Hey, everyone! It's been a while. It's almost three thirty in the morning as I'm writing this message, but I couldn't help myself—I had to update this story. I work later in the morning, but I really wanted to get this done for you all. Sorry I've been MIA for a while. Between the release of my first book, writing my second book, working full time, and hanging out with friends, I've been very busy. I miss updating all the time for you guys and hopefully this update will be the start of me updating regularly again! Thanks to everyone who has supported me through this whole publishing journey and to those who were being so patient when it came to updating my fanfiction. I love all of you so hard!

Anyway, I really hope you like this chapter. I was worried that after not updating for so long, I would update something horrible and you guys would be let down. Seeing so many people so invested in this story is exciting, but also really nerve wrecking because I don't want to mess something up. I guess I've been pretty nervous about updating this TBH. So, today I decided to just go for it. I edited this chapter myself, so if there are any problems… I'm sorry. Hopefully you can overlook them.

Okay, I'm going to stop rambling now. This chapter was the product of all the caffeine I drank today mixed with my incessant insomnia. Hope you enjoy it! And, like always, please review!

P.S. I've never seen someone riding a bull in real life (Only on Youtube).

P.S.S: Please go easy on me. XD

Chapter 23-

BPOV:

"I'm glad you're going to be in the stands, Bells. It's going to be a game changer, I'm sure."

Shirtless, he tears his gaze away from his right arm—which he's wrapping in an ace wrap—to smile at me. Under his gaze, I flush, unable to tear my eyes away from his naked, slightly bruised chest. He practiced this morning and got banged up enough to worry me. He follows my gaze and, as my eyes snap up to his face, I find him frowning slightly.

"I'm going to be fine. I promise. Don't worry."

"You were thrown off this morning," I counter, perturbed.

"Well, I got back up. That's what is important. Whenever I fall, I always want to hop back on and give it fuckin' hell."

"You're reckless." Although my voice is teasing, my heart hammers.

"I can't help it," he replies as he focuses on wrapping his arm. "It's what I love to do. It's what I'll willingly sacrifice my body for. If I don't do this now, I won't do it ever." From the sound of his voice, it seems like he's trying to convince himself.

I sigh, wishing I could be more positive for him. But, I was worried—so worried that it was crippling. Does he experience this sort of anxiety? Am I acting this way because I'm not as used to the sport?

"I'm sorry," I apologize, shifting on the bench and cringing as my thighs feel like they're being waxed due to the cold steel. My eyes shoot away from Edward, flushing as I gaze around the empty locker room. Although my anxiety is real, I can't help but feel slightly foolish. At least pretend to be more enthusiastic. "I'm sorry, Edward—truly. I'm just worried for you. After this morning…"

"The type of morning I had today occurs more likely than you probably think. I know I make it look easy"—a cocky smile tugs at his lips—"but the sport can really kick your ass. This sport isn't exactly for sane people, Bells. Besides, my slip up was mostly due to being so worn out from last night. Maybe riding you that much wasn't a good idea." He winks.

I want to feel guilty—I probably should feel guilty since I wouldn't let him sleep much last night, feeling far too amorous—but I can't. I enjoyed myself. I enjoyed him.

Biting down on my lip, I suppress a smile as my mind drifts to the events of last night. I picture the way his hair looked as it tickled my thighs while his tongue moved along my wet folds. I remember the way his skin felt pressed against mine while our sweat mixed together to form a new scent—a scent which was uniquely ours. His cock, long and thick, brought me to an ecstasy I hadn't known until recently. Every time I am with him is better than the last; which makes giving my man a break nearly impossible.

"Sorry, I wore you out," I finally say, leaning forward in my seat as I watch Edward finish getting ready—thankful that he's waiting for the last possible moment to put his shirt on. "I guess I don't have much self-control."

He smirks. "I've never awoken to a woman grinding her pussy against my crotch." He chuckles at the memory and I flush, remembering my urgency around two o'clock this morning. I just wanted to feel him inside me so badly, I couldn't wait. "But I guess that's one of the many reasons I'm so happy to be with you."

With a grin, he stands up and grabs his undershirt, throwing it on—much to my dismay—before sliding on his button-up. While our flirtatious banter distracts me for a moment, watching him in the final stages of getting ready has me on edge. I feel his eyes on me, but I don't meet his gaze. I don't want him to see how afraid I am. Watching him fall this morning has shaken me up far more than I want to admit; for him, I will put on a brave face. I feel him come toward me and I raise my eyes enough to see his strong thighs bulging against the fabric of his jeans. Despite my anxiousness, I lick my lips, feeling constantly switched on in his presence.

"I'll be fine, Bells. You'll see. And after I win a good chunk of cash tonight, I'll take you out on a nice date."

I smile as his rough baritone fills my body with ease. "I'm going to hold you to that, cowboy."

"I hope you do. Now, go find your seat, honey. I'll be seeing you soon."

I stand, my knees shaky slightly as I finally meet his gaze.

"How 'bout a kiss for luck?" he suggests.

I raise on the tips of my toes and lean forward, gently pressing my mouth against his. He kisses me with a thoroughness which leaves me breathless; I want it to last forever, but, like all good kisses, it ends too soon.

"They'll be calling my name soon, honey. I know I'll ride better tonight because I have you in the bleachers."

"Be safe, cowboy."

"Always," he promises as he leads me out of the locker room and toward the stadium entrance.

With one final kiss, he leaves me to find my seat, swaggering off to his station. I watch him as he walks away, my eyes fixing on the curve of his bottom before I giggle and turn on my heel to find my seat. As I walk away, I find that all the women around me are gazing in his direction. He's mine! The territorial part of my mind screams. Lucky for them, I don't verbally lash out. In a way, their attention is strangely nice. The man they're lusting after is taken; taken by me. It turns me on to watch other women lusting after my man. It makes me want to ride that cowboy even more.

After a moment of being disorientated by the bright, stadium lights, I manage to find my seat. Close to the front, I have an incredible view. Hopefully, I'll have an incredible view of Edward taking home the big cash prize. Not because I want the cash, of course, but because I want him to be happy. I want to watch him succeed; I want to cheer him on. He deserves it. After his time away from the sport, I know he needs to prove to himself that returning was the right decision. Despite my grievances with the sport, I want him to follow whatever path makes him happy. Even if that path involves constant travel, cringeworthy injuries, and the possibility that a single injury could cost him his entire career; if this is what he wants, this is what I want for him, too. Today, he smiled more than I have ever seen him smile. I know it's because of his love for this. His love for the sport along with my presence. There's nothing like doing something you love with someone you love… That is, if he loves me… I blush at the thought, smiling to myself as the rodeo begins.

I grip the bleacher as I watch the first few men ride, not lasting long before they're bucked off. As I watch and listen the announcer, I remember what Edward told me last night: "You have to stay ahead of the bull at all times. If you do that, you're in control. If not, the bull is controlling you. And then, you either ride it or take the easy way out. It's like a dance of sorts. The bull steps, you step. It's hard to explain without making it sound simplistic… but in many ways, I suppose it is. Simple, but fuckin' hard."

As I observe the other riders, I find they don't seem to have the same control as Edward does. Edward explained that was because not all of them grew up as a cowboy. They didn't ride horses, calves, or "whatever the hell else they could find." Of course, I knew the strength of Edward's thighs all too well. And, although I might be bias, I could see how a man with his sort of power could dominate at a sport like this. He's going to kick everyone's asses. I can't wait to see my man.

The entire arena seems to hush as he gets ready for his grand entrance. Or—most likely—I'm just imagining the silence because when he enters a room, everything else seems to fade away for me. When he's in my line of sight, everything surrounding us is a blur which I don't care to notice. Transfixed, I watch him as he gets ready to climb on. His eyes dart up for a moment, peering out from the brim of his hat in my direction. I wonder if he can see me? I almost straighten my arm out to wave but decide against it. I don't want to distract him.

My heart thunders in my chest as the countdown begins. Leaning forward in my seat, I watch him as he mounts the bull as the gates open. Seeing him in his "zone" leaves me breathless. I watch his strong body as it moves, always one step in front of the bull. When the bull bucks, Edward sways his body to brace for the impact. Seconds tick by like hours. Despite the bull's efforts, Edward is in control the entire time. At least, to a novice it appears that way.

My heart leaps at the sound of the crowd cheering and screaming my man's name. I rise from my seat, wanting to see his face over the wave of people surrounding him. I can barely make it out, but I can catch a glimpse of a smile. A smile bigger than any smile I've ever seen on him. This is his element; this is where he's happy. And I'm thankful that he shared this with me. As if sensing my gaze, his eyes shoot up, and despite the distance, I feel them meet mine. His smile grows until his eyes are shining brightly. He waves at me and mouths a few words. I can't make them out exactly, but I saw his mouth form the words "my girl" before he smiled again.

I'm his girl. Edward's girl. The sexy, bull riding cowboy's girl. I've never been so content.