Page 79 of Essence of his Soul

“I haven’t danced this much since I was seventeen,” I said, laughing as he spun me around. “I forgot how much I loved it.”

“A shame,” he said, his grin making my heart flutter. “You’re a natural.”

He was right. I picked up every move like it was second nature, following his lead, laughing as we twirled around the floor. The way he moved—so smooth and confident— made me feel like we were the only two people in the room. And for most of the night, we were. A few couples joined us now and then, but it was like the lounge belonged to us. I noticed a few women at the bar eyeing him too long, and I had to resist the urge to make it crystal clear. This man is mine.

“Getting tired?” he asked after what felt like our tenth dance.

“A little,” I admitted, though I didn’t want the night to end. “But I’m having such a good time. Besides, we haven’t even done a line dance yet.”

He chuckled, his eyes gleaming. “I doubt the DJ’s got the cha-cha slide, but I’ll ask. You want something to drink while I check?”

I nodded, feeling that warm buzz inside me as he led me back to our table. He signaled the bartender for two drinks before heading over to chat with the DJ. A few minutes later, he returned with that boyish grin that always makes me smile.

“We’re out of luck on the line dancing,” he said, shrugging, “but the DJ has a slow jam he thinks we’ll like.”

I smiled, taking his hand as the opening notes of Muni Long’s “Make Me Forget” filled the room. Mark pulled me close, holding me tight against his chest as we swayed to the music. I rested my head against his shoulder, letting myself get lost in themoment, in how his arms wrapped around me like I belonged there. The warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his heart were everything.

I didn’t want it to end. I wished we could stay like that, wrapped up in each other forever. Nothing else mattered. But when the song ended, I felt a sudden rush of longing, this deep need to be alone with him again. I looked up at him, and from how he looked at me, I could tell he felt it, too.

Without a word, we left the lounge, making our way back to the hotel room, ready to pick up exactly where we’d left off.

We quickly removed our clothes when we closed the hotel room door. Mark suited up, swept me into his arms, and carried me to the bed.

“I’ve been waiting for this,” he whispered. Kneeling between my legs, he lifted my hips and licked. I almost came off the bed. “You’re wet. Hot and wet. God, I could eat you up.”

“No foreplay. I want you inside of me.Now! Hurry.”

“I’m here to please.” Mark covered my body with his and plunged deeply.

“Wrap your arms around me, Essence. Now move with me.”

“Mark...” I moaned.

He thrust even deeper inside me. “Tell me you want me,” he demanded.

I locked my legs around his waist and whispered, “I want you more than I can say.”

Mark was more than ready. Seized by our bodies’ rhythm, we drowned in rapture. Mark chanted my name, then heard my cries mingle with his.

His forehead dropped to my shoulder, and I could feel his chest rising and falling, his breath uneven like he was holding something in, something heavy. He clung to me like he was drowning like I was the only thing keeping him afloat. His heart was pounding so hard I could feel it against my skin, and Icouldn’t help but wonder what had him so shaken.

“Mark,” I whispered, my voice soft, trying to break through whatever storm he was caught up in. “Are you okay?”

He didn’t say anything for a long moment; he held tight as I might slip away. Then, finally, his voice broke through the silence, low and raw.

“No, I’m not okay,” he admitted, his words heavy with a truth I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear. “But if you marry me, I will be.”

I pulled back just enough to see his face, look into his eyes, and search for anything that would tell me what he was feeling. His eyes met mine, and there was something there—something vulnerable that felt like hope and fear tangled together. And in that moment, I knew. I couldn’t keep holding back, couldn’t keep pretending I didn’t already have my answer.

I nodded, my voice steady even though my heart was racing. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

I wanted this, wanted him. But deep down, I knew I needed more.

I needed his love.

***

It was close to midnight when Diamere pulled up in front of the building, engine still running, headlights cutting through the dark. He glanced up at the second-floor window, his jaw tightening.

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