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.