Page 62 of Essence of his Soul

I exhaled a long, shaky breath, my chest heaving as I tried to process everything he said.

His face was so close to mine now, our lips inches apart. “I’ve never been a patient man. But I will do everything I can to win your trust and recapture your heart, no matter how long that takes.”

My chest felt like it was about to burst. I had been holding my breath, waiting, listening to him bare his soul. It wasn’t a confession of his undying love that I hoped for, but it was a start.

“I thought you wanted a marriage in name only?” I asked, my voice trembling.

He shook his head, his eyes intense. “I did. I thought that was all I was capable of. But now... I don’t know how else to say it, except I’m ready to do whatever it takes to make this work. Willyou give us a chance?”

Part of me wanted to throw my arms around his neck and kiss him until we couldn’t breathe, but another part of me was scared—scared that he might change his mind later and leave me broken again. What if Mark realized he couldn’t love me the way I needed?

I bit my lip, considering the possibility of risking it all. The thought of losing him again made my heart ache. And yet I decided that even if we didn’t last forever, even if he changed his mind later, I wanted to take the chance because I knew I loved him.

“Since I’ve been back, there hasn’t been a single night I haven’t laid awake wishing I were in your bed, curled beside you,” he confessed, his voice deep and husky. “I want you in my life, Essence. I want something real between us, no games, no limitations.”

His words sent a ripple of heat through me, and I could feel my heartbeat quickening with each breath. I loved him, and it was time to stop pretending. The battle I had been fighting inside myself was over, and the truth was, I wanted to be with him. I wanted everything he was offering.

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I looked up at him. “I’ve laid awake so many nights wanting the same thing. I’ve been lonely without you. I want this, too.”

Mark cupped my face in his hands, his rough palms warm and comforting against my skin. “Are you cold?” he asked, his voice soft but full of concern.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head.

He pulled the heavy blanket over us and drew me closer, his body warm against mine. I looked up at him, a smile spreading across my face. I loved this man.

He searched my eyes, his gaze holding mine for a long, heart-stopping moment before finally lowering his mouth to my lips.The kiss was deep, full of unspoken promises and raw emotion. I parted my lips, welcoming him in, savoring his taste and the feel of his strong arms wrapped around me. My body melted into his, every touch sending sparks of electricity through me.

“We’re not done,” he murmured against my lips, his hand trailing down the curve of my back as he pulled me closer. “We’ve only just begun.”

I looked up, his eyes flashing gold in their depths.

“So, I see,” I said and gave a sudden thrust of my hips against his swelling erection. He growled with pleasure.

We lay there kissing for the longest time. His hands found the belt to my robe. I sucked in my breath and shivered with pleasure as he peeled it away again.

His touch set my body on fire as I writhed sensuously. I held my breath as he reached out and caressed one nipple and then the next with the back of his hand.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered. His breath warmed my cheek. “I won’t be satisfied until you are panting and quivering beneath me.”

His hands moved slowly down, capturing the curve of my hip, sliding past my belly to explore between my legs. It wasn’t long before his long fingers slipped between my sensitive folds and explored. I parted my thighs, allowing him better access, then shivered and went limp while his fingers teased and caressed. I closed my eyes, savoring the feel of his fingers slipping and sliding inside of me while he tenderly sucked the buds of my breasts until they beaded like pearls.

He kissed me again. Our mouths fused, and our tongues danced as he stroked my breasts with his gifted fingers. My stomach fluttered, filling me with warmth and pleasure. His tongue claimed every inch of my flesh. And when he finally reached his destination and settled his mouth between my thighs, he licked, sending a sensual heat tingling down my spine.

The silence was broken by my small gasps of delight...gasps that turned to broken cries as he suckled the sensitive flesh, teasing them open, stroking them, bringing me as much pleasure as he could. The intense sensation caused me to arch off the bed. Grabbing my hips, he tried to hold me still but couldn’t. Instead, I cried out and bucked against his mouth until I exploded.

Mark released my hips and slowly traveled up my abdomen, nipping me with his tongue along the way.

I purred his name, “Mark...”

His lips moved from my breasts to an area behind my ear. “Yes?”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

“What’s on your mind?” he asked.

I shifted on the bed and slid my hand down a solid wall of muscles on his chest. I’m sure my wicked grin confirmed what was on my mind.

“You…this.” I jerked the covers back. Damn, the man was sexy. His penis was strained and swollen. I took his length in my hands and felt him flinch between my fingers. I cupped my hand around the base, felt him swell even more, and then stroked up and down in a slow, gentle motion.

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