Thanks for all of the reviews for last chapter! Your reviews definitely make me want to update as quickly as possible. Sorry I'm so bad at responding. I just figure that you would rather have me working on updates :). Hope you enjoy!

And thanks to my betas Paige and Sherry!

BPOV:

Breathe, Bella. Just breathe. The flight is only two hours and then you just have to endure one more hour after we hit Dallas… you're going to survive. My eyelids flutter as I try to summon the courage to look out the small window to my side. I've only flown once and it was a disastrous event. Well, that's probably an exaggeration. Obviously, I'm alive and well; my plane didn't come crashing down in flames, but it was a turbulent ride in which I spent its entirety with my head between my legs. My papa had been laughing and laughing beside me the entire time, which only made me feel worse as embarrassment coursed through me. My papa had to pretty much force me onto the plane ride home because after a week in New York, I still hadn't gotten over my horrible ride.

"Bells, are you all right?" I hear Edward chuckle and I finally gather the strength to open my eyes. "Do you want me to get you something to drink?"

I look at him and give him a sheepish smile. "I'm fine. I just don't like flying very much."

"Really? I would have never guessed," he replies with a teasing grin. He kisses my cheek and puts his arm around me, holding me tightly against his chest. "It's only about two hours to Dallas where we'll catch our connecting flight, then another hour before we land in Gatesville. You can make it, honey." He kisses my hair and I feel my entire body relax.

Since our talk a few days ago, I've been dreading this trip. Well, not the trip itself, but the traveling part. I almost wanted Zafrina to force me to work, but she was happy to give me time with my boyfriend. Besides, I'm not getting too many hours being new and all; many of the more seasoned servers are taking the coveted weekend shifts for now. I don't mind, though. I've made pretty good money serving lunch on the weekdays. Edward spends his time training while I'm at work, coming home covered in dirt and sweat and ready for a hot meal and a night of relaxation. I've made it a habit of bringing dinner home with me from work and Edward usually manages to devour it in a few minutes before he decides it's time to devour me. Our setup is comfortable - more than comfortable - although, I know it can't last forever. Edward's job will pull him away and I'll remain in El Paso. I can't pout about it though, for it was my decision after all. I didn't want to play the role of a "housewife" and give up my life to support him. However, how much of a life do I really have? It's not like I would be giving up my dream job to follow him around. I like working for Zafrina, and she's quickly become a friend, but I can't see myself working there long-term. Following him wouldn't be too much of a sacrifice.

"So, we'll have the whole evening to ourselves?"

Edward pulls me back to look at my face before smiling at me. "Yep. Tonight is ours and tomorrow is the competition."

"Is there much to do in Gatesville? I think I've driven through it once, but that's about it."

"I'm not sure. The only time I was there I was shacked up in a hotel nursing my wounds."

"That bad, eh?"

Edward smiles and bends down to kiss my hair again. "No, not bad at all. I left with two grand. It was just a difficult two grand to earn, is all."

"Will I be nursing your wounds a lot, then?"

"As much as I don't like getting banged up, I sure wouldn't mind you coming to my aid. Maybe you could play nurse and I could let you take care of me?"

He wiggles his eyebrows and winks, causing me to bust into a fit of giggles, my fear long forgotten. "I sure wouldn't mind taking care of you."

"Well, hopefully you won't have to take care of me too much tomorrow night. It's been a while since I competed. Been at least six months. I feel like a totally different person since my last ride."

"How so?"

"Well, I didn't feel as focused. I was too wrapped up in my divorce and getting back to who I once was… That's how I knew I needed a break. I mean, I made it through the eight seconds, but I wasn't anything compared to what I once was. I felt like I was half-assing the whole thing… I don't know, Bells. I just felt so lost."

"And you don't feel lost now?"

"No. I feel like I have that fight in me again. I have a good feeling about tomorrow."

"I may not know much about this stuff, but I have a good feeling, too."

As the flight attendant takes a stand at the front of the aisle, I feel myself cringe against Edward's chest. I close my eyes - knowing I probably look like a giant baby - as she begins to go through the emergency procedures. Edward wraps his arms around me, ignoring how awkward it is due to our seatbelts and the armrests between us. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to fall asleep and the flight will be over before I know it. I stayed up all night last night, unable to sleep, knowing I'd be getting on a plane the following afternoon. My restlessness eventually affected Edward, who awoke in the middle of the night after listening to me tossing and turning before finally pulling out his Kindle to read in bed next to him. To "wear me out," Edward made love to me and then fucked me for good measure before passing out at my side, probably hoping that I would soon do the same. As worn out as I had been after he worked me over real good, my mind was still too active for me to find sleep.

"Do you want that sleeping mask we brought?" Edward asks as he reaches for his carry-on.

"Yes, please." Goodness, I feel more nervous than I had when we boarded the plane.

Feeling me shivering with nerves beside him, he holds my hand tightly on top of the armrest and rubs the back of my hand with his thumb. With his other hand, he rifles through his carry-on until he finds the sleep mask we got from one of the kiosks and gives it to me. I'm quick to put it on before taking his hand back in mind. At least now I can't see. See, Bella. If the plane catches fire and goes down in flames you'll never know! I groan at my inner thoughts and lean back against my seat.

"Have we taken off yet?" I question after a few minutes.

I hear Edward chuckle. "We're about to."

"Why couldn't your dream involve something that didn't involve air travel?" I ask with a pout I can't help.

I hear Edward chuckle again. "Just know I love that you're with me right now. You can't imagine how much."

Despite my fear, I smile at him. However, my smile doesn't last long; it flattens and turns into a grimace as soon as the plane takes off. Edward tries to distract me - God bless him - but soon realizes I'm a hard woman to distract. I stayed glued to my seat with my eyes closed behind my mask as our plane begins its ascent.

***Rodeo Nights***

Three and a half hours in the air feels like three and a half years. As soon as we get off the the second plane, I nearly kiss the ground. I manage to restrain myself and keep my celebrating to a small display of me jumping for joy as soon as my feet are back on the ground. Edward laughs, but doesn't say anything as he guides me through the airport to the buses outside. As my body continues to wind down from the three and a half hours of terror, the bus takes us to the car rental lot and I follow Edward, as he knows what to do. I play on my phone as he rents a black SUV and try to ignore my stomach as it rumbles loudly for everyone to hear. I couldn't stomach food earlier; I was far too nervous. Now that we're safely on land, I'm dying to grab something to eat.

As I watch Edward sign the papers for the rental, I can't help but grow mildly annoyed as the blonde woman behind the counter flirts with him. He doesn't pay her any mind, but watching them together still causes me to grow upset. I bounce in my seat in the waiting area, wondering if I should go over there and stake my claim. I don't want to possibly embarrass myself, but I don't want to watch this little hussy flirt with my man. "Little hussy"? Where on Earth did that come from, Bella? I grimace at the jealousy raging inside of me. I hate feeling this way. I don't want to be "that girl"; the girl who's constantly going after any woman who just looks at her man. However, being with Edward makes me feel territorial. I can't help it; knowing he is "mine" causes me to constantly want to stake my claim in front of everyone. As soon as the blonde hussy -calm down, Bella - reaches across the counter to rest her hand on my man's forearm, I'm out of my chair and quickly making my way across the room. I'm at his side in a few seconds and can't help the embarrassment which floods me as he turns to acknowledge me. That embarrassment is short-lived however, as the woman continues her attempt at flirting with him. Hello? Am I not standing right here? Do we not look like we're "together"?

"Sorry, babe. I was becoming restless," I say as I place my hand on his forearm next to hers. With a smirk, I look away from Edward for a moment to shoot her a glare. Back the hell off, lady!

Slowly, she pulls her hand away and smiles at me. Oh, bless her heart. She doesn't know how crazy I can get.

"Are we all set, then?" I ask as I glance down at the paperwork.

Edward quickly signs his name and smirks at me. "We are now."

"Here's your keys, sir." She hands him the keys and reaches down to grab a piece of paper and a pen. "And here's my-"

"Does that seem like a good idea to you?" I interrupt her before I contemplate whether or not I should say anything. "Does he not look taken to you? Is it not obvious that we're together and that you're simply embarrassing yourself."

The blonde -Tiffany - flushes and drops the pen down on the counter.

"Does this usually work for you?" I continue, disregarding how bitchy I sound. "I can't imagine it does."

"I-I'm sorry," she gets out with a blush. If she wasn't still eyeing my boyfriend, I would feel a tinge sorry for her.

Instead of responding I smile at her, take Edward's hand in mine, and turn for the door. We'll find someone else to show us to our vehicle. As soon as we're out the door, I look at Edward out of the corner of my eye and wonder what he's thinking. Did I just majorly embarrass myself back there? Did I embarrass him?

"Sorry," I finally say, just in case I made him uncomfortable because heavens knows I don't feel sorry for putting that girl in her place. "I just watched you two and couldn't help myself."

"You don't have to be sorry. That was pretty hot."

"'Hot'?" I question, feeling my blush fade away.

"Yeah. I love when you get all territorial on me."

Before I can answer, he stops walking and pulls me against him, kissing me in the middle of the parking lot. I feel my skin flush with need as I grind my body against his, deepening the kiss. He moans against my mouth, but pulls away before things can get too steamy for public. I giggle against his lips before taking a shaky step back.

"Maybe we could check into our hotel room early?" he murmurs against my skin.

Breathless, all I can do is nod, wondering if I'll be able to make it that long before I jump him.

Thankfully, I do manage to reign in my desire until we reach our hotel. Our Holiday Inn isn't exactly fancy, but it's the nicest one we could find in Gatesville. Edward's quick to secure our room key card before practically dragging me, and our luggage, to the elevator. His hands are all over my body as the elevator makes its ascent to the second floor. His hot breath warms the skin of my neck before his lips find my collarbone and begin to nip and lick the exposed skin. I want to strip right now. I want to slam my hand on the emergency stop button and tear my clothes off. Thankfully, the elevator comes to a stop and opens, before I make any rash decisions.

Edward pulls his lips away from my neck and reaches for our bags before grabbing my hand and ushering me off the elevator. "I can't wait to taste you," he whispers in my ear as he pulls me to our room at the end of the hall. We pass a few people, who give us questionable glances, but I'm too turned-on to care. Edward consumes me completely - just like he always does. I'm putty in his hands by the time we enter our hotel room. As soon as he kicks the door shut, I'm taking my clothes off.

"Strip for me," Edward requests as he puts our bags down and palms his erection through his jeans.

I slide off my skirt before pulling off my top. I flush under his intense gaze, my nipples puckering against the lace of my bra. I give him a coy smile before reaching behind my back to unclasp my bra; my smile turns more coquettish as I allow the garment to drop to the floor at my feet. He moans in response and unbuckles his jeans and unzips his fly, allowing his erection to spring free. It's throbbing and bobbing in the air as it waits for my attention. I feel my core pulsing between my thighs as I slip my panties off and take a step toward him. I move across the floor, stopping before him with the intention of dropping to my knees. Edward stops me, grabbing my arms and ushering me to the bed.

"You're so beautiful," he says as he lowers me down onto the mattress before stepping back to undress himself.

I feel my skin become hot all over as I watch him step out of his boots, socks, and jeans before pulling his white T-shirt over his head. I want him all over me. I want his lips on my nipples, I want his hand between my thighs, touching my pussy, and I want his cock in my mouth, begging for release. I want him everywhere and I want it now. His mouth is all over me from the second he joins me on the bed. His lips are on my neck, on my boobs, before they finally find one of my nipples and suck. His hand makes its descent to the apex of my thighs, where he pauses for a moment before his thumb finds my clit. I writhe beneath his powerful body, begging him to bring me to orgasm. He does, and my world feels like it's falling to pieces. Before I can recover, his cock is teasing the entrance to my pussy. He kisses me once before he slowly pushes inside of me. I moan in response, my back arching off of the bed.

"You feel so incredible, Bells. You're so tight around me."

I moan against his lips as his hand reaches down between us to play with my clit again. His thrusts are quick and would be unforgiving if I wasn't enjoying every bit of it. His thrusts become deeper and hit all of the right places as my body begins to shake, nearing its orgasm. He makes me feel so alive - makes me feel so free. There is nothing like sex with Edward. No man could ever compare. When I reach my orgasm, he does, too. Our worlds shatter together before he collapses against me. I kiss his neck, kiss every inch of him I can reach before he rolls off of my body and pulls me against him.

"Well, that was quite the ride, Bells," he tells me with a chuckle before kissing my temple.

"Was that just preparation for tomorrow?" I tease.

He nods before giving me a devious smile. "Of course. Maybe you can help me with some more preparation. I want tomorrow's ride to go as smoothly as possible."

"I suppose I could help you," I respond as I stretch out against his side. "I am your girlfriend now, after all. I have to be supportive of my man."

"That you do." He gives me a teasing smile before pulling me on top of him. "I was thinking. Maybe I could give you some bull riding tips," he suggests with a wicked smile.

I gaze down at his growing erection and smile back. "You would do that?"

"Of course." He winks. "It's all in the thighs and abdomen. Now saddle up, Bells," he says, smacking my ass before positioning me over his erection. "I'll give you the ride of your life."