by HJ Bellus
“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
“Mom and dad are meeting us for dinner tonight.”
I look over to State and study his side profile. His eyes are covered with aviators and I’d wish like no other to peel them off his face and climb into his lap, but that would probably cause a twenty-car pile-up on the interstate. It’s twisted that I give it even a second thought.
“That’s fine, babe.” I squeeze his hand.
“I’ve talked to my mom a few times.”
“State.” I twist in my seat to face him. “I know you’ll protect me. I’m not worried.”
On the inside, my gut twists. I’m not that sick of a human being to want to be treated like a dirty hood rat, but knowing it’s for State and he’ll be my side makes the sting less painful.
He pulls into his parking spot at the dorms and I’m thankful for the time needed to freshen up. I don’t even flinch when he grabs my bag and then my hand. I walk in the dorms this time with my head held high. I even gain a bit more confidence when the horny-ass women stare at our connected hands.
State leans down, kissing the top of my head several times as we walk in. He’s doing everything to show me I’m his and I fucking love it. I’ve never felt so bold in my life. With each kiss, I squeeze his hand tighter in my grip.
“I’m impressed,” he says when he shuts the door to his dorm room.
“About?” I pull my shirt over my head and then turn to him.
“Holy hell, Baylor.”
“What are you impressed about, man cub?” I slide my shorts down my thighs stepping out of them and then kick off my flip-flops.
“You.”
It’s a one-word response that means the fucking world to me.
“I’ve heard there is this prince,” I step closer to him. “That has magic to bring out the best in women.”
He steps closer.
“Beautiful. Beautiful women,” he repeats, emphasizing the word beautiful.
“And he’s all mine.” I grin.
His lips brush in the crook of my neck. “Too bad you undressed yourself. I was going to ask for a dance.”
“I’ll file that information for later.” I bite down on his neck.
“Mmmmm. We don’t have that long.”
“Then I suggest you make love to me now.”
He gently pushes me back onto the bed until I’m lying flat. I feel him tug off my panties and then hear his jeans drop to the ground. When he covers my body, I slip his shirt over his head and pepper kisses all over his chest. I lick and nip at his skin.
State’s hand trails down my belly until he’s rubbing my folds. I buck up into the sensation, yearning for more of it. He smiles on my skin, then moves his lips to my breasts. I feel each one being removed from my bra and then his tongue races over them. I fall faster and harder than I ever thought possible.
“State. Oh my, State,” I sing out, clenching around his fingers.
“That’s my girl.”
I grip the sides of his face while writhing out the sensation of my release. My hips roll back and forth, begging for more.
“I need you.” It comes out as a throaty whisper.
He climbs back up my body, my legs widen letting him settle between me.
“Guide me in, Queen.”
I follow his simple instruction and grab the base of his throbbing cock. I stroke it from base to tip watching his face turn into pure pleasure. It’s so fucking sexy on him. I could stare at it all the life long days.
“Now,” he hisses between gritted teeth.
I run the tip up and down my folds wetting him with me. The action sends chills through my body and I find my hips bucking on their own, hungry for him. He growls a few more times, but I continue to tease him. State loses all self-control and slowly pushes into me.
“Baylor,” he moans out. “God, I need you every single day. I need to hear your laugh and see your smile. Fuck, I need all of it.”
I wrap my arms around his thick back and hold tight to him. “You have me, baby.”
He drives in and out of me. I push up into him, driving each sensation to my core. He has me all wound up again and ready to see stars.
He begins to growl and I know he’s close. I bite down on his bottom lip the same time my vision goes black. Every single known emotion overtakes me as we both release at the same time.
State collapses down on me causing a slight umph from me. He’s quick to roll off to my side, but takes me with him.
“You’re going to kill me, Queen.”
“Right back at you.” I reach up to kiss him.
We lay in silence until our breathing matches each other’s. It’s my favorite part of the entire day; laying in his arms letting him absorb all my worries in his strong chest.
“As much as I hate to say this… we better shower and get dressed.”
“No, let’s skip dinner.”
“And go straight to dessert?” He asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes.” I smile up to him.
“I fucking wish, Baylor, I wish.”
I’m the first one to push up off the bed and head for the shower. I take his fleece blanket with me to wrap up in it. I don’t miss State’s amused look. He’s on my heels.
“I’ll join you.”
“No
He pouts for a second. “We’ll never make it on time, dumbass.”
“Dumbass?” He grabs his chest and pretends to be hurt.
I step in the shower giggling and not long after State joins.
“Another first and I’ll be a good boy.” He holds both hands up.
“I wasn’t worried about you being the bad boy.” I wink.
“Enough.” He warns me with a warm smile. His message and body language contradict each other.
State takes his time washing my back, ass, and boobs. I don’t think they’ve ever been so clean in my life. I brush up against his hardened cock a few times before stepping out. He pouts like a little boy with his bottom lip sticking out.
I only laugh at his ridiculous gesture.
I leave State in the shower while I dry my body. I figure it’s a good idea to be fully clothed, or at least halfway, by the time he gets out. I did not miss his need for me while in the shower. But if I’m being honest, it left a huge grin on my face.
By the time he turns off the shower, I have my panties and bra back on. I dig around in my bag to find my favorite coconut flavored body butter to slather up all of my skin.
“Jesus Christ, Baylor my balls are going to grow to the size coconuts if you don’t quit that shit.”
I laugh at his silly remark and continue rubbing the body butter up and down my legs, giving him a little show.
We drive in silence to the restaurant where we are meeting his parents. I’m sad that I will not see Shayne until tomorrow at the game, I was hoping for her distraction over dinner. But tonight it’s just us and his parents. State has reassured me several times that he’s told his mom to be on her best behavior.
It saddens me that he even has to do that, but on the other hand it makes me a very proud woman. Just like last time we ate dinner with his parents, we pull into a very fancy restaurant.
I already feel the hives climb up the back of my neck thinking about what to order. State jumps out and rushes around to the front of his car and opens the door for me. He holds a hand out and I place mine into his as I hop down. He tugs me close to him and places a quick kiss on the top of my head.
“Baylor, I’m honest, if my mom pulls anything, this is our last dinner.”
I breathe a sigh of relief into his chest and begin walking by his side. I begin to second-guess myself on the outfit I chose to wear tonight. It’s a simple white maxi skirt with a dark tank top. I pick at the hem of my top until State takes my fingers in his.
“Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Your fidgeting with your dress, you look just fine.”
“I was playing with the hem of my top, not my dress. Actually, I’m not in a dress. I’m wearing a maxi skirt paired with this perfectly dark tank top,” I say in a fun and flirty voice trying to tamp down all the unease threatening to spring out of me.
“Whatever. You look beautiful.”
I lean in and whisper so no one else can hear me. “If you think this is beautiful you should see what I’m wearing under it.”
His eyebrows shoot up into his hairline and dreamy look covers his eyes.
“I changed into something underneath while you were dressing.”
I send him a flirty wink. As soon as we enter the restaurant the host ushers us over to a table where his parents are already waiting. Defeated, when I see that we are seated at a table set up and not a booth. I was hoping to be able to slide in as close to State as possible and let him act as my shield for the night.
His father rises to shake his hand and State offers his, then wraps his dad up in a one-arm hug. His mom finally stands to her feet and wraps her arms around State’s neck. He’s the giant of a man, so it takes her to rock up on her tiptoes even though she’s wearing spiked high heels.
She’s elegant and gorgeous. Regal and beautiful. Everything I’m not and everything she wants for her son. I don’t have long to dwell on that fact because I’m pulled into a hug by State’s dad, which surprises me.
When he pulls back he says, “Thank you for joining us. It’s so good to see you again, Baylor.”
I’m a little taken aback by his welcome as I move away, and I’m even more surprised by my words. “Thank you for inviting me.”
State’s mom makes no attempt to walk around the table to hug me or even acknowledge my appearance tonight. I figure being ignored is better than being treated like trash, so I’ll take it.
My mouth feels like I’ve swallowed one-hundred cotton balls, so I focus on my water glass and drink as much of it down as possible. State places his hand on top of my thigh throughout the conversation that flows easily between the three of them.
I’m not sure what his mom is thinking. It feels like she’s relented a bit on terrorizing me and maybe, just maybe, she has come to terms with the fact that I’m with State. When it’s time to order, State gives me a sideways glance and I look at the menu. There’s no ham and cheese insight, so I go with the next thing that I know I would like. I point to the pasta. State gives me a nod and then looks forward, continuing with his conversation.
It’s all about football and the big game tomorrow, and the two away games where he totally annihilated the competition. His dad talks about a Heisman award that he’ll be up for, and his mom drools over the fact that her son will one day be playing in the big leagues. Nice to hear him in such easy conversation this time with his parents, it’s like I’m getting a glimpse of what life was like when he was growing up.
It’s obvious that they were good to him, very good to him. You can see the love and admiration in their eyes as they stare at their son. For the first time, I’m not jealous, resentful, or even hateful for the fact that the State was taken to such a lovely home. Actually, it’s a beautiful sight that makes my heart swell. They took my State from me, but only to turn him into a strong man. And that strong man came for me once again.
Who knows what would happen if people stayed in foster care? Or, who knows what would happen if I was the first one to be adopted? I’m not so certain that I would have ever been strong enough to go back for him or find him. If roles were reversed and I spotted him waiting on my table at Alley’s, I probably would’ve run like a scared little chicken.
I owe this man so much. Tears prick at the corner of my eyes just thinking about what he’s done for me in the short time he’s been with me. Then dread overtakes me. What if I ever lose him? Answer, I would simply not exist.
“How’s school going, Baylor?”
I feel State’s squeeze on my thigh before I realize the question was directed toward me.
“Oh, good.” I nod. “Really good. I’m just about to finish two courses and then on to the next.”
“Do you only take two courses at a time?” His dad asks while taking a sip of his fancy wine.
“No, Sir. I’m actually taking five, but with my schedule and online courses, they all finish up at different times. It has to be flexible with my schedule.”
“Nice.”
“Your schedule?” His mom spats my direction. Oh, she’s still full of venom.
State goes to open his mouth, but I stop him. She will not control this. It’s my time to stand up for myself.
“Yes, my schedule. I work two jobs and help raise my sister. It’s quite time consuming, but I’m very dedicated to my studies. It’s always been my one goal in life and nothing will get in the way. Oh, and State has taken up a bit more of my time as well.”
I look up at him. The smile radiating off of his face melts my soul. He bends down and kisses me.
He mumbles into my lips, “I’m so damn proud of you.”
“I’ve raised you better, State,” his mom scolds him.
“You’re lucky I didn’t slip her the tongue,” he fires back.
His dad clears his throat and gently guides the conversation in another direction. “Are you going to the game tomorrow, Baylor?”
“Yes, I am!” My voice booms out with a little more excitement than I meant. “I wouldn’t miss a home game for anything.”
“Good to hear. You’re always welcome up in the sky box with us.”
“Thank you, but I’m sitting with Shayne again. I need to show off all my new football knowledge.”
“You picked a girl with no football knowledge?” His mom arches a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.
“Mother,” State grits out.
Game on, bitch. I wave off her statement like it’s a punch line to a damn funny joke. “Oh no, trust me, I had plenty of knowledge before the last home game. See, State use to forrrccce me to play football when we were little. So, I know it hurts like hell when he threw me the ball and all the x’s and o’s he’d sketch out on a piece of trash, were just damn boring.
State and his dad share a hearty chuckle with my take on football.
“Mmmmm.” His mom strokes a napkin near her. “He’s never shared stuff from his childhood.”
“Good. It’s mine.” I stare her down and flash her a genuine smile.
Our food arrives as the words evaporate between us. State has a death grip on my thigh, which I can’t tell if that’s a good sign or bad one. My phone chirps in my purse and without thinking to excuse myself to check it, I just pull it out. State’s name flashes on the screen. I slide open the green button to read his text.
State: I’ve never been so in love with you. Fuck, you’re hot when you’re all defensive and shit.
I feel the red flush creep up into my face from his words. I turn and smile at him and then enjoy the rest of my meal. The rest of the dinner goes by quietly, with only his dad making conversation. His mom excuses herself early from the meal to take a so-called phone call. Just like he greeted me, State’s dad tells me good-bye with a warm and welcoming hug.
“Are you going to drop me off at Shayne’s?”
“Nope.”
“What?” I turn to study his profile while he drives. I’m finding it’s my favorite pastime.
“I’m staying at the hotel with you? I’m staying in the dorm by myself?”
He roars in laughter.
“Knock it off.” I slap his forearm. “Spill.”
“I made a deal with the defensive coach. If I got three sacks in my last game I could stay in my dorm room.”
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