A one-night-stand baby can only mean one thing to the decorated officer—a wedding!
After two years deployed, Captain Mark Saunders returns home for the holidays to find out his little fling with Essence Monroe left him with more than just some warm memories—a 16-month-old baby boy, Tyler. Mark’s always played by his own rules: build his career, save up, live on his own terms. Marriage? Not on the agenda. Ready-made family? Way off script. But one thing’s for sure: he’s not about to turn his back on his own flesh and blood. And with Christmas in the air, he’s starting to think he needs to put a ring on it for Tyler’s sake. The only problem? Essence isn’t about to walk down the aisle just to play house.
Essence Monroe’s got one focus: her son, Tyler. He’s her heart, her joy, her world. She’s put everything on the line to make a life for him, and the last thing she expected was for Mark to waltz back into the picture, suddenly ready to play daddy. Those four hot weeks they had together? Yeah, they were unforgettable—but she knows better than to confuse chemistry with commitment. With the lights twinkling and the scent of pine filling the air, Mark’s pushing to give Tyler his name, but Essence? She’s not saying “I do” unless love is in the mix.
Mark wants to be the family man. Essence isn’t settling for anything less than real love. And as Christmas works its magic, neither is willing to back down. Will they find a way to turn this unexpected reunion into something lasting, or are they destined to lose it all trying to bridge the gap between duty and desire?
