Finally, another update of Rodeo Nights! Thank God. I'm not sure why this story has been so hard for me to write. I'm just writing through my writer's block with this thing. I hope to be finished with it by Feb.! So, everyone pray for me.

Some exciting news so far this year is that I have published a second book! It's "The Blessing" from Veronica's POV. I worked really hard on it, so, I hope everyone likes it. It's called "Jagged Hearts" and it's live on Amazon. The Ebook is $2.99 and the paperback is $14.99. I'm actually working on Bella's version of The Blessing on Fanfiction, too! However, I really wanted to devote my time to Rodeo Nights since that's what everyone seems to want to read right now. And I feel bad just letting this story sit here for so long. Thanks for being so patient with me. It's hard writing full-time and working/taking classes. It's totally worth it, though. I don't know where my life would be without fanfiction. :)

Okay, enough of my ramblings! Here's another chapter!

Chapter 26:

Stay with Me

The air tastes sweet against my lips. I want to run to him … but I don't know where to go. I didn't think that far ahead. I didn't want to call him, leaving any indication I was here. I wanted today to be a surprise-a fresh start for the two of us. Now that I was here with my feet firmly planted on the ground, I wondered why I had been so keen on avoiding this. Why miss him when I didn't have to? Why long for him when I could be at his side?

A smile pulls at my lips as I consider this. I'm here now, that's what matters. I shake my head, feeling silly for my behavior before. I ended up in El Paso because of Edward. I wanted to get away from my situation … but it had been more than just that. He was going there, so I went there, too. Without him there, the town felt empty. Here in Fort Worth, I felt better already.

He has a tournament tonight and I intend to see it. I miss the rush that came with watching him. The terror and adrenaline feels strangely divine. I wonder what it must feel like for him. If I believe the rush is intense for me … I can't even imagine. Doing something you love is always the best feeling in the entire world. Nothing ever compares-nothing ever comes close. When you're in the moment, everything else fades away. It's just you … Only you. I itch to paint again. I spent hours painting the colors in his eyes, finding I remembered them easily. Doing that made me yearn for more.

Edward was chasing his calling, and now I want to chase mine, too.

I feel like I'm wasting so much time-have wasted so much time-and I want to rectify that. I've always been afraid of commitment, but I can't live that way forever.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. I pull it out, smiling at the contact info lighting my screen. I answer it instantly.

"Babe?" I hear, causing me to smile.

"Hey, I'm just rolling out of bed," I lie, smiling. Since it's only a quarter after twelve, this statement is pretty believable for me. I work nights, so sleeping in is always perfect. "How're you doing, babe? You already at the spot?"

"Yep, just got here. I wish you were here."

He pauses for a moment and the silence seems too pure to break. It's heavy like my heart. In this moment, I wish I would have come sooner. Now, all my doubts feel so silly. What were you waiting for?

"It's hard doing this alone … I mean, I believe in myself, but it would be nice to have someone here. Someone I know believes in me."

"I'm with you. Always, Edward. I'm always with you. And I believe in you," I reply as my chest grows heavy.

"I know, I know," Edward agrees with a sigh.

"Where are you right now?"

"Stockyards," he answers right away.

I make a mental note, prepared to look it up as soon as I ended our call. I would meet him there today. I would surprise him just like he always manages to surprise me.

"Good luck today, hon. Don't let that bull get the best of you," I joke, smiling as I hear his laughter through the phone.

"I won't. Good luck today, too. With whatever you're doing. I wish I were there."

"I wish you were, too." I smile, biting down on my lip. "I'll talk to you soon."

I hang up before he can reply, my nerves getting the better of me. I type the name of the venu into my phone and smile, knowing it won't be long before I see Edward. With energy buzzing through my veins, I hail a cab and try not to look too fidgety as I throw my small carry-on into the backseat and slip inside. Showing the driver the directions, I take a deep breath, not wanting to look like a fidgeting mess in front of Edward. I relax against my seat as the driver takes off, pulling out of the airport.

Soon, I'll see him and soon, I'll feel better again. More self-assured. I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I think about tonight. From the stands, Edward always looks so strong … so powerful. When I watch him, I don't feel like I'm watching something real-it always seems so extraordinary. The sight is so magnificent … so visceral … I can't even sum up my own feelings. I can't begin to describe the way my heart drums against my chest bone, thumping wildly until the climax hits and he impresses the entire audience. Everyone is captivated by him-especially me. When he's riding that bull, I can't take my eyes off of him. Heavens, the stadium could be burning down around me and I would be too wrapped up in him to tear my eyes away.

"Miss?"

The driver's voice pulls me away from my thoughts. My entire body is warm and I know I must look flushed and anxious.

"We're here," he gruffly continues, waiting for me to swipe my credit card and get a move on.

With my heart in my throat, I pay quickly before gathering my things and swinging open the door of the car. Grabbing my carry-on, I slide out, grinning as the stadium comes into view. It's grand, gray, red, and beautiful. The sight of it overwhelms me and my nerves dissipate. I'm here! Edward isn't far away!

The air feels better here - the energy feels better here - and I wonder if it's because of him. It must be … why wouldn't it be? Entering the stadium, my eyes search for him. There are so many men but none of them are mine. Where is he?

"You're so stiff. Is something on your mind?" I hear a musical voice question from behind me.

My eyes continue their search until I hear his voice.

"I'm just tired," he mumbles, causing me to stop in my tracks and turn.

I find him standing next to a woman. A little over a foot apart from her, he does look stiff and uncomfortable. With his hands stuffed in the front pockets of his jeans, he leans against the wall behind him, covered in sweat. He must have already started practicing. That was quick. I move toward him but pause as the woman speaks up again.

"You're never going to win this way." I watch her as she gently smiles at him, seeming familiar. "You always were like this. Tense when something's on your mind."

"Yeah, well, people never change I guess," he comments as he pushes away from the wall.

I feel like a voyeur watching them, but I can't stop. I feel like I'm seeing something I shouldn't. Or, perhaps, I'm just being paranoid. While nothing is happening before my eyes, there seems to be more to what I'm seeing. Maybe there's a history between them. God, I don't want to think that. She's beautiful … more than beautiful. She's so different from me in many ways. She's tiny and tanned-perfect for the buckle bunny attire she's currently wearing.

"Bella?!"

I refocus on the present as I hear my name being called. Edward's running toward me with a giant grin on his handsome face. Any tension in his body has melted away, leaving me with the relaxed, carefree man I've grown to love. When he's like this, he's captivating. Almost as captivating as he is when he's riding a bull. Like his tension, my jealousy melts away as he comes to me. I'll ask him about it later. If it were important, he wouldn't be acting so carefree now.

"Hey," I stutter, dropping my carry-on and flushing as I feel his strong arms wrap around me.

I lean into his embrace, enjoying the smell of his sweat mixed with his signature cologne. I smile against his skin, allowing my body to melt against his. I've missed him-I've missed him so much. I can't believe I went so long without him. Everything else in the world fades away, leaving only him … only the two of us. I love him. I want him all to myself.

He pulls away and I blush as his eyes take me in. I feel like the only woman in the world. My nipples pucker and my core grows wet as I take in his appearance, as well.

"I wanted to surprise you," I tell him, leaning into his body.

"Well, you did surprise me. This is the best surprise."

Leaning forward, he kisses me. His lips work against mine until I can barely breathe. I feel delirious and suddenly, I want to be alone with him. I want to discover his body all over again. I want him to kiss all of my curves, sucking on my breasts before kissing the spot between my legs where I desire him most of all. His hands move over my curves, playing with the flesh of my hips before they move to rest on my ass, squeezing until I find myself giggling against his lips.

I feel eyes on me and suddenly, I feel uncomfortable. I pull away from Edward, shifting my gaze to find the girl from before. She's watching me with a scrunched up, inquisitive look on her face. She seems familiar with Edward, and I would be jealous if I didn't feel so connected to him in this moment. When I turned my gaze to meet his, I found him looking at the woman, too, with a seemingly annoyed look on his face. For a moment, I wonder if he kissed me in front of her like this for a reason. Who was she?

I decide I don't care. Whoever she was, she didn't mean anything to Edward. If anything, she was part of his past. I couldn't be angry about things that were no longer relevant. I had a past, too. A past I ran away from. If I want to look toward the future, I had to forget about everything else.

"Are you free right now?" I ask, breathlessly.

"I can be. Why?"

"I just want to be alone with you. It's been too long."

Edward smiles at this, his entire demeanor changing as he looks at me. With a chuckle, he pulls me through the hallway, away from the stadium. I barely had time to grab my luggage before he whisked me away. I giggle as he rushes around people, pulling me toward a hallway where we could be alone. There's plenty of doors, but no people. Just us. Only us.

I smile before he crashes his mouth against mine, working me over until I'm breathless. Shamelessly, I rubbed my body against his frame, enjoying the moan I received in return. Biting down on my bottom lip, Edward teases me for a moment before he pulls away and his lips trail down my neck. He kisses my pulse, licking it once before he trails his lips down to my collar bone, biting and kissing there until my nipples feel uncomfortably hard and my breasts feel heavy.

He chuckles against my neck, knowing the power he has over me as his hand lowers from the back of my head, trailing down my hair, until it comes to rest on my right breast. He plays with me for a moment before his fingers wrap around my nipple, teasing me until I feel like I might faint.

"Is there someplace we can be alone?" I ask, barely recognizing my own voice.

Edward pulls away from my neck, gazing at me for a moment before he smiles. Without a word, he pulls me toward a room at the end of the hall. His palm's warm against mine as we move. I want to feel his body warm against mine, too. I want to feel his skin sweating against mine. I want to watch his face transform as he finds his release. It's my favorite thing to see. The vision of Edward in ecstasy compares to nothing else.

"In here," Edward says as he opens the door to a changing room. He ushers me inside and shuts and locks the door behind him. I drop my luggage on the floor, ready to feel him."Finally. I've been dreaming about this since I left you," he mutters before his lips find mine again.

"Have you?" I ask with a coquettish smile. "I've been dreaming about it, too. I missed you … I wanted more than just dreams. I wanted to feel your body against mine. I wanted to know that you were real."

"I am real. I'm real and I'm with you now." He kisses me again. "Thank God." He kisses me once more. "Don't do this to me again, Bella. Be with me … I don't want to do this without you anymore. My wins seem lackluster without you by my side to share them with. I hate being filled with adrenaline only to come back to an empty hotel room."

"El Paso feels empty without you," I confirm. "Being there just feels … pointless."

"Then be with me here. Be with me wherever I go."

Kissing me again, he drags me toward a chair, sitting down before pulling me onto his lap. I let out a gasp as I felt his hands run along my curves before settling on my bottom and pulling me more tightly against him so my body's flush against his. The buttons of his shirt rub against my erect nipples, unintentionally teasing them as he kisses me. He's too skilled for his own good. I'm thankful for every partner he has ever had in the past. Without them, I doubt I would be experiencing something so awe-inspiring.

My head falls back as he bends his head down and pulls up my shirt, kissing my exposed skin until his lips find the lace of my bra. My body relaxes at the feeling of his hot breath against my sternum. A moan escapes me as I practically beg for him to expose my breasts, as well. I want to feel his lips everywhere. I want to ride him until my thighs ache and I can barely stand. As if reading my mind, he pulls my shirt over my head before reaching behind my back to unhook my bra. As soon as the garments fall to the floor, his lips are wrapped around my right nipple. His warm mouth causes it to become more erect and I feel my body completely melt against his. Overwhelmed, my head falls back again as my hips start to move, my clothed core beginning to grind against his masked erection.

My clit rubs against the crotch point of his jeans, creating the most delicious friction. I continue to move against him, amazed by the feeling the inseam of his jeans caused. His mouth moves to my other breast, paying it equal attention as I continue to grind against him. His hips begin to work against mine, too. As he bites down on my left nipple, causing me to moan, I feel like we're dancing. Our hips move rhythmically against each other as I search for my release. It feels so close-right within my reach. All I need to do is reach out and grab it.

I close my eyes and focus on the feelings coursing through me, becoming completely absorbed by this man and his attentions. My eyelids begin to flutter as I feel another part of my body fluttering, too. I cry out, not caring who hears me as I fall to pieces. I ride his clothed erection until the waves of my orgasm have passed. He groans against me, letting one of his hands drop from my back to reach down and unbuckle his belt. His hands are shaky, but he manages. My body is warm and ready as I watch him unbutton his jeans before unzipping his fly. He tightens his hold on me as he lifts himself off the chair, shoving his jeans and boxers down and freeing his throbbing cock, which hits him in the stomach as he sits back down. Precum glistens on its head and I can't look away, losing myself in the sight of him.

I want him inside me. I want to feel his throbbing erection bring me to another orgasm. I want to feel that for the rest of my life. So, why did I run from him? Why couldn't I come along? I wish I knew the answers to those questions. I wish I understood why I was so hesitant when it came to giving myself to someone completely. Maybe I just don't know myself; maybe I don't understand what I want. While I don't understand me, I feel like I understand him. I never felt that way about anyone. Usually everyone was just as much of a mystery, but he was different. When we were together like this, I felt like our hearts were beating as one. Everything we did, we did together.

Realizing my need, he pushes up my skirt, pushing aside my panties before teasing my wet core with the tip of his cock. My breaths are shaky as I wait for him to make his move. He sucks on my neck, and I bask in the feeling before I grow too impatient, unable to wait any longer. Without a word, I push myself down on his cock, moaning as I feel it stretch me.

"Bells," he stutters out, his breath hot against my flushed skin. "God, I've missed this. I've missed you."

I begin to rock against him, growing warmer as my clit rubs against his taut, lower abdominals. The hair of his happy trail tickles my folds, causing me to grow more needy, quickening my pace. I want to cum again. I want to cum until I'm seeing stars. I want to feel just as exhilarated as he does when he's riding bulls in that stadium. I want to fall to pieces with him. I want to be the only girl he ever thinks of-the only girl he ever dreams of.

His hands grasp my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh as he urges me to move faster. I accept his challenge and move as hard and fast as my body allows. My thighs begin to burn and my breaths become labored. However, my adrenaline propels me forward. My body won't stop until it find its release.

"Come for me, Bells," Edward urges and I know he's close.

We've been apart for too long. Our movements are rushed and almost awkward, but it's because our need for each other is too strong. To some, our time apart may seem like nothing, but to us, our body's felt like they haven't met in years.

"Come with me, Bells." He moans against my neck, kissing my pulse before he adds, "Stay with me. Stay with me wherever I go. Follow me everywhere."

I've never heard him talk so much during sex. His words rock me to my core. I want to stay with him. I don't want to be apart. I spend too much time inside my own head. I won't find him in my daydreams. I was being silly before. If I want happiness, I need to overcome my fears. If I want happiness, I have to reach out and grab it.

"I'll stay with you," I utter.

Then, his hips move wildly against mine, crashing into me, nearly throwing us both onto the floor. His movements are wild and I meet his gaze. His eyes are burning with an intensity I've never seen before. One hand lets go of my hips and comes up to grab ahold of my face. His fingers wrap around my jawline before he pulls my head forward, causing my lips to meet with his. As his tongue slips inside my mouth, I fall to pieces. My pussy flutters around his hard length, pulsing uncontrollably as I find my release.

His release comes soon after and I watch his face intently as he reaches for the stars, too. I commit the image of his face to my memory. Whenever we're apart, I'll think of this: his face twisted with concentration as his eyelids flutter, lashing batting against his cheeks; the veins in his neck constricting as his entire body lets go. Bending down, I lick that vein, enjoying the taste of his salty skin.

"Stay with me," he mutters as he comes down from his orgasm.

"Of course," I say, my mind still numb from my release.

"Promise?"

"I promise. Forever."