Page 92 of Essence of his Soul

I reached over, my fingers grazing her cheek as I leaned in. "No. I want to marry you because I know it’ll work between us. You and me? We fit."

“Well, I changed my mind. I no longer want to marry you.”

My thumb brushed against her chin, tilting it up so I could look into her eyes. And damn, there it was—hunger, raw and undeniable. “Stop lying to yourself.” I grabbed her, pulling her close and crushing my lips against hers.

That kiss? It was explosive, like a fire that had been waiting to ignite. The second our mouths connected, it was over for me. She didn’t push me away. I growled deep in my throat, pulling her closer, one hand slipping to her waist while the other cradled her face. Her lips parted, and I wasted no time, sliding my tongue into her mouth like I’d been dying for this—because I had. I’d never wanted to kiss anyone so deeply, so desperately, that it felt like my knees were ready to buckle under the weight of it all.

Essence melted into me, her body trembling, and it only made me kiss her harder, hungrier. It wasn’t just passion—it was possession. She was mine, always had been.

Tamara’s laughter broke the spell. "Why don’t y’all go get a room?" she teased from across the table, and I could feel Essence tensing up again, probably embarrassed.

I pulled back slowly, my eyes still locked on Essence's face, and I could feel the tension between us like a live wire. She was breathless, like me, her lips swollen from the kiss, but that wall was still up. I wanted to smash it, break through whatever held her back. She wasn’t just fighting me; she was fighting herself, which had my frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"Yeah, it’s definitely time for us to go." My voice was tight, almost daring her to say something else.

We were halfway across the ballroom, Tamara waving goodbye like everything was normal. Nothing was normal. Not anymore. I handed the valet my ticket, my mind racing. This back-and-forth with Essence? It was getting old. I needed answers. I needed her to stop playing games. When the carpulled up, I helped her inside but didn’t even look at her before shutting her door and climbing in on the driver’s side.

“What about my car?” she protested, her voice sharp, but I wasn’t in the mood for her pushback.

“I’ll pick it up in the morning,” I shot back, not giving her a choice. Not this time.

“Where are we going?” Her tone was all attitude, but I could feel the doubt creeping in like she dared me to make this real.

“We’re going to your place.”

“No,” she said, her voice edged with defiance. “I need to be with my son.”

I gripped the steering wheel tight enough that my knuckles turned white. “Ourson is fine, Essence.” She started to argue, but I cut her off. “Call Kelly if you don’t believe me.”

She whipped out her phone, and I waited, tapping my fingers on the wheel while she spoke to Kelly. Sure enough, Tyler was fine. Essence hung up, her lips pursed tight like she wanted to snap, but she didn’t.

“Now,” I said, turning to face her, my voice low and firm, “we are going to your house to have a serious conversation.”

She rolled her eyes at me, a gesture that had my temper flaring up, but I bit my tongue. I wasn’t about to let her attitude derail this. She stayed silent the entire ride, her arms crossed, staring out the window like she had something better to do than face what was between us. Fine. Let her stew in her silence. My intentions were crystal clear.

I shut off the engine in her driveway, my jaw clenched tight. I wasn’t playing tonight. I stepped out, walked around to her, and opened the door. Before she could say a word, I scooped her into my arms, and for a split second, I saw her guard slipping. Her breath caught, her eyes locked on mine, and I saw the fire in them. She wanted me. She didn’t want to admit it, but the desire burned beneath the surface.

“Mark, put me down,” she whispered, but there wasn’t any real fight in her voice.

“No,” I growled, my frustration slipping out. “You’re not running from this. Not tonight.” I held her tighter, making sure she understood I wasn’t backing down.

Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but nothing came out. She knew as well as I did—this conversation was long overdue, and I wasn’t leaving until we settled it. I wasn’t going to let her keep pushing me away.

Not anymore.

“I’m getting ready to make love to you.”

“You really think that’s happening after the stunt you pulled?”

“Actually, I do.” I took the keys from her, opened the door, and lowered her to the floor.

“Malcolm’s never going to forgive me,” she said, stepping back.

“All’s fair in love and war, sweetheart. He could’ve fought for you, but he didn’t. Some fiancé you had.”

“He’s not my fiancé,” she admitted, finally. “I ended it before you even got to the party.”

I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “Good. Because you’re mine.”

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