have a seat. 

"I have to be at work in an hour, so I don't have a whole lot of time to hang out."

"Don't worry, we won't stay too long," said Vivian.

Noting the change of tone in her mother's voice Julia asked, "Can I get you two anything to drink?"

"You got any beer?" Dave asked.

"Nope, but I have some juice and soda."

"No thanks, i'll pass."

"What about you, mom?" 

"No thank you."

Setting her purse upon the coffee table, Julia took a seat in an armchair and turned her gaze upon her mother.

"So, what's up?"

Crossing her arms in front of her busty chest, Vivian asked, "What's going on with you and Sage? Why didn't you allow her to stay here?"

"Oh, so that's what this visit is all about. I know there had to be a catch, because you'd never drive all the way out here just to see me."

"Stop trying to change the subject and just answer my question."

Taken aback by the sharpness of her mother's tone, she said, "I did let her stay here. She crashed here for five days."

"Sage told me she needed to stay here for at least a week longer, but you kicked her out."

"I sure did."

"Why did you do that?"

"She let a guy sleep over here without my permission. They kept me up all night with their activities, and then when I woke up in the morning, he was still here. I found him in my kitchen butt ass naked, and she was nowhere to be found. Is that a good enough explanation for you?"

"So that's it? That's why you kicked her out?"

"What do you mean, that's it?" She asked in astonishment. "Didn't you hear what I just told you?"

"I heard it, but I still don't see why that gave you an excuse to boot her out. She's out your sister, and you should have allowed her to stay here for as long as she needed. That's what family does for each other."

"Listen, I tried to be nice but she took advantage of the situation. She refused to respect my space."

"It's not your job to police her. She's a grown woman, just the same as you are."

"Which is exactly why she should have known better."

"You're her sister, not her mother. It's not your job to judge her, and considering how wild and out of control you used to be, you really don't have much room to talk."

Julia eyes rolled in response. "Okay, that was like eight years ago, so you really need to leave that in the past."

Disregarding her daughter's statement, she continued on. "You hardly spent any nights at home, and the times you did, I seem to recall you sneaking all sorts of guys into your bedroom.

"Excuse me? Sage was the one who did that, not me."

"What about the huge party you threw, when you knew that Dave and I would be out of town? Remember how we came home early and busted you with that guy in your room?"

Knowing that her mother was seeking a reaction, Julia bit her tongue and remained silent.

"If I hadn't gotten home when I did, who knows what would have happened." She shook her head at the memory. 

"All we did was make out," she firmly said. "I wouldn't have allowed it to go any further."

An expression of disbelief crossed Vivian's face. "Yeah, right. I guess that's why his pants were around his ankles."

Furrowing her brows in annoyance she said, "Okay, what the heck does this have to do with anything? We were talking about Sage, and suddenly we jumped to something which happened when I was a *teenager*."

"I'm reminding you that you aren't perfect yourself, so that maybe you can stop judging your sister." 

"I'm not judging her, I just didn't appreciate her bringing someone in here without my permission."

"Sage tells me he was your ex-boyfriend. She thinks the real reason you kicked her out was because you were jealous."

She released a snort. "Yeah, that's exactly it. I was so jealous of her hooking up with my scummy ex-boyfriend." 

"Well I think you over-reacted, and you should apologize."

A stunned expression crossed her face as she asked, "Why? She was in the wrong, not me."

"She was very hurt by you kicking her out."

"Well she disrespected my living space."

"Come on, Julia. Sage is your sister."

"That doesn't mean I have to put up with her mess."

Releasing a sigh of exasperation, her mother said, "Alright, so don't apologize. I think it's pretty screwed up of you to just throw her out on the street, though."

"Oh stop exaggerating, mother. She has plenty of places to go, including your house."

"You're missing the point. You're supposed to be there for family, no matter what."

Her voice rose in pitch. "I can't believe you're taking her side once again. You've always treated her better than you treat me."

Fixing her daughter with an angry look, she said, "That is *so* untrue."

"No it isn't. Ever since you married Dave, it seems as if Sage has been your favorite. She's not even your daughter by blood, and you *still* favor her over me."

"That's completely ridiculous. I've never favored her over you. It just seemed that way, because we had more in common."

"Yeah, like makeup and expensive clothes and designer bags. You guys bonded over all of those things, and in the process, I got left behind."

"So that's my fault, is it?"

"I'm your real daughter. You're supposed to put me first."

"This sibling rivalry between you and Sage should have ended years ago." Vivian waved a hand dismissively at her. "Move on and let it go, Julia. Jealousy doesn't look good on you."

Feeling her heart sink from her mother's words, she stood up from the armchair and coldly stated, "I have to show up for work soon, so if you don't mind, i'd like to get ready."

Rising up from the couch, Dave and Vivian made their way toward the door. As Julia opened it, Vivian gave her a light kiss on the cheek and then said, "Call your sister and apologize, okay? Let her know that you're sorry."

"Goodbye, mom," were the only words that Julia offered.

As Dave passed by her, he said, "Take care, Julia, and make sure you keep a close eye on those buttons." He lifted his sunglasses up so he could give her a lewd wink, and then lowered them once again. 

Filled with disgust from his reference to her unintentional exposing of cleavage, she uttered an unfriendly goodbye and then shut the door behind them, happily ridding them from her presence.

* * * *

Having reached the end of an eventful day at the bakery, Julia unlocked the door to her apartment and flipped on the light, tossing her keys on a table where she kept the mail. After kicking off her shoes and shrugging out of her coat, she headed straight for the kitchen and poured a glass of wine. Worn out from her busy day at work, she decided against preparing a meal and headed straight for her bedroom, carrying the glass of wine along with her. 

Once she'd stripped out of her clothing, she changed into a strappy tank top and a pair of drawstring shorts. Settling herself on the bed, she reclined against a pillow and leisurely sipped her wine. Julia grabbed her cell phone from the nightstand, and as she glanced at the display screen, she found herself hoping that Nolan would call. 

Two days had passed since her mother had come to visit, and it still seemed as if he was upset over her not wanting to introduce him. She hadn't meant to hurt her lover, but she'd seen no other way to protect the relationship that she'd fostered with him. 

She'd tried contacting him multiple times since then, but each call had resulted in the voicemail picking up. Understanding that he needed space, she'd given up trying to reach him, but now that a few days had passed, she decided to make another go at rekindling their relationship.

It was her hope that he still considered them as a couple, but even if he did, it was obvious that the closeness they shared was on a steady decline. As she held the phone in her hand, she contemplated giving him a ring, but guessing that he wouldn't answer, she chose instead to send him a text. Once she'd formulated the short message, she took a moment to read it over before sending it along its way.

~Hey sweetie, how's it going? Give me a call when you get a free chance, okay? 

I miss you.

x Julia~

After hitting the message send button, she set the phone down and took another sip of her wine. As she contemplated their relationship, she realized just how terrible he must have felt when she'd refused him the chance to meet her mom. 

She had, after all met his own mother, and a few of his cousins as well. She could tell from his interactions with relatives that Nolan was closely tied to his family, and this made Julia even more uncertain about the future of them as a couple. 

It seemed that Sage's unwelcome visit had caused a chain of events in Julia's life, and with her and Nolan's relationship on the rocks, she deeply wished that her step-sister had never come to stay with her. Yet as much as she'd like to fault Sage for the events which had conspired, she knew that the blame didn't lie entirely upon her. 

With Nolan being so close to his family, he would have eventually wished to be introduced to Julia's mom. So either way, she would have had to deal with the whole 'introducing him to mom' dilemma. It seemed that her step-sister's recent presence had only sped things along, causing her to face the issue at an expedited speed. 

*Damned if I do, damned if I don't.*

As the saying entered her mind, she realized that this whole issue with her mom was pretty much a no-win situation. So either way she cut it, her relationship with him would surely be altered in some unpleasant way. 

Setting the glass of wine down, she rolled over onto her stomach and lay her head against the pillow. As her eyes landed upon the space in the bed next to her, she caught sight of a strand of hair. She instantly recognized it as one of his, and picked it up to examine it closer. 

Holding it between two fingers, she stretched out its wave pattern, and then allowed it to return to its original shape. Instilled with memories of what it was like to run her fingers through his locks, she couldn't help but recall the passionate night they'd shared here in her bed. 

Closing her eyelids to reminisce, she lost herself in visions of their erotic coupling. She vividly recalled the way his features had twisted in ecstasy from the feel of her body, and she pleasantly remembered how his sweat covered body had felt against her own.

Feeling a rise of excitement within her, Julia undid the drawstring on her shorts. Sliding her hand beneath the fabric, she allowed her fingers to delve between her legs. She was surprised to find that her vaginal lips were already wet with need, and as she immersed herself in the fantasy of her lover, she spread her legs and let her digits go to work. 

The sound of a chime ringing through the air abruptly pulled Julia from her fantasies, and as she rolled over to grab her mobile, she felt her heart beat wildly in her chest. Sliding the display screen of her phone up, she expected to see a text from Nolan, but her hopes were promptly smashed when she saw Mimi's name instead. The nature of the message, however, caused her disappointment to quickly transform into worry.

~Please come over ASAP. It's super important!!~ 

Rising up out of bed, Julia hurriedly got undressed and put on some street clothes, then grabbed her keys and headed for the door. She didn't know what was going on with Mimi, but figured it must be pretty pressing if she sent a message like that. Still on edge from the capricious day she'd been having, Julia hoped with every fiber of her being that nothing too serious was happening with her best friend. Filled with apprehension, Julia locked the door behind her and descended down the stairs, longing for the moment when this day would finally come to an end.

* * * *

"So what's the verdict?" Julia asked as Mimi emerged from the bathroom.

Plopping down onto the sofa, she tossed the capped pregnancy stick to her friend. Glancing at the little window on the test, Julia saw a pink plus sign in the display window. Rendered speechless by the results, she took a glance at Mimi and saw that she was cradling her head in her hands.

"I can't believe i'm pregnant," she groaned. "If I'd just gotten the shot I never would have had to worry about missing one of those damn pills."

Swinging a leg up onto the couch, Julia positioned her body so that she was facing her friend.

"If you don't mind me asking, who's the father?"

"Daniel."

"The waiter from your cousins wedding?"

"Yes."

Unsure of what else she should say, Julia simply said, "Oh." A moment of silence passed between them. "So what are you going to do?"

Mimi lifted her head up from her hands. "What else can I do, except have the baby? That's the only choice for me." 

Grabbing hold of the pregnancy stick, she cast a miserable stare upon it, as if hoping that it'd magically changed to a more favorable result. Shaking her head in disappointment, she tossed it onto the coffee table and released an exasperated sigh. 

"I'm going to have a kid. Can you imagine that?" Her eyes stared off into the distance as if she were imagining herself in the role of motherhood.

"No, I can't imagine it all. It's going to be such a trip seeing you with a big ol' pregnant belly."

"Having a large belly will be the least of my worries. The morning sickness, backaches and mood swings with only add to the joy of impending motherhood."

Hoping to ease her friend's mind, Julia placed her palm against Mimi's shoulder and gave it a gentle rub. "You know you can count on me to help you out in any way you need, right? That means i'll be available to give you belly rubs, make late night trips to the store when you get cravings for weird foods, and I *might* even be willing to throw in a foot rub or two."

Her lips curled into a weak smile. "Thank you for supporting me. You really are a great friend."

"Hey, no need to thank me. That's what I'm here for."

Grabbing her by the hand, Mimi gave her palm a little squeeze and said, "I'm sure Daniel will be thrilled when I tell him that he's got another kid on the way."

"So he's already a dad?" 

"Yep, he's got a five year old daughter, and is currently going through a nasty custody battle with his ex-girlfriend."

"Wow, sounds like he's already got his plate full."

"Pretty much. So now that he's knocked me up, it looks like i'll be having baby mama drama with this other chick, Debbie."

"Have you ever met her before?"

"Nope, and judging from the way that he describes her, she's not the type of girl that you'd want to meet in a dark alley."

"She sounds a bit rough around the edges."

"Rough is an understatement. According to Daniel, she's been in multiple fights with him, and their last altercation ended with him having to take a trip to the hospital. From the way that he describes her, she seems to be pretty unstable."

"So basically she's a psycho."

"Yep." Propping her feet onto the coffee table she rested her head against the back of the couch and stared up at the ceiling. Releasing a heavy breath she rhetorically asked, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?" They were both silent for a few moments and then Mimi began to speak once again. "You're a lucky girl, Julia."

"Am I?" 

"You sure are. You have a wonderful man in your life, someone who absolutely adores you."

As Mimi spoke the words, her thoughts instantly turned to Nolan, remembering the way they'd parted during their last time together. 

"You've got yourself a good one, girl. Men like him can be really hard to come by, so whatever you do, make sure you hold onto him."

A small twinge of sadness rose up inside of Julia as she thought about the current state of her relationship with Nolan. She wanted nothing more than to keep him in her life, but she wasn't so sure how one could hold onto something, when it seemed fated to slip away. 

* * * *

Searching through the library's steel bookshelf, Julia glanced from title to title, looking at each spine until she found what she was looking for. Grabbing the tall book off of the shelf, she cracked open the hard cover and had a look inside. The musty scent of it filled her nostrils as she flipped through the pages, and as her eyes landed upon a map, she thoughtfully studied it.

Featuring all of the islands of the South Pacific, it gave it her an idea of where Nolan would be traveling. Julia was curious about the types of places he would be visiting, and she was especially interested in learning more about Samoa. She spent a few minutes glancing at the glossy photos, but since she was on her lunch hour from work, she didn't have nearly enough time to properly immerse herself in the reading material.




Tattoo of Love Ch. 09



Deciding to check the book out, she tucked it under her arm and then searched the shelf for another title. She hoped to find something which was specifically about Samoa itself, so she carefully eyed the rows of book which were on the shelf directly in front of her. After searching through half the bookcase, her eyes fell upon a thick book with a blue spine. 

Aptly titled 'The Samoan Islands,' it was just what she was looking for. Arching her calves so she could elevate her height, Julia rose up onto her tiptoes and made a grab for it. Her attempt to slide it off the shelf, however, was promptly impeded as large, masculine hand grabbed it instead. Turning to face her unknown assistant, she was pleasantly surprised to see Nolan standing before her.

"Hello, Julia." His lips tugged into one of those wide smiles that she loved so much.

"Hey there, Nolan. How are things?"

"Oh, not too bad. Busy as usual. What about you?"

"The same."

He offered a little nod and then tucked his hands into his pockets. 

"Listen, I know i've been a bit scarce lately. I'm sorry about that."

She gave a little shrug and simply said, "It's fine."

"No it's not."

Sliding her thumb against the cover of the book, she studied him with an intent gaze. 

"So what's the deal with us, now? Are you we still a couple, or what?"

"Of course we are, why wouldn't we be?"

"You've hardly been taking my calls and the last time we saw each other was four days ago. I know you were mad at me, but don't you think you overreacted just a bit?"

He released a small sigh and lowered his gaze to the ground. A lock of hair fell into his eyes as he did it, and as Julia watched him she found that her heart was beating quickly in her chest. 

Glancing back up at her, he said, "I wasn't mad with you, just disappointed over you not wanting me to meet your mom. It made me feel kind of lousy."

"Yeah I know, and I am sorry for that, but you have to believe me when I tell you that there's a good reason behind it."

"I believe you, but until you fully explain *why,* then i'm kind of just left in the dark about it."

Julia nodded her head. "Yeah, I get what you mean." As her eyes landed upon his lips, she instantly began to crave the feel of them upon her own. "I will tell you, it's just not something that I can go into now."

"I understand. You can let me know later."

Walking closer to her, he wrapped his arms about her waist and leaned in for a light kiss. It felt so good to be held by him once again, and as she placed a hand against his cheek, he stared deep into her eyes.

"I've missed you," he said.

"Missed you more."

Locked into a loving gaze, neither were aware that somebody was watching them until they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. Snapped out of their lovesick daze, they both turned their attention upon a middle aged librarian who was standing at the end of the row. 

Her lips were pulled into a thin, straight line and she was eyeing them with a disapproving gaze. After engaging in a session of prolonged eye contact, she shook her head as if to silently forbid them, and then walked off into another part of the library. 

Turning their gazes back upon one another, Nolan and Julia shared a smirk. Grabbing her by the hand, he led her toward a more secluded area where he knew they wouldn't be disturbed. This part of the library featured shelves of books which nearly touched the ceiling, and as Julia's eyes fell upon the titles, she realized that they were in a row with medical books. 

Finding a private little nook which was tucked out of sight and away from everyone else, Nolan planted his palms upon her hips and gently pushed her back against the wall. 

Covering her body with his tall, muscular form, he bent down to cover her mouth with his warm lips. His fingers gently stroked the curve of her hip, and as the kiss deepened, she found herself lost in the sensation of his tongue.

Placing her palm against the muscles of his biceps, she gave them an admiring squeeze. She'd been denied the touch of him for too long, and her loins were aching with desperate need. As he released her from the kiss, she stared up into his eyes and noticed the look of hunger within them. She'd seen that look many times before, and could tell that carnal thoughts were going through his head. 

Taking her hand in his, he lifted it to his mouth and graced the inside of her wrist with a tender kiss. As his lips pressed to it she felt a slight shiver run up her spine, and she rested her palms against his wide shoulders. His eyes peered deep into hers for a few moments and then he spoke.

"Are you working tomorrow?"

"Nope, I have a three day weekend. Why?"

"Do you think you'd be up for a road trip?" 

"That depends. Where would we be going?"

"I was thinking a drive up the coast would be nice. The scenery is really beautiful, and there are a bunch of cool little towns along the way."

"Well I have always wanted to do a drive along the pacific coast," she pleasantly stated.

"So you'll come with me?"

"Yeah sure, i'd love to."

His lips pulled into a smile. "Great. I finish up with my last client around seven thirty, so once that's done i'll swing by your house and pick you up."

"Sounds good. I'm already looking forward to it."

"So am I." 

Taking a glance at his watch, he was surprised to see that it was already nearing two p.m.

"I'd better get a move on. I have an appointment in the next fifteen minutes, and it's halfway across town."

Cupping her face in his hands, he offered her a tender kiss in parting. 

"I'll see you later this evening, okay?" 

"Alright, see you then," she said.

He uttered a quick goodbye and then made his way out of the book stacks, heading towards the exit.

Julia's eyes remained upon him until he was out of sight, and then she made her way towards the circulation desk. Once she'd gotten the books checked out she headed for the door and exited the library, filled with anticipation of the impending road trip.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 10



*Thank you so much for the comments. You guys are awesome! I love receiving feedback, so it's always much appreciated. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter, and thanks for continuing to read.* 

*

As the doorbell chimed through the apartment, Julia grabbed her travel tote bag and flipped the light switch off in her bedroom. A surge of excitement swept through her as she headed for the door, and as she pulled it open, she saw Nolan greet her with a smile.

"Hey baby. You ready to hit the road?" He asked.

"Yep, let me just grab my jacket and then we can go."

Retrieving it from a hook by the door, she draped it over her arm and followed him outside. Once the locks were engaged they descended down the stairs and made their way toward his vehicle. Having only seen him riding a motorcycle, she was surprised to see a 1960s station wagon sitting in the driveway. It had a glossy cream colored finish, and aside from a barely noticeable scratch on the hood, it was in near mint condition.

"Wow, nice car. How'd you get a classic ride like this?" Unable to resist herself, she admiringly traced a finger along the shiny chrome trim which surrounded the windshield.

"My great uncle passed away a few years ago and left it to me in his will." Nolan unlocked the driver's side door so he could throw her travel bag in the backseat, and then slid behind the wheel.

Once Julia was in the passenger's seat, she turned her head to check out the spacious backseat interior. 

"What kind of a car is this?"

"A Ford Country Sedan."

"What year?"

"1964." He answered with a touch of pride to his voice.

"Nice." Seeing there were two rows of rear seating she added, "You could fit a football team in here." 

A smile cracked his lips. "Yeah, it's pretty nice and roomy. I've even camped out in the back a few times."

"Well it's definitely ideal for a road trip, but won't this cost a fortune in gas?"

Nolan gave a small shrug. It's not the most economical car, but I rarely travel long distances in it, so I don't mind splurging for the weekend."

He turned the key in the ignition and the engine came to life, rumbling pleasantly as he backed the car out of the driveway. Once they were on the paved road, he accelerated forward and they were on their way. Settling comfortably against the vinyl upholstery, she inhaled the scent of the car. It smelled of citrus and petroleum and made her feel safe and cozy. 

"So where exactly are we heading first?" She asked.

"I thought we'd take highway 1 until we reached Pacific Grove. You ever been out there?"

"Nope, but i've heard good things about it."

"It's definitely a great place to visit. I can't wait to take you to lover's point. I think you'll really like it."

"Sounds like a place you go to make out."

His lips tugged into a smile. "It's so much more than that. It has white sand beaches and a nice little park with great coastal views." Placing his palm against her jean clad thigh, he added, "Since you brought it up, there are some good make out spots out there. There's one in particular that I have to show you."

Glancing over at her, he gave her a wink.

"And how would you know where the good spots for kissing are located? Take a lot of women there, have you?" She arched a brow questioningly.

A sheepish grin spread across Nolan's face. "I wasn't speaking from first hand experience. It was more of an assumption."

Giving him the side eye she said, "Yeah, right. You've already busted yourself, so don't even think about trying to backpedal."

A small chuckle spilled from his lips. "No, really. The truth of it is that I haven't taken any other women there. I only mentioned those spots because they're tucked away and secluded. Those are always the best places to make out in." His eyes scanned her face, searching for any signs of discontent.

Finally turning her gaze upon him she said, "Yeah, okay. I have a feeling that there's something you're not telling me, but that's your business." Sticking a hand into her purse, she began to rummage through it. Then she pulled out a silver compact and popped it open, illuminating her face with the built in light.

"I'm serious, Julia. This is new for me."

"What is?" Holding a tube of lip gloss, she began to spread a thin coating over her lips. 

"Taking my road trips with someone else. It's always been a solitary thing for me. I've never asked any of my previous girlfriends to come along."

"Well why not?"

Nolan gave a shrug. "I don't know. I guess you could say that I sort of needed a break from them."

Glancing away from her reflection, she turned her attention upon Nolan.

"So basically you got tired of being with them." 

"Not tired, just needing to take a breather. I've been with some very clingy girls in the past."

Snapping the compact closed, she returned it to her purse and trained her gaze upon him.

"So this trip you're taking, the one to the South Pacific."

"Yeah?"

"Just be truthful with me, okay? Are you looking forward to being on your own without me?"

As he offered her a glance, she saw his eyebrows dip into a slight frown.

"No, of course not. How could you even think that?" 

"Well you said that you needed to take breaks from your previous girlfriends."

"Yeah, but those women were different." 

"How?"

"Like I told you, they were clingy. They always wondered what I was doing and who I was with. It got pretty old after awhile."

"All of your girlfriends couldn't have been the same. There must have been some who gave you space."

"Yes, of course there were."

"So did you take solitary road trips while you were with them?"

"Actually, yes I did. And the reason for that is because we just never fully connected. So what's the use of sharing a small space with someone for hours on end, if you don't feel all that close?" He turned his eyes upon her for a quick moment and asked, "You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I see where you're coming from. I guess that makes sense."

"So taking this trip with you is kind of a big deal for me. It sounds silly, I know, but you're the first woman i've asked to come along."

"It doesn't sound silly to me, it sounds sweet." Placing a palm against his cheek, she gave it a tender stroke with her thumb. "Thank you for sharing this part of yourself with me."

"It's no reason to thank me, baby. If you only knew how happy you make me, then you would understand that i'm the one who needs to be giving thanks." 

As they came upon a gas station, Nolan turned into it and came to a park beside one of the pumps. 

"You want anything from the snack shop?" He asked. 

"A cherry slurpee would be nice."

As if to tempt her he asked, "That's it?"

"Get me some nachos, too."

"Okay, be back in a few." 

As he headed to the store to pay the cashier and pick up the snacks, she began to observe all of the different types of people who entered and exited the little convenience store. There were a number of unique looking individuals who caught her eye, but as a family of four exited the snack shop, she found her attention suddenly drawn toward them.

The unit consisted of two happy looking parents, as well as an adorable pair of boys. Both of the children possessed a head of tight, black curls, and wore identical blue t-shirts. As they made their way toward the car, the two boys bounded jubilantly toward the vehicle. They each had a popsicle in hand, and as they reached their vehicle, the mother opened the door and coaxed them in. 

Once they were settled in their seats, she shut the door behind them and turned to face her husbands, who grabbed hold of her waist and leaned in for a kiss. Although their embrace was brief, it was apparent that this couple was still very much in love. Julia continued watching them until they got into the car and drove away, then once they were out of sight she averted her eyes elsewhere. 

As Nolan exited the snack shop and made his way toward the car, Julia found herself contemplating the prospect of having kids with him. Of course they were nowhere near that point in their relationship, but she couldn't help briefly entertaining the thought. She was still unsure about having a family of her own one day, but if she did decide to, it was her hope that it could be like the one she'd just observed.

Having grown up in a family which was more distant than loving, she'd never fully understood what being part of a happy household was like. So whenever she did hang around those who had close-knit relations, it tended to emphasize just how dysfunctional her own family was. 

As she thought about the strange relationship she had with her mother, she was once again reminded of the fact that Nolan would eventually want to meet her. This caused Julia to feel very uneasy, and yet she knew that eventually it would have to happen. 

It would seem odd and suspect if she kept avoiding them contact, so she'd have to give in sooner or later. Releasing a heavy sigh, she saw that Nolan was exiting the snack shop, so she did her best to release the unhappy thoughts from her mind. 

Seeing that his hands were full of beverage containers and snacks, she reached over to open the door for him. Once he was settled in the driver's seat, he handed Julia her slurpee and nachos, then set his styrofoam cup of soda into the drink holder. 

"Oh yeah, I also got you this." He handed her a small package with a bubble top covering.

Glancing down at the object in her hands she said, "A Spiderman pez dispenser? This is great."

His lips curled into a pleased smile. "I figured you'd like it, since you're a comic book collector."

Julia leaned over to give him a sweet peck on the lips. "I do, I love it. Thank you sweetie."

"No problem. Let me just pump some gas in the car and then we'll be on our way."

As Nolan pumped the gas, Julia flipped on the radio and munched on her nachos, taking a few glances in the rear view mirror every so often. She couldn't help but allow her eyes to rove admiringly over her lover, noting the hard muscles in his arms and the broadness of his chest. The epitome of everything she'd ever longed for in a man, he was deliciously masculine in every way.

She watched in the mirror as he removed the gas hose from the tank of the car, and as he set it back into its cradle on the pump, she noticed the hard muscles of his arms flex. The car door offered a slight creak as he opened it, and once he was settled behind the wheel he started up the engine and pulled out of the gas station. 

As they came upon the green highway sign, Nolan turned onto the freeway and they merged with the other cars. Something about being on the highway with him filled her with great pleasure, and as the car picked up speed she felt a rush of excitement at the adventure and unknown possibilities which lay ahead of them.

* * * *

Having dozed off during their journey along the highway, Julia awoke from a sleep which had been accompanied by fragmented dreams. She couldn't remember what any of them had been about, but as she awoke to the reality around her, she momentarily found herself wondering where she was.

"Hey, how'd you sleep?"

As she heard the sound of his voice, Julia glanced towards her lover and offered him a smile. 

Giving a light yawn, she sat up from her slouching position and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. 

"Not too bad. My back is killing me, though."

Placing her hands on her shoulder, she worked to release the kinks from her neck.

"Sorry to hear. Remind me to give you a massage later on, and i'll have you feeling better in no time."

"Mmm, I bet you will." She placed a hand upon his muscular thigh, caressing it through the fabric of his jeans.

Nolan gave a light chuckle. "You keep on touching me like that, and I won't be able to concentrate on the road."

Her lips curled upward and she removed her hand from his leg. Bending down to retrieve her purse, she retrieved her compact mirror and took a quick glance at her reflection. After fluffing her curls out, she snapped it closed and put it back in her purse. Releasing she had a package of jujy fruits stashed away in her purse, she opened the box and popped one into her mouth. 

"You want one?" Holding the package out, she offered some to him.

"No thanks, I can't stand those things."

"Really?" The package emitted a rattling noise as she shook another piece of candy into her hands. "I love them. They've been my favorite since I was little."

"Don't they get stuck in your teeth?"

"Yeah, but that's the price you pay for eating something so delicious."

He shook his head humorously at her, then made a right turn onto a different road. They drove along the quiet, nearly empty street for a few minutes before eventually coming upon a large pink and blue neon sign. The brightly lit letters proclaimed the attached establishment as the Starlite Inn, and blinking red script below it informed them that there were vacancies available.

"What do you think? Should we stop here for the night?" Nolan asked. 

Studying the blue exterior with white trim, she saw that it was kept in good condition, so she gave an affirmative answer.

"Sure, why not?"

Turning into the parking lot, he eased the car into a space near the office, and then shut off the engine. After retrieving their bags from the backseat, they made their way towards the office so that they could check in. Once their room had been booked they headed for the stairs and climbed up to the second floor. 

As they entered the room, they were both pleased to find that their lodgings were much nicer than either of them had expected. The bed was queen size and sandwiched between two nightstand tables, and a sliding glass door was located to the right of it. A large flat screen TV was mounted above an oak dresser, and a full length mirror hung on the wall next to the closet. 

The bathroom was decent sized, and had a shower with marble walls and see-through glass doors. There was plenty of counter space for one to set their toiletries upon, and the mirror above the sink featured vanity-like light bulbs.

Deciding to wash up first, they stripped out of their clothes and headed for the shower. After soaping each other up and rinsing off, they dried off their bodies and then went back into the bedroom. Zipping open her travel bag, Julia retrieved a silky camisole set. She attempted to put it on but before she could do it, Nolan gently pulled the garments from her hand. 

"Thought I was giving you a massage." Encircling her waist with his large hands, he coaxed her over towards the bed.

Offering a little smile she said, "Can't you do that with my night clothes on?"

"The type of massage I want to give you requires you to be fully nude." 

He moved his lips to her neck so that he could give her a tender kiss, and then offered it a gentle nip. Lying her down upon her stomach, he climbed onto her body and straddled her in a way so that his weight wouldn't rest upon her. Then he grabbed a bottle of oil from the dresser and squirted some into his hands. 

Starting with the upper part of her body, he went to work at massaging her shoulders. His touch was firm, yet gentle and as his fingers worked against her muscles, she emitted a sound of deep pleasure. 

He was more skilled at this than she could have ever imagined, and as his hands found a knot in her shoulder, his palm began to knead against it. He spent a good five minutes attempting to release the soreness, and as his digits smoothed out the tension she found herself arching her back in response. 

"How's it feel?" He questioned from above her. 

With her face placed flat against the pillow, her response came out sounding like garbled speech.

"What's that?" He asked.

Julia lifted her head up off the pillow. "I said it feels incredible."

A pleased smile curled his lips. "Good."

His hands continued to massage her shoulders for a bit, and then gradually worked their way downwards. Pausing to grab the bottle of oil off the table, he squirted it directly against her skin, and then rubbed it into her flesh. He rubbed it against her back and buttocks, and then into her thighs before finally reaching her calves.

Grabbing her left foot in his hand, he gently slid his fingers across the sole of it. This resulted in her emitting a little giggle, and her foot began to squirm beneath his touch. Smiling from her reaction, he applied a bit more pressure so that it wouldn't tickle her. His thumbs worked in a circular motion around the ball of her foot, and then slowly worked their way toward the base of her toes.

He pressed his fingers gently into each toe, and then moved back up to concentrate upon the balls of her feet. As he pressed against the muscles there, Julia released a pleasured sigh. 

She'd never had her feet massaged before, and was in complete awe as to just how enjoyable it was. After offering her right foot the same attention, he slid his hands up along her legs and over the hump of her buttocks. 

His hands worked across the flesh there with a sensually erotic touch, and it didn't take long before her body began to respond. Arching her back so that her butt humped outward, she released a little moan. His hands felt so good that she didn't want the massage to ever end, and as his fingers crept between her legs, she found herself experiencing a whole new level of pleasure. 

Loving the way her body was reacting to him, Nolan slid his thumb against the wettening slit of her vagina. Then he slowly and very teasingly inserted his digit between her lips. A throaty moan emitted from her mouth as he pushed it in to the hilt, and as he pulled it back out again a wet noise accompanied it.

Wishing to see the delicate tissue which was hidden, he pulled the folds of her vaginal lips apart so he could see the silky pink flesh within. The mere sight of it caused his mouth to water, and he softly caressed it with the pad of one finger. 

Rubbing her pelvis against the bed, Julia felt a spark of pleasure rush through her loins. She'd grown unbelievably wet beneath his ministrations, and her core was aching with desperate need. 

Removing his finger from the heat of her inner flesh, he huskily said, "Turn over so I can massage your front."

Flipping herself beneath him so that he was still straddling her, she glanced into his eyes and eagerly waited for him to make the next move. After grabbing the bottle and squirting more oil onto her body, he went to work upon her breasts.

Rubbing his large palms against her skin, he caressed and fondled her fleshy mounds. His fingers rolled and twisted her stiff peaks, and as her body shivered beneath him, he cupped a breast in each of his hands and leaned down to offer them some oral attention. 

His tongue swirled around the left areola first, and then the right, before giving each of her nipples a tender little bite. Nolan's breath left a hot, moist trail against her skin, and as he placed his lips to her neck, she arched her back and pushed her warm globes into the hardness of his chest. As his lips found hers they engaged in a tender, lingering kiss, and as he pulled back from her mouth she saw his eyes gaze longingly into hers. 

"Do you love me?"

Taken aback by the suddenness of the question, she momentarily found herself too stunned to say anything. Noting the look of surprise upon his lover's face, Nolan patiently awaited her answer.

"Yes, I do."

His mouth creased into a smile from her response, and he placed his lips to the tip of her nose in a loving kiss. "That's good, because I love you."

Their orbs locked into an amorous gaze, and for a few silent moments neither of them spoke a word. With their chests pressed flush against each other, Julia could feel the thumping of his heartbeat, and the hard contours of his body melded perfectly against her soft, curvy form. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 10



Stroking her cheek with the pad of his thumb he said, "I've fallen so hard for you Julia, and I want you to know that I care about you very much."

Placing a hand against his back, she allowed her fingers to caress the outline of his muscles.

"I feel the same way." She gazed up at him with a love-filled expression. 

Grabbing her by the waist, Nolan coaxed her into turning over onto her side, then positioned his body directly behind hers in a spooning position. She felt the touch of his lips as he pressed them to her neck in a kiss. 

Then he encircled an arm around her waist, holding her securely against his warmth. Content to lay in silence, they snuggled against one another and enjoyed the moment. 

A small twinge of anxiety swept through her body as she thought of how he would soon be far away, all the way on the other side of the globe. She didn't like thinking about it, but whenever they lay in each other's arms like this, it made her remember just how fleeting these moments were. 

There was the feel of Nolan's breath as it suddenly ghosted against her neck, and with his mouth pressed against it, she felt the vibration of it against her skin.

"Relax, baby. You feel so tense in my arms." His palm slid up and down the length of her thigh, coaxing her to feel more at ease.

Realizing the effect of her thoughts upon her body, Julia allowed herself to go slack against him. He was right, she needed to loosen up and be more at ease. Experiences like this were to be fully cherished, and with the changes which lay ahead of them, she knew that appreciating them was of most importance. So ignoring the twinge of anxiety within her, she snuggled up closer and closed her eyes, allowing him to blanket her with the warmth of his body.

* * * *

Julia awoke to the feel of her lover's touch upon her, tracing patterns against her skin with a feathery light touch. The tickling sensation of it sent little prickles of desire down her spine, and as her eyes met his, she saw him offer her a little smile.

"Morning, hon."

"Morning." Julia gave a half-yawn and then rolled over onto her stomach, propping herself onto her elbows.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Wonderfully. But then again I do always sleep well with you by my side."

Placing a finger beneath her chin, he tilted her lips towards his and graced her with a sweet kiss. Then he sat up in bed and swung his legs over the side. As he got onto his feet he languidly stretched his limbs, releasing a satisfied groan as he did it. Then he headed towards the sliding glass door and pulled back the curtains, immersing the room in bright rays of sunlight. 

Rising up out of bed, Julia made her way toward her travel bag and began laying out the clothes she planned to wear. Once that was done she grabbed her container of toiletries and headed for the bathroom. Nolan followed behind her, and as he opened the shower door to step inside he glanced at her reflection in the mirror.

"Care to join me?" The look he gave her was seductive.

"I'd love to, but we'll never get anything done today if that happens."

Offering her a look of exaggerated disappointment he said, "Okay. Guess I'll have to shower alone then."

As Nolan soaped himself up, Julia brushed her teeth and washed her face. She did her best to keep her attention upon her own morning routine but despite her best efforts, she found that her eyes were continually drawn toward the glass shower door. 

She couldn't help but admire the muscled planes of his back, and as her eyes landed upon his nice, firm ass and powerful, muscular thighs, Julia knew she could no longer resist joining him.

Steam billowed around her as she stepped into the shower, and as Nolan turned to face her he greeted her with a smile. The next thing she knew she was being pushed against a wall, and as Nolan's hands roamed her body she lost herself in his touch, succumbing herself to his passionate ministrations.

* * * *

Having spent most of the day taking in the sights of Pacific Grove, Nolan and Julia had decided to end their day at the beach. After a leisure picnic in a quaint little park, they'd taken a stroll along the sandy shores. Following their leisure walk, they'd gone exploring along the rocky outcrops along the water, and once they'd tired of doing that, they returned to the area where Nolan's station wagon was parked. 

Located on a bluff overlooking the beach, they sat upon a wooden picnic table and stared out at the coastline below. Pleasantly secluded from other beachgoers, they held each other in a loving embrace. 

Crisp sea air surrounded them with its fresh scent, and as a breeze blew around them it carried the scent of a campfire from off in the distance. With the day now turning to dusk, the sky was becoming a beautiful mixture of orange, red and purple. Waves crashed against the shore in a symphony created by nature, and the melody of a beach Boys song drifted pleasantly from the speakers in the car. The song fit perfectly with the coastside environment, and as she listened to the beat of it, Julia's lips curved into a pleasant smile.

The setting sun cast a wonderful orangey glow upon their surroundings, and as she glanced out at the horizon she suddenly felt her heart swell with happiness. If there had ever been an absolutely perfect moment in her life, then it surely had to be the one she was currently experiencing.

"So, what do you think of lover's point?" Nolan asked.

Scanning the coastal horizon which lay out before them she said, "I think it's absolutely beautiful. This place is amazing." Snuggling up closer to him, she lay her head upon his shoulder. 

"Glad you like it. I've always loved hanging out in this place, but having you here with me makes it even more special."

Spotting a flock of seagulls near the shoreline, Julia watched as they flew into the air and squawked off, filling the air with the echo of their calls. Raising a bottle of root beer to her lips, she took a long sip of the drink.

"So i've been thinking..," Nolan's voice trailed off as he stared out at the ocean beyond, observing as the waves crashed against the shore, and then retreated to leave behind a foamy residue. "If you can get some time off work, how about you come out to visit me in the South Pacific?"

As the words left his mouth, Julia felt her heart give a little jump in response. She'd been hoping that he'd at least make the offer for her to accompany him for a portion of the trip, so now that he finally had, she couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement wash over her. She didn't want to appear over eager, though, so inwardly coaxed herself to be cool. 

"Yeah, that'd be nice. I'll see if I can take an early vacation."

The arm which encircled her waist gripped her a bit tighter, drawing her even closer against him.

"I really hope you can. It'd be such an amazing experience for us to share."

Silence passed between them, and for a few moments the only sounds which surrounded them were the crashing waves and the cries of gulls in the distance. 

"So what changed?"

"What do you mean?" He curiously asked.

"Well when you first told me about the trip, it seemed as if you didn't really care about us being separated for so long."

"That's not true, I do care."

"So why didn't you ask me to come along then?"

"Does it really matter?"

Julia gave a little shrug. "No, I guess it doesn't. I'm just sort of curious as to why you're asking me now."

A moment of silence passed between them, and Julia could sense that he was hesitant to speak.

"The truth of it is, that I was certain I could go three months without being around you. But now i'm not so sure."

Although he was quiet for a few moments, she got the feeling that he had more to say. Studying the sun's receding rays, she noticed how beautiful the ocean looked against the backdrop of the lavender-orange sky.

"I haven't felt this way about anyone for quite some time. The last relationship I had was almost purely physical."

"So it was a friends with benefits type of thing, huh?"

He gave a little sigh. "It started off as a pretty solid connection, but we wanted entirely different things in life. So eventually we grew apart." Glancing at the view beyond them, Nolan focused his eyes upon a large rock in the middle of the ocean.

Julia could hear the emotion in his voice and guessed that the last woman he'd been with had left somewhat of an imprint upon his heart.

Grabbing her hand in his, Nolan gave it a light squeeze. "It's different with you and me, though. We both seem to be moving in the same direction, and that makes me happy."

She offered him a little smile and then placed her palm against his cheek. Turning his face so that his eyes stared into hers, she tilted her mouth upward to offer him a kiss. Their lips pressed together in a steamy kiss, and their tongues tangled together with a hungering urgency. 

As they finally parted from the kiss, they both found themselves short of breath, and took a few moments to simply gaze wordlessly at one another. As his eyes stared into her own, Julia noticed that he seemed to be looking very intently into them. It almost seemed as if he were searching for something inside of her- such as a secret which was hidden deep within. 

"Now that I have your heart, I promise to take good care of it." The look in his eyes conveyed his seriousness.

"People don't usually give their heart away unless their in love," she responded. 

Simply offering silence, he gave her a thoughtful look.

"What makes you so sure that i'm in love with you?" She knew very well that she was, but didn't want to be the first to admit it.

"Love isn't something which needs to be declared. It can be spoken very clearly without words."

The way he was looking at her made her feel as if she were something precious that he was studying. 

"So if you have my heart, does that mean that I have yours?" She inquisitively searched his eyes.

"What do you think?"

Her orbs shifted for a brief moment before locking back into his gaze.

"I think I do."

"You only think it? You should know." His thumb trailed against her mouth, tracing the outline of her lower lip. 

In an affirmative tone of voice of she said, "You have my heart, and I have yours."

"That's right, you do." He gave her a tender kiss on the line of her cheekbone, and then graced her lips with a sweet, gentle kiss.

As a low rumbling noise emitted from her stomach, Nolan's mouth cocked into a half-smile.

"Hungry?" 

She gave nod in response and said, "Starving, actually."

"So am I, but not for food." As he saw Julia give him a playful roll of the eyes, he uttered a small chuckle. "You're lucky i'm a patient man, otherwise i'd just give into my desires and have you right here and now."

She noticed there was an animalistic look in his eyes as he said it, and she felt a shiver of desire run along her spine. Releasing her from his embrace, Nolan opened a plastic cooler which was sitting on the table right next to them. He rooted through the contents of it for a few moments and then retrieved a package of hot dogs and a package of buns. 

Holding them up for her to see he asked, "Hot dogs for dinner sound okay?" 

"Sure."

He headed for the car to retrieve a portable grill and then came back over to the picnic table so that he could set it up. 

"Since you're cooking the dinner, then i'll take care of dessert." Reaching into the cooler, Julia retrieved a small carton of vanilla ice cream and a bottle of chocolate syrup, holding them up for him to see. "You in the mood for sundaes?"

Offering her a desirous glance he said, "The only dessert i'm interested in having is between your legs." 

A little chuckle fled from her lips. "You are so dirty."

"You like it though, don't you?" Leaning in towards her, he offered her a tender kiss on the side of her neck, then followed it up with a little nip.

His palm began to creep along her thigh seductively, but before it could reach its destination she halted it with a playful slap.

"We can have sex later, but right now i'm hungry. So get to cooking." A playful smile curled her lips.

Taking her hand in his, he brought it up to his lips and offered her a kiss. 

"As you wish." 

Then he got to work at preparing their meal.

* * * *

Freshly showered and lounging on the bed in their hotel room, Nolan and Julia were winding down from the activities of the day. Sitting against the headboard with a pillow propped behind his back, Nolan was clad in a pair of boxers and gray tank top which showcased his nicely muscled arms. 

Flipping from channel to channel, he was trying to find something which would interest the both of them. Yet despite the various stations to choose from, it seemed that he couldn't find much of anything to watch. Finally deciding upon a station which showed retro music videos, he contentedly watched the images on the screen.

Wearing a lace-trim black satin slip, Julia was rifling through the items in her toiletry case. Having found what she was searching for, she retrieved a bottle of nail polish and set the case aside. A faint clicking noise emitted from the bottle as she gave it a few shakes, and then she unscrewed the top. 

Lifting her foot onto the bed, she rested it against the edge of the mattress and prepared to paint her toes. She'd just removed the brush from the bottle and was about to apply it to one of her nails, when Nolan scooted forward so that he was closer to her.

"Here, let me." Grabbing the bottle of polish from her, he took Julia's foot in the palm of his hand, and then laid it upon his lap.

Starting with her big toe, Nolan began to paint her nail with the crimson colored polish. Watching as he did it, she found herself surprised by the steadiness of his hands. 

Working slowly and methodically, he made sure to cover ever inch of the nail so that the color on her toes came out nice and even. Utilizing a patience and skill that even she didn't have, she found herself curious as to how he'd learned to paint toes so well. 

Julia noticed he had a look of concentration on his face, and found it cute how the tip of his tongue slipped out as he attempted to keep within the borders. As he reached the baby toe, he offered it a single stroke of polish, and then placed the brush back into the bottle. Lowering his mouth so that it was closer to her feet, he blew gentle puffs of air upon her toes. He took a moment to admire his work and then glanced up at her for approval.

"So, what do you think?" 

Julia stretched her toes upward so that she could get a good look. "Not bad. Actually you did a pretty darn good job. You stayed within the borders and everything."

Nolan's face creased into one of his charming smiles. "Good, i'm glad you like it." 

Taking her unpolished foot in his palm, he removed the brush from the bottle and began working on her left foot. The contrast of the tiny, dainty looking bottle in his large masculine hands was almost comical, and she loved the way he so carefully held the brush between his thumb and forefinger.

"How'd you get so good at painting toenails? You must have had a lot of practice."

"Not really. I guess you could say i'm a fast learner."

"Alright, so just how many nails have you painted? I'm obviously not your first." Her eyebrow lifted in a playful way.

Offering her a grin he said, "I've only painted one other foot before you."

"So who was your first?"

"My ex-girlfriend."

"I see. Well I don't love the idea of you holding some other woman's foot in your hand, but I must admit that she taught you well."

Julia watched as he swiped the brush against the nail on her middle toe, and then moved on to the one right next to it.

"Please don't be offended by me asking you this, but I have to know. Do you have a foot fetish?"

As a chuckle released itself from his lips, she felt his breath ghost against her foot.

"I paint your toes once, and suddenly I have a fetish for feet?"

"Well you also gave me a foot massage. Which wasn't just nice, but *incredible*. That tells me that you really knew what you were doing."

"I don't really like that word."

"What word?"

"Fetish. It makes it seem as if it's a freaky interest, or something."

"So what would you call it?"

"An appreciation for female feet." He gave a quick glance upward and offered her a little smile.

Offering a slow nod she gave him a thoughtful look. "So it's true, then. You do have a thing for feet."

Focusing his attention upon her fourth toe, he slowly and carefully covered it in the rosy hue. 

"A thing. You make it sound so weird."

"I didn't mean it that way."

Pausing his work, he lifted his eyes to meet hers.

"I guess you're all freaked out now, huh?"

"No, not at all. Actually i'm sort of fascinated."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean i've never actually met a guy who had a foot fetish before. I-". Suddenly realizing that she'd uttered the words, she offered a quick apology. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say fetish. I know you don't like that term."

"It's cool, don't worry about it." Turning his attention back upon her toes, he resumed his painting.

"So besides polishing toenails and giving foot massages, what else do you like to do with feet?"

A light chuckle escaped his lips and he said, "Okay, I think I see where this going."

"I wasn't talking about sexual acts, I was just wondering if there were any other foot related activities that you enjoyed."

Having completed his work upon her left foot, he capped the nail polish bottle and set it upon the bedside table. 

"You're just full of questions, aren't you?" He asked with a funny little grin.

"Hey, I'm a curious girl." The look she gave him silently conveyed that she was awaiting his answer.

"I mostly like touching and looking at them, but with pretty feet like yours, I wouldn't mind giving them a few light kisses." Nolan ran his palm along the bottom of her foot, tenderly caressing it. 

Remaining silent, Julia's lips curled upward into a smile.

"What, is that weird?"

"No, I think it sounds very nice." A moment of silence passed between them before she spoke again. "I find it interesting that you never really showed any interest in my feet before this."

"I definitely noticed them. In fact, it was one of the first things that drew my attention towards you."

Thinking back to the first day they'd met at the tattoo shop, she remembered how she'd been wearing a pair of Birkenstocks.

"That's right, I was wearing sandals that day, wasn't I?"

"Yep. I remember you had this light purple nail polish on. " He offered a pleasant little smile at the memory.

"So besides my feet, what else did you notice?"

"Your hair. I remember thinking how sexy you looked with those tousled curls of yours. I also really liked your eyes." 

Julia felt herself flush from the look that he gave her and she stretched her legs out in front of her, crossing them at the ankles.

"So what did you first notice about me?" Reclining against the pillows, Nolan offered her an inquisitive look.

"Your lips."

"What did you like about them?"

"They're nice and full, so I figured you'd be a good kisser."

"Am I?"

"I think you already know the answer to that question."

"I still want to hear you say it, though."

"You're a great kisser."

"Only great?"

"Alright, you're fantastic."

Nolan broke into a wide grin. "So what else am I good at?"

Rolling her eyes playfully, Julia said, "Looking for an ego stroke, are you?"

"I'm only kidding around."

Grabbing her foot in his hand, he began to gently massage her toes, making sure not to mess up her freshly painted nails in the process. As his digits kneaded and caressed her feet, Julia began to feel very relaxed and pampered. None of her previous boyfriends had ever lavished such attention upon her before, and she loved the way that her foot looked cradled in his wide palm. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 10



Glancing at his face, she could see that the expression upon it was one of pure contentment. She was still amazed that he received such satisfaction from simply massaging her feet, and began to realize that it was quite a sensual thing she was experiencing. Not able to stop herself from asking, she decided to inquire about his past relationship.

"So your ex-girlfriend, did she have better looking feet than me?"

"Heck no. Yours are way cuter, and i'm not just saying that to make you feel good."

"So what makes them cuter?" 

"Your toes are perfectly shaped, and you have these really nice, high arches." He slid his finger along the curve of it, and then ran his palm along the underside of her foot. 

She'd never thought that having someone massage her feet could be erotically pleasing, but the way that Nolan held and caressed her was turning her on quite a bit. 

With the position she was sitting in, it offered him a clear view under the slip she was wearing. He could see the floral print panties she had on, and as he peered between her legs he realized he could see the outline of her pussy lips. 

The sight of it resulted in an instant erection, and as Julia's eyes fell upon his tented boxers, her lips tugged into a crooked little smile. Noticing where his eyes were aimed, she parted her legs a little further to offer him a better view. 

Looking up at her from beneath hooded eyes, Nolan offered her a desirous gaze, and then lowered his mouth toward her left foot. He offered it a gentle kiss, and then gave the same attention to her right one. 

Placing the heel of her foot between his legs, she firmly pressed it against his excitement. Using her toes, she began to manipulate them against his hard shaft, sliding them up and down the length of it. 

She caressed and stroked him with a gentle firmness which drove him crazy, and as her toes moved down to make contact with his balls, it nearly drove him over the edge. 

She wiggled her toes lightly against his sacs, and then began massaging them with the balls of her feet. Julia's toes possessed a flexibility which sent delicious shivers of pleasure up his spine, and as she curled her toes around his ball sac, he responded with a throaty noise. 

The sound of it caused a wetness to build between her legs, and as she watched her lover groan in desire, she found herself urgently needing the feel of him of him inside her. Removing her foot from his ball sac, Julia moved up toward him and climbed onto his lap. Seated directly upon his hardness, she slid her fingers into his locks and peered seductively into his eyes. 

He glanced intently right back at her, and sliding a finger along the skin of her shoulder, he slipped one of the straps of her slip off. Nolan traced a line down her neck with feathery kisses, then continued his path along the soft skin of her shoulder.  

The sensation of his lips just barely touching her skin caused Julia to crave him even more, and as his tongue peeked out to taste her, she uttered a soft sigh of pleasure.

Placing his palms upon the hem of her slip, he slowly slid it up her thighs. His hands cupped her round ass with a possessive squeeze, and as he offered each of her ass cheeks a firm smack, she felt a tingle of pleasure rush through her clit. 

Moving her hands back up to her chest, he slipped the other strap of her slip off, and then pulled the fabric down over her torso. With her breasts now exposed for his eyes, he lustfully glanced from one fleshy globe to the other. Jutting temptingly toward him, her stiff dark nipples ached for the touch of his lips. 

Nolan leaned his mouth toward them and offered each a gentle kiss, then began to caress her nipples with his tongue. As his mouth tenderly stroked and suckled upon her flesh, Julia tilted her head back and uttered a soft moan. His wet appendage felt absolutely delicious against her skin, and the way it danced and flicked against her nubs sent prickles of arousal through her body.

Releasing her nipple from the heat of mouth, Nolan tiled his chin upward and claimed her mouth with his. Engulfed by the heat of his kisses, she allowed him to take control. His tongue stroked and caressed hers with a level of skill she'd never experienced, and as their mouths finally parted, Julia found her lips swollen from his ministrations. 

As their eyes locked into an intimate gaze, a music video for a love song called 'You Got It All' came onto the TV screen. Instantly recognizing it as a song by an 80's pop group, Nolan's lips curved into a little smile. The sound of the music caused a wave of nostalgia to wash over him, and he was instantly transported into the past.

"Oh man, I haven't heard this song in years."

Focusing on the singer's voice, Julia said, "This sounds familiar. Who sings it?"

"It's by a group called The Jets."

"Oh yeah, I remember when this song came out."

His eyebrows lifted in surprise. "It came out in the mid eighties. You were barely out of diapers, Julia."

"I still remember it."

Offering a little chuckle he said, "Okay." 

Julia noted his expression of disbelief. "You were just a kid back then, as well."

"Yeah, but i've got four years on you. This song came out when I was seven, so that means you would have only been around three. I highly doubt you remember its release."

"I have a pretty good memory."

"Well if it's so good, then why couldn't you remember who sang it?" His face spread into a wide grin.

"You just refuse to believe me, don't you?"

"Alright, you win. I believe you, okay?"

"Yeah, right." Grabbing a pillow from behind her, Julia playfully tossed it at him.

Nolan caught it in his hand, and then threw it aside. Then he placed a palm against her thigh and slowly slid it upward until it disappeared beneath her slip. The touch of his fingers against her sex made her jolt, and as he pressed his thumb against her clit, she released an earthy moan. 

Placing her hands upon his erection, she guided it through the hole in his boxers and gently began to stroke it. With each upstroke of her hand, she constricted her palm gently around the head of his shaft. 

This caused beads of precum to form at the slit, and as her small hand continued to manipulate him, Nolan tilted his head back and emitted a strangled gasp. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed, and as her strokes grew harder and faster, Nolan felt his muscles tense up.

With his arousal increasing, Nolan's penis began to swell in her hands. She closely studied the way his body reacted, and as his breaths grew shorter, she knew he was rapidly approaching that point of no return. 

Sliding his fingers beneath the waistband of her panties, Nolan tugged them down around her hips. Maneuvering her body so that she could assist him, Julia peeled them down around her thighs and off her ankles.

Desperately craving the feel of her warmth around him, Nolan grasped her by the hips and guided her onto his erection. As she sank down onto it, they simultaneously breathed a husky sigh of pleasure and began a rhythmic dance of love. 

Tangling his fingers into her locks, he met her eyes with a sensual gaze and bucked up into her center, thrusting again and again as she writhed and moaned above him. Sounds from the 80's love song continued to fill the air around them, and noises of their passionate union mingled along with it- creating a symphony of amorous harmonies.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 11



*Thanks for continuing to stick in there with me, guys. This story is taking me places I never expected, and it's actually turning out to be longer than i'd originally planned, but i'm happily allowing the characters to take me where they will. :) I hope you'll enjoy this chapter, and as always, a big thanks to everyone for their continued support!!* 

Having come to the end of their weekend getaway, Nolan and Julia were seated in a small, cozy diner. Located along the pacific coast highway, the eating establishment had a charming, retro feel to it. The booth cushions were made from a powder blue vinyl material, and the table they sat at was rectangular shaped and lined with shiny chrome.

Deciding to stop for breakfast before they began their drive home, the couple was mulling over the various items which the diner had to offer. After ping ponging between two breakfast specials, Julia finally made a choice and flipped her menu closed.

Glancing beyond the large windows of the diner, she stared out at the stretch of road which lay endlessly beyond them. Despite a few dinky looking gas stations and a small vegetable stand, there really wasn't much else in the surrounding area. 

The day was fairly sunny and there were few clouds in the sky, and as the branches of a palm tree swayed in the wind, she found her eyes following its rhythmic dance. Grasping the mug of hot chocolate in front of her, she brought it up to her lips and took a sip. As she placed it back down her eyes locked into Nolan's and she saw his lips turn up into an expression of amusement. 

"What?" She playfully asked.

"You have a funny way of sipping drinks."

"How do I sip them?"

"You make this little slurping noise."

"Does it bother you?"

His shoulders pulled into a small shrug. "Not really. I just wonder why you do it."

"Well it's a hot drink. I'm trying not to burn my tongue."

"I've seen you do it with cold beverages, too."

Her eyebrows furrowed lightly. "Really? I never realized I made any noise."

"Yeah, it's okay though. It's actually sort of cute."

Raising the drink back up to her lips, she took another sip. As the slurping noise filled the air, Nolan emitted a chuckle and cracked into a smile. Suddenly realizing that she'd done it again, she immediately lowered the mug and offered a look of embarrassment. She'd actually heard herself that time, and was ashamed to discover that she sounded like someone who lacked good table manners. 

"Okay, now you're just making fun of me." 

His face creased into a wide grin and he said, "No, I'm not. I just find it amusing that you don't even realize you're doing it."

"Have I been doing this the entire time we've been dating?"

Nolan nodded his head. "Yep."

"Well why didn't you ever point it out me? I sound terrible."

"It isn't *that* bad, Julia."

"Yes it is."

Suddenly thinking back to an event in the weeks which had passed, she realized just how damaging her annoying habit could have been. 

"Oh no, I just remembered that day I stopped by your house and had tea with your mom. That probably means I did it with her, too." Wincing in embarrassment she said, "She probably thinks I was being completely rude."

"I doubt it. My mom really likes you, so it obviously didn't bother her too much."

With a shake of her head, Julia offered a little sigh. "I must have seemed like such a moron to so many people."

"Oh come on, it's really not that big of a deal."

"That's easy for you to say. You weren't the one doing it."

As Nolan fought back a smirk the waitress approached. She retrieved a pen from behind her ear and then poised it above the notepad she was carrying. 

"What can I get for you two?"

"I'll have the banana pancakes and an order of mixed fruit," said Julia.

"And you?" The waitress's dangly earrings swayed as she turned her head to look at Nolan.

"A large breakfast burrito and make it spicy, please."

"Anything else?"

"Nope."

After their server had collected their menus and walked away, Nolan questioned Julia.

"So what kind of annoying habits do I have?"

As she thought about his question she took a brief glance out of the window, and then turned her gaze back upon him.

"You're a cover hog." As his eyebrows rose in a questioning manner, she followed it up with another statement. "You always pull the covers off of me when we sleep."

"I do?"

"Every time."

"Sorry babe, I never realized it. That is annoying."

"If you weren't so cute, i'd have kicked you out of bed the first time you did it."

His lips tugged into a smile at her words. "Well now that you've let me know about it, i'll definitely make sure it doesn't happen again." 

"How will you do that? You can't control yourself while you're sleeping."

"I don't know, but i'll figure something out. Can't have my baby freezing through the night, can I?" He reached across the table to grab her hand in his, and offered it a tender stroke. 

"Well I suppose I could always climb into a sleeping bag." Her lips pulled into a little smirk as she said, "I bet you won't be able to pull that off me."

A chuckle passed his lips. "Well I guess it's good to be aware of our annoying habits. At least now we can try to change them."

As the waitress arrived with their food, she set their plates in front of them and then sashayed towards another table. The sight of the banana pancakes made Julia's mouth water, and after dividing them into bite sized triangles, she popped one into her mouth. They ate in companionable silence for awhile, each enjoying the taste of their meal. 

Once they'd finished eating, Nolan paid the check and they headed for the exit. After buckling themselves in they were ready to take off, so Nolan started up the engine and kicked the car into gear, then turned onto the highway. 

Using his left hand to guide the steering wheel, Nolan allowed his right palm to clasp with his lover's. The double yellow lines guided their way along the black pavement, and as the car continued forward she rolled her head to the side and glanced lovingly at her boyfriend. 

If she knew anything to be absolutely true, it was that she was truly blessed with a wonderful man. It seemed he complemented her perfectly in every way, and if there was one wish she currently had, it was for them to be joined for a lifetime. Feeling her lovesick gaze upon him, Nolan briefly glanced toward her and offered her hand a squeeze.

"I love you."

Those three words caused happiness to blossom inside her, and she softly repeated her own words of affection. 

"Love you too."

"Forever?" His lips curved into a crooked smile.

"And ever."

She knew there really was no such thing as forever, but she still liked the idea of being with someone indefinitely. Neither knew what life had in store for them as a couple. Yet just like the road ahead of them, twists and turns would occasionally cross their path, bringing a variety of experiences that neither could predict. 

* * * *

"Home sweet home," said Nolan as they pulled into her driveway.

As the car came to a stop, Julia undid her seatbelt and got out of the car. Nolan retrieved her travel bag from the back seat and then followed behind her, climbing the steps to go up to her apartment. Once they were inside Nolan set her bag on the ground and encircled her waist with his arms, pulling her up against his body.

"I had a wonderful time with you this weekend. I hope you enjoyed it as well."

"I loved it." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down for a kiss. 

As their mouths pulled apart Nolan ran his tongue against his lips and made a soft smacking noise.

"Mmm, I can still taste the syrup from those pancakes on you."

Her lips tugged into a smile and she asked, "So what are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"My mom's washing machine has been acting up, so I promised i'd go over there and fix it for her. After that, i'll probably stay over and have dinner." He watched as Julia slipped out of her shoes and shrugged her jacket off. "What about you?" 

"As of right now, my only plan is to have a nice long bath and then kick back with a good book."

"A bath this early in the day? It's only two p.m."

"That shower at the hotel had pretty lousy water pressure." Rubbing a palm across her arm she said, "I can still feel the soap on my skin. It feels pretty icky."

"Feeling dirty, huh? Maybe I can help you clean up." There was a carnal gleam in his orbs. 

"We've had lots of sex this weekend. Shouldn't you give me at least a few days to recuperate?" 

"Getting tired of me already, huh?"

"Now you know that could never happen."

"Good, because you'll never get rid of me." Capturing her mouth with his, he graced her with a drugging kiss. 

It always amazed her how steamy their oral embraces were, and no matter how many times their lips pressed together, it seemed as if each time was just as exciting as their first. 

Reluctantly pulling away from his lover he said, "Well I guess i'll be on my way now. I'll give you a call later tonight, okay?"

Julia nodded and followed him to the door, watching as he crossed the threshold. Offering a goodbye over his shoulder, he descended down the stairs. Once he was in his car and pulling out of the driveway he gave a honk, and then drove off down the street. Heading back into her apartment, she closed the door behind her and grabbed her travel tote bag. 

As she headed for the bedroom she began to anticipate the nice, relaxing bath she would take. The weekend had been wonderfully stimulating in every way, and as she remembered the special words he'd said to her, she felt a rush of bliss flood her body. They were just three little words, but they made her so happy. Julia was in love, and she knew without a doubt that there was no turning back.

* * * *

Sitting on the couch with a container of sushi on her lap, Julia grasped a piece of salmon roll and fed it into her mouth. Savoring the flavors of raw fish and rice, she maneuvered her chopsticks towards a piece of tofu and dipped it into some soy sauce.  

"Great sushi, Mimi. Thanks for bringing it over." Her words came out slightly garbled around the mouthful of food.

"No problem. It's been awhile since we last had one of our sushi nights, so I figured it be nice if we got back into the habit of doing it again." 

"It has been awhile, hasn't it?" Julia popped a piece of pickled ginger into her mouth and then followed it up with a piece of fried shrimp. Releasing a sound of contentment she said, "Why'd we ever stop?"

"You got a man, that's why we stopped."

"Are you saying i've been neglecting you?" 

"That's not what I meant."

Setting her container of sushi upon the coffee table, Mimi traded it for a small stryofoam bowl. As she removed the top off of the container steam billowed around her face, and the scent of miso soup filled the air around them. 

"You're not upset with me for spending so much time with Nolan, are you?"

"Of course not, why would I be mad?" She cautiously took a few spoonfuls of the hot liquid into her mouth. "Girl, i'm happy for you. Nolan's a good man, and i'm glad you're spending so much time with him."

"Thanks for being understanding about it. The last thing I wanted was for you to feel like I was picking him over you."

"Oh honey, no. I never thought that. If I had a dude that looked as good as Nolan, you'd better believe i'd be spending a lot of time with him, as well." Cocking her eyebrow she added, "Especially in a horizontal way."

Julia's lips tugged into a grin, and she swirled a portion of her avocado roll in some soy sauce.

"So how was your weekend, anyhow?" Mimi asked. "Did you have a nice time?"

"Yes I did, it was wonderful. It couldn't have been more perfect."

"Good, i'm glad to hear." 

"So, how have you been feeling? Are you having any morning sickness yet?"

"Not yet, but I have been peeing a lot. I've also been feeling really tired." 

"Well if there's anything I can do, just let me know," said Julia.

Scooping a cube of tofu out of the bowl, Mimi spooned it into her mouth and then wiped her lips with a napkin. "Well now that you mention it, I do have a proposition for you."

"Okay, what it is?"

"I was thinking that as my pregnancy progresses, I'll probably want to take some time off and relax a bit more, which means I'll be needing more help around the bakery."

"Are you thinking of hiring someone else?"

"I could do that, but I'd rather give you a chance to take over for me when I'm not there. I could teach you more about the business aspects of running a bakery. That is if you're interested."

"Sure, I'm always up for learning new things."

"Great. So once I do take time off, I'll need you to work longer hours and take on some more responsibility. I'll be giving you a raise though, so you'll be compensated for the increased workload."

"Well I can definitely use the extra money, so it sounds good to me." Tipping a bottle of iced tea to her lips, she took a generous swig. "So when exactly are you taking time off?"

Mimi pulled her shoulders into a small shrug. "I'm not sure just yet. Guess I'll have to wait and see how this pregnancy treats me. Why?"

"You remember how I mentioned that Nolan is going overseas in a few weeks?"

Mimi nodded in response.

"He asked me to visit him while he's out there. So if it's not too much trouble, I was hoping to take an early vacation."

Mimi gave it a moment of thought and then said, "I guess it'd be okay. When do you plan on going?"

"I haven't talked it over with him yet, but I figured I'd go out there a month or so after he arrives." 

"Well once you figure it out, just let me know so that I can find someone to fill in for you while you're gone."

"Sure thing, and thanks for being cool about it. Hope it's not too much of a pain for me to reschedule my time off."

"It should be fine, no worries." Mimi drank the remainder of the broth from her soup and then placed the empty container on the coffee table. 

"So you'll be going overseas, huh? I bet you'll have a fabulous time." She gave Julia an envious look.

"Yeah, I'm pretty excited. Can't wait to see what it's like." Lifting her feet onto the coffee table, she crossed them at the ankles and gave her full belly a satisfied rub. 

As the food settled in their stomachs, they fell into a comfortable silence. Noticing a small paper bag sitting on the coffee table, Mimi leaned forward to nosily peer into it. Sticking her hand into the bag, she removed a small plastic container and offered it a look of disbelief.

"Wow, they still make these things?" 

Grabbing the diaphragm from Mimi she said, "Yes they still make them. Why, what's so weird about it?"

"It's kind of outdated, isn't it? And besides, it's the least successful form of birth control."

"Not if it's used correctly."

"Why don't you just go on the pill?"

"I am on it, but it's doing some pretty unpleasant things to my body."

"You could get one of those birth control rings. They're a lot less bulky than diaphragms."

"Yeah, I guess. If this doesn't work out, then I might give that a go."

"So you're actually going to use it?"

"I will if this pill keeps making me sick."

"Well I hope it works out for you. My friend Amy used to swear by those things, but she ended up getting pregnant anyways." Mimi took a sip of bottled water and rested her head against a pillow on the couch. "You better be careful girl, or you're going to end up with miniature Nolan's running around."

"Don't worry, I will be. When it comes to birth control, I don't play around."

Mimi uttered a light chuckle. "Listen to me talking about contraception. I'm the one who got knocked up, and here I am trying to give *you* advice. Pretty funny, huh?"

Julia gave her friend a light pat on the leg. "It's okay, I know you mean well." 

Collecting their empty food containers from the coffee table, Julia took them into the kitchen and dumped them in the trash. She was just about to put a kettle on for tea, when she suddenly felt a strange sensation come over her. Feeling a sudden urge to regurgitate, she took off out of the kitchen and made a quick bolt for the bathroom. 

"Julia? Sweetie, what's wrong?" Mimi's voice called out after her.

Flipping the top of the toilet up, Julia bent down over the bowl and released the contents of her stomach. She heaved until her eyes watered, and once there was nothing left to expel, she sunk down onto her knees and leaned her head against the edge of the tub. 

Stepping into the bathroom with a look of worry upon her face, Mimi asked, "What's going on?" Darting her eyes towards the toilet bowl, she saw the pool of floating sickness and headed towards Julia, bending down so they were at eye level. Mimi brushed a few strands off her forehead, and then took her friend's hand in her own.

"Sorry you had to see that. I know it's totally gross," Julia weakly said.

"Don't be ridiculous. You're sick and you couldn't help it." She leaned over to flush the toilet and then grabbed some toilet paper so that Julia could wipe her mouth off.

"I knew I should have stayed away from you. Your pregnancy is contagious."

Noting the joking tone in her friend's voice, Mimi waved a hand playfully at her. Then she grabbed her by the arm and helped her get onto her feet. "It'd be way too coincidental for us to fall pregnant at the same time."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. The odds of that happening are probably pretty slim." Releasing a shaky sigh she said, "I can't handle those birth control pills. Guess I'll have to stop taking them."

Grabbing a small glass that was sitting on the counter, Mimi filled it with water from the tap and handed it to Julia. "Here, drink this."

Once she'd emptied the cup she handed it back to Mimi, then wiped her mouth off with the back of her hand.

"You feeling any better?" 

Julia nodded in response. "Yeah, I should be okay."

Mimi guided Julia into the bedroom and sat her down on her bed. Taking a seat next to her, she pulled her legs up onto the mattress and peered deep into Julia's eyes.

"You have been taking those pills regularly, haven't you?" "Yeah."

Noting a brief look of uncertainty in her friend's eyes Mimi asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Not wanting to press her anymore, Mimi left it at that.

The truth of it was that Julia *had* been taking her pills regularly, so she knew there was a very small chance of her being pregnant. Besides, she'd taken birth control pills before, and they ended up making her sick, so she was pretty certain that was the reason behind her throwing up. She inwardly tried to assure herself that everything was okay, but a seed of doubt had already been planted in her mind. 

Always tuned in to how other people were feeling, Mimi offered her friend a reassuring rub on the shoulder. She could sense her friend's nervousness and knew she was more than likely thinking over her last few sexual encounters.

Hoping to ease her mind a bit, Mimi offered some words of encouragement. "Don't worry, I highly doubt you're pregnant. It's probably just your body adjusting to the birth control."

"Yeah, probably."

Yet even as she said it, she found herself thinking about how uncertain she truly felt.

* * * *

Glancing at the calendar on her wall, Julia saw that a week had passed since she'd last been sick. Ever since that day that Mimi had come over for sushi, she'd been anxiously waiting her period's arrival. It was more than a week late now, but for the past few days she'd been experiencing light cramping in her lower abdominal area. 

Usually a telltale sign that it was on it's way, Julia had begun to feel hopeful. Yet a nagging doubt in the back of her mind had caused her to purchase a pregnancy test anyway. The result she'd gotten back was a negative, but she still wouldn't feel entirely at rest until her menstrual cycle began. Exhaling a heavy sigh, she turned away from the calendar and headed towards her closet. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 11



Tonight was the evening that she and Nolan would be attending the going away party for Nolan's uncle, and she knew that nearly every member of his family would be there. This meant she would need to make the best impression possible, and the first step towards doing that was picking out some appropriate attire. 

It took her nearly twenty minutes just to decide upon one outfit, but as her eyes landed upon a floral print bohemian style dress, she knew that it would be perfectly suited for the evening. It had a flowy design about it, and she liked it because it made her feel sensual without showing too much skin. After slipping into it, she put on a pair of leather wedge sandals and then glanced at her reflection in the full length mirror. 

After applying a bit of mascara and eyeshadow, she covered her lips in a neutral toned lipstick and then added a bit of gloss. Julia slipped her fingers through her curls to fluff them out a bit more, and then headed for the kitchen. She was just getting a glass of water when the doorbell chimed through the air. Setting the glass down, she headed for the entryway, and as she reached it she pulled the door open.

"Hey, gorgeous." Nolan's face creased into a pleased smile at the sight of her.

"Hey yourself, handsome." After retrieving her purse she followed him out the door and they made their way downstairs. 

As they reached the car, he walked around to her side and opened the door for her. Once she was seated inside he shut it behind her and then headed for the driver's side. 

After sliding behind the wheel, he leaned over to kiss her and then offered her an adoring look. "You look delicious. I'd eat you right now, if I could." 

The mere thought of his tongue upon her skin drove Julia wild with desire. Loving the feel of his eyes upon her, she slid a palm across his wide shoulders. 

"You don't look so bad, yourself." Allowing her gaze to caress his form, she saw he had on a pair of dark denim jeans and a black v-neck sweater with white double bands around the arms. As with everything that he wore, he managed to make it look good.

Allowing his eyes to rest upon her feet, Nolan uttered a sound of appreciation. "I see you have on those sandals I like. Trying to drive me crazy, are you?"

"I figured you'd like them." Her lips curved into a smile.

Reaching a hand out to stroke her cheek he said, "I like a lot of things about you."

Slipping the key into the ignition, he started up the car and they headed towards their destination. As they drove along the streets, Julia found herself becoming increasingly anxious about the evening ahead of them. As they came to a stop light, Nolan took the chance to glance over at her and grabbed her by the hand, offering it a gentle squeeze of assurance. 

"No need to be nervous, because everyone will like you."

"I sure hope so." She was quiet for a few moments and then asked, "So just how many people do you think are going to be there?" 

"I'm guessing around twenty, maybe twenty-five."

"That's a lot of people."

Nolan's lips tugged into a smile. "No need to worry, you'll be fine."

As they turned onto the street where his mother lived, Nolan pulled up next to a bungalow style house and put the car in park. 

"Ready?" Asked Nolan.

Giving a reluctant nod, she got out of the car and stepped onto the sidewalk. Once Nolan was by her side he clasped her hand in his and they made their way toward the house. Sounds of laughter and music came from the house, and as they climbed the porch steps Julia began to feel a nervous fluttering in her stomach. Holding the screen door open for Julia, he allowed her to go ahead of him, and then stepped into the house behind her. 

The living room itself was empty, but chattering female voices could be heard coming from the kitchen. Heading towards the source of the sound, the couple entered the eating area and found Nolan's mother, as well as two other women, spooning cooked food into various containers. The conversation they were engaged in came to a sudden stop, and all eyes turned upon their newly arrived guests. 

"Oh good, you made it." Alveolela's lips tugged into a smile at the sight of the couple.

"Hey mom." He bent down to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. 

"So happy you finally arrived. Everyone has been asking when you would be here." She glanced up admiringly at his tall form. Then she turned to give Julia a hug. "Hello, dear. It's so nice to see you again, and welcome to my home." 

As they engaged in a warm embrace she replied, "Thanks for having me."

Addressing the other two women in the room, Nolan said, "This is my girlfriend, Julia. Julia, these are my aunts, Helen and Ana."

"It's nice to meet you," said Julia 

"Very nice to meet you as well," Helen responded.

Both women smiled and then exchanged handshakes with her.

"So you're the girl that Nolan's been talking about. I see now why he's so crazy about you." Ana offered her nephew a brief smile and then turned her eyes back upon Julia. "You're very pretty."

"Thanks, that's sweet of you to say." 

"Well everybody is out in the backyard, so why don't we join them?" Grabbing a long silver tray of food, Alveolela led the way towards the back of the house. 

Each of Nolan's aunts grabbed a pot from off the stove, and Nolan grabbed a glass dish with meatloaf in it. Spotting a large bowl of corned beef with cabbage, Julia grabbed hold of it and walked behind the others. As they stepped out into the backyard area, they made their way towards a long dinner table which was covered with a checkered tablecloth. 

Once they'd set the various dishes upon it, Julia turned to Nolan's mother and asked, "Can I help you with you with anything else, Mrs. Tuilagi?"

"No thanks. Helen and Ana will assist me with bringing the rest of the dishes out. You're the guest here, so enjoy just yourself." She offered her a little pat on the shoulder and then headed back into the house with the aunts.

The backyard was full of people, and Julia could feel the eyes of Nolan's family members upon her. Inwardly coaxing herself to stay calm, she glanced over at Nolan with an anxious expression upon her face.

He gave her a little smile in response, and then grabbed her by the hand. "Come with me, I want you to meet my dad."

As they headed across the backyard, Julia spotted a tall man with slightly graying hair and a well trimmed mustache. She noticed he was wearing a traditional cloth around his waist, and remembered from one of the travel books she'd checked out that the appropriate name for it was a lavalava. 

Even from a distance, Julia could tell that the man had a proud and confident way about him, and she watched in curiosity as he tended to a pig which was roasting over a fire pit with rocks. As they came upon him, Julia saw him turn his gaze upon the couple, and she offered him a friendly smile. 

"Dad, this is Julia, my girlfriend."

"Pleasure to meet you, Julia. My name is Robbie." He offered his hand for her to shake. 

"It's nice to meet you, as well."

"So Nolan tells me you're a baker."

"Yes, I work at Mimi's Bakery. It's right off of Albany and Main."

"I know the place. Never been inside, but I've heard good things about it." Turning the handle which controlled the spit, he flipped the pig carcasss over so that the raw side of it could cook. "You ever had roast pig before?"

"Nope, never. I'm eager to try it, though."

"Well you'll get your chance today. Just one bite, and I bet you'll be hooked." His lips tugged into a smile. 

Spotting two approaching figures out of the corner of her eye, Julia turned her gaze upon them. She instantly recognized the female as the exotic beauty who worked in the tattoo shop where she'd first met Nolan. Julia's eyes then landed upon the male who walked next to her, and she found herself amazed by just much his features resembled Nolan's. 

She knew without a doubt that it was Nolan's brother, and although his lips weren't quite as full as her lover's, they both shared the same bone structure, as well as a nearly identical muscular build. The largest difference between them was that Nolan's brother wore his hair cut short.

After engaging his sibling in a combination fist bump and handclasp, Nolan introduced the couple to his girlfriend.

"This is my brother Jake and his girl, Sia. Jake and Sia, meet my girlfriend Julia."

"Nice to meet you." Jake offered his hand to her and they clasped palms. 

Giving her a smile, Sia said, "We've met before, haven't we? I thought you looked familiar."

"Yeah, we met at Tatau Samoa. I was there buying a pair of earrings."

"Yeah, I remember you. By the way, they look good on you."

Suddenly remembering that she was wearing the jewelry which she'd purchased, Julia reached up to touch the fish hooks which dangled from her ear.

"Thank you." Her lips curved into a pleasant smile.

"I hear you took a weekend trip together," said Jake. "How'd that go?" 

"It was lovely. We had a wonderful time."

"That's good to hear. It's about time Nolan invited a girl to go on a road trip with him. He's been taking them alone for as long as I can remember." 

Amusement danced in Jake's eyes as he engaged in brief eye contact with his brother, and then he turned his gaze back upon Julia. She didn't know what the secret look between them was about, but she figured there must have been some other story behind the road trips which Nolan had taken in the past. Julia's curiosity was piqued, but instead of entertaining unpleasant ideas in her head, she realized that Nolan's past had no bearing upon the present. 

"So are you planning on visiting my brother while he's in the South Pacific?"

"Oh yeah, definitely. I've already cleared the time off with my boss, so all we need to do is figure out the best time for me to visit." 

Glancing down at his girlfriend, Nolan wrapped an arm around her waist. "So you *are* coming, then?"

Julia nodded in response. "I got the okay from Mimi last night."

"That's great news. I'm glad to hear." He bumped his hip lightly against her own.

"Sounds like an exciting trip," said Sia. "I highly recommend you visit him while he's in Samoa. I really think you'd like it there."

"Well from the pictures I've seen, it does look really beautiful. So maybe that's when I'll take my visit."

"If you do decide to go, I suggest you take in a game of rugby," said Jake. "It's the national sport, and we've got some really great players over there." 

Directing his attention toward his brother, Nolan asked, "Speaking of rugby, when are we getting together for our next game?"

"I don't know, but we'd better do it soon. You'll be leaving in the next few weeks, so we need to get all the boys together as soon as we can."

"Let's plan for next weekend. I'm itching to get out on that field again."

"It's a plan, let's do it." Jake bumped fists with his brother. Noting their empty hands, he asked, "You guys want some drinks?"

"Yeah, sure. I am getting a bit thirsty," said Julia.

"Sorry about that babe, I should have offered you something as soon as we arrived." Grabbing her by the hand Nolan said, "Let's go check out the refreshment table."

They excused themselves from the conversation, and then made their way towards the area where all of the snacks were located. As they eyed the food and drinks, various members of Nolan's family came by to introduce themselves. 

Julia didn't mind the stream of people who came by to chat with her and Nolan, but due to the size of his family, she did feel a bit overwhelmed. Everyone was so nice, however, that the nervousness she felt quickly began to dissipate. As the introductions finally came to an end, Julia glanced up at Nolan and offered him a smile.

"You have a really cool family, and everyone is so nice."

"See, you had nothing to worry about. I told you they'd like you." He took a few pretzels from a bowl and began to munch on them. 

Eyeing a pitcher of milky looking liquid, she asked, "Is that Viafala?"

His lips pulled into a smile from her question. "Nice pronunciation, and yes it is."

"What about the red stuff?" She gestured towards a plastic juice jug.

"That's Vaimaleni. It's a watermelon drink." He retrieved a cup for her and poured a bit into it. "Try some, I think you'll like it."

As he handed the drink to her she took a tentative sip, and then finished the rest of it in one swallow. "That's good stuff, can I get some more?"

Once he'd refilled her cup, Nolan grabbed himself a beer from a large ice bucket on the table. The cap emitted a hissing noise as he removed it, and then he took a generous sip of the liquid. As they stood there sipping their drinks, Julia noticed one of Nolan's relatives heading in their direction. 

A few inches shy of six feet, the man had a stocky, compact build. Possessing a pair of shoulders which could rival any linebackers, he walked with a slow, steady gait. 

"You must be Julia." He offered his hand so she could shake it and then said, "I'm To'afa, Nolan's uncle."

"Nice to meet you, To'afa."

"Pleasure's all mine." He offered her a warm smile. "So I guess Nolan's told you all about his upcoming trip. Hope you don't mind too much that I'm stealing him away for three months.

"I'll definitely miss him, but I know this is a fantastic opportunity for him, so I'm happy that he's getting this chance."

"That's the way to look at it," he encouragingly said. "I like your positive attitude, young lady. That's a very good trait to have." He retrieved a beer from the bucket and popped the cap off. After taking a swig he asked, "So, how did you two meet?"

"We first saw each other at Tatau Samoa," said Julia.

"Oh, so it was at Jake's shop, then." Eyeing her curiously he said, "You're into tattoos?"

"I like them on other people, but I don't personally have any. At least not yet."

"Not yet, so that means you're considering it?"

Julia offered a small shrug. "Well I'm definitely not against it." She took a sip of her drink and then added, "I may get one in the future."

"If you do, then you should let Jake do it for you. He's a wonderful tattoo artist."

"Yeah, Nolan showed me photos of his work. He's a very talented guy." Offering her boyfriend an admiring look she said, "But then so is Nolan."

"So you think he's a good photographer?"

"He's not just good, he's excellent."

"You think he's good, you should take a look at some of my photos. Everything he knows, I taught him." The tone of voice he used conveyed that he was jokingly giving his nephew a hard time. 

"That's what he told me. He also said you were a master photographer."

"A master, huh? Well I can't argue with him on that." 

A crooked smile graced Nolan's lips. "Uncle To'afa always has been very modest," he said to Julia in a voice full of sarcasm.

"I'm only kidding, of course. I'm very proud of my nephew, and that's why I've asked him to go on this trip with me. I figure it'll get his foot in the door so that he can break into travel photography."

Rubbing her palm against his shoulder she said, "He told me that's his dream, so it'll definitely be good for him."

"So I hear you're thinking about coming to visit him overseas."

"Yeah, I am. I've talked to my boss about it, and she gave me the okay to take the time off."

"That's great. I'm glad you'll be able to join us."

Looking beyond To'afa's shoulder, Julia spotted Nolan's dad and brother carrying the roasted pig on a piece of large canvas tarp. After setting it directly in the middle of the dinner table, Nolan's father grabbed a carving knife and created a long cut directly down the middle of it. A cloud of steam billowed up from the pork and as the scent was released into the air, people began to gather around the table. 

"Looks like dinner's ready, so why don't we join them?" said To'afa.

Nolan and Julia followed behind him, and as they reached the table they each took their seats. Stretching more than twenty feet, the dining table offered plenty of room for everyone to be comfortably seated. Julia watched as Nolan's dad carved the pig into portions, and as each person passed their plate toward the middle of the table, he placed a thick slice onto it. 

"Hey Julia, what's up?" 

Glancing up to see who was addressing her, she realized it was Nolan's cousin Leonie. Julia hadn't seen her since the night she and Nolan had dinner at A Taste of Samoa, and she was happy to see a familiar face.

"Hi Leonie, it's good to see you."

"Good to see you too." She pulled out the chair next to Julia and took a seat.

Everyone began to serve from the variety of dishes which were placed upon the table, and as each spooned out a portion of food, they passed it along to the next person. 

"So Jake tells me you might be taking a trip to see Nolan while he's in Samoa."

Julia placed a few spoonfuls of corned beef and cabbage onto her plate, then handed it to her boyfriend. "Yeah, I was thinking to time my trip so that I can spend some time with him while he's out there. It seems like a really nice place to visit."

"It is, and they have some absolutely beautiful beaches. If you decide to go, you definitely won't regret it."

As Leonie handed her a rectangular glass dish, Julia stared curiously at the contents. 

"This looks interesting. What is it?" 

"Taro root," said Leonie. "It's a starchy vegetable, and that milky liquid beneath it is coconut cream." Noting Julia's look of uncertainty, Leonie gave her an encouraging smile. "Try a bit, you'll like it."

After spooning some onto her plate, Julia passed the dish down and accepted a pan of meatloaf from Leonie. Once everyone had filled their plates with a portion from every dish on the table, they joined hands and bowed heads. A prayer giving thanks for the food was said by Nolan's mother, and once it was completed everyone dug into their meals. 

Everything on Julia's plate was mouth-wateringly delicious, and the roast pig was delectably tender with a wonderful smoky flavor to it. Pleasant chatter and light laughter filled the air around them as they ate dinner, and tropical sounding music with featured the sounds of a ukulele caressed their ears. 

As plates became empty and stomachs full, dinner drew to a close and a dessert of banana pudding was served. Once everyone had finished the pudding, a large cake was brought out and divided into portions for everyone to enjoy. 

Feeling as if her belly might pop, Julia was only able to get through half of her serving of the cake. Dropping her fork onto the saucer, she rested her back against the chair and released a sound of contentment. 

"Good food, eh?" Leonie smiled at the expression on Julia's face.

"It was delicious. I ate so much, I'll probably be full for a week."

Uttering a small chuckle, Leonie rubbed her stomach.

Most people lingered around the table for awhile to give their dinner time to settle, but as the minutes passed, the table began to grow emptier. Most people stood around engaging in conversation, but as a particular song drifted from the speakers, Nolan's relatives began to dance and clap along with the rhythm. 

The few people who were still seated at the table became suddenly energized and got up, joining the others around them who were enjoying the sounds of the music. Feeling an urge to join everyone else, Nolan and Julia stood up from their seats and began to dance as well.

As the opening beats to the Macarena filled the air around them, everyone moved to the beat of it. One of Nolan's male cousins, however, really stood out amongst everyone else, and as Julia's eyes landed upon him, she noticed he was moving his hips and dancing in a way which was very amusing. Purposely exaggerating his movements, he placed his hands behind his head and began to perform the Macarena dance steps. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 11



It seemed that each wiggle of his hips and movement of his body released giggles from the crowd, and as he continued to put on a show, everyone stilled their own dance steps so that they could clap along to his dancing. The lavalava which was wrapped around his waist made the movements of the dance even funnier, and the faces he made while doing the dance withdrew loud peals of laughter. 

The humorous display before them soon grew even funnier as Jake joined in to dance with him. Each of the men played off of the other, and it seemed they both were trying to see who could be most outrageous. By the time the song finally drew to a close, everyone in the backyard was clapping, and a few even whistled in approval. Julia's stomach hurt from laughing so much, and as Nolan glanced down at her, his lips tugged into a pleased smile. 

"I love seeing you laugh," he said to her.

"It's easy to do when I'm hanging around your relatives. You have some very funny people in your family."

"I guess we do have a pretty good sense of humor." 

Feeling the need to lubricate her throat Julia said, "My throat is kind of dry. You want to get something to drink?"

"Sure." He followed behind her as she led the way. 

Grabbing a pitcher of the watermelon drink, she poured a cup for both her and Nolan. They sipped quietly for a few moments, just observing those around them and enjoying the upbeat atmosphere. 

"So, when am I going to meet *your* family?"

Before she could even answer, an unpleasant feeling developed in the pit of her stomach. "I don't know. I guess whenever she comes out for another visit."

"We can always drive into the city to see her, as well."

"Yeah, that might work." She was suddenly feeling very warm and a bit lightheaded.

"You don't want me to meet them, do you?"

"That's not what I said."

"But you're thinking it, right?"

Brushing a few strands of hair away from her face she said, "I really don't want to get into this with you again. Especially not now."

"I don't want to argue with you. I just wish you would open up and tell me why you're so nervous about introducing me to your family." He paused so she could answer, but when she didn't he continued talking. "Let me meet them, Julia. I want to get to know them."

Releasing a humorless chuckle she said, "No, you don't. Trust me on that."

Exhaling a sigh of frustration, Nolan set his drink down and placed a palm against her cheek. Looking deep into her eyes, he fixed her with an intent gaze. 

"I need you to open up to me, more. We can't have a proper relationship this way. You know that, right?"

Julia nodded her head in response. 

"I just want to know more about the situation. I'm not asking for private details, but at least give me some sort of idea as to why you feel this way." He stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Promise me we'll talk more about it later on."

"Okay, I promise." The taste of metal suddenly filled her mouth, and as saliva began to build up, she realized she was becoming nauseous. Taking a few unsteady steps backward, she placed her palm against her forehead and found that it felt feverish.

"Baby, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?" Nolan's eyes filled with concern and he stepped closer so he could stabilize her in his arms.

"I-I'm fine, I just..," her voice trailed off as she struggled to stay alert, but the strong wave of dizziness which overtook over her body was too much for her to handle. Her body went limp in his arms as she fainted, and what followed was a trip into the depths of unconsciousness. 

* * * *

Julia awakened to find herself lying on a large, comfy bed. Her back was propped against a couple of large pillows, and a knitted throw blanket had been pulled up to her waist. Using her palms to raise herself up, she threw her legs over the side of the bed and buried her head in her hands. She had a bit of a headache, and was also experiencing some pain in the lower part of her stomach. The nausea was gone, but there was still that unpleasant metallic taste in her saliva. 

Rising up onto her feet, Julia headed towards the bedroom door so that she could go find Nolan. Yet before she could make it outside, Alveolela stepped into the bedroom and guided her back towards the bed.

"How long have you been up? I just came in to check on you five minutes ago."

Julia took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I just barely woke up a minute ago. What happened, did I pass out?"

"Yes, you fainted." She handed her a mug and then sat on the bed next to her. "Drink this tea, it'll make you feel better."

Steam rose up from the ceramic cup, warming her face with its heat. "Thanks." She took a few sips of the chamomile drink. "How long was I out?"

"Ten minutes." Placing her palm against Julia's back, Alveolela offered it an affectionate rub. "We were all very worried about you."

"Sorry about that, I didn't mean to alarm you guys."

"No need to be sorry, you couldn't control it."

Julia took a few more sips of the hot liquid and then asked, "Where's Nolan?"

"He's in the living room. He wants to come in and see you, but before he does, I want to talk with you a bit."

Noting the concern in her voice, Julia shifted her body so that they could make more direct eye contact. "Okay, what's up?"

"How have you been feeling lately, in general?"

Recalling how she'd vomited a week before, Julia reluctantly answered, "Well a week ago I was sick, but ever since then I've been fine. Up until today, that is."

"How sick were you?"

"I threw up, but it only happened once."

Clasping her palms in her lap, Alveolela briefly glanced away, as if she were contemplating something. Then she turned her gaze back upon the younger woman. 

"Excuse me for asking this question because I'm not trying to pry into your business, but do you think you could be pregnant?"

A small sigh released itself from between her lips. "I wouldn't completely rule it out, but the pregnancy test I took came back negative."

Nolan's mother could see the worry in Julia's eyes. "How late are you?"

"A week and a half."

"Are your cycles irregular, or do they usually come on time?"

"They're pretty unpredictable, so it's kind of hard to keep track of them." Clasping the mug in her hands, she peered down into it. 

"I hope this talk we're having doesn't make you feel uncomfortable. It's just I have a feeling about these things."

"So you think I'm pregnant?" 

Alveolela gave a light shrug. "I can't know for sure, it's just a hunch I have. Of course I could be wrong, though."

Biting her lip nervously, Julia contemplated the idea of carrying a child. She hoped that she wasn't because she was nowhere near ready to have a baby. She and Nolan had only been dating for close to two months now, and she knew that the arrival of a child would surely change their relationship in a very big way. 

As she sat there thinking about her future, she found herself wondering how it could have happened. She'd been taking her birth control pills faithfully, so she didn't understand how she could possibly be pregnant.

"I'll give it another few days and then take another test."

"That's probably a good idea." Nolan's mother stood up from the bed and smoothed the wrinkles out of her dress. "You can stay here and rest for a bit longer, if you like."

"No, it's okay. I should be fine." Rising onto her feet, Julia followed her to the bedroom door. As they reached the threshold, the older woman paused to embrace her in a warm hug. 

"I'm sure it will be okay. Try not to worry, alright?" 

Julia nodded and they both headed for the living room. She noticed that many of Nolan's relatives were hanging out there, and felt all eyes turn her way as she entered. 

Everyone was giving her looks of concern, and a handful of people came over to offer her words of compassion. Heading her way with a look of distress upon his face, Nolan wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her up close to him. 

"How are you feeling?" His brows dipped into a slight frown.

"Better. Not sure what was wrong exactly, but I seem to be okay now."

"You had me so worried. Baby, are sure you're okay?"

She gave a nod in response. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm just feeling a bit tired."

"Let's get you home, then." 

After saying their goodbyes to everybody in the room, they made their way to the front door. Nolan's mother gave Julia another hug, and then gave her son a kiss on the cheek.

"Make sure you take good care of her," she called out to him as the couple departed from the house. 

"Will do," he called out over his shoulder. 

As they stepped outside, they saw Jake, Sia and Leonie hanging around chatting to each other. Jake nodded his head in recognition of them, then stubbed his cigarette out in an ashtray.

"You okay, Julia?" 

"Yeah, i'm better now. Thanks for asking."

"Well it was nice to meet you, and I hope to see you again soon." He pulled her into a hug.

"Nice to see you too," she responded. 

Leonie was next to offer her an embrace. "Glad you're doing better, I hope you'll be okay."

Sia gave her a hug as well. "Take care of yourself, alright?" 

"You too." 

After saying his own goodbyes, Nolan led Julia towards the car. He opened the door for her and saw that she was comfortably seated, and then walked around to the driver's side. Once he was seated behind the wheel, he started the engine up and they drove away from the curb, heading off into the night.

* * * *

As they entered her apartment, Julia flipped on the light and slipped out of her black wedge sandals. It felt good to be barefoot again, and as her bladder alerted her of its need to be emptied, she excused herself and headed for the bathroom. 

Once she'd relieved herself, Julia changed out of her dress and slipped into some lounge clothes. After donning a pair of curve-hugging drawstring pants and a white tank top, she headed for the kitchen, where Nolan was preparing some tea. 

"Need any help?" she asked.

"No thanks, I've just about finished up." He plopped a tea bag in each mug, and then handed one of the cups to her.

As she took a sip of the drink, the taste of lemon awakened her taste buds. "You make a good cup of tea."

"Glad you like it." He took a sip from his own mug, and they both headed for the living room. 

Once they were comfy on the couch, Julia grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. As she flipped through the stations, Nolan nuzzled her neck and offered her soft, sweet kisses. She loved the feel of his warm breath upon her skin, and as she settled upon a channel, she cuddled up against him and sipped her lemony tea.

"What's this movie?" he asked. "10 Things I Hate About You. It's one of my favorites."

"Cool. Is it a chick flick?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. It's good though, you'll like it."

They occasionally commented throughout the movie, and chuckled at the funny scenes, but they mostly watched in contented silence. Happily enclosed in the arms of her lover, she realized that this was one of those simple pleasures that really made life so enjoyable. 

As she became more immersed in the storyline of the movie, Julia realized that the anxiety she felt over her possible pregnancy had nearly disappeared. Yet as Nolan's palm began to caress her lower belly, she was suddenly brought back to reality.

The uncertainty of whether or not she was carrying his child was nearly maddening, and as she became lost in her thoughts, her eyes stared blankly at the images on the TV screen. Realizing that all she could do was wait, Julia mentally coaxed herself to be calm and just deal with whatever the outcome would be. 

Yet unbeknownst to her, the possibility of an impending pregnancy would soon become only one of her serious worries. For what lay ahead would prove to be one of the most wicked curve balls that life had ever thrown her way.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 12



*Thanks for leaving comments and votes. It's very much appreciated.* 

Awakened out of her sleep by movement, Julia lifted her eyelids and focused upon the face of her lover. She could feel his strong arms carrying her, and as they made their way toward the bedroom she sleepily inquired about their journey. 

"Where are we going?" The cobwebs of sleep had disoriented her, and she wasn't quite sure just where she was.

"To your bedroom. You'll be more comfortable there."

As they reached her bed he lay her down upon it, then pulled the covers up over her body. Once she was cozily tucked in, he graced her lips with a soft, sweet kiss. Sliding his fingers into her curls he said, "I have to go, but I'll give you a call later on, okay?"

"Don't go. Stay here with me," she sleepily murmured.

"Sorry babe, I can't. I have an early morning photo shoot at Otter Creek."

Turning her head to look at the digital display on her alarm clock, she saw that it was five am. "Why so early?"

"The model I'm working with prefers I capture her early in the morning. Sunrise hours always create the most flattering images."

Uttering a small groan of displeasure, she placed a palm against the back of his neck and offered him a deep gaze. "Please don't leave. I want you here with me."

Noting that she was more emotional than usual, Nolan gently stroked her hair and returned her intent gaze with one of his own. "You're not still feeling sick, are you?" The concern was clearly evident in his eyes.

"No, I feel okay. I just don't feel like being alone right now."

Kneeling down so that his eyes were level with hers he asked, "Are you sure? If you feel weird in any way at all, then let me know. I can always reschedule this client."

Julia was tempted to tell him that she didn't feel well, but the truth was that she felt perfectly fine. She currently wasn't experiencing any nausea at all, and the dizziness and headache that she'd had earlier had completely dissipated. So against her wishes to keep him there with her, she decided that it would be best if he kept his appointment. She knew that his business was important to him, so she didn't want him to adjust his schedule unless it was absolutely necessary. 

"Yeah, i'll be fine."

He couldn't help feeling guilty about leaving her. "I really don't want to go. I'd much rather stay here with you, you know that, right?" 

She nodded. It's okay though, I understand you have to work."

There was a hesitancy to his voice as he said, "Well I guess I'll be on my way then. If you need anything at all, then make sure you call me, alright?"

"Okay."

Nolan leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. "Sleep well, and I'll talk to you in a bit."

"Bye."

She heard the front door shut behind him, and then there was the sound of his boots descending down the steps towards the driveway. As his car started up she rolled over onto her side and nuzzled her cheek against the pillow. She listened to the sound of his tires as they rolled across the gravel driveway, and as the noise of his engine faded into the distance, she closed her eyes and relaxed her body, complacently falling into a deep sleep.

* * * *

Sitting on the edge of the tub in the bathroom, Julia impatiently glanced at her cell phone. She was only two minutes away from finding out the result of her pregnancy test, but even that short amount of time seemed like a lifetime to wait. No longer able to sit still, she got onto her feet and walked over to the sink. The pregnancy stick was located on a little glass counter above the sink, and as she glanced at the display window, she saw that it was still blank.

Eager to know the results, she gave it another minute and then picked the stick up. Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she pleaded for it to be negative, and then once again lifted her lids. She was certain she could hear her heart pumping in her chest, and as her gaze fell upon the display window, she was relieved to see there was a negative symbol. 

Breathing a sigh of relief, she tossed the test into the trash can and stripped out of her pajamas to take a shower. She did feel as if a bit of the stress had been lifted off of her, but she wouldn't feel entirely at ease until her period showed up. 

As she soaped up her body she thought about how unusual it was for her period to be arriving this late. She was dangerously close to reaching the two week mark, and every day which passed caused her to feel even more nervous about what was going on. Unsure of what else she could do to ease her mind, she decided to make an appointment to have a blood test done. She was done playing this waiting game, and needed to know what was going on with her body. 

Once she'd rinsed the last of the soap off her body, she turned the water off and grabbed a towel from the rack. After drying off she headed into the bedroom and got dressed. She slipped into a pair of tight black jean and put on a white tank top, then finished the look off with a stylish blazer. 

Picking her cell phone up from the dresser, she flipped through her address book until she found the number for her obgyn, and then dialed in the number. The other line only rang once before a chipper voice came through the receiver. 

"Lakeview Clinic."

"Hi, I need to schedule a pregnancy blood test. How soon can I get in to see a doctor?"

"Can I get your name, please?"

"Julia Clayton."

There was the sound of nails clicking against keys, and then a brief pause as the receptionist searched through the computer for available appointments. 

"It looks like you're in luck. There was a no show today, so if you can get here within the next half hour, the appointment is yours."

"I'll be there."

"We already have all your information on file, so it looks like you're all set. We'll see you at two thirty, Miss Clayton."

"Great, see you then."

After hanging up the line Julia grabbed her purse and keys, heading straight for the front door.

* * * *

The fluorescent lights of the doctor's consulting room buzzed above her, and as Julia adjusted herself on the exam table, the tissue paper beneath her emitted a crinkling noise. Glancing at the clock on the wall, she saw that it was half past three, which meant that the doctor was due back with the results from her blood test at any minute. Exhaling an anxious breath, she stared at the plain, gray walls, and wondered why such a glum color was picked for the interior of a doctor's office. 

It only added to her feeling of bleakness, and as her eyes fell upon a poster on the wall, she found herself studying the image upon it. The illustration showed a baby in the womb, and also listed the development of the fetus at every stage of its growth. 

Sliding her hand beneath her shirt, Julia rubbed her belly and began wondering about her own body, and began to imagine what stage her own baby would be in if she was pregnant. Since her menstrual cycles were so erratic, it was difficult for her to calculate the date of conception, but if she had to guess, she'd figure she was at least three weeks along. 

Suddenly realizing that she was getting ahead of herself, she removed her palm from her stomach and pushed the thoughts away. She wasn't even certain yet if she was carrying a child, so why she was already acting as if she were? As the door clicked open, the female doctor entered, and Julia anxiously waited for her to reveal the results. 

Glancing down at her clipboard, the doctor adjusted her thin wire frames. She was quiet for a few moments and then turned her hazel eyes upon Julia.

"Sorry about the wait. The lab took longer that I expected to process your blood test."

"No problem." She felt a nervous fluttering in the pit of her stomach.

"I know you're eager to hear the results, so I'll just get right to the point. You are, without a doubt, pregnant."

Julia felt her heart dip in response to the doctor's words, and she knew that life as she knew it would be making a very drastic change. She'd had her suspicions that she was with child, but she still hadn't expected to actually receive the news that would confirm it. Flabbergasted into silence, she stared at the physician with a dazed expression.

"You seem very surprised by the results, so I'm guessing this was unplanned."

"Yes it was, and I'm not only surprised, but also a bit confused. I've been faithfully taking my pills, so I don't understand how I could be pregnant."

The doctor tucked a streak of gray of hair behind her ear, and then took a seat on an exam stool. 

"While the chances are slim, it's certainly possible." Fixing Julia with a serious look, she asked, "You're completely positive you haven't missed taking any of your pills, correct?"

She nodded in response. "I haven't missed one. I've even been taking them at the same time everyday." 

The doctor's brows dipped slightly. "Have you been taking any medications?"

"No."

"What about antibiotics?"

Julia began shaking her head in disagreement, but then suddenly remembered that she had herbal supplements working through her system. "Wait a minute, yes I have. About a month ago, I was having some trouble falling asleep. So I bought a bottle of St. John's Wort, and have been taking doses ever since."

The physician nodded her head. "Well that's probably what did it. Antibiotics are known to interfere with the effectiveness of the pill. You should have been using a back up method of contraception."

"Okay, I didn't know that."

"You'd be surprised how many of my patients don't." She scribbled a few words on her pad and then glanced up over the rim of her glasses. "Which physician do you regularly see?"

"Doctor Bradman. I would have made the appointment with her instead, but the receptionist told me she was fully booked for the day."

"And she didn't warn you about this when she first prescribed your birth control?"

"No, she didn't say a word about it."

Shaking her head in displeasure she said, "That's not good at all. Doctors are supposed to warn patients about that kind of thing." She released a sigh and then stood up from the stool. "I'm sorry about that. I know you weren't planning on having a baby, so I can understand that this must be very difficult for you."

"I appreciate the concern, doctor." She offered a weak smile.

"Before leaving today, I suggest you make an appointment for your first pregnancy checkup. That is, if you decide to continue with it."

Nodding her head she replied, "I am."

She offered two glossy pamphlets for Julia to look over. "These contain some information as to what you can expect during your first exam. They also provide tips as to the types of foods you need to be eating, as well as a few pointers about the vitamins you should be taking."

Julia tucked them into her purse and then slipped the strap over shoulder. "I'll be sure to look them over."

"Well I guess that it's it for now. Please don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions at all."

"Thank you, doctor."

The physician held the door open for her, and then followed her out into the hallway. 

Extending her hand, she said, "I wish you all the best, Miss Clayton. Take good care of yourself."

She clasped palms with the doctor. "I will." 

Once she was back in the waiting room, Julia walked up to the reception counter and booked an appointment. Then she headed for the door and walked outside. Once she was in her car, she took a few moments to just be still and think. Still in shock, she could hardly believe she was going to be a mother. A life was growing inside of her, and within nine months she would be holding a baby in her arms. 

She surely wasn't ready, but it was too late to go back now. It was a done deed, and all she could do was make the best of it. Turning the key in the ignition, she backed out of the parking space and headed out of the lot, deeply immersed in thoughts of her future. 

* * * *

As she was driving along the road, Julia found herself desperately needing to hear Nolan's voice. She hoped that he was home, because if he was, she was going to immediately drive over and break the news. Grabbing her cell phone from her purse, she dialed in his number and waited for him to answer. As he picked up on the third ring, she heard his voice float through the receiver and was instantly comforted by it.

"Hey sweetie, what's up?"

"I just finished up at a doctor's appointment and I'm pretty close to your house, so I thought I would give you a call. Is it okay to drop by?"

"Of course you can come by, but why did you go to the doctor? You didn't faint again, did you?"

"No, I just went for a female checkup." She was eager to tell him more, but it wasn't the kind of news that she wanted to say over the phone.

"Oh, okay. So is everything cool?"

"Um, yeah. I guess."

Noting the waver in her voice, he asked, "Are you sure?"

"Well actually there is something I need to tell you."

"Okay, what is it?"

"I'd rather not say over the phone, but I'm really close to your house, so I'll just wait and let you know once I get there."

His voice was laced with a mixture of worry and curiosity. "Alright. I don't like the idea of waiting, but if you think it'd be better to tell me in person, then I guess I have no choice. How soon do you think you'll be here?"

"I'm about six blocks away, so it shouldn't take more than a few minutes."

"Cool. I'll see you soon, then."

"Yep, see you in a bit."

Flipping her phone closed, she tossed it back into her purse. As she drove along the streets, she imagined Nolan's reaction, and wondered how he would take the news. She knew that Nolan had a sweet and caring disposition, but she still felt uncertain as to how he would truly feel. They had, after all, only been dating for two and a half months, so she knew it would come as a shock that a baby was on its way.

As she drove along the street which led to his house, she found herself feeling very anxious. On one hand she was nervous to see how he would respond, but on the other hand she wanted to get the situation over with and just let him know what was going on. Pulling her car up to the curb, she put it in park. 

Reaching his door, she took a few calming breaths to try and regulate her heartbeat, and then she pushed the doorbell to alert him of her presence. There was the sound of his feet as they padded toward the entryway, and then the sound of the locks being unlatched. 

"Hey you." His lips tugged into one of his charismatic grins.

"Hi." She offered what could barely be described as a smile.

Instantly picking up on her downbeat mood, he led her over to the couch so that she could sit down. 

"You want something to drink?"

She shook her head. "No thanks." Her eyes then fell upon two glasses which sat on the coffee table, and she couldn't help noticing that one of them had lipstick smeared around the mouth of it. Taking note of a glossy postcard sized photo, she picked it up to have a closer look, and saw that the image was of a olive skinned brunette who was clad in a form fitting mini dress. 

"Did you have company over?" 

"Company?" His brow furrowed in a questioning way.

She gestured towards the glasses.

"Oh, right. I forgot to clear those away." He retrieved them from the table and took them into the kitchen. Once they were in the dishwasher, he returned to sit beside her.

So who was here?"

"A client."

"Is this her?" She showed him the picture of the model.

"Yeah. Remember I told you I was doing a photo shoot this morning?"

"Yes I remember, but I thought you were taking photos of her at Otter Creek." She peered deep into his eyes, as if trying to retrieve a secret. "So what was she doing here?"

There was an edge to her voice that Nolan had never heard before. "She just came in to take a look at my portfolio. She's interested in having some headshots done."

"Noting the scent of lilac which hung in the air, Julia said, "I can smell her perfume."

"Really? I don't smell anything at all."

"I can." She could feel the jealousy rising up inside her, and tried her best to extinguish it before it did any damage. Yet despite her best efforts, it seemed intent upon maintaining its presence. Taking another glance at the model's photo she asked, "So are you attracted to her?"

"Alright what's going on here, Julia? Where are you going with this?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're trying to bait me into a fight."

"I am not. I just want to know if you're attracted to her. It's a simple question."

"Yes she's a good looking woman, but what does that have to do with anything?" His tone was full of annoyance.

They stared each other down for a few moments, and then Julia averted her eyes. They were beginning to grow moist, and she could feel that tears were on their way. 

Leaning in closer, Nolan cupped her face in his palm and forced her to meet his eyes. "Julia, what's wrong? It isn't like you to act this way." 

The last time Nolan had observed this side of her had been at Lois's wedding, but even then she'd been nowhere as accusatory as she was at this current moment. He'd forgotten how territorial she could be, and began to wonder what had brought about this abrupt change in her mood.

Feeling stupid and petty about her sudden flare of jealousy, she suddenly blurted out, "I'm pregnant."

Dumbfounded by her announcement, Nolan blinked a few times and then finally spoke. "Are you sure?"

Julia nodded. "I just got a blood test at the doctor's, so it's definite."

Nolan wrapped his arms around her so that he could cradle her in his arms. "So that's why you've been acting this way. I knew something was going on." Releasing a little sigh, he smoothed her hair away from her face. "Honey, why didn't you just tell me?"

"I wanted to, but then I saw the picture of that girl, and I started feeling jealous. I'm sorry for picking a fight with you, I don't even know why I did it." She tilted her chin upward so she could look into his eyes. "It must be my hormones going crazy or something, I don't know."

"Babe, it's okay. You have a lot on your mind, so I understand that you didn't mean it." 

Julia's voice was raw with emotion. "I really wasn't expecting this."

"Well neither was I, but now that it's done, we're just going to have to deal with it." A brief silence fell between the couple as they each became consumed by their own thoughts. Then his voice broke the stillness. "Weren't you on the pill?"

"Yes of course, but I took some antibiotics and they ended up canceling out the birth control."

Nolan exhaled a deep breath. "So that's how it happened." He stroked her hair softly and then asked, "So what do you want to do?"

"Have the baby, of course. Why, do you not want it?" Her voice wavered with emotion.

"Of course I want it. I was just asking to see how you felt about it."

"Are you sure?" Her eyes scanned his for any signs of doubt.

"Absolutely." His tone was steady and firm. 

Laying her head upon his shoulder, she placed her palm against his chest. She felt safe and warm in his arms, and was comforted by his manly touch. 

"So how have you been feeling today?"

"I've had some lower back pain and have been feeling kind of tired, but other than that, I seem to be doing okay."

Nolan could hear the unease in her voice and could only imagine what was going on inside of her head. As surprised as he was by the news of her carrying his child, he knew that she would be bearing the brunt of this pregnancy. It was going to take some time for her to adjust to the changes, and he knew she would become both mentally and physically transformed by her impending role of motherhood. Hoping to ease her mind, he offered a few words of support. 

"I'm here for you, all the way. You understand that, right?"

Julia nodded in response.




Tattoo of Love Ch. 12



"Good." He placed a kiss on the top of her head. Silence fell between them for a few moments, and as the clock on the wall ticked, it became the only sound in the room. As Nolan's voice broke the silence he said, "I don't have to take this trip, you know. I'll gladly stay here and be with you."

Julia thought it over for a few moments and then said, "I'm fine with it. I think you should go."

"Really? I don't like the idea of leaving you alone. It bothers me."

"Well I do have Mimi and she's pregnant as well, so we'll be great support for one another."

"I know she's a close friend of yours, but I need to be here for you, as well. Being separated from you is going to be twice as hard now."

"So do you not want to go?"

He offered a small shrug. "On one hand I do, because it would enable me to make some great money and advance my career. But I'd feel like a total jackass leaving you alone for three months." 

"Here's what I think about it. If it enables you to make more money, then in the long run it would be better for us, right? I mean we do have a baby on the way."

"Yeah, I guess that's true. I still don't feel right about it, though."

Julia lifted her head from his chest so that she could look into his eyes. "You could always cut the trip shorter, that way you could come home sooner."

"That's a good idea. Instead of staying for three months, I'll only stay for one. How about that?

"Sounds good."

"Great, then that's what I'll do." Taking Julia's hand in his, he laced his fingers with hers. "You're being so understanding about this. I really appreciate that."

"I just want you to be happy."

"I already am happy. I've got you, haven't I?"

She offered a little smile and rested her head against his shoulder. She'd never been very comfortable with abrupt transitions in life, but it was now imperative for her to learn how to adapt. For change was imminent and fate was unfolding, silently arranging the events of their future. 

* * * *

As a breeze blew through the window, filmy curtains billowed along with it, carrying the scent of cooking food. The temperature was unseasonably mild for a fall evening, and allowed the couple to lie comfortably in bed with only a thin sheet covering them. Placing his palm against his lover's body, Nolan allowed it to travel up and over the sheer material of her bra, venturing further south until it reached the smooth plane of her stomach.

Casting his eyes upon her belly, he thought of the seed which was currently growing inside of her womb. It was hard to imagine Julia's stomach full and round with his child, but he knew it was only a matter of time before her body began to change. Nolan was still getting used to the idea of them becoming parents, and was definitely nervous about fatherhood, yet he also couldn't help feeling a bit of excitement at the thought of it.

They'd created a life together, and although he hadn't planned on starting a family this soon, he was ready to do everything he could to properly provide for his unborn child. Resting his hand against the curve of her hip, he slid it across the warmth of her body, and as it met with the flesh of her thighs, he loving caressed the softness of her skin there. The way he touched her sent chills up her spine, and she loved the way he so tenderly caressed her. 

"You have such a beautiful body." His orbs roved admiringly over her form, taking in every inch of her lovely brown skin.

"Will you still think that when I'm big and pregnant?"

Raising his gaze he said, "Of course I will. Your baby belly isn't going to make you any less attractive to me."

"I won't be able to wear my sexy underwear for you anymore. Won't you miss that?"

"They make maternity lingerie, don't they?"

She nodded in response.

"So then we'll just buy you some new stuff."

Her lips curved into a little smile, and as he placed his palm back against her stomach, she met his eyes with a soulful gaze. 

"So what'll you think it will be?" He offered her a curious look.

"I always had a feeling I would have a boy. What about you?"

"I don't know, but I have to admit that I'm hoping for a son."

"What if it's a girl?"

"I'll be happy with either, of course. I just want the baby to be healthy."

They fell into silence for a few moments, and as Nolan studied her face, he could sense she had something on her mind.

"What are you thinking?" 

"I'm just wondering if I can really do this. I'm feeling pretty unsure about it."

"What, you mean having the baby? I thought we'd decided to keep it?" Distress filled his eyes as he thought about the alternative.

Lowering her gaze from his, she focused her eyes upon the print of the bed sheets.

"Talk to me, Julia. Tell me what you're thinking."

"I just don't know if I can be a good mom."

"Well why not?"

She offered a little shrug. "I guess I'm just nervous about it due to the way that my own mom is. She wasn't very loving to me when I was growing up."

"Just because she was that way, doesn't mean that you have to be, as well."

"I know, but I still worry that a bit of her may have rubbed off on me." Glancing off into the distance she said, "I promised myself I would never turn out like her, but it seems kind of inevitable, considering the way she raised me."

Nolan took her hand in his. "I understand you didn't have the greatest relationship with her, but that doesn't mean you won't make a great parent. You're going to be a fantastic mom."

"You think so?"

"Of course." His finger stroked gently against her temple. "You're not having second thoughts about this, are you?"

"I was for a bit, but not anymore."

He looked steadily at her for a few moments and then said, "Just remember that you're not alone in this. I'm here to support you in every way."

She gave a little nod and he leaned in to place a sweet kiss upon her lips. As her stomach gave a grumble, Nolan uttered a small chuckle. 

"Sounds like somebody's hungry."

"I'm starving. I haven't eaten since lunchtime."

"Julia, that was six hours ago. You shouldn't go this long without food, especially not in your condition." The tone he used was lightly scolding.

"Yeah, I know. I was just so stressed and worried that I forgot to feed myself."

"You have to start taking better care of yourself. That means you eat regularly throughout the day, and if you feel tired at all, I want you to take it easy, understand?" 

She emitted a faint giggle.

"Did I say something funny?" His eyebrows rose in a questioning manner.

"No, not really. It's just you get this little v-shaped crinkle between you're eyebrows when you're upset. It's sort of cute."

"I'm not upset, I'm concerned."

"You're being bossy."

"Well it's for a good reason. Now that you're carrying my child, it's my responsibility that you're properly looked after. I'm not trying to control your life, I just want to make sure that both you and the baby are well."

"I understand."

"Good. He tenderly stroked her cheekbone and asked, "So what do you want to eat?"

"Hmmm," her voice trailed off as she thought it over. "Well this will probably sound funny, but I've got a serious craving for fish and waffles."

A smile curved his lips. "Fish and waffles? That's an interesting combination."

"It probably sounds completely gross to you, right?"

"No, I think it might be good. People eat chicken with waffles, don't they?"

She released a small laugh. "Yeah."

"Fish and waffles can't taste too bad, then. Now that I think of it, it actually sounds pretty tasty."

"So you're actually going to try it?"

"Sure, why not? I'm willing to give it a go."

Nuzzling her face against the pillow she said, "The only thing is, I'm too lazy to get out of bed and make it."

"No need to do that. I can make it for you."

"You know how to cook?" Her brows shifted upward.

A smile tugged at his lips. "Well don't look so surprised. I'm not completely helpless in the kitchen."

"Good to know. I might have you utilize those cooking skills more often."

"You can utilize me in any way you like." Nolan gazed suggestively into her eyes. 

"I think I've done enough of that lately, don't you?" Glancing down at her stomach, she offered it a pat. 

He gave her a little smile and said, "I could never tire of having sex with you. Now what kind of fish do you want?"

"Salmon would be good, and do you have any blueberries?"

"Yeah, I think I've got some. Why, you want me to add them into the batter?"

"If you could, that'd be great. It's been a long time since I had blueberry waffles."

"Well I guess I better get on it then, huh?" Nolan pressed a feather light kiss upon the tip of her nose, and then got out of bed and slipped into a pair of plaid pajama pants.

"You sure you don't mind cooking?"

"Of course not. You're my sweetie, and whatever you want, you'll get." 

"You're so good to me. Thank you, baby."

Leaning over the mattress, he pressed his lips to hers in a tender, lingering kiss. "It's no problem, I'm happy to do it." 

Her eyes followed his masculine form as he made his way toward the door and ventured out into hallway, and then she relaxed against the pillow.

As she lay there staring up at the ceiling, she thought of how lucky she was to have a man like Nolan. Besides being great boyfriend material, she could already see that he was going to make a wonderful dad, and as her hand drifted over her stomach she closed her eyes and focused on positive thoughts, hoping with all her heart that things would turn out for the best.

* * * *

Julia awoke to the sound of rain pattering against the window, and the rich scent of salmon baking in the oven. Her stomach gave a rumble in response, and as she threw back the covers, she was assaulted by a cold draft of wind. After slipping into one of Nolan's large T-shirts, she walked over to the window and lowered it, then engaged the lock.

Glancing at the clock, she saw that she'd been sleeping for nearly an hour, and guessed that the meal Nolan was cooking had to be close to being finished. Her feet padded lightly against the polished wood floors, and as she entered the kitchen, she saw Nolan setting a stack of waffles on the kitchen table. 

"Hey, honey. Have a good rest?" He bent down to place a kiss upon her lips.

"Yeah, I did. I didn't realize I was so tired." Lifting her arms above her head, she arched her back and stretched out her limbs. 

Nolan grabbed an oven mitt from the counter and opened the stove, then slid out a pan of baked salmon. After placing it upon the table, he grabbed some plates, silverware and napkins. Retrieving a pitcher of milk from the fridge, he poured them each a glass and then offered one to her. 

Scrunching up her nose she said, "Milk with fish?"

"It's coconut."

"I still don't want it."

"It has a really nice taste, though. It's fresh."

Taking a seat at the table she said, "No thanks."

As Nolan sat across from her, a frustrated little sigh fled from his lips. "There's that stubborn streak again."

"I'm just not in the mood for it right now."

"No problem. I'm not trying to force it on you."

Noting the look of annoyance on his face she said, "I'll have some later, okay?" Grabbing a spatula from the table, she scooped out a portion of fish from the pan.

Apart from the sound of their silverware clinking against the dishes, the couple ate in silence. She didn't know why she was feeling so irritated all of a sudden, but guessed that it had to be the pregnancy hormones kicking in. Confused by the unpredictability of her mood, she tried her best to just relax and enjoy the dinner. 

Aside from the worries she'd about her impending role as a mother, she was also thinking about the cost of what it would take to raise a child. She also knew that the arrival of a baby would force her and Nolan into premature cohabitation, and it made her nervous just thinking about it. 

She wasn't sure if or how things were going to work out between them, but she definitely hoped that their relationship would continue to be stable. The uncertainty of their future together, coupled with the pregnancy hormones was doing quite a job on emotionally, and she could feel the stress building up in her body. Taking a sip of water, she willed herself to calm down, but unfortunately it didn't seem to have much of an effect upon her mood.

Having finished their meals, Nolan got up and began to clear away their dishes. Grabbing the bottle of syrup and butter, Julia returned them to the fridge, and then began wiping the table down. Once the kitchen was cleaned Julia turned to exit the kitchen, but before she could, Nolan grabbed her by the hand and pulled her closer towards him.

"Are you mad at me?"

"No, why would I be?"

"I don't know. You're acting weird." Fixing her with a thoughtful expression he asked, "What's going on?"

"Nothing. I just have a lot on my mind."

"So talk to me. Don't just keep it inside."

"I don't really feel talking right now."

Understanding just how stubborn she could be, Nolan gave a small nod and simply said, "Okay, that's fine."

Although she really did feel like being left alone, she was also strangely irritated by his nonchalant response. She knew it was implausible for him to fully understand what she was going through internally, but it still made her upset that he couldn't sense what was happening. 

Deep down inside she knew her behavior was illogical, but the hormonal changes in her body seemed driven upon filling her with undesirable emotions. As the melodious ringtone of her cell phone drifted through the air, she headed into the living room and retrieved it from the coffee table. 

Glancing at the display screen, she saw it was an unlisted number. Normally she would have just ignored it but her curiosity managed to get the best of her, so she hit the call answer button. 

"Hello?" Her voice was ripe with irritation. 

"Hello Julia."

"Oh, hi." Curious as to the nature of her mother's call she asked, "So what's going on?"

"I just thought I would give you a ring and see how you were doing. Is everything okay?"

Furrowing her eyebrow, she thought of how uncharacteristic it was for her mother to call and simply inquire about her well being. "Yes, why?"

"No special reason. I just wanted to call and check on you, is that okay?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Abruptly switching subjects she said, "Sage tells me you have a boyfriend."

"Yes I do."

"So what's he like? Tell me about him."

"I'll tell you about him later. Now isn't a good time, okay Mother?"

Nolan's attention was piqued as Julia referenced him, and he took a glance in her direction.

"He's there, isn't he? I can tell by the tone of your voice."

Knowing what her mother's next question would be, she said, "Now isn't a good time. You can speak to him another day."

"What's wrong with right now?"

"He's busy."

"Doing what?"

"Cleaning the kitchen."

"I can wait. I'm not hanging up this phone until I speak him."

Feeling Nolan's eyes upon her, she lifted her gaze and saw him looking intently at her. She suddenly felt very foolish bickering on the phone with her mother, and realized that he already knew what was going on, so there was no use trying to keep them from speaking to one another. So with a great deal of reluctance, she walked toward the kitchen and placed the phone in his hand.

"It's my mom. She wants to talk to you."

Pressing the phone to his ear, Nolan spoke into the receiver. "Hello?"

Twisting a lock of her hair, Julia watched as he conversed with her mother. From what she could tell of his end of the chat, the bulk of their communication seemed to be fairly lighthearted and casual. She'd been expecting her mother to use this opportunity to fill his ears with all sorts of nonsense, but to Julia's relief, it seemed as if she was left entirely out of the conversation. Her feeling of relief, however, was quickly replaced by one of unease as she heard him utter a reply. 

"We'd love to come for dinner. What day should we be there?"

As soon as he spoke the words, a deep sense of unease came over her, and she began to curse internally. She knew that their meeting would inevitably have had to happen, but she still couldn't believe that it was coming to fruition so soon. 

Shaking her head in frustration, she raked her fingers through the curly strands of her hair. Having finally reached the end of the chat, Nolan offered a goodbye and then set the cell phone down.

"Your mother's invited us for dinner tomorrow evening." 

Making no secret of her dissatisfaction she unhappily said, "Wonderful. That's just great."

"I still don't understand why you don't want me to meet her."

"Don't worry, you will."

Nolan leaned against the counter. "Come on, she can't be that bad, can she?"

"It's not just her, it's the rest of my family, as well. You remember what I went through with Sage, don't you?"

Recalling the incident Julia had with her step-sister Nolan said, "Yeah, I remember. What about your dad? Do you get along with him?"

"My dad isn't really a part of my life. He calls from time to time, but he's pretty much been a stranger to me ever since he and my mom divorced."

"Has your mom remarried?"

"Yeah, and I don't like him."

"Why not?"

"He's a weirdo. He's always leering at me and saying perverted things."

"Have you talked to your mom about this?"

"Yeah, numerous times. It doesn't seem to bother her though, because she always brushes it off."

"That's weird."

"Yeah it is. So now you see why I don't want you meeting them."

"Try not to stress about it, okay? Everything will turn out just fine." He pulled her into a hug and gently rubbed her back. "How about we watch a movie?"

"No thanks, I think I'll just go back to bed."

His voice laced with disappointment. "Okay. I'm going to stay up and watch a bit of TV, but I'll join you later."

As he pressed his lips to hers she barely responded, and he couldn't help wondering what he'd done to upset her. He momentarily thought of questioning her about it, but didn't wish to create anymore friction between them, so he decided to just let things be as they were. As he released her from his arms she headed for the bedroom, and Nolan was left to wonder how he could erase the distance which was growing between them.

* * * *

Julia awoke to the feel of Nolan's hands upon her flesh, sliding beneath her t-shirt and across the bareness of her skin. As his fingers met with the junction between her legs, he slid a finger across her heated center. Slipping the waistband of her panties down, he pulled them down her legs and off around her ankles. Her t-shirt was next to go, and after throwing it uselessly to the floor, he began to trail kisses along her torso. 

Although it was in the middle of the night, a patch of moonlight which shone through the window allowed her to see what her lover was doing, and it illuminated him in its silvery glow. 

Arching her back in response, she buried her hands into his hair and gently ran her fingers through his strands. She could feel the heat of his breath upon her skin as he took one of her nipples in his mouth, and as his tongue flicked against her stiff peak she released a throaty moan of contentment. 

The only thing more pleasurable than the feel of his mouth against her skin was the sensation of that organ between his legs, burrowing its way deep into her heat. The thought of it alone caused a spark of desire to shoot through her body, and the spot between her legs quickly grew wet.

She loved the feel of his strong body upon her, and the way he gazed into her eyes silently communicated his deep feelings for her. Needing no further coaxing, she eagerly spread her legs and grabbed onto his muscular shoulders. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 12



Positioning the head of his cock against her entrance, he slowly slid deep between her thighs, pushing in until he could go no further. A sound of blissful contentment fled from Julia's lips, and her hips followed his rhythm as he began pumping in and out. 

Using long, languid strokes, he claimed her body with a gentle tenderness, and each thrust that he made brought her closer to reaching climax. All of the stress and worry she'd been feeling earlier had completely melted away, and the feel of his manly form pressed flush against her own provided her with a sense of contentment that nobody else could provide her.

Tilting her chin upward, she breathily moaned his name and reveled in the variety of sensations. The smell of their passionate lovemaking hung thick in the air around them, and as the movement of his hips sped up, the friction of their bodies increased. It didn't take long before a thin sheen of sweat covered them, and as his well-built body continued to work above her, Julia found herself dangerously close to tipping over the edge.

"Oh yes...baby, don't stop." The flesh of her breasts quivered as his thrusts became more urgent, persuading her to surrender to his erotic ministrations.

Sliding her palms over his body, she admired the solid wall of muscle that was his chest. Her eyes feasted upon the smooth brownness of his skin, traveling lower to appreciate his well-toned abs, before finally landing upon the v-shaped muscle of his lower stomach.

The sight of that area always drove her crazy with desire, and as he leaned down to capture her mouth with his, she returned his kiss with equal fervor. Overcome with her feelings of love for him, she stared deep into his eyes and rolled her hips with desperate need.

Lowering his head so he could whisper into her ear he said, "I love your tight, wet pussy. It feels like a vice around my cock."

The sound of his words only furthered her desire, and as he pumped quicker into her heat,she uttered helpless little moans. The motion of their bodies made the bed rock beneath them, and his quick, short thrusts caused the headboard to knock loudly against the wall.

No longer able to hold back, she relented to the building pressure within and rode the waves of sheer ecstasy. Her body quivered helplessly beneath him, and a deep cry of passion was released from her lips. The sensation of her inner muscles clenching his shaft withdrew a deep grunt from within his throat, and her sweet little cries of pleasure caressed his ears. 

Rapidly approaching his own release, Nolan continuously impaled her until he exploded with bliss. As his body shuddered from the climax, he called out her name, shooting his semen deep within her womb. Pressing his lips to hers, he offered a passionate kiss, moaning hotly into her mouth. 

Pulling his mouth from hers, Nolan collapsed onto the mattress and released a deep, satisfied sigh. Rolling onto her side, Julia snuggled up against his body and gave him a kiss upon the chest. Drugged with pleasure, Nolan lay slack against the bed and enjoyed the vestiges of his orgasm. Once his heartbeat had returned to its normal pace, he draped his arm over her and placed a tender kiss to her forehead. 

"Still mad at me?" 

"I never was," she said.

"Well something was the matter. You seemed really tense at dinner."

"Yeah sorry about that, it had nothing to do with you. It was just my hormones going crazy."

"Oh, so that's what it was. Well I'm glad to know it wasn't me."

"Of course not. You've been absolutely wonderful."

As silence fell between them, Julia found herself once again contemplating their future. Noting the faraway look in her eyes, Nolan decided to inquire about her thoughts.

"What's on your mind?"

"Does having this baby scare you?"

"No. I can't say it doesn't make me a little nervous, though." He gently stroked her arm. "Why, are you scared?"

"Terrified."

"What about it scares you?"

"Everything. It's a major life change. I have a life growing inside of me, and I don't even feel any attachment to it."

"You're not very far along yet, so it may take some time for that to happen."

"I guess you're right, but I still feel lousy about it."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. This is all still very new." 

"Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"When we go to dinner tomorrow at my mom's, please don't mention that i'm pregnant."

"If you don't want me to tell her then I won't, but can I ask why?"

"I have my reasons." Offering no further explanation, she grew silent.

"Alright. I promise not to mention it."

"Thanks."

There was an absence of sound for a few moments and then she asked, "So since i'm having the baby, I guess we'll be moving in together." 

"Of course. It wouldn't make sense for us to be separated, would it?" 

"No, I suppose not."

Julia sincerely hoped that things would work out for the best between them, but what if for some reason they didn't? She was used to having her own apartment, and wasn't so sure she was entirely ready to give it up just yet. 

Having her own place made her feel secure and she couldn't help wondering if moving in with Nolan would cause her to lose her independence. Whether or not she liked it a number of adjustments would have to be made, for she was no longer thinking only of herself, but also her unborn child. 

With the stillness of the house surrounding them, all that could be heard was the soft sound of their breathing. Turning onto his side, Nolan enveloped her with his arm and nuzzled his nose against hers. 

"Not to worry, we'll make it work. One day at a time, right?"

She nodded and gave a little smile in response. Then she lowered her eyelids and allowed sleep to claim her.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 13



*You'll notice that this is a quite a long chapter. I would have preferred to split it up into two separate installments, but I couldn't find a way of doing that without leaving you guys on a major cliffhanger. So I decided instead to just submit it as one chapter. Anyhow, I hope you guys will like it. Not sure how soon i'll be posting the next installment, so maybe it's good that this is a long chapter. Thank you so much for your continued votes and comments!* 



Having woken up early, Julia was languidly relaxing on the sofa. With an English muffin in one hand, and a cup of hot chocolate in the other, she was enjoying an early morning cartoon. It was barely seven a.m., and the sun filtered through the shades behind her, warming the flesh on the back of her neck. It'd been ages since she'd last watched the program which was currently on, and she found that the animated show made her feel as if she were a kid again. 

With all the responsibilities which she had as an adult, Julia found it nice to just take it easy and remember what it felt like to be unencumbered with the worries of her life. Chuckling at the antics of the characters on TV, she took a generous bite of the toasted bread. Spotting Nolan emerging from the hallway, she lifted her gaze upward and offered him a greeting.

"Morning, honey."

"Morning," he said in a half yawn.

He sleepily walked into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee, and then sauntered into the living to join her on the couch. 

Plopping down next to her he said, "I remember this cartoon. I used to wake up at five am every Saturday just so I could watch it."

"So did I. Seeing it again takes me back to being a kid, and yet it also makes me feel old at the same time."

A small chuckle came from his lips, and his gaze shifted to the food in her hands. "What are you eating?"

"English muffin with egg and cheese."

"What's the red stuff on it?"

"Tabasco sauce."

"Smells good."

"It is." A crunching noise filled the air as she took another bite.

"You're not going to offer me any?"

"I'll make you one, if you like."

"I'd rather sample yours."

Positioning the sandwich next to his lips she offered him a taste, and was surprised to find that the bite he took was jumbo sized.

She lifted an eyebrow at him. "Okay, that was more than just a sample." 

What had once been half of a sandwich was now reduced to a portion which was barely bite sized. 

Nolan's mouth pulled into a crooked smile. "I guess I just have a big mouth."

Julia finished the remainder of the English muffin and then took a drink of her hot chocolate. The sound of her loud sipping caused Nolan to break into a smirk, and it suddenly dawned on her that she was making slurping noises.

Playfully smacking him on the arm she said, "It's not funny. Stop laughing at me!"

"What? I'm not laughing." The smirk was now a grin.

"Uh huh, sure." She downed the remainder of her hot chocolate. "By the way, you fart in your sleep."

Unable to hold back a chuckle, Nolan almost choked on his coffee. "And?" 

She offered a shrug and lamely said, "Just thought I would let you know."

"Well thank you very much for that fascinating piece of information."

"No problem," she retorted smartly.

Placing his lips on her neck, he offered her a loving kiss. "That English muffin sandwich was really good. You think you could make me one?"

"I'll make you two, if you like." Julia knew all too well that a single helping wouldn't satisfy his large appetite.

"That would be perfect."

As she rose up from the couch Nolan was afforded a nice view of her ass, and he found himself admiring her nice, round butt cheeks. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Nolan pulled her backward so that she plopped gently into his lap. A sound of surprise fled from her lips, and she offered a pleasured moan as he began to place kisses along the length of her shoulder. 

"I thought you were hungry?" 

"I'm horny as well," he rasped against her skin.

Placing his palm upon her legs, he seductively slid it along the soft flesh of her thighs. She spread them to offer him easier access, and as his fingers made their way beneath her panties, she arched her back and gave a breathless moan. Grabbing a fistful of her hair, he gently tilted her head back and lightly nipped the flesh of her throat. 

Julia could feel his erection pressing up beneath her, and then there was the sensation of his fingers sliding into her heat. Once they were fully embedded, he began to work his long fingers deep inside her, stretching her open as she heatedly moaned in approval. 

His fingers plunged in and out, accompanied by the erotic noise of her increasingly wet pussy. His digits built up a nice, steady rhythm, and her hips rocked along to his erotic ministrations. 

Allowing his free hand to slide along her torso, he brought it up to her chest and slid down the straps of her top. Feasting his eyes upon her bare breasts, he began playing with her swollen nipples. Loving the way he handled them, she lustfully moaned as he tweaked and pulled on them. 

The fingers inside her were steadily coaxing her to orgasm, and as they continued to build up speed she began to writhe and cry in pleasure. Moving his fingers at a quicker pace, he huskily spoke into her ear.

"You like the way I finger fuck you?" His digits expertly stroked her velvety center.

Unable to form a coherent reply, she mumbled some unintelligible words. 

Enjoying the way her body reacted to him, he moved his fingers at a quicker pace, and each thrust that they gave brought her closer to reaching climax. Grinding her hips to the rhythm of his digits, she threw her head back and released a throaty cry. 

It seemed he knew exactly what it took to provide her with the most pleasure, and the way that he manipulated her caused her juices to flow copiously. 

She could feel the heat of his breath against her neck, and as he leaned down to capture a nipple in his mouth, she held onto the back of his head. Plunging her fingers into his hair, she grabbed a fistful of his locks and thrust her chest upwards. His warm, wet mouth worked expertly against her nipples, flicking and sucking and biting as she uttered guttural cries of encouragement.  

"Oh babe, you're gonna make me cum." Her body was flushed with desire, and she could feel his raging hard-on poking urgently against the cheeks of her ass.

Releasing her nipples from the confines of his mouth, he pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Their tongues tangled in an ecstasy filled dance, and as his thumb flicked against her aching clitoris, she rocked her hips against his lap. The friction it created only furthered their excitement, and she could feel Nolan bucking his hips up against her backside. 

Reaching the limit of pleasure she could handle, Julia helplessly squirmed as she lost control. Uttering a blissful cry of joy, she released a flood of juices. His fingers didn't come to a stop until she lay slack against him, and then he brought them up to his mouth to suck them clean. 

Her skin glowed from the after effects of her orgasm, and her thighs were coated with the nectar of her womanhood. It took a few moments before Julia was able to once again speak, and as she found her voice, she began to heap praise upon her lover. 

"You're amazing with those fingers, you know that?"

His lips pulled into a pleased smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." He kissed the flesh of her neck and then said, "I love watching you cum. It makes me incredibly aroused."

Noting the rigidity which was poking against her ass, Julia shifted her weight so that she could place her hand against it. 

Stroking it through his boxer shorts she said, "It looks like it needs some attention."

"Definitely." The carnal look he gave her sent delicious chills along her spine.

Lowering herself onto her knees, she grabbed the waistband of his boxer shorts and coaxed them down. Nolan lifted his hips to assist her, and once they were down around his ankles he kicked them off. 

Jutting proudly in the air, his cock was begging to be attended to. Noting the precum which leaked from his slit, she placed her tongue against it and licked it off, then swirled her wet appendage around the head of his cock a few times.

The touch of her tongue was feather light, and the sensation of her breath upon his skin drove him wild with desire. Bucking his hips in need, Nolan watched intently as her tongue danced against the tip of his shaft, then slid along the underside of it. Sealing her lips around the swollen cock head, she allowed the warmth of her mouth to surround it. She allowed her tongue to manipulate it for a few moments and then released it, letting it go with a wet pop.

Enclosing her palm around the base of his cock, she slid it all the way up and then brought it back down again. The strokes she gave him were slow and languid, and with every upstroke of her hand, she noticed a bead of precum ooze out of his slit. She could tell that Nolan's arousal was increasing with every minute, and as she continued to manipulate him with her hand, he gave desperate moans and small breath gasps.

Knowing full well what he wanted, she asked, "You want me to suck you off?"

He nodded in response and eagerly awaited her next move. Wishing to build his anticipation, she cupped her palm around his testicles and lightly began to stroke and massage them. It seemed that he was pleased with the way she was touching him, because the skin of his fleshy sacs instantly began to tighten. 

Every now and again she would allow her tongue to flick against his engorged crown, but for the most part she denied him too much contact with her wet appendage.

"Babe, put it in your mouth...*please*." 

The begging tone in his voice sent a spark of arousal through her body, and she couldn't help feeling excited at having complete sexual control over him. Deciding that she'd teased him long enough, Julia sealed her mouth around his swollen cock head, then slid her lips slowly down the length of his shaft. As she fully sheathed him in her warm, wet mouth, Nolan tangled his fingers in her curls and let out a hiss of pleasure. 

Simultaneously palming and sucking him, Julia allowed her hand to stroke it's way up along his hardness, following the wet path that her mouth made. She caressed his thick shaft at a steady, even pace, and then gradually worked up to a quicker speed. 

Watching her head bob up and down over him, Nolan expelled a deep moan. His eyes narrowed to slits from the pleasure of her erotic touch, and as she continuously stroked him with her warm, wet tongue he released ragged gasps and sighs.

The sound of his shallow breaths and the way his hips bucked silently conveyed that he was loving every moment. Her tongue slid languidly along the veins of his manhood, and she moved her free hand upward to place it against his stomach. 

Using a feather light touch, she allowed her nails to travel along his skin, tracing them against the ripples of his abdominals. She felt his body jolt slightly from the sensation of it, and as her lips tightened even further around him, he expelled a heavy groan of approval. 

The wet sucking noises she made mingled with his labored breathing, and as he suddenly tensed beneath her, she knew that he'd reached climax. Removing his penis from her mouth, she rapidly pumped his hard-on, and as a guttural moan of ecstasy burst from his lips, he spurted his hot seed onto her chest. Bucking his hips into her hand, he let loose a low, masculine groan. 

As the jet of his semen finally came to stop, she released his softening cock and grabbed some kleenex from the coffee table. By the time she finished wiping herself off the tissues were thoroughly soaked, so she had to retrieve an additional one to enclose the ones which one soiled. 

Pulling the straps of her camisole up, she got onto her feet. Leaning over his slackened body, she looked down at him with a pleased smile. The expression on his face was one of blissful content, and the look in his eyes told her that she'd completely satisfied his libido. Reaching a hand up to bring her head closer to him, he whispered against her lips.

"Thank you baby, that was wonderful." His mouth then joined with hers in a tender kiss.

As their lips broke apart he asked, "Now how about that breakfast?"

Julia offered him a smile. "Sure thing." Then she turned her back to him and headed for the kitchen.

* * * *



Taking another glance at the clock Nolan said, "We better get a move on, honey, or we're going to be late."

"I'll be right there." She called from the bedroom.

A small sigh of impatience was released from his lips. "You said that twenty minutes ago."

"What's the hurry? We'll get there when we get there."

"I told your mother we would arrive for dinner at eight. It's now nearing seven thirty. You know what traffic is like driving into the city. Not to mention it's hell to find a parking spot." 

"Just give me a minute to pick out some shoes and then we'll be on our way."

Resting his back against the couch, Nolan crossed his arms in front of his chest. As one minute turned into ten, Nolan considered calling out to her again, but the sound of her heels clicking against the hardwood floor alerted him that she was finally on her way. As his eyes fell on her approaching form, he offered her a look of appreciation. 

The little black dress she wore fit her like a glove, perfectly hugging every curve on her body. Noting the shoes on her feet, he saw she'd chosen strappy heels, and her hair was pulled into a sexy updo. The sight of it reminded him of how she'd worn it for the wedding, and it instantly triggered amorous feelings inside of him. 

"You look gorgeous." Standing on his feet, he made his way over to her. 

The way he looked at her made her feel as if she were a delicious piece of candy, and her lips curled into a smile as he placed a kiss upon her neck. 

"Sorry for being impatient. Guess it was for a worthy cause."

He followed her to the entryway and they made their way out of the door, heading down the steps towards the car. Having slept over at Nolan's the previous night, Julia had driven him to her apartment so that she could change into her dinner dress. As they approached her Volkswagon beetle, Julia tossed him the keys.

"You don't mind driving, do you? I won't be able to in these heels."

"Sure thing, no problem."

Once they were seated in the car and belted up, Nolan started up the engine and they were on their way. Just as expected, they ran into some rush hour traffic on the highway, which extended the amount of time they had to travel. They didn't mind too much, though, due to the amiable conversation they engaged in, and before they knew it, they were exiting the freeway and pulling onto the street.

Julia guided him in the right direction, and after travelling a few miles they turned onto a steep, hilly street. Unable to find a spot directly in front of her mother's house, Julia suggested they continue further up to see if they could spot anything. They drove two blocks past the house before spotting a car which was pulling out, and as soon as it'd vacated the space Nolan effortlessly pulled the vehicle into the tight spot.

Julia was impressed by how easily he'd maneuvered the car. "Nice driving skills. I could never fit into a spot like this."

"Good thing we took your car. I could never have done this in my station wagon." 

As the engine came to a halt, Nolan glanced over at his girlfriend and saw her give him a look of apprehension. 

"I really wish we didn't have to do this."

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Not to worry, It'll be over before you know it."

She blew out a small breath and nodded. As they exited the car, the nippy air surrounded them in its chill, and she wrapped her arms around her body in an attempt to stave off the cold. Taking off his dinner blazer, Nolan wrapped it around Julia's shoulders and took hold of her hand. 

Eyeing the Victorian houses along the block, he found himself irresistibly drawn to the charming design of them. It was apparent that one had had to make a handsome living in order to reside in an area like this, and he began to wonder what Julia's parents did for a living. As a cold child wrapped itself around Nolan's body, he gave a little sniff.

"Nice neighborhood. What do your parents do for a living?" 

"My mom manages a cosmetics department at Sheffield's department store, and her husband is an accountant."

"He must make very good money."

"He does pretty well. The house they live in is paid off, though. He inherited it from his parents."

"Nice."

As they finally reached the house, Julia uttered a sound of relief. "Thank goodness we're here. These heels aren't very kind on my feet."

"Sorry we had to walk so far. Promise I'll make it up to you later tonight, though." There was a sensuous look in his eyes.

"Does that mind of yours ever stop thinking about sex?" Her tone was light hearted.

"I was talking about giving you a foot massage, but now that you mention it, I wouldn't mind having a poke at you afterwards."

She led him up the stairs towards the door. "You are so naughty." 

"You love it, though."

A small chuckle fled from her lips. As the reached the top of the steps, she handed him his dinner jacket so that he could put it back on. Then she pressed her finger against the button to ring the chime.

Releasing a little sigh, she hoped for the best and offered herself an inward pep talk. 

Sensing that her nerves were on edge, Nolan offered her a comforting rub on the back. The front door to the house swung open and Julia's mother appeared before them. Her plum colored lips pulled back to reveal white teeth, and she offered a friendly greeting.

"Oh wonderful, you finally made it. Come on in." Pulling the door wider, she gestured for them to enter. 

As they walked into the foyer, the first thing Nolan's eyes fell upon was a staircase crafted from cherry wood. The oriental rug which covered the steps only added to its beauty, and a vintage style chandelier hung above. Glancing at the ornately carved grandfather clock, he saw they were nearly an hour late. Nolan offered an apology for their late arrival.

"Sorry it took us to so long to get here. We ran into some traffic along the way."

"No need to apologize, we're just happy to have you here." Offering her daughter an admiring glance she said, "You look lovely, Julia."

"Thanks. You look nice as well." Her eyes roved over the silky cream colored dinner dress.

Feigning modesty she said, "This? It's nothing special. Just something I picked up on sale." The rhinestone belt which cinched her waist glittered as she shifted her body.

"It's nice to finally meet you Nolan. My name is Vivian." She offered her hand for him to shake.

"Very nice meeting you as well."

"I wish I could say that Julia has told me so much about you, but it seems that my daughter has been keeping you a secret." Shifting her eyes, she offered her daughter a disapproving look.

"I wasn't keeping him a secret, I just never got around to telling you." 

Ignoring her daughters response she said, "Well nevermind that. I suppose there must have been some reason behind it." She shrugged her shoulders as if to convey puzzlement. "Well everyone is seated in the parlor, so why don't we go in and join them?"

Inwardly cringing at her mother's use of the word 'parlor,' she found it interesting how she normally referred to it as the living room. Yet when someone who she was trying to impress came over for a visit, she suddenly switched up and began calling it by its formal name. 

As they entered the room all eyes turned upon them, and Julia began scanning the living area to see who was present. Immediately spotting her step-sister, she saw that Sage was seated upon a red velvet loveseat. The guy who sat next to her had kinky black hair which was worn in a messy afro, and it reminded Julia of the way that the singer Maxwell used to wear it. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 13



As her step-sister's eyes locked into her own, she saw that Sage was giving her a chilly stare of contempt. The look was so intimidating that Julia quickly averted her eyes, and she promptly turned her attention elsewhere. Noting the baby grand piano which was positioned in front of the bay windows, she caught sight of her mother's husband. 

Leaning casually against the musical instrument, he was sipping a dark colored drink. Julia's mother gestured for him to come forward, and he immediately heeded her request. As he came upon them, he eyed Nolan with a curious look. 

"Nolan, this is my husband Dave."

"Nice to meet you, Dave." Nolan extended his palm.

"Likewise." Reluctantly stretching his hand out, he offered the younger man a fleeting handshake. Eying him up and down he said, "So, you're the boyfriend." 

"Yes I am," he firmly stated. Recalling what Julia had told him about this man, he stood a little taller and offered Dave a direct gaze. Maintaining a polite stance, he was careful to not expel even a hint of hostility. Yet at the same time he also exuded a strong, masculine presence. 

"Handsome, isn't he?" Julia's mother suddenly chimed in.

"I don't know, Vivian. Is he?" Dave's lips were drawn into a thin, straight line.

"It's just an observation." Turning her eyes toward the other end of the room, she signaled for her step-daughter and her male friend to come over.

Rolling her eyes and giving an exasperated sigh, Sage set her cup down on the coffee table, sauntering towards where they were standing. 

"You remember Nolan, don't you Sage?" Vivian asked.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of him. "Of course I remember him. "It's nice to see you again, Nolan." 

He nodded and offered a smile. "Good to see you too."

Sage's male companion offered her a gentle nudge in the side, urging her to introduce him.

"This is my boyfriend, Thomas."

"Nice to meet you, man." 

"Yeah, same here," said Nolan. 

They clasped hands in a firm, manly shake.

"Well now that the introductions are finished, why don't we head into the dining room and begin dinner?" Vivian led the way for them to follow, but before they could make it into the next room, the sound of the doorbell suddenly rang through the air.

Glancing towards the foyer she asked, "Now who could that be?"

Dave pulled his shoulders into a shrug. "You aren't expecting anyone else, are you?"

"No, of course not." Turning her gaze upon her step-daughter, she asked, "Sage?"

With a mischievous gleam in her eyes she said, "Sorry I forgot to tell you, but I did invite someone else to join us for dinner."

"Well who is it?"

"An old friend of Julia's."

"*Which* old friend?" Julia's tone was apprehensive, yet demanding.

"Oh, you'll find out." She offered her step-sibling a devious look, and then headed for the door. 

Julia turned a questioning glance upon her mother, but all she received was a curious raise of the eyebrows. As Sage reached the door she pulled it open and greeted the last minute guest. 

The sound of Sage's voice mingled with a deeper male one, and as their footsteps came closer, everyone in the living area turned they attention inquisitively towards the entering guest.

Even before he came into view she instantly knew who it was. He had a distinctive way of talking that she would recognize anywhere, and the overpowering scent of cheap cologne alerted her of his identity. 

There was only one man she knew who wore that particular brand, and it was her ex-boyfriend. The moment he stepped into the room her eyes locked into his blue ones, and she knew that the remainder of the evening would prove to be very challenging. 

Of medium height, he was dressed in a pair of gray slacks with a black dress shirt and a leather jacket. His jet black hair had been carefully crafted into spikes, and as he flashed Julia a smile, a dimple appeared in his chin. Stunned into silence at her ex-lover's presence, all Julia could do was watch in dismay as her mother stepped forth to welcome him.

"Well hello, Daniel. What a lovely surprise this is. I didn't know you were coming." She offered him a wide grin and gave him a hug. 

"Always a pleasure to see you, Vivian." He bent to return her embrace. 

After greeting Dave and shaking hands with Thomas, he eagerly stepped towards Julia. 

"Hello there, cupcake. Long time no see, huh?" His blue eyes roved appreciatively over her form.

"What are you doing here?" Julia's lips pursed. 

"Isn't it obvious? I came to see you. We are still friends, aren't we?" He offered his hand to Nolan and said, "I'm Daniel, the ex-boyfriend."

"Nolan." He gave the other man a steady, unwavering look."

Infuriated that Sage had invited one of her ex-lovers, she walked over to where her step-sister was standing and discreetly confronted her. 

"Why did you invite him?" Her voice came out in a hasty, hushed tone.

"I thought it might be nice for you two to see each other again." A smug smile creased her lips. "You're not upset that he's here, are you?"

"You know very well that I am. Why are you doing this?"

"Because it's fun to watch you squirm."

"This is wrong, and you know it."

"It was also wrong for you to kick me out, but you still did it, right? Payback's a bitch." Her lips drew into a hard, thin line.

"You're completely out of line for this, Sage."

Rolling her eyes she said, "Yeah, whatever. Why don't you stop whining and just deal with it?" Then she turned her back and grabbed Thomas's hand, heading off in the direction of the dining room.

Coming up behind her Nolan wrapped an arm around her waist. "Don't let her get to you, okay?"

Relieved that he seemed to understand her plight, she gave him a nod and then laced her fingers into his.

"Dinner is ready, so why don't we all head into the dining room?" Vivian called out.

They all followed behind her, and as they seated themselves at the table, she popped into the kitchen to retrieve something from the oven. Taking a seat directly across from Nolan and Julia, Daniel watched the couple with an steady gaze. 

There was a faint smile on his lips, and it was obviously his intention was to try and make them feel uneasy. Deeply irritated and no longer able to stand his presence, Julia excused herself from the table and headed for the kitchen. Spotting her mother at the stove, she quickly closed the gap between them using quick, determined steps.

"I don't want Daniel here. He has to go."

A rush of heat came out of the oven as Vivian pulled out a pan of roasted chicken. After setting it on the burners she removed the protective mitts from her hands and then shut the door to the stove.

"He's already seated at the dinner table, Julia. I can't kick him out now."

"Of course you can."

Grabbing two pairs of tongs, she lifted the meat out of the pan and set it upon a large, decorative plate.  

"Look Julia, I'm not telling him to leave, so you can just drop that idea, okay?"

"I can't believe you're okay with this. Don't you see what Sage is doing? She's trying to get back at me for kicking her out."

Vivian began setting slices of toasted bread into a basket. 

"So she invited your ex-boyfriend, big deal." She pulled her shoulders into a shrug and then said, "Daniel's a nice guy, so I don't what you're worried about."

"He's not nice, he's a sleazy bastard."

"Well considering where you met him, I don't think that should have come as such a big surprise."

She sighed in annoyance. "Why are you allowing this to happen?"

"He's a friend of the family. There's no reason why he shouldn't stay."

"It's disrespectful to Nolan. Isn't that a good enough reason?"

"I see nothing wrong with him being here. He's going to eat with us, and that's all there is to it."

"Can you please be supportive of me, just this once?" There was a hint of desperation in her voice, and her eyes silently pleaded for her mother's cooperation. 

Abruptly changing the subject, Vivian eyed the food and said, "Well I guess we're all set. Do me a favor dear, and grab that bottle of wine and basket of bread." Then she picked up the plate of roasted chicken and headed for the dining room. 

The way Vivian so quickly changed gears was nothing short of maddening, and It sickened her to know that she was powerless to change the situation. Blowing out a breath of exasperation, she trailed her mother into the dining area. 

After setting the bread and wine upon the table, she took her seat beside Nolan. Seeing the tenseness in her posture, Nolan grabbed her hand beneath the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. She smiled in response, and gave him one in return.

They started off the dinner by passing the chicken around so that everyone could slice off a portion, and once that was done everyone took a slice of the bread from the basket. 

With the little smile still curving his lips, Daniel fixed his eyes on Nolan and Julia. "So how did you two meet?"

"At a tattoo shop." Nolan sliced his knife into a piece of chicken and cut it into a bite sized piece.

His eyebrows rose in interest. "Really? Well that's interesting." He took a sip of his wine and then asked, "Is that what you do for a living?"

"Nope, I'm a photographer."

"Which field are you in?"

"I do all types, but the bulk of clients I get want portraits and wedding photos done."

"You enjoy doing that work?"

"I love it." 

"Well that's good. I suppose it's always nice to turn a hobby into a career." A smirk curled his lips.

Nolan caught the smug tone in his voice, but chose instead to ignore it. "What kind of work are you in?"

"I own a chain of strip joints." He fed a piece of chicken into his mouth and then said, "You heard of the Kit Kat Gentleman's Club, right?"

"Yes."

"Those are mine."

Nodding his head in response, Nolan took a bite of his bread. Disappointed with the lack of response from him, Daniel decided to volunteer more information.

"Matter of fact, that's how I met Julia. She used to be one of my girls."

Nolan glanced up from his plate to meet Daniel's eyes with a hard stare.

"One of your girls?"

Pleased by his expression of unease, Daniel reinforced his statement. 

"That's right. She only worked there for six months, but was one of the best employees I ever had." He offered Julia a wink. Seeing that Nolan was stunned into silence Daniel said, "I'm guessing she didn't tell you what line of work she was in before the two of you met."

Julia suddenly interjected. "I was a cocktail waitress, Daniel, and it's been three years since I last worked for you."

"You're right, cookie. It was a long time ago." His voice was condescending.

"Don't call me cookie."

"I'm sorry. I guess it's wrong for me to refer to you in that way, isn't it? Hey speaking of pet names, what do you two call each other?"

"I don't think that's any of your business." Nolan spoke in a firm way, but his tone remained calm.

"You're right, it's not. I'm just curious, is all."

An uncomfortable silence filled the air, and with tension hanging between Nolan and Daniel, Julia found herself hoping that the evening would quickly come to an end. 

Turning her gaze upon her daughter's boyfriend, Vivian asked, "So Nolan, has Julia met your family yet?"

"Yes she has. I took her to a party at my mother's house, and she got to meet all of my relatives."

"That sounds nice. Do you have any siblings?"

"I have a brother, and he's younger by four years."

"No girls for your mother then, huh?"

"Nope, but she's told me before that she was always certain she was going to have a girl. Unfortunately for her, all she got was two mischievous boys."

"I'm sure she's very proud of you two. You seem to be a very nice guy and I'm sure that your brother is as well."

"Thanks, that's kind of you to say."

Vivian took a drink from her wine glass, and then grabbed another slice of bread. "Does your brother have any children?"

"No, I don't think he's ready to have a baby just yet."

"What about you? Would you like to have kids someday?"

As the words left Vivian's mouth, Nolan noticed that Julia shifted slightly in her seat.

"I'd love to. Being close to family is a pretty big thing in Samoan culture, so it's something that I've valued from a young age."

"That's good. I'm not so sure that Julia would be on board with having a baby, though. She seems to think my parenting affected her in a negative way, and vows she'll never have any children of her own."

"I didn't say *never*, I just mentioned that I was undecided on the issue." 

Vivian kept her eyes pinned on Nolan. "She's phobic about it, so if you're truly interested in having a family, I'm afraid it may take quite a bit of convincing on your part."

The sound of a chuckle floated from Daniel's lips, and Julia threw him an icy look in response. Unsure about how he should respond to a statement like that, Nolan briefly curled his lips into an awkward smile, then diverted his attention from Vivian. 

Julia was fully aware of what her mother was doing. She was trying her best to withdraw a reaction from her, and the best way she knew to achieve it was by steadily picking at the scabs which covered her daughter's emotional wounds. Internally promising that she wouldn't allow it to get the best of her, she rested her back against the chair and leisurely sipped her glass of water. 

Discontent with Julia's indifference, Vivian continued to talk with Nolan. "I can't say I don't blame her for worrying about it. The women in our family are very fertile, so it doesn't take much trying to make it happen."

Placing her fork down with a clatter she asked, "Mom, why are you mentioning this?" 

"I'm just trying to let him know why you're uneasy about having children. Is that so bad?"

"It's unnecessary. I highly doubt that Nolan is interested in hearing about my sexual potency."

She wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Just trying to make conversation. If I'd known it would bother you so much, I never would have mentioned it."

Although she no longer had an appetite Julia continued to eat anyways, desperately needing something to keep her mouth busy.

"I hope you're enjoying the dinner, Nolan. I originally thought of making lobster but Julia refuses to eat it, so I decided against it."

Keeping her eyes peeled upon the plate, Julia stuck her fork into a steamed carrot. 

"Apparently she thinks the way that lobsters are cooked is inhumane. I guess she has a point, but if she feels so strongly about it, I don't understand why she doesn't just become a vegetarian."

Feeling as if she were a ghost, Julia said, "You can speak directly to me, mom. I am here, you know."

Vivian turned her eyes directly on her. "So why *don't* you become a vegetarian?"

"Because I like the taste of meat, that's why."

"Well how can you be so sure that the meat you're eating right now wasn't killed inhumanely?"

"I can't. But chickens aren't killed in the same way that lobsters are."

Sage's voice suddenly piped up. "Watch a few animal rights videos, and you'll see the way they're slaughtered."

Raising her eyebrows, Julia met the gaze of her step-sister. 

"I didn't know you cared so much about that type of thing." 

"I don't. I just find it hypocritical that you refuse to eat lobster, yet still continue to consume other types of meat."

A small sigh passed her lips. "Let's just leave this issue alone, okay? I really don't feel like getting into a debate right now."

Wanting to hear Nolan's opinion, Sage addressed him. "What do you think? Is it wrong to enjoy lobster?"

"I'd really rather not get into this." He said it in a polite way so that it wouldn't offend her.

"Please do be nervous to speak your opinion. We'd really love to hear it."

Realizing there was no way he could squirm out of it, he shared his thoughts. "I don't think it's wrong to enjoy lobster, but I do support and respect Julia's decision not to eat it." 

Nolan grabbed Julia's hand beneath the table and gave it a tender stroke, silently reinforcing that he was there to fully support her. The gesture was simple, but it created a definite lift in her spirits. Clearly displeased by his loyalty towards his girlfriend, Sage averted her eyes and took a sip of her wine. 

Seeing that the lobster conversation could be taken no further, Vivian changed subjects. "Did you grow up out here in the bay area, Nolan?"

"Yes I did. I was born right here in San Francisco, but my parents moved out of the city when I was twelve."

"Did you go to college?"

"Yeah, I went to San Francisco State."

A look of surprise crossed Daniel's face. "Really? What was your major?" 

"Business Administration."

"That's a good school. How'd you manage to get in there?"

Nolan stared coldly at him. "I got a full ride scholarship."

"A sports scholarship, right?" His eyes roamed over Nolan's broad shoulders. "You must have played football." 

"Actually it was an academic scholarship."

"Oh, I see." His face visibly fell. "Well good for you," he said with a tight lipped expression. 

A pleased smile graced Julia's lips and she found herself wishing she had a camera to capture the look on Daniel's face.

"Impressive. Not only are you good looking, but you're also intelligent," said Vivian. "You're quite the catch, aren't you?"

His face creased into a bashful smile. That's kind of you to say."

"Well it's true." Her attention turned to her daughter. "You're a lucky girl, Julia."

She was certain she saw a flash of jealousy in her mother's eyes, but it vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.

"I'm the lucky one. Your daughter is a wonderful woman." He gave his girlfriend a loving look.

"You're wonderful, too," she said back.

With their hands still laced together beneath the table, they gave each other a loving squeeze.

Sage rolled her eyes at their amorous facial expressions and then stood up from her seat. "I'm going to get the dessert." 

While her step-daughter was off in the kitchen, Vivian engaged Nolan in more conversation. "Your family is from Samoa, right?"

"Yep. Both my mom and dad were born on the island."

"Have you ever gone for a visit?"

"Oh yeah, numerous times. I love it. I'll actually be heading over there pretty soon on a photography gig."

"Sounds nice. How long do you plan to stay?"

"A month and a half."

"I bet you'll miss Nolan while he's gone, huh Julia?"

"Of course," she replied.

"I'll miss her lots, too. She's promised to come visit me for a week though, so I'm really excited about that."

Vivian regarded Julia with a look of surprise. "You're going to Samoa?" 

She nodded in response.

"Well that should be nice." She tipped the wine glass to her lips and drank the remainder of the liquid. "But wait, I thought you hated flying?"

"I don't hate it, it just makes me nervous."

"When was the last time you were on a plane?"

Julia gave a shrug. "I don't know. It must have been when we I went to Georgia to visit Grandma Patrice."

"No, it was more recent than that." She looked off into the distance as if trying to recall a memory. Then she snapped her fingers and said, "Oh yes, I remember. You took that that trip to go see your friend Gregory in New York. 

Her eyes silently pleaded with her mother not to continue any further, but of course Vivian decided to anyhow. "He's not still dealing drugs, is he?"

"I wouldn't know. I haven't spoken to him in more than three years." Her voice came out flat and her body had visibly tensed.

"He called here the other day asking for you."

"Okay. So why are you telling me this?" One of her eyebrows lifted.

"I just thought you might like to know. You associate with criminals like him, and you kind of have to wonder if one day it'll come back to haunt you."




Tattoo of Love Ch. 13



"I didn't know he dealt drugs, and when I found out, I immediately stopped hanging out with him. You already know all of this. So please stop acting as if I was perfectly okay with it." Bristling from her mother's behavior, Julia struggled to keep her emotions under control. 

When Sage came back into the dining room, she was carrying a silver tray with fancy ice cream dishes. After setting the tray on the table she began passing out the dessert, and once everyone had a serving, she took her place back beside her boyfriend. Silence filled the room as everyone enjoyed their frozen treats, and Julia found herself grateful that the evening was finally coming to an end. 

Wondering what time it was, she looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was nearing ten. Once they finished dessert, she knew that her mother would want to serve coffee, so that would add on at least another fifteen to twenty minutes. 

She really didn't know how much more of this stressful dinner she could stand, but she knew that her efforts to make an early escape would somehow be thwarted, so the best thing to do was just stay for the coffee and then leave once they had finished.

As she scooped another spoonful of dessert into her mouth, she suddenly realized that she was the only one at the table who had chocolate flavored ice cream. She didn't know how she'd failed to notice it before, but it was now glaringly obvious that something was definitely up. Everyone else was eating pistachio, so why had Sage singled her out to receive the chocolate? 

Julia's eyes turned suspiciously towards her step-sister. "Why am I the only one with chocolate ice cream?"

"There were only a few scoops left in the container, so since it's your favorite flavor, I decided to give you the rest of it."

Her eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you. What's really going on?"

She gave an exasperated sigh and shook her head. "Unbelievable. You are so incredibly paranoid, it isn't even funny."

"I have a right to be. You sneakily invited my ex-boyfriend to a dinner which was supposed to be strictly for family, and you wonder why I'm suspicious? Well there you go, that's why." Despite her best efforts, her voice had risen a knotch.

"Calm down, Julia. It isn't all that serious."

"Yes it is. You've been trying to make this evening a disaster."

"That isn't true."

"So why'd you invite Daniel?"

"He's a friend of the family, so why not?"

"You are so full of it. You're a complete backstabber, you know that?"

"That's enough, you two." Vivian's voice suddenly interjected.

Several tense, silent moments passed before the guests resumed eating their ice cream, but Julia refused to finish hers. She sat motionless at the table and watched Sage with a steady, intense gaze.

"You put something in my ice cream, didn't you?"

She released her spoon with a clatter. "This is ridiculous." She stood up from her chair and headed away from the table. "I'm not going to sit here and be accused." 

"Why won't you answer the question, then? Do you have something to hide?"

Offering only her middle finger in response, Sage continued on her path towards the kitchen.

Vivian wiped her mouth off with a napkin and then threw it down. "That was real good, Julia. See what you did? You made your sister leave the table."

Her face creased in dismay. "She did something to my ice cream." Furrowing her brow, she placed her palm against her midsection. "My stomach is starting to hurt. I know she put something in it." 

"Oh come on, Julia. You're being paranoid."

"No I'm not. Ever since I made her to leave my apartment, she's been trying to get back at me. How can you not see that?"

"You know what, Julia? I'm tired of your whining, so just knock it off, okay?" She grabbed a bottle of wine and poured herself another glass."

"Alright that's it, I'm leaving." She quickly rose from her seat, nearly losing her balance on her heels, and then she headed away from the dining table.

Nolan got onto his feet as well, and awkwardly offered some parting words. "Thanks for the dinner, Vivian. It was very nice meeting you." He offered her a polite smile and then gave her husband a nod of acknowledgment. 

Pushing her chair back, Vivian got up from her seat and followed after them. "Wait, don't leave. At least stay for coffee."

Now at Julia's side, Nolan grabbed her hand and they headed for the door. They were halfway there when a hard cramp suddenly gripped Julia's lower belly, causing her to release a shriek of pain. She doubled over in agony, and as a stabbing ache swept through the side of her torso, she knew that something was terribly wrong. 

A look of alarm filled Nolan's face, and he wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her from falling over. "Baby, what's wrong?"

The expression on her face was nothing short of agony, and the pain was so great that she nearly passed out. "Nolan, it hurts. Something's not right."

"What hurts? What's going on?" His eyes darted from Julia's face down to her hand which was placed against her midsection

"What is it, sweetie? Tell us what you're feeling." Vivian bent down so that her eyes were level with her daughter's. 

She took a few shuddering breaths and attempted to speak, but her breath was choked off from the intense pain. 

"I don't think she can talk right now," said Nolan. "Let's get her to the couch so that she can lay down." Each wrapping an arm around her midsection, they walked her over to a chaise lounge.

After helping her into a reclining position, Nolan knelt to his knees and looked into her eyes. Her forehead was dotted with beads of sweat, and strands of her hair clung to her face. Swiping them off, Nolan lay his hand against her forehead and found that she was burning up.

Addressing Vivian, he said, "She has a fever, and it seems pretty bad." A shadow fell across his face.

"I have some Tylenol in the medicine cabinet. I'll go get it." She rushed off in the direction of the foyer bathroom.

"My skin...it feels like it's on fire." Her chest heaved with each breath she took, and she swallowed a few times to try and lubricate her dry throat with saliva.

"I know honey, you have a fever." He tenderly stroked her hot cheek with his palm.

She shook her head and struggled to speak some words, but a knot of pain in the right side of her torso halted her from speaking. Her face twisted into a mask of pain, and as she released a shrill cry of agony, she felt a gush of wetness beneath her. The cream colored cushions of the chaise lounge she was lying on suddenly changed to a deep shade of red, and the sight of it etched panic on Nolan's face. 

"Somebody call an ambulance!" His voice came out hoarse with fear.

"An ambulance? What's happened?" Hurrying into the living room with the Tylenol and a small cup of water, Vivian darted her eyes towards the chaise lounge where her daughter was laying, and saw the bloody cushions beneath her. 

Dropping the items from her hands, she cupped her hands over her mouth and uttered a mumbled cry of anguish. Then she darted towards a phone that was sitting on the coffee table.

Julia could hear the sound of her step-father and step-sister's voices as they suddenly entered the room, and as a frenzy of activity began to happen around her, she found herself slipping closer to unconsciousness. The fabric beneath her was completely soaked, so she knew she was losing a lot of blood, and as sharp pains continued to weave their way through her body, she became certain that the life she was carrying would soon cease to exist.

Locking her eyes into her lover's, she saw that his face expressed the shocked state he was in. His eyes were watching her with a deeply concerned look, and as he took her hand in his, she felt that his palm was very sweaty. 

The panicked voices of her family created an atmosphere which was both ominous and confusing, and the physical agony she felt made it difficult for her to concentrate on anything else but the pain. 

Desperately needing something to anchor her eyes on, she locked them into Nolan's and focused on his gaze. She saw distress and sadness and panic in those brown eyes of his, but most of all she saw love, and she knew that he cared deeply for her in a way that nobody else could ever quite match. As his lips formed words, Maya heard the sound of his voice speak to her. 

"Please be okay, I love you." 

These were the words that imbedded themselves in her brain, and as her vision grew fuzzy, she closed her eyes and drifted into a blanket of unconsciousness. 

* * * *

As Julia's eyes opened, the first thing they focused on was the fluorescent lights above. Then she took in the rest of her surroundings, and as she noticed the sterile white walls surrounding her, she realized that she was in a hospital room. The strong scent of disinfectant filled her nostrils, and she could hear the squeaking of medication cart wheels as they were pushed back and forth in the hallway. 

Feeling the need to sit up in bed, she placed her palms against the mattress and tried to push herself up, but a dull ache in the side of her torso caused her to lie back down. Distressing memories of the evening she'd experienced at her mother's house suddenly came rushing back to her, and the agonizing pain she'd felt was still unpleasantly fresh in her mind. 

Placing a hand against her torso, she found that the side of her abdomen was feeling tender, and she could feel some pains in her shoulder as well. 

Feeling the need to wet her parched mouth, she rolled over onto her side and reached her hand out to grab a glass of water from the bedside table. After taking a few sips, she set the cup back down and wiped her mouth off with the back of her hand. Spotting a bouquet of deep blue hydrangeas next to the glass, she noticed that a card was tucked between the flowers. She only knew one person who wrote in small, slanted handwriting, so she knew that it was from Nolan. Taking it out of its envelope, she flipped the front of the card back and read the enclosed message. 

10 Things I Love About Julia

1. Your cute little snores

2. The way your nose crinkles when you smile

3. Your beautiful curly hair, and the way it always seems to smell like apples

4. Your gorgeous face

5. Your amazing laugh

6. Your lovely, golden brown skin

7. Your perfect feet

8. The way your face glows after we make love

9. Your firm, round butt

10. Your beautiful, calm spirit

I love you, baby. Please get well soon. Xx Nolan



Julia's face was practically glowing with contentment, and her lips curled into a pleasant smile. Nobody had ever given her anything so thoughtful and sweet before, and she was touched by the fact that he'd creatively referred to the title of her favorite romantic film. Overcome by her love for him, she held the card against her chest and smiled up at the ceiling. 

Eager to see his face again, she thought about pushing the nurse's call button, but the door to her room suddenly pushed inward. She watched as a tall, lanky doctor entered, and as their eyes met, his dark brown face creased into a warm smile. 

"Hello, Julia. My name is Dr. Raymond. How are you feeling this morning?" His voice was calming and smooth, and he had a twinge of an English accent.

"Morning?" her brows rose slightly, as she was surprised to hear that so much time had elapsed. 

"Yes, it's around six thirty a.m." Glancing down at his clipboard he said, "It looks like the nurses gave you a powerful sedative after surgery, so that's why you're just now waking up."

"I had surgery?"

"Yes, that's what I've come to speak with you about." Offering her a serious look he said, "There's really no easy way to say this, but what you suffered from was a miscarriage."

She glanced down at her hands which were folded against her lap, and then she lifted her gaze back up to meet his. "I figured that's what happened, but why did I need surgery?"

"To remove the contents of your uterus. You didn't completely pass everything through, so we had to perform a dilation and curettage."

"I see." Averting her eyes from the doctor, she glanced out of the window and looked out at the view beyond.

"I'm very sorry your loss, Ms. Clayton."

She nervously bit her lip and then asked a question. "If I do decide to have children in the future, will I still be able to get pregnant?"

"Oh, yes, you shouldn't have any trouble at all. Your chances of carrying a future baby to full term are excellent."

"That's good, I'm glad to hear it."

"It's a lucky thing your family got you to the hospital so quickly. You bled quite a bit, and we almost had to do a transfusion."

"I am thankful for that. Speaking of my family, when will I be able to see them?"

"I'll send them in right after I leave, but before I do, I just have one more question to ask you." He studied the paper on the clipboard for a brief moment and then looked back into her eyes.

"Have you recently taken any laxatives, specifically those that have the herb Senna in them?"

"No, not that I know of. Why?"

"We found some in your system, and it appears that they were consumed within the last twenty-four hours."

Her brows knitted in puzzlement. "I haven't taken any laxatives at all, so I'm not sure how that could be. Why? Did it have something to do with the miscarriage?"

He nodded. "Senna is a strong herbal laxative, and it caused you to have uterine contractions, which in turn brought about the termination of your pregnancy. You should never have taken them." His tone had grown very serious, almost admonishing.

"But I didn't take any. I already told you." Her voice wavered with emotion.

He softened his voice to put her at ease. "I'm sorry if it seems that I'm scolding you, Ms. Clayton. I just hate seeing someone suffer through a miscarriage when it was entirely preventable." Realizing that her eyes were tearing up, he grabbed a few tissues from a box on the table and handed them to her.

She dabbed at her eyes and then said, "I really don't know how they got into my system."

"I know, I believe you. Please accept my apology for making it seem as if I didn't." He gave her a thoughtful look. "Did you drink any tea last night? There could have been Senna in it."

She shook her head. "No, the only beverage I had was water."

"What did you eat for dinner?"

"Chicken, carrots and some bread."

"Did you have dessert?"

"Yeah, ice cream." The instant the words left her mouth, she suddenly recalled how she'd been the only one at the dinner table to receive the chocolate flavor. There was an obvious flicker in her eyes as she came to the realization.

"You've remembered something, haven't you?"

"Yes, the ice cream that I ate. It must have had laxatives in it."

"Who served it to you?"

"My step-sister."

"Was she trying to prank you?"

"I suppose. She's been trying to get back at me for some time."

"Did she know you were pregnant?"

"No, nobody in my family knew. My boyfriend and I were the only ones who were aware of it."

"I don't doubt that your step-sister did it, but can I ask why you feel that she was the one?"

"I was the only one with chocolate ice cream. Everybody else had pistachio. Then when I asked her about it, she got really mad and left the table."

"I'm guessing there was tension between you two before this incident."

She nodded in response. "Lots. I'd say she hates my guts."

"You're certain she didn't know about your pregnancy, though. Right?"

"There's no way she could have found out. She did it because she was trying to embarrass me."

Dr. Raymond blew out a heavy breath. "Well it looks like her immaturity caused a fatal mistake." He walked closer to the bed and lay his hand against hers in a gesture of sympathy. "Once again, I'm very sorry about this."

Julia felt her cheeks grow hot and her eyes were beginning to grow very moist. She felt a lump rising in her throat and did her best to swallow it back. "Would it be possible to see my boyfriend now?"

"Of course, I'll send him right in. I hope you won't mind, but I'd like to speak with your step-sister. She needs to be aware of just how serious of a situation she's created. I'll only speak to her if it's okay with you, though."

"Yes, it's fine." Her voice was hoarse with emotion.

His lips curled into a compassionate smile. "Please feel better soon, Ms. Clayton." Then he turned and headed for the door.

As soon as he was gone a tear slid out of her eyes, and her lower lip began to tremble. She'd been so scared and uncertain about the pregnancy, that she'd never even considered losing the baby. Yet now that it had happened, she began to wish that she hadn't been so unappreciative of the life that she'd been carrying. 

She never expected things to end up this way, and she was deeply distressed that her pregnancy had been terminated by something as senseless and foolish as an ill intentioned prank. Rubbing the tears away from her eyes, she did her best to mask the sadness she felt and tried to put on the best face she could for Nolan. 

She was wiping her nose with a Kleenex when she saw her lover walk through the door, and her face immediately brightened at his presence. As soon as he reached the bed, he leaned over her reclining body and placed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. As their mouths came apart, he gently stroked her cheek and stared deep into her eyes.

"I'm so happy to see you. How are you feeling?"

"The side of my stomach is a bit tender, but other than that I'm doing okay."

"The doctor told us that you lost the baby."

She nodded, and then focused her eyes on the bed sheet. She was trying very hard not to cry, but the emotions she felt were quite overwhelming. 

"Oh babe, I'm sorry." He took hold of her hand and enclosed it in his large palm. "Please don't cry, sweetie." His thumb wiped away a tear that slid from the corner of her eye. "Did the doctor tell you what caused it?"

"Yes." Tears blurred her vision as she continued to speak. "It was induced by laxatives."

"Laxatives?" His brows knitted together. "You were taking laxatives?"

"I didn't do it knowingly. It was in the ice cream that I ate last night."

"The ice cream..," his voice trailed off as he recalled the events of the evening before. "Wait, didn't Sage serve you that ice cream?"

She nodded her head.

"And you were the only one with chocolate, weren't you?" His voice had grown tense and his face lined with anguish. "So she was the cause of it. Sage made you lose the baby." There was a faraway look in his eyes, as if he was visualizing yesterday's events.

She remained quiet, too torn up with pain to speak. Nolan was very still and silent for a few moments, and then he turned his back to her and walked away from the bed. He stared blankly out of the window for a few moments and then he covered his face with his hands. 

She couldn't hear any sounds coming from him, so she couldn't tell if he was crying, but it was obvious to her that he was feeling very emotional. He remained in the same position for a few more moments and then he uncovered his face. She noticed him wipe his eyes with his palm, and then he turned back around to face her. 

His eyes were red and moist, but Julia could see that he was trying his hardest not to show how emotional he'd become. She figured that he wanted to be strong for her and probably felt that showcasing how distressed he was would make him appear weak. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. 

Seeing him express sadness told her that she wasn't alone in the unpleasant feelings she was experiencing, and she actually felt comforted. He walked back over to be next to her, and once again held her hand. After clearing his throat, he began to speak.

"Sorry about that, I'm just feeling really upset." 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 13



She rubbed her hand against his arm. "Sweetie, it's okay. You don't have to apologize."

"I can't believe she gave you laxatives. She's so stupid." His jaw visibly tightened.

During the time they'd been dating, she'd never seen Nolan seriously upset before, but now that she was observing it, she realized that his tall stature and well-built muscular body appeared even more intimidating than it usually did. 

"And it was all because I kicked her out." She shook her head at just how senseless it was.

"What she did was terrible, and if it isn't a crime, then it should be." His body had grown very tense.

"I agree, but as much as I hate her right now, there really isn't anything we can do that's going to bring the baby back."

"I guess you're right about that." His eyes lowered to rest on her sheet covered stomach, and he gave it a gentle rub. "I knew that having a baby wasn't going to be an easy road for us, but I was starting to look forward to it. Just the other night I was lying in bed, and for a brief moment, I began to imagine what it might look like." He offered a light chuckle and then said, "I figured it would have nice curly hair like ours, and that it'd take the best features from the both of us."

Her lips curled into a smile. "I imagined it a few times myself."

He drew in a deep breath and then blew it out. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that pain." His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. "I was so scared and I felt so helpless just watching you suffer like that in front of me. I couldn't do anything to help you, and it made me feel so awful."

"I know, but it's all over now." Her soft voice tried to reassure him.

He gave a nod and then brought her hand up to his lips so that he could kiss the back of it. "You mean the world to me, baby. Always remember that."

Her lips curled into a smile and he leaned down to grace her forehead with a kiss. As the door to her room opened, Vivian's voice filled the air. 

As her eyes fell upon the couple, she halted at the doorway. "Is it okay if I come in now?" 

"Sure," said Julia.

The heels of her shoes clicked as she made her way towards the bed. "Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry." She pressed her lips to her daughter's cheek in a light kiss.

It'd been a long time since Julia had seen genuine concern in her mother's eyes, and even longer since she'd received anything more than an air kiss. 

"I'm sure you had your reasons, but why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" 

Julia looked off to the side, and then back at her mother. "I just wasn't ready yet." Of course there was more to it than that, but now wasn't the time or the place to get into the complexities of their mother-daughter relationship.

Realizing there was nothing she could do but accept it, she offered a nod and simply said, "Okay." Feeling a draft from the air coming through the vents, she pulled the hem of the bed sheet up and brought it closer to Julia's chin. "Are you in any pain?"

"A little, but it's very mild."

"Well if it gets any worse, let me know and I'll tell the nurses." A look of distress fell across her face as she said, "Listen, I know that this was Sage's fault. The doctor told me all about it in the waiting room." 

"I tried to tell you she did something to that ice cream."

"I know, and I should have believed you. I really am sorry for that, and I hope that you'll forgive me." 

Julia could see the guilt in her mother's eyes. "Of course I do. I'm not even mad at you anymore. It's Sage I'm upset with."

"You have every right to be, and I want you to know that I'm here to offer my support, in any way you need."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

Her mother gave her a pat on the hand. "I truly am sorry that you lost the baby. If there's anything at all I can do for you, please let me know."

"I will."

She glanced at her daughter's boyfriend and offered him a smile. "You're a good man, Nolan. Julia couldn't have picked a better person to be with.

"Thank you. That's kind of you to say."

"Well I guess I'll give you two your privacy." She leaned down to give Julia a parting kiss on the cheek. "Get well soon, Juju. I love you."

Her lips curled into a smile as her mother spoke her childhood nickname. Vivian turned on her heel and headed for the door, but before she could reach it, Sage made an appearance. The hostility from the three sets of eyes which stared her down made her visibly nervous, and she halted in place, not daring to move any closer to Julia's bed. 

Focusing her attention on her step-sister, she posed a request. "Is it okay if I speak to you for a few minutes?"

"Go ahead." Julia's voice came out flat and full of disinterest.

Her eyes darted nervously to Nolan, and then to her step-mother. "Actually I was hoping that we could be alone."

"Why?" Nolan's deep voice was laced with suspicion, and his gaze was fiery.

"I just want to talk to her." Her eyes locked tensely with her step-sibling's boyfriend for a  brief moment, but the heat of his stare was too intense to handle, so she swiftly returned her gaze to Julia's. "Please?"

"Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of mom and Nolan."

She slipped her hands into her jacket pockets and then began to speak. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. If I'd known you were pregnant, I never would have given you those laxatives."

"Even if I hadn't been pregnant, you still had no right. What did I ever do to deserve such treatment?"

Sage shrugged. "I don't know. You didn't really do anything. I guess I was still upset about the whole kicking me out of the apartment thing."

"It wasn't even that big of a deal. You had a place to stay with mom and Dave. It wasn't as if you were out on the street."

"I know, and I'm not trying to use it as an excuse." Her gaze lowered to look at the linoleum floor, and then she turned her attention back on her step-sister. "I feel really bad about this, and I want you to know I'll do whatever it takes to make things right again." 

"There's nothing you can do, Sage. The baby is gone, and nothing is going to bring it back." 

"I know that, but I..," her voice halted and as her eyes welled up with tears, she rubbed them away with her fingers. "I'm just so sorry that it turned out this way. I never wanted to hurt you, and it definitely wasn't my intention to make you have a miscarriage."

"It may not have been on purpose, but that's the way it turned out. You made a really stupid decision, and now thanks to you, my baby is gone."

A part of Julia felt like yelling and crying and releasing her rage, but the other part of her knew that it would do no good. It might temporarily make her feel better, but it wouldn't turn back the clock. She'd felt the strong urge to call Sage out of her name a few times, but had bitten her tongue instead. 

Doing so would only increase the tenseness between them, and with all the drama she'd been through yesterday evening, she was in no mood to raise her stress level again. She was still mad as hell, and wasn't sure when she would be able to forgive her, but she wasn't going to excite herself and cause a scene. 

Sage's face had grown moist with tears. "Please forgive me, Julia. I never meant to harm your baby. Please know that I'm genuinely sorry."

Feeling her own tears coming on, Julia squeezed her eyes shut and deeply inhaled, then slowly blew it out. Fearing that she was in pain, Nolan wrinkled his brow and placed his hand against her cheek, tenderly stroking it in his palm.

"Honey, what's wrong? Are you in pain?"

She opened her eyes and met his gaze. "I'm fine. I'm just feeling really emotional right now." A few tears slipped down her cheek.

Darting his eyes towards Sage, he said, "Why don't you just leave, already? You're just making her more stressed out by being here."

She took a few steps backward, and then paused. "Please forgive me, Julia. I won't feel right until you do."

"Maybe one day I will, but not right now. I'm just not that in that place yet. Now will you please go away?" Her eyes stung with tears and her throat had closed up, making it hard to swallow. 

Nolan did his best to comfort Julia by gently stroking her hair, and the sweet things he spoke to her were communicated in a whispery voice, audible to only she and him. Wishing to give them alone time, Vivian jerked her thumb toward the door, gesturing for Sage to leave. Yet it seemed as if Sage was permanently planted there, because all she could do was helplessly watch as tears rolled down her step-sibling's face. 

"I'm so sorry, Julia. I'll never forgive myself for this." Her voice cracked as she spoke, and she sniffed a few times. 

She turned her head so that her cheek lay against the pillow, clearing Sage out of her line of sight. "I asked you to go, so why are you still here? I can't stand to hear or look at you." Her chest ached, and each moment that her step-sister remained, only reminded her of the grave situation that she'd caused.

Brushing the tears away from her face, Sage backed towards the door. "Okay, I'll leave you alone." Then she turned and made her exit, with Vivian following behind her. 

As soon as she was gone, Nolan grabbed a few Kleenexes from out of the box and gently wiped the tears from her cheek. He heard her mumble something against the pillow, but he couldn't quite understand what she'd said.

"What's that sweetie?"

Lifting her cheek from the pillow, she repeated the words she'd spoken. "Please hold me. I need to feel your body against mine."

Nolan sat on the bed next to her pillow and pulled her up against him, enveloping her with the warmth of his body. It felt good to be held in his arms, and his masculine presence helped to soothe her feelings of sadness. Her body visibly relaxed against his, and she lay her cheek against his chest, closing her eyes as she gratefully lost herself in his soothing caresses.



Tattoo of Love Ch. 14



*Well, this is the last chapter. It's hard to believe that this story is over, because I pretty much fell in love with these two! I can't say i'm done with them for good, though. I'm definitely leaving the possibility open to continue their story sometime in the future. So, I guess i'll see what happens with that.

I just want to give a BIG THANKS to everyone who invested time in reading, and thank you so very much for your comments and votes. I really appreciate it!! I hope you will enjoy this last chapter, and hopefully it doesn't seem too abrupt. I just felt like I should end the story here. Thanks again!! x virgofemme *

The first week following her miscarriage was tough on the both of them, but once two weeks had elapsed, they found that the cloud of sadness which seemed to be hanging over them eventually cleared. They knew there was nothing that could be done to turn back the clock, so they did the only thing they could-moved on and continued to live life. 

As tragic as the situation had been, it seemed to only solidify their connection as a couple, and their relationship was going stronger than ever. With Nolan's trip to the South Pacific approaching, it seemed that the days passed by with warp speed, and before they knew it, the day before his departure had arrived. 

They'd chosen to spend their last twenty four hours together enjoying each other's company, and after enjoying a big breakfast they'd driven out to Oakridge Park. They'd taken a nice hike up along a hilly trail, and after an hour of walking along the path, they'd found a nice, shady spot hidden away from the main path they were traveling on. 

Nolan set the backpack he was carrying down on the ground, and after pulling out a blanket, he spread it out on the grass beneath a large oak tree. He then retrieved a large paper bag from his knapsack, which contained a variety of foods they had prepared for lunch. 

They sat cross legged opposite each other, and took out their individually wrapped egg salad sandwiches. They munched contentedly, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere that surrounded them. It was a relatively warm day, and the sun was shining in a nearly cloudless sky.

Julia inhaled the fresh air surrounding them, picking up the scent of pinecones and grass. As she sat there enjoying the moment, she found that she was experiencing a mixture of emotions. She was happy to be spending such a gorgeous day out with her man, but she also felt sad at his rapidly approaching departure. 

It was going to be difficult being separated from each other for so long, and she didn't know how she was going to deal with it. Although it had been two weeks since she'd miscarried, she still had occasional bouts of sadness. Nolan's presence was a comfort to her, and she was amazed at just how attached they'd become within the two months that they'd been dating. 

Resting her eyes on her lover, she admiringly studied the features of his face, and allowed her gaze to travel over his solidly built body. Besides his incredibly attractive exterior, she also loved the fact that he was gentle and kind, and knew that she was lucky to have found such a sweet and loving man. Feeling her intense gaze, he lifted his eyes to meet hers and offered her a smile. She gave him one back, and then stretched her sandal clad foot out so that her freshly painted nails were on display. His eyes drifted to her foot, giving it an appreciative glance.

"Trying to tempt me, are you?" 

"Maybe." She tilted her head to the side, and gave him a flirtatious look.

He grazed his finger along the edge of one toe, offering it a feather light touch, and she giggled in response, shifting her foot in response to the tickling sensation. She reached forward to grab a Tupperware container, and then removed the top. After grabbing a pickle, she placed the top back on and began to suck on it, enjoying the salty sweetness of the juice. 

She could feel Nolan's eyes on her as she did it, and as her teeth sunk into the flesh, she took a generous bite. After swallowing the portion, she slid her tongue across her lips and then took another bite, this time looking him straight in the eyes as she did it. His lips tugged upward and he shook his head in amusement at her.

"You are such a tease."

"What do you mean?" her voice came out slightly garbled from the food in her mouth.

"Oh you know what I mean. The way you're eating that pickle. You're definitely trying to get me turned on."

"You're the one who brought the pickles along, so I'd say you were planning for this to happen. You wanted to see a phallic shaped object in my mouth, didn't you?"

A chuckle fled his lips. "I packed them because they go so perfectly with egg salad, but it's good to see that they're serving more than one purpose." 

She bumped her foot playfully against his. "You're so naughty."

"Only because you make me that way."

She gave him a little smile, and then finished off her pickle. "Thanks for making lunch honey, it was really good."

"No problem." He reached into the backpack and retrieved a bright green plastic container, then set it on the blanket between them.

"What's that?" 

"Dessert. I made it myself."

She removed the lid to look inside. "Heart shaped brownies? These are so cute." She leaned forward to place a kiss on his lips, and then pulled back to grab one of the treats from the container. "Thank you, baby."

"You're welcome. Sorry they aren't perfectly formed. I didn't have a cookie cutter on hand, so I just used a knife to create the heart shape."

"It's okay, no worries. The fact that they're imperfect only adds to their charm." She pushed the edge of the brownie into her mouth to have taste. 

As the rich flavor of chocolate hit her taste buds, she uttered a sound of contentment, then gave him a thumbs up. A pleased look spread across his face, and he grabbed one of the sweets for himself. They enjoyed the chewy dessert in silence, and then once they had finished, Nolan pulled her up close to him so she could lay her head on his lap. 

Her hair fanned out across hid thighs, and as she gazed up at the sky, he threaded his fingers through her curly strands. Nolan sat with his back against the trunk of the oak tree, glancing down at her face lovingly. They sat in stillness for a bit, simply enjoying the the peacefulness of the moment, and then Julia spoke.

"I'll miss you."

"I'm going to miss you, too."

"I know it will be a good trip for you, but I still wish you didn't have to go. It's going to be weird not having you around for three months."

"It won't be easy for me, either, but at least you'll be coming to visit me for a week."

"Yeah, at least that's something to look forward to."

A warm breeze caressed her skin, and a soft rustling in the tree above brought her attention to a squirrel that was traveling along a branch. 

The ringing of Julia's cell phone suddenly cut through the silence, prompting Nolan to reach into the backpack, yet before he could retrieve her phone, she placed her hand on his arm and shook her head. 

"Avoiding someone?" There was a trace of curiosity in his voice.

"I can tell by the ringtone that it's my mom."

"Have you two talked since the day you were in the hospital?"

"Yeah, she called me a few days later, and we chatted for a bit. She apologized about the way that she'd been treating me, and vowed she'd be a better mom. There were a lot of promises made on her part, but I'm not so sure I believe her."

"I don't blame you. I know this may sound harsh, but I really think it'd be best if you just kept your distance from her, at least for awhile. I feel like a jerk saying it, because she's your mom, but I'll never forget how terribly she treated you."

"You don't have to feel bad about saying it, because that really is the best idea. She wanted to come out for a visit so we could have a talk face to face, but I told her not to bother. I just really need my space right now, and i'm not really sure when or if I'll allow her to see me again. To tell the truth, I really don't want to speak to her again." 

Unable to stop the memories from coming, she thought back to that terrible night, and remembered how overwhelmed and terribly stressed she'd felt, not to mention the excruciating pain she'd gone through when she'd miscarried. She could feel her eyes getting moist, so she blinked a few times to keep the tears from coming. Then she pushed the flashback of images out of her mind. As her eyes locked into Nolan's she saw that his eyebrows were knitted in concern.

"You okay?"

She gave a nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about how completely dysfunctional my family is." She was quiet for a few moments and then once again spoke. "Sage called me last night."

The crease between his brow deepened, transforming the expression on his face from one of concern, to displeasure. "What did she want?" His voice was deeper than normal.

"She was begging me to forgive her for what she did, and wanted to know what she could do to set things straight."

"And what did you say?"

"I told her I did forgive her, but I also let her know that as far as I'm concerned, I no longer have a step sister. I made it very clear that I never want to speak to her or see her. She's no longer a part of my life."

"That's good. I'm glad you made that decision."

"I'm not sure about my mom. Do you think I should completely cut her off, or just keep my distance?"

"I think you should do what feels best."

She inhaled a deep breath, and then let it out. "Why can't I have a family like yours? All of your relatives are so nice."

His mouth curled into a smile. "Everyone really likes you. You made quite an impression at the party."

Once of her eyebrows lifted. "Well I did faint, so I'm not too surprised about that."

"No, I wasn't talking about that. You made an impression in a good way. My mom and dad both really dig you, and all of my other relatives told me they think you're really nice and sweet."

Her eyes lit up from his words. "It makes me happy to hear that." The tenseness she'd been feeling began to disperse, and she instantly felt her spirits lift.

"You might not have been born into my family, but you're still a part of us." He took her hand in his, and they threaded their fingers together.

"That's sweet of you to say."

"Well I mean it."

She wasn't sure she'd felt ever felt so much love for anyone, and she felt her heart surge with contentment. 

"Maybe one day in the future, when we're both ready for it happen, we can have a family of our own."

Her lips pulled into a little smile. "Yeah, maybe."

Placing his palms against either side of her face, he leaned his head down and pressed his mouth to hers in a sweet, tender, upside down kiss. He then pulled back from the embrace, leaving a mere few inches between their lips, and as his breath ghosted against her skin, she heard him breathlessly declare his love for her. 

* * * *

The dim gray light of early morning peeked through the narrow part in the curtains, casting patterns across the bed sheets. Julia's eyelids lifted, and as she emerged from the fog of drowsiness, she immediately realized that the vivid world she'd just been in was nothing more than a dream. She felt a pang of sadness in her heart, as well as disappointment that her dream experience had come to an end. 

Focusing her eyes on the red letters of the digital alarm clock, she saw it was nearly six a.m. Only six hours remained before Nolan took his flight to the Pacific Islands. She rolled over onto her side so that she could snuggle up against him, and as she placed her palm across his broad chest, he murmured contentedly. He snaked an arm around her waist beneath the covers, and gazed into her eyes.

"Morning baby."

"Morning." She lifted her hand up to brush a few sleep tousled strands away from his eyes, loving his sexy, disheveled morning hair look.

He glanced at the clock, and then once again met her eyes. "Hard to believe I'll be gone in the next six hours." 

She offered a small sigh. "I know, and I'm not looking forward to it. Wish I could go with you."

Nolan stroked his finger along her hipbone. "So do I, but at least you'll be coming out for a trip next month."

"I'm already counting the days."

His lips curled into a little smile. "So, what did you dream about last night? I heard you making little noises in your sleep."

"I had a couple of different dreams, but the one I just woke up from was about you and me."

"What were we doing?"

"Taking a bath together. I was sitting between your legs, with my back against your chest, and you were soaping me up. I had this really big pregnant belly, and you were rubbing a large sponge all over it."

"Wow, that sounds like a nice dream."

"It was. I remember how happy I felt, and how much love I could feel coming from you." She was quiet for a few moments and then once again spoke. "I remember you kept rubbing my belly and referring to the baby inside as Julius."

"Julius, huh?" He offered a light chuckle. "That's very close to your own name."

"Yeah, I know. Don't ask me why I came up with it."

"It's not a bad name for a boy. I think it's kind of nice."

"Yeah, so do I. But if I ever did have a son, I wouldn't name it something that sounded so close to my own name. I'd prefer something that was entirely different."

"I can understand that." He pulled her closer up against him. "You're a strong woman, you know that?"

"Am I?"

"Yes. You've gone through hell with your family. And what I saw that evening we went for dinner, that was only a fraction of what you've been going through for years. How have you managed to deal with it?"

She pulled her shoulders into a little shrug. "I don't know, I guess I just got used to it after awhile."

"Well I think you're amazing for having dealt with it for this long." 

He mouth curved into a little smile, and she gave him a kiss on the chest. She then grazed her fingers over his torso, allowing them to travel downward until they rested against his abdominals. Her eyes drank in the sight of his gorgeously toned body, and she ran her palm against his smooth skin, tenderly caressing it. Nolan's eyes followed her hands as she moved them lower, and as her palm made contact with the crotch of his boxers, he released a breathy noise. 

"Make love to me." Her hand cupped his manhood, as if to emphasize just how badly she needed him. 

"You sure it's okay?" 

She gave a nod. "We waited two weeks, just like the doctor said, and I'm no longer bleeding, so it should be fine."

He reached out to stroke her face, grazing his thumb along the fullness of her lips. Then he leaned in for a kiss. His mouth claimed hers hungrily, and as the tips of their tongues met, they engaged in a slow, tantalizing dance. They kept their mouths sealed for a good half minute before pulling away for air. 

"Are you back on the pill?"

She nodded. "It hasn't completely kicked in yet, though, so we need to use back up. You have that pack of condoms we bought, right?"

"Yeah, I'll grab them." He reached over to retrieve them from the bedside drawer, and took one of out of the package. 

"Here, I'll do it." She grabbed the foil wrapper from his hand and then tore it open.

Nolan lifted his hips up so he could slide his boxers down his legs, and then kicked them off around his feet. Julia enclosed her palm around his warm length, and then offered him a few languid strokes. 

She only had to pump him a half dozen times before he was rock hard, and then she stretched the condom over the thick head of his penis. Once he was fully sheathed, Nolan took off her camisole and panties, then he climbed on top of her, staring deep into her eyes. 

He spread her legs nice and wide for him, and then slowly guided himself in. They maintained deep eye contact as he did it, and once he'd sunk all the way in, she uttered a moan of contentment. She'd been craving him for days, and the sensation of his hard shaft stretching her walls was deeply pleasurable. 

"I've missed this so much." His voice came out throaty with desire.

"So have I. Feels so good to have you inside me again." She arched her back and bucked her hips forward to meet his slow, gentle thrusts. 

He moved tenderly on top of her, placing light kisses against her neck and the flesh of her breasts. Everywhere he touched left a trail of heat in its wake, and every moan that he gave caused his breath to ghost against her skin. As he pumped her with a steady rhythm, the sound of their lovemaking filled the air. 

She immersed herself in their moment of bliss, hoping to memorize every detail of the moment-the taste of his lips as they met with hers, the sight of his face as it contorted in pleasure, the feel of his naked flesh pressed flush against hers. She committed all of these things to memory, knowing it'd help her to get through the next few months. As their tongues tangled, his thrusts grew deeper, and their bodies communicated in a dance of passion, rocking and thrusting toward the pinnacle of ecstasy. 

* * * *

Nolan and Julia had been dating for nearly six months now, but the past three months had been spent apart from each other, since Nolan was in the South Pacific. The separation had been more difficult than either had expected, but their time apart had been made a little easier when Julia came to Samoa to visit Nolan for a week. 

The seven days they shared together had been wonderful, and Nolan had proudly shown her various sights of the beautiful island. They'd gone snorkeling through breathtaking reefs, visited marketplaces where traditional crafts were sold, and gone swimming in a freshwater cave pool. They'd also taken in a rugby game, and Nolan had brought her to the village where his parents were born, introducing her to the members of his extended family that still resided there. 

Her experience on the island has been nothing short of amazing, and once their week together had come to an end, Julia had found it very difficult to leave. She'd been in tears as they said their goodbyes at the airport, and once she'd returned home she found herself eagerly counting the days until he would be back on home soil. 

After what seemed an eternity, Nolan's trip overseas had finally come to an end, and now here she was, waiting impatiently in the baggage claim area of the airport. She was caught in a maze of bustling travelers, and the air around her was stuffy from the abundance of body heat.

Her eyes roved anxiously from person to person, and as they finally caught sight of him, she waved her arms and called out his name. The instant his eyes landed on her, he broke into a smile, and weaved his way through the throng of people until he reached her. 

Nolan bent down to enclose her in a tender embrace, and she looped her arms around his neck, tilting her chin upward to offer her lips. Their mouths sealed in a heated, passionate kiss, and he held her in such a tight hug that it nearly stole her breath away. Somehow they managed to finally pull apart, and as he cradled her face between his palms, he gazed adoringly at her.

"I missed you so much." His eyes were lit up with happiness. 

"Missed you more."

The corners of his lips tugged into a smile, and he grabbed the handle of his suitcase. They clasped hands and headed for the exit, and once they were outside they made their way to the parking garage. Once they reached her car he put his suitcase in the trunk, and then they took off. During their ride home, Nolan told her of all the places he'd seen and the various experiences he'd had. 

She was fascinated by the stories he told, and ecstatic to hear that he'd made connections with people who were interested in providing him with future jobs. So overall, it seemed that the trip had been very successful, and she couldn't be any more pleased. 




Tattoo of Love Ch. 14



As they came closer to reaching his house, both of them began to feel a stirring in their nether regions, and by the time they finally arrived at his residence, they were overly eager to get inside. Once they were at the door, Nolan unlocked it and they went in. He flicked the switch on the wall to illuminate the living room with light, and then he turned to face her. 

She felt his hands grab her by the waist and push her back against the door. His lips pressed urgently against hers in a fiery kiss, and she released a husky moan as he reached beneath her skirt to fondle her womanhood. Her panties were already wet, and the scent of her arousal hung thick in the air. 

Their lips were forced apart by a need for oxygen, and as he leaned into her neck, she felt his breath land hotly against it. He sucked, nibbled and licked along her flesh, and before she knew it, both her tank top and bra had been thrown uselessly to the ground. She eagerly assisted him in taking off his t-shirt, and then helped to release him from the confines of his pants. 

Now clad in only their underwear, they were ready to take things to the next level, so Nolan grabbed her by the hand and led her to his bedroom. After stripping off her skirt and panties, Maya laid on her back and then Nolan got onto the mattress to straddle her. 

His eyes feasted upon the gorgeous display of her body, and as he brought his mouth downward, she tilted her chin up so that he could pepper kisses along the length of her neck. His hands roamed the curves of her body, caressing and exploring the softness of her skin. Nolan slid his large palm across her thigh, traveling further north until he found the moist heat that lay between her legs.

"Mmm, you're so wet for me." 

The sensation of his breath tickling her ear was very erotic, and a delicious shiver crept up her spine from the sound of deep rooted desire in his voice. He slid his tongue along her earlobe, and then sucked the fleshy lobe into his mouth. After giving it a few gentle nips he released it, and then claimed her lips with a deep, searching kiss. Their tongues tangled in a searing dance, and Julia happily submitted to his bruising kisses.

Nolan traced his digits along the heat of her slit, and then he slipped two fingers between the petals of her womanhood. Releasing a breathy sigh of pleasure, Julia bucked her hips and arched her back, fully immersing herself in the moment. There were so many pleasurable sensations going on all at once that she found herself nearly overwhelmed by the whole experience. The way he kissed her and the feel of his fingers between her walls was nothing short of euphoric. 

Feeling the need to make eye contact, Nolan pulled his lips from hers and stared deep into her eyes. She gazed right back at him, feeling love and passion and intense desire, and then suddenly she felt him burrowed his fingers even further into her sex. She released a sound of utter bliss, lifting her hips upward to drive them even further. Nolan's digits pumped back and forth and Julia parted her legs, allowing him better access to her slick heat.

His long fingers fucked her expertly, gliding in and out of her wetness with erotically wet noises. Her hips moved rhythmically with each of his strokes, and it didn't take very long before he had her begging him for release. 

Peering down at her contented face he seductively whispered, "How badly do you want me inside you?"

Overpowered by the pleasure she was feeling, Julia was rendered unable to speak. The sound of her cries and moans had given Nolan a pulsing erection, and although his intention was to tease her, it was obvious that he needed her just and much as she did him.

"Go ahead, baby. Tell me how badly you want me to fuck this tight, wet pussy."

"Please Nolan, I need you." Her lips were swollen with desire, and she was so aroused she could barely breathe. 

"How much?"

"Very badly. I've been craving you for months." Her voice came out sounding husky.

"Craving *what*?" His voice seductively coaxed, eager to hear her speak dirty."

"Your cock."

He offered a guttural sound of appreciation. "I love hearing you say cock. It really turns me on." As he withdrew his fingers from her sex, a suction noise accompanied them. 

Still clad in his underwear, Nolan got off the mattress and stripped out of his boxers. His manhood jutted proudly from a nest of dark curls, and the sight of it caused her walls to clench in anticipation. Whenever she saw him naked it was like experiencing it for the first time all over again. Every inch of his solidly built form took her breath away, and the mere thought of his strong, toned body dominating hers caused a pulse of electricity to shoot through her clit.

Nolan climbed on top of her body and pressed his flesh to hers, allowing the warmth of their skin to combine as one. Pressing his lips against her neck, Nolan trailed his way along the curve of it, then traveled lower toward her breasts. As he reached her right nipple he allowed his lips to gently brush against it, just barely allowing them to touch her bare skin. 

Arching her back in response, Julia emitted a whimper of lust. His tongue peeked out to slowly encircle her left areola, gradually moving closer to touching her chocolate colored peak, and as he finally graced her stiff bud with the presence of his tongue, she jolted in response. He offered the same attention to her other nipple, sucking and flicking it to an achingly hard point. 

Placing a hand against his hair, Julia slipped her fingers through his dark, wavy locks. With his hard length pressing against her thigh, she could feel the slippery fluid of his precum seeping onto her skin. Unable to go another moment without feeling his cock inside her, she uttered a whimper of need, causing Nolan to lift his mouth from her breast and stare into her eyes.

"I'm aching for it, sweetie. Push it inside me...please." Her voice came out breathy with desire.

Wasting not a moment longer, Nolan guided his rock hard shaft towards her entrance. He pushed into her tight canal with a slow gentleness, gazing lovingly into her eyes as he did it. As his thickness plunged even further she gave a loud cry of pleasure, tilting her chin toward the ceiling as her fingers pressed into the flesh of his shoulders.

His mouth found her neck and he began to sensually kiss and caress it with his tongue. Then with a gentle buck of his hips he fully entered her, and began pumping her with long, deep strokes.

"Oh baby...yes," she moaned into his ear, rolling her hips back and forth as his length worked in and out of her silky walls. 

As Nolan thrust and groaned above her, Julia was struck by just how strongly she loved him. She'd been aware that her feelings had been gradually building over the past five and a half months, but she suddenly realized just how hard she'd truly fallen for him. He was everything she'd ever hoped for in a man, and everything about him was so perfectly suited for her. 

Not to mention that he was fabulous in bed. The things he could do with his cock should have put him in the book of world records, and none of her previous loves had even come close to sexually satisfying her in the way that Nolan could.

As her body began to tense Julia knew she was on the verge of an orgasm, and she worked her hips into a quicker rhythm so that they would match his increasing speed. The feel of his breath against her neck sent delicious shivers down her spin, and as her passage tightened around him, he released a husky groan. His piercing gaze clearly expressed his amorous feelings for her, and as his hips rocked against hers in a sensually fluid rhythm. 

As he plundered her heat with a swifter pace, Julia uttered helpless little cries, loving the way his large, toned body pinned her helplessly beneath him. Unable to hold back from the pressure which was building inside of her, Julia arched her back and rode the wave of her orgasm. She cried out in ecstasy, and her body quivered with contentment.

Staring down at his gratified lover, Nolan continued thrusting into her slick, warm heat. Her velvet glove was wrapped tightly around his shaft, and it didn't take long before the strong contractions of her pussy muscles brought him to the pinnacle of ecstasy. 

Giving a few more quick thrusts forward, he released a grunt and then exploded inside of her. Their lips joined in a passionate kiss, and once he'd pumped every last drop of his seed into her, he slipped out of her body and rolled over onto his back. 

Deep sighs of satisfaction fled from their lips, and after a few minutes of silently laying beside one another, Nolan rolled onto his side and fixed her with a half-lidded gaze.

"You are so beautiful." His thumb removed a lock of hair from her damp cheek. 

"And you're amazing." 

His lips curved upward. "Would you be up for a movie tonight?"

Glancing at the clock, she was surprised to see that it was already nearing seven p.m. It was still fairly light outside, so it made her feel as if it was still the afternoon, but since it was summer time, the day was just beginning to turn to dusk.

"Sure. What theater did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking we could go to that vintage movie house. You know the one off of third and Main?"

"Oh yeah, the place that screens retro films. It's been awhile since we last went."

"Yep, but just to let you know, you're not forcing me into watching any silent movies."

She offered a smile of amusement. "I won't, I promise."

His biceps flexed as he crossed his arms behind his head and looked up at the ceiling. "I really hope not, because that last one you dragged me to practically made me fall asleep."

She gave a sound of amusement. "Not to worry, we'll be watching something with sound this time." She suddenly caught a whiff of his masculine scent, and found that it created a feeling of arousal inside her. Turning onto her side, she lay her hand against his chest and draped her leg over his. "Is it weird that I'm turned on by the smell of your armpits?"

His face creased into grin. "No, I think it's great. You also enjoy the smell of newborn babies and burning wood, so in comparison to those scents, I'd have to say that you enjoying my armpit funk is pretty darn flattering."

She laughed in response, then placed her nose next to the underside of his arm. After taking a deep inhale, she offered a sigh of appreciation and then placed her cheek against his hard chest.

"I've never had any of my past girlfriends do that to me before." The look on his face was one of amusement.

"I know, I'm a weirdo, right?"

"No, you're uniquely wonderful. Once of the things I like most about you is that you continually surprise me."

She pressed her lips to his torso in a gentle kiss, and then began tracing the patterns of his chest tattoo with the tip of her nail.

"Since you like the smell of my armpits so much, maybe I should stop taking showers." 

She could hear the smile in his voice. "I wouldn't go that far. There's a big difference between armpit smell and a complete body funk."

A deep chuckle caused his chest to shake. "I was only kidding, but you've got a good point there."

Spotting a small gift bag on the bedside table, Julia curiously inquired about the contents. "What's in the bag?"

Nolan followed her line of sight. "It's a surprise."

"Is it something you got in Samoa?"

"Yep."

"What is it?"

"Didn't I just tell you it was a surprise?"

"You could at least give me a hint."

"Sorry, but you're just going to have to be patient."

She pouted in response, and then emitted a little sigh. "Fine, have it your way. I'll just wait until you fall asleep, and then I'll find out what it is."

"Good luck with that, because I'm staying awake until you doze off."

"Yeah, right. I know you have jet lag, not to mention that we just had sex, so I'm willing to bet that you'll be out like a light within the next ten minutes."

"Care to make a wager?"

Her lips curled upward. "If you lose, you have to take me to next week's Buster Keaton film festival."

He lightly chuckled. "What is it with you and those silent films?" He shook his head in amusement, and then said, "Alright, if I win, then you have to cook me dinner naked, and I choose the meal."

"Okay."

"But you have to wear those heels I bought you."

A few days before Nolan had left for his trips overseas, he'd purchased a pair of black stilettos that laced up her legs. They were strictly for use during their naughty moments together, but since Julia still had yet to wear them, he'd been eagerly awaiting the moment when he would finally have the pleasure of seeing her in them. 

"Okay, deal."

"Fantastic. I'm planning the menu in my head right now."

She gave a playful snort. "Yeah, whatever. We'll see who falls asleep first."

"Yes we will."

They fell into a silence which was occasionally interrupted with small talk, but as the minutes wore on, Julia found that her eyelids were becoming increasingly heavy. She'd been up since six a.m. that morning helping Mimi move into her new apartment, so she was definitely due for a nice, long nap. She made a serious effort to evade the sleep which threatened to come, but the drowsiness eventually took over her body.

As the sound of Julia's shallow breaths filled the room, Nolan emitted a quiet chuckle and tenderly stroked her hair. His fingers skimmed lightly across her torso, and as his vision landed on a blemish on her belly, he brought his digits to a halt. 

The scar was about an inch long, and whenever he gazed at it, he was reminded of all the physical and emotional pain that she'd been through from the miscarriage. He would always love and appreciate her, but this mark on her body was a reinforcement that he could never take her for granted. 

The fear he'd experienced that terrible evening had been all consuming, and he never wanted to have something like that happen again. He stroked his finger against the scar a few times, and then wrapped his arms around her torso, closing his eyes to join her in sleep.

* * * *

After taking a two hour nap, the couple had woken up to grumbling stomachs. Since Julia was the loser of the bet, she made good on the deal and cooked a dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, clad in nothing more than the pair of lace up stilettos. It felt a bit strange preparing a meal without any clothes on, but after the first few minutes of being naked, she'd begun to loosen up and have fun with it. 

She'd definitely enjoyed the look of carnal yearning in Nolan's eyes, and before she could finish preparing dinner, he'd lustfully taken her doggy style against the kitchen table. Their passionate coupling had been followed by their evening meal, and once their bellies were full, they'd taken a quick shower and then headed out to the theater.

They'd chosen to watch a cheesy horror film from the eighties, and after two hours of chuckling at the silly antics of the movie characters, they exited the screening room and headed out into the lobby. Walking hand in hand, they were making their way toward the exit of the theater, when Nolan spotted a photo booth off in the corner next to a pinball machine. Pulling Julia along by the hand, he led her over to it so that they could take some pictures. 

After feeding a few dollars into the machine, they got into the booth and took a seat on the little stool. Once Julia was seated comfortably on his lap, Nolan clicked the button so that the first picture could be taken. Deciding that the first photo would be one of them kissing, they both moved their heads so that their lips could press together. Unfortunately for them, their attempt for a cute first picture resulted in a painful bumping of their foreheads. 

"Okay, that hurt." Julia rubbed the spot where their heads had collided.

Releasing a humorous snort, Nolan cupped her face in his hands and offered her a sweet kiss on the site of the injury. There was a popping noise as the flash for the camera went off, and once the second picture had been taken, then got into position for the third. Julia wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his cheek in a sweet kiss, and as the camera took their picture, Nolan's lips tugged into a pleased grin. 

In the next couple of photos they took, they chose to either make silly faces or give each other looks of affection. There was a time lapse of about six seconds between each picture, so it gave them time to prepare for the next one. 

Right before the sixth image was taken, Julia noticed that Nolan was reaching into his jacket pocket for something. Curious about what he was retrieving, she focused her eyes on his hands, and saw him pull out a rectangular jewelry box. 

He opened the lid to reveal a gorgeous pendant, and as Julia caught sight of it, she was rendered breathless. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the focal point of the necklace, which was a single black pearl. The gem hung within a heart which was formed out of twisted white gold, and as her eyes roved over the piece of jewelry, she was struck by it's unique beauty.

Nolan lifted the necklace out of the box so that she could have a closer look, and she found herself admiring the way that the dark color of the pearl contrasted with the metallic hue of the pendant. 

"You like it?" His eyes lifted to meet his lover's, giving her a hopeful look.

"Oh Nolan, it's beautiful." 

His face creased into a smile at her response. "I got it while I was in Tahiti. As soon as I saw it, I instantly thought of you, and figured that you'd love the design." He brushed her hair aside, then looped the necklace around her neck. 

As he clasped it in place, the camera took their picture, capturing the look of happiness on Julia's face, and the expression of contentment on Nolan's. Completely surprised by his choice of gift, she was nearly speechless. 

"You didn't have to get me such an expensive piece of jewelry. I would have been happy with something simple." She ran her finger over the smooth surface of the pearl, enjoying the feel of it. 

"I wanted you to have it. And besides, you deserve better than simple. You deserve special."

He took a moment to gaze at the piece of jewelry against her neck, and then placed a tender kiss just above her collarbone. She experienced a delicious shiver from the presence of his lips, and as he pulled his mouth away, she cupped his face in her palms and looked deep into his eyes. 

"This is the nicest gift that anyone has ever gotten me. Thank you, Nolan."

"My pleasure, baby." 

"I love you."

"Love you more."

They shared a brief smile, and then leaned in for a kiss. Their mouths met in a passionate lip lock, and a flash of light filled the booth, forever immortalizing their love.