If he came for a show, I'm sure in the hell not going to disappoint. It's been too many long nights without my man in my bed. I slow my hips near the end of the song making my moves long and languid, and right in his damn face. State bites down on his bottom lip showing his appreciation.

I hop in his lap, straddling his thick thighs and finishing off my last dance moves. My chest grinds up and down his long torso while I keep one hand planted on top of his shoulder, waving the other over my head.

When the song ends I giggle and stare him in the eyes.

"That's for me and no one else. Do you hear me?" His voice is thick with want.

"What about men's night here. I get my best tips then." I bite down on my finger.

"What in the hell?"

I slap both of my palms down on his shoulders. Our skin to skin connection ignites me. Thank you God for inventing tank tops.

"I'm kidding." I manage to get out between giggles.

"Well, look at my girl." He brushes my hair away from my face. "She's confident, glowing, and fucking gorgeous."

H.O.L.Y by Florida Georgia Line begins to play in the background setting the mood.

"Because of you."

State grips the back of my head, twining his fingers into my hair, and brings our faces together. We don't speak anymore. Our lips connect and we kiss each other hard. Like, being separated for too long, hard. I open up when his tongue licks across my lips. He takes his time exploring the inside of my mouth, meanwhile I melt into him, letting him devour me.

A piercing alarm goes off on my phone. I pull away feeling my lips pulse from the hard kiss. Best feeling ever.

"Rowe's class is about to end. She'll shit herself seeing you."

"Well, let's hope she doesn't shit herself."

I slap his cheek playfully. "You know what I mean."

"I don't. Maybe another kiss?"

"Get your ass up." I slip on my tennis shoes and gather my stuff.

State's on his feet with the door held wide open for me to step through. I lead him to Rowe's studio and we slip in as quietly as possible. When holding hands with a towering six and half foot man whose shoulders barely fit through the door jam, it's quite the task.

I don't miss the stares the damn dance moms give him. In an over-exaggerated move, I throw a leg up on his lap and clutch his hand. He smiles down at me not missing the obvious move.

He leans forward, gives the women a wink, and nods. "Afternoon, ladies."

I elbow him in the chest causing him to chuckle down into my hair.

"I like jealous Baylor."

I wrinkle my nose up at him. He kisses me quickly on my lips before I turn around to see Rowe staring at us. I send her a quick wave. She shocks me when she goes right back to dancing. Each one of her moves are overly done with a dramatic flare. Between songs she points to her game day shirt and winks at State. It makes me giggle. Rowe remains focused on her dance teacher, showing off for State.

He bends down and whispers in my ear, "God, I love that little girl so much."

I squeeze his hand letting him know that I know. His phone flashes in his lap. "Mom" scrolls across his screen. I don't let the name upset me. Instead, I focus on his screensaver. It's one of him and Rowe. It makes me happy to see her on his phone. This man is so much more than love. He's my shelter.

He doesn't even flinch or reach for his phone. I'm not sure he even recognized the text because his vision is on Rowe. Her dance teacher must pick up on Rowe's excitement and lets them dance a little longer than usual.

"Shrek," Rowe squeals, racing toward him with her arms wide open.

He stands up on his feet, letting me slide to the side. She's the only person on the face of this Earth that would make me smile being pushed aside for.

"You're here." He cups her cheeks, pinching them.

"I had to see you dance, princess."

She dramatically flings her hair back.

"Yeah, why did you come?" I ask, stepping up to them carrying all the duffle bags.

"To watch Rowe dance, duh," he responds.

"Duh!" She mimics State.

I shake my head at both of them as we walk out hand in hand. State never puts Rowe down and she waves to all her friends as we go.

"I don't want you driving down to the campus. I wanted to surprise you," he finally whispers down to me.

"Did you get the video?"

"Duh." He raises his eyebrows. "That's how I knew you'd be here."

"Can you buckle me in your car?" Rowe asks.

"Sure can, princess."

"Rowe, how about you just ride in my car since your booster is there."

"No, thanks."

Well, at least she added thanks.

"I've got you covered, sister." He opens the back door to his sexy car.

There's a brand new princess booster settled right in the middle.

"Oh my Pop Tarts." Rowe scrambles from his arms and buckles herself in.

"That's a miracle," I whisper. She never buckles herself in.

"What can I say? I bring out the best in beautiful women." He winks at me and then turns to Rowe.

"Where shall we dine, my lovely lady?"

"McDonalds," she sings out.

I groan. It's her go-to restaurant and I hate it.

"Deal." He turns to me, pulling me in a hug. "Want to call Miss Tami to join us."

"Oh, I'm sure she'll be jumping with freaking joy."

"Not a fan of McDonalds?"

"Hell no. How about you work that magic and convince her she wants Subway or something."

He lets out a hearty chuckle. "I'll do my best."

We exchange a few quick kisses, which are not nearly enough, but will have to do. I send Miss Tami a quick text, once I'm in my own car and before I have my phone sat down in the passenger seat it chimes.

State: Subway on Broadway Avenue it is.

Me: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

I follow the taillights of his car as he weaves his way through traffic. At one stoplight I can hear the bass of a Taylor Swift song pumping through his car windows. I can only imagine both of them belting at the top of their lungs together. And I smile.

"No Miss Tami?" He asks walking into Subway.

"No. She said she'd just meet us at home."

State's still carrying Rowe, and she's still beaming from ear to ear.

"Just so you know, we only chose this place so we can have pizza." She smiles down at me.

"Of course, you two would go for the pizza."

State orders five pizzas and only shrugs when he hears me clear my throat. Rowe goes for the kid meal with a pepperoni pizza.

"I hope I get the pink toy in mine." She closes her eyes.

I don't miss the glare State sends the young boy behind the counter.

"Stop," I whisper.

"What?"

"You're scaring him."

"He's going to be more than scared if she gets one of those creepy yellow or green toys."

"Stop." I can't help the giggle that escapes.

"I'll break his legs."

"Enough," I hiss, but it's hard to hide the laughter.

I order a six-inch ham and cheese.

"What veggies would like on it?" The poor boy asks.

"None."

"Mayo or mustard."

"No thanks."

"Salt and pepper?" He asks.

"No."

He goes to open his mouth again, but State not-so-politely interrupts.

"Wrap up the damn sandwich."

"Wait," I squeak. "Could I get it toasted please?"

"Toast it and wrap it up," he growls.

"Jesus." I turn to State. "Cool it."

"The kid is pissing me off."

"Are you han-gry?"

"Yes, I want food, and you, now."

I laugh and pat his shoulder. "I'll get the drinks."

I fill mine up with Diet Coke, Rowe's with lemonade, and State's all the way to the top with ice and then water.

It seems the man only binges on pizza, but besides that he eats pretty damn clean. We settle into a booth with no bodily harm to the employees. Rowe lets out an ear piercing squeal when she pulls her pink trinket from her kid's meal.

"Look!" She holds it up like she's just won a gold medal.

I laugh at the pure joy radiating off of her. State's three pizzas in and not slowing down, while Rowe picks off the pepperoni nibbling on each piece, and I nibble on the ham and cheese sandwich. I love that State has never asked questions about my weird eating habits. I'm convinced he remembers how I use to hoard food back in King's. I was always weird about it.

After Rowe finishes her apple slices, State gathers all of our wrappers on our tray, and then tosses it in the trashcan.

Twenty-Five.