Page 91 of Essence of his Soul

Women stared at me as I moved through the room, but I didn’t care about that. My focus was on Malcolm leaning close to Essence, whispering something in her ear that made her blush. His lips brushed her skin—myskin. That was a violation. I had to unclench my fists to stop from knocking his teeth out.

Tamara was the first to spot me. I saw her eyes widen before she tapped her sister on the arm. When Essence turned, our eyes locked. Without hesitation, I grabbed an empty chair, slid it between her and Malcolm, and sat down. Straddled it like I owned the space. The look of horror on Essence’s face was priceless. Malcolm? He looked like he was waiting for an explanation.

“Really?” Essence said, her voice tight.

I leaned forward, reached for a carrot stick off her plate, dipped it in ranch dressing, and popped it in my mouth. My eyes never left her as I chewed, taking my time to notice the diamond-studded earrings she was wearing. “You look exceptionally beautiful tonight,” I said, cool as ice.

She snorted. “You saw me earlier, Mark.”

I looked around the table. Malcolm had this blank stare, noteven sure what to do. Tamara was grinning. Dennis gave me a nod like he knew what was up.

I turned back to Essence, whose eyes narrowed as she hissed, “What are you doing here?”

“Bringing in the new year,” I said, holding up my glass with a mock toast. “Same as everyone else. Celebrating.”

Malcolm still hadn’t said a word. Dude was weak. I wasn’t worried about him at all. Essence, though? She was furious, and it made her even more beautiful. Her cheeks flushed, and her lips were pursed in a way that almost tempted me to kiss her right then and there.

“Mark, this is a private event,” she snapped, her frustration boiling.

“It’s a fundraiser, right?” I asked, glancing around for confirmation. Dennis nodded.

I pulled a check from my pocket and slid it across the table toward Malcolm. “Consider me one of tonight’s donors. It’s for a good cause, right?”

Essence’s eyes flashed with anger. “Go away.”

“Sorry, but I can’t do that. Unless your date here has a problem with that.” I looked straight at Malcolm, who was pocketing the check.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Essence whispered harshly.

“Well then, I guess we’re all bringing in the new year together,” I said with a smirk.

“Why would I go with you? So, you can keep lying to me?” Her voice cracked with frustration.

“I don’t need to lie. The expression ‘cheaper to keep her’ means nothing to me because money’s not an issue. I’ve done quite well for myself. But none of that means a damn thing if I don’t have you by my side.”

“I’m going home with Malcolm,” she declared.

The thought of Essence—my woman—with Malcolm pushed me to the edge. I turned to Malcolm, locking him in with the same look I gave my soldiers when I was serious. “You need to leave.”

Malcolm shifted uncomfortably. Essence shot him a look, eyebrows raised. “Malcolm, aren’t you going to say something?”

He downed his drink in one gulp, then stood up. “I wish you all a happy New Year,” he said to the table. He glanced at me, then back at Essence. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“No, you won’t,” I cut in. “Lose my fiancée’s number.” Malcolm left without another word.

Essence turned her fiery gaze on me. “Howdareyou?”

“You agreed to marry me,” I reminded her. “There’s no coming back from that.”

"I deserve to have a husband who wants me for me, not because it’s ‘cheaper to keep her,’" Essence snapped, her voice sharp, cutting through me.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. "Next time you decide to eavesdrop on my conversations, maybe listen to more than the tail end," I shot back, keeping my tone light, but I knew it stung.

Essence's eyes widened like she couldn’t believe what I said. "I wasn’t eavesdropping!"

"If you’d given me a chance to explain, you’d have heard the whole conversation. Diamere was saying his girlfriend is pregnant with twins, and he’d rather marry her than pay child support." I paused, watching her reaction, knowing her next question before she even asked it.

Essence nibbled her lower lip as if processing what I said. "Is that how you feel about me?" she asked quietly, her eyes searching mine for the truth.

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