Page 94 of Essence of his Soul

Before I could respond, Mark’s tongue slipped out and stroked my kitty. I started whimpering. With a mind of its own, my body rocked and followed the rhythm of his tongue, meeting his strokes. “Yes,” I panted. I rested my hands on his shoulders while my body quivered and shook. “That feels good.”

Mark sucked and licked some more, then flicked my clit between his lips. I tried to pull away, but he grabbed onto my ass, immobilizing me. I twisted beneath his tongue and held on as my body began to contract. “Mark … don’t … stop … I’m about to…” A cry ripped from my lips as I exploded. “Yesss, ohyesss.”

I whimpered his name as I was hit with one wave and immediately met by another. He continued to suck me until my muscles relaxed and my breathing slowed. Mark then gripped my ass and lifted me off the floor.

“Look at me,” he commanded.

There was a wolfish glint in his eyes. I held my breath, then released it in a slow exhale as he spread my thighs and pushed inside me. Mark gave me a few seconds to adjust, and then he was riding me so hard I started chanting his name.

“Wrap your legs around my waist,” he coaxed, and, with his assistance, I crossed my ankles just above his ass then he was plunging deeper and harder. I was moaning and crying at the same time and was seconds away from the moment ending when I felt his erection tighten and then pulse.

“Fuck!” he hissed.

“Yes … yesss!”I wailed, then exploded around him. Mark groaned and thrust long, hard, and deep before his body bucked and drove home with release. Sagging against the wall, I exhaled.

Mark steered me over to the bed, and we both fell onto the mattress, laughing and panting. The silence of the night stole over me as his heartbeat slowed and my breathing eased. Confusion erupted at the pit of my stomach with the overwhelming urge to lean in close, desperate for the warmth and comfort of his body.

Bringing his lips to mine, Mark trailed light kisses while whispering words of endearment. The sound of his voice had my body heating for round two. I drew back to look at him. Mark was gazing at me, eyes filled with pleasure and something else I couldn’t decipher. He then shook his head as if trying to find the words to say what was on his mind.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head again and said, “Essence, I never knew how important family was until I met Tyler. I know in the beginning, I said I wasn’t into commitments, but I dreamed of you for two years. The second I heard that I had a son, I ran to you, hoping to have both of you in my life. Then I started to want you in all the ways a man wants a woman. In my bed every night, waking up beside you every morning. I wasn’t going to tell you that, Essence, because it scared the hell out of me.”

“But Mark, I’m not going—”

He clasped my face between his hands. “I should have focused more on telling you how much I love you.”

I sighed. Those words were magic to my ears.

“I have always loved you and simply chose to deny my feelings. It took thinking I had lost you to another man to realize how stupid I have been. All I’m asking for is a chance to provethat I can be a good husband and a father.”

My heart shuffled into my throat. Mark stared into my eyes, and I finally saw it, an emotion I had never seen before. It was there… a love as strong as his handsome face. “And this isn’t because of Tyler?”

“Tyler only adds to the package.” He sighed. “I realize how much I hurt you, Essence. I know you’re probably scared, and I’m scared, too. But I promise to do my best to make you happy.”

“Mark, you are a wonderful man, and I’d be honored to have you as my husband.”

He studied me with soft, loving eyes. “Then you’re saying—”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“You heard me, silly.” My joy bubbled out in a laugh. “Yes, I’ll still marry you.”

Mark brushed a gentle kiss over my lips. “Thank God. I thought you might tell me to go to hell.” He stroked his thumbs back and forth over my cheeks. “I’ll always be honest with you from this point forward, Essence. I swear it.”

I laid my palms over his hands. “I’ve realized that to trust you, I have to trust myself and my feelings. And right now, I’m feeling quite comfortable with my decision.”

Mark laughed then, and I reveled at the joyous sound.

“You said yes to me.”

Flashing a grin, I answered, “Why wouldn’t I? I love you, Mark.”

His hands tightened. “Would you please repeat that?”

I laughed. “I love you, Mark Saunders. I’ve loved you for two years.”

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