He pulls back, still clutching to my hips. "Tell me."

I scrunch my lips to the side and think for a second. "There's four quarters, it's your job to shut down the plays, the offense has four tries, and it's good when you hit the quarterback."

"Four tries to do what?"

I nibble on my bottom lip. "Honestly, you never let me see that part."

He chuckles deep. "That's good. Real good, Queen."

I drop my forehead to his, close my eyes tightly, and whisper to him. "I'm ready for you."

"Baylor." My name rolls off his lips in a sexy-ass tone.

"I'm sure. I need you."

My words send him into action. My heart skitters and my body aches with need as he roams his hands up my sides. He pulls the cami over my head leaving me bare to him. State roams his eyes down my chest to the only thing separating us - my lacey panties. I throb for his touch.

I reach forward, grabbing both of his hands and bringing them to my body, then lean forward and brush my lips across his. I dart my tongue out, running it over his. I leave his hands on my sides with his thumb grazing the underside of each of my breasts.

My hands trail down his sides, peeling his shirt over his head then to his gym shorts. They tug down, easily dropping to the floor. His tight boxers offer up more of a challenge to pull down. He's exposed to me. I can't control my hands as I grab the base of him and begin stroking him to the tip. He remains frozen under my touch.

The feel of hypnotizing him with my touch makes me powerful. I never want to stop touching, kissing, and being with him. His breath catches in his throat as heat pools in my core. State gently lifts me from the countertop, taking me to the bed.

He lays me down gently on the top of my duvet. My skin flushes with heat when his stare devours my skin. I reach up a hand to him and he takes it without a word. His other hand drags my panties slowly down my thighs. The feel of the material scraping my skin is erotic. My insides coil and I need him so badly. I've never needed anything like this before.

State sets everything inside of me on fire. He breaks our connection and runs his palms underneath each of my thighs, bringing my legs up over his shoulders. He clutches my ass in his hands, bringing me closer to the edge of the bed. State sinks to his knees. His beautiful face disappears between my legs and I feel his tongue dart out. I shiver with pleasure and ache even more for him.

He takes me in his mouth, licking and tasting me with his tongue. My hips move up into him, needing more. The bundle of pleasure builds rapidly, deeper inside me. I'm going to reach my goal in a matter of no time. It only takes one harsh swirl around my clit to send me over. I grip onto his hair and buck up even harder, riding out the last wave.

"You're so wet," he hisses.

He climbs up my body easing me comfortably back in the center of the bed. He keeps one hand cupping me while covering his mouth with mine. I devour his lips letting him know how much I need him. He sinks one finger into me.

"State," I whimper.

"You have to be ready, Queen." He licks his lips while working me over with his fingers.

I find my hips bucking up into his touch. I'm all sorts of worked-up, falling again into pleasure. I open my legs wider for him, letting him settle between them. He brings his hand to his mouth, seductively licking off each finger. I take his mouth with mine helping him soak up the rest of the taste he elicited from me.

I feel the tip of him lined up perfectly where I want him.

"I got on birth control after the first night you came here for me."

"You did?" He's shocked and it's simply adorable.

I nod to him. "Make love to me, State."

I see the question on his bottom lip that's clutched with his teeth.

"I've always used condoms, Baylor."

"Something I don't want to think about right now, baby." I brush his cheek.

He clenches his eyes shut, reaches down between us, grabbing the base of his throbbing need, he lines up the tip until he's pushing into me.

"If it hurts, I'll..."

"Shut up, State." I pull his face down closer to mine.

My hips thrust up into him, helping him. He slips in inch by inch stretching me to the limit. I'm not well-diversed in this area of life, but like every other aspect of State, he's a giant. I focus, taking oxygen in and out of my nose while never breaking our stare. Breathe in, breath out, Baylor. He squeezes his eyes shut when he's all the way in me.

"Fuck, fuck, holy shit, Queen."

"Oh my God, baby," I whimper. "Feels so good to have you in me."

He slowly begins to move in and out of me. My hands roam down his strong back until I have my fingertips grazing the top of his ass cheeks. Tears begin to roll down the side of my face. His hands catch each one.

"Okay?"

It takes me a few moments to finally respond and it's only with a nod of my head. There are no words to describe the feeling of what's happening right now. It's surreal, all mind numbing, and making me whole in the same aspect. My world is complete.

Gently, I lift my face to his and take his lips with mine. I mimic his action with my lips and cry into him when he hits the spot that sends me over the edge. I feel his body begin to tremble, and then his growls vibrate against my chest when I feel him release in me. He shudders and then collapses down, keeping most of his weight balanced on his shoulders.

"Jesus, Baylor."

"I love you so much, State."

"It's more than love, Queen."

After several long moments of silence, he stands from the bed leaving me naked and feeling open to the world. I hear the running of the water in the bathroom and then see him appear with a warm wash cloth. He spreads my legs and runs it over me, cleaning me.

When he returns once again from the bathroom, he scoops me up like a baby cradling me to his chest. I brush back the hair matted to the sides of my face and look up into his eyes.

"Thank you for coming back to me, always saving me, and giving me all of you, State."

Twenty-One.

Our limbs are tangled underneath the sheets. I'm not sure where I begin and end when pressed against State's chest. He's still breathing heavily, deep in sleep. The rhythm of his chest rising and falling against me lulls me back to sleep.

I wake to a little squeaking voice out in the living room. I can barely make out Miss Tami's voice trying to convince her to put in a movie until we wake up. It warms my heart knowing she assumes State is with me. My family forever.

I try to weave from State's body without waking him. He has to be sore and exhausted from yesterday. I can't imagine how his muscles feel. I sneak into the bathroom to brush my teeth and check my hair, and also make sure my all my clothes are covering the right parts.

Slowly and very quietly, I shut the door. Rowe is bounding into me, wrapping her arms around my legs, and squealing my name.

"Baylor."

I lean over and pick her up. "Oh, I missed you little one."

I shower her with kisses and then place my nose in the crook of her neck sniffing around. It's her crazy ticklish spot, always guaranteed to get a hearty laugh out of her. She's already dressed in a petal pink princess dress, tutu, and a pair of my high heels.

"Is Shrek here?" She brushes her bangs away. "Wait, I know he is. His car is here."

"Sssshhhh." I place my finger over my lips. "Let's let him sleep. He's tired from his game."

"Oh, is that all he's tired from?" Miss Tami asks from her chair.

I look up to her and she sends me a wink.

"Ha ha, very funny." I wrinkle my nose and then automatically replay last night. We were silent. I turn from her to hide the blush of embarrassment painting my face.

"Let's start those waffles."

"Waffles," she growls out, imitating Donkey from Shrek.

By some sort of miracle we quietly get the bowls out and the batter started with no sign of waking State. I decide on cutting up some fresh fruit to pair with the waffles. Rowe is distracted with her Rapunzel doll on the floor. She's threatening to cut her hair off, making me smile. She gets into character so easily with the biggest imagination to top it all off.

My stomach growls and the sugar shakes kick in quickly, so I plug in the waffle iron to get breakfast going. I set the table with all the toppings, waiting for it to warm up. On my last trip to the table I nearly get caught up in the Rapunzel scene playing out on the floor.

Strong arms catch me before tumbling face first, smearing the front of me with butter. The plate trembles in my hand while State stands me back up.

"Well, good morning to you too, my Queen."

I look up at him and smile. Last night bonded us together forever. His touch feels different, sending chills all over my skin. I don't have a chance to analyze it before Rowe is up on her feet throwing her hands up to State.

"Shreeeeekkkkk." She squeezes her arms around his neck as he hoists her up to him.

"Princess," he sings right back out to her.

"I made you waffles," she fires right back.

"Oh, you did?" I quirk an eyebrow, pouring the batter onto the greased iron.

"Yep." She claps her hands together.

Miss Tami joins us. "One day you won't be able to be held like that Rowe."

She taps her nose as she walks by her. Miss Tami is always scolding me when I pick her up. It will be a sad day when she is too big for that. I bring the first plate of waffles to the table as State places Rowe down in her chair.

"I'll get the drinks," he offers.

He opens the refrigerator, pulling out the milk and orange juice. He comes to me before going to the table. He blows air down on the crook of my neck. His front pressed to my back.

"You look so amazing this morning."

"It's your glow." I turn my head enough to kiss him.

Rowe and State devour their breakfast. He coaxes her into helping me wash the dishes while he takes a hot shower. She's like a puppet on strings with State. As soon as he's out of the shower in a clean pair of gym shorts and a workout tank, Rowe bounds to him in the living room. Hell, I didn't even notice him bring in a bag last night.

"Your car?" Miss Tami's voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Uh?"

"Your car?"

"Oh, it's at the stadium. State is going to drive me back to it later this evening. We wanted to spend a lazy Sunday with you guys."

"How was it?" She asks stepping closer.

"You have no idea. It was amazing. State is phenomenal. He was the star. It was so fun."

I chose to leave out his mother and the fact Burnett was there. She doesn't push any harder and only smiles. We join State and Rowe on the couch. He has his hat on backwards with the mandatory tiara sitting crooked on top. He has Rowe and a whiteboard on his lap explaining football plays to her.

"See when they're lined up like this you have to watch for the screen. It's like a trick play."

"Ohhhhh, like the villain in the castle."

"Yes, and it's my job to take the dragon."

"The guy throwing the ball?" She asks.

"Yes."

"And you can't get burned by the fire." Rowe plucks the marker from his hand. "What if you did this."

She draws lines all over the board with X's just like State had. He scratches his head for a few moments trying to decipher the play she's drawn out.

"I see." He rubs his chin. "I'll try that next game."

"It will work. I promise you." she looks up at him. "Do you think I'd like to go to a game?"

His eyes soften and I can practically see his heart swell with pride.

"I think you'd love a game, but let's check in with the fun police, okay?"

"Okay?" She nods her head and then looks up at us. "He called you the fun police."

Rowe giggles and points at us. I roll my eyes at State letting him know he's not playing fair. We settle in for a movie, but end up wrestling around on the ground and playing a game with Rowe. Miss Tami heads out to her weekly girl group. They knit and mainly gossip. It's good for her to get out.

"I'm hungry."