Page 39 of Essence of his Soul

“What you need to be thinking about is how to hook Tyler’s daddy,” she said, exaggerating her perfectly arched eyebrows.

“Da-Da.”

We both turned to Tyler simultaneously and couldn’t help but laugh.

Tamara’s smile widened. “See, even Tyler agrees.”.”

* * *

Texas!

Man, I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. The news hit me like a damn sledgehammer last night—report to a military intelligence unit at Fort Cavazos, Texas, the day after New Year’s. Just like that, everything I’d been planning, everything I’d been working toward, got flipped on its head.

Damn it!

I fell back on the mattress, staring at the ceiling, trying to understand everything. Texas meant I’d be hundreds of miles away from Tyler. And Essence. The whole reason I’d pushed to stay on the East Coast was to be close, within driving distance, so I could see them as often as I wanted. Now, that plan was straight-up shot to hell.

Three weeks. That’s all I had left. Three weeks to figure out what the hell I was gonna do.

I laced my hands behind my head, my eyes roaming the room, trying to piece it together. Why did Essence have to be so damn stubborn? I wanted to raise our son together. I promised to be faithful to her—something I’ve never offered any other woman. So, what’s the problem?

But I knew what the problem was. It’s always been clear.

My gaze landed on the old baseball bats lined up along the blue walls. My mom had surprised me with them for my tenth birthday, decking out the room just how I wanted. It was still the same twenty years later, like a time capsule. It would be perfect for a little boy.

I couldn’t help but smile when thoughts of Tyler flooded my mind. After the snow hit yesterday, I bought a sled and took him to the park. We tore up those slopes, his laughter echoing through the air, more precious than anything I’d ever heard. Afterward, we hit up Chuck E. Cheese for lunch. It was perfect—just me and my little man.

Every day, driving to and from Essence’s place, I was smiling, thinking about something Tyler had done. My feelings for my son ran deep, deeper than I ever imagined. I’d always been willing to take a bullet for my family, but for Tyler? I’d lay down my life in a heartbeat.

And then there was Essence. No woman had ever gotten under my skin like she had. This wasn’t just about lust—it was something real, something deeper. It was the bond we shared, the fact that she wasn’t just another woman. She was the mother of my child, and that meant something.

I inhaled a ragged breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. Sitting in bed, I rested my elbows on my knees like I did every night after leaving her house. I’d lie awake, thinking about those kisses, aching for a release only she could give me. No one else would do. It was Essence I wanted.

I could still feel the heat of her lips, the softness of her body pressed against mine.

Three weeks. That’s all the time I had to convince her to take a chance on us. I’d have to use every minute, every second, to remind her how good we were together. I knew I had a fight on my hands, but I was a captain in the United States Army—I wasbuilt for challenges. And Essence? She was as stubborn as they came, but I was just as determined.

Lying there, I realized it was time to switch up my strategy. I wasn’t just going to fight for her; I was going to enjoy every single moment of it. I would prove to her that I was the man for her and she was the woman for me. I’d come to understand that my life was meaningless without them—without Essence and Tyler. If that meant opening my heart and letting love in, so be it. I wasn’t backing down. Not now, not ever. Essence was worth the fight, and I was going to make damn sure she knew it.

* * *

After leaving the mall, I made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up a few things. It was close to four when I finally pulled into my driveway. As I pressed the button on the remote control clipped to my visor, a smile tugged at my lips. I was still getting used to the luxury of parking in the garage, all thanks to Mark.

I opened the rear door, ducking my head inside to smooth back Tyler’s dark baby curls. “We’re home, handsome,” I whispered, unfastening the safety belt on his car seat. Carefully slipping his arms through the straps, I lifted my sleeping angel into my arms.

“Need some help?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard Mark’s voice. Spinning around, I found him looking too comfortable in my space. My heart did a little flip, making me angry at how easily he affected me.

“It’s the weekend, Mark. What are you doing here?” I tried to keep my voice low, not wanting to wake Tyler.

“I thought I’d drop by and check on you two,” he said as he shut the car door behind me like he belonged here.

“Tyler had a full day at the mall and is now sound asleep,” Ireplied, wishing I’d been smart enough to close the garage door behind me.

Mark just grinned, those white teeth contrasting against his dark brown skin. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full. Let me carry him inside for you.”

Before I could protest, Mark had already taken Tyler from my arms and was heading toward the side entrance. I hurried after him, fumbling with my keys to unlock the door, and followed him inside.

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