Page 99 of Dirty Cowboy

I return to Emma just in time to hear Blake whisper, "I heard Carolineboughta mechanical bull and stashed it in her garage back in LA."

Emma’s eyes widen as she takes a larger gulp of beer. She’s confident—determined—but I can feel the nerves humming beneath her skin. I slide an arm around her waist, rubbing slow circles over her exposed hip.

Caroline lifts her arms, basking in the attention. The crowd watches as she mounts the bull with ease, the operator giving her a nod.

The bull jerks to life, slow at first, then building. Caroline clings tightly, her body moving fluidly with each vicious buck. Seconds tick by and the room surges forward. Emma leans in, her grip tightening around the beer mug.

"She’s good," she admits.

"She’s gonna fall," I promise, squeezing her shoulder.

Right on cue, the bullwhipsinto motion with speed. The bull twists and bucks like a demon unleashed, its every move testing Caroline’s grip. The crowd roars, the tension in the air thick enough to cut, until Caroline loses her rhythm.

The room collectivelygaspsas she tumbles onto the mat, but she lasts three seconds longer than Emma’s record.

Emma hands me her beer without hesitation.

"Hold this. I’ll need it to celebrate infour minutes."

"Four minutes?" I chuckle. "The new record’s three point two-eight."

She smirks. "What can I say? I’m anoverachiever."

With that, she pushes past Caroline, stepping into the pit, and all I can do is watch and wait.

Thor looms before me, steel and leather gleaming under the harsh floodlights. I climb over the barrier, my pulse pounding in my ears. Across the room, my eyes find Eric’s. Concern shadows his face, but his worry only strengthens my resolve.

Ten years ago, I conquered this beast, and tonight, with the whole town watching, I’m going to do it again.

"Come on, Emma! You've got this!" Annabelle's voice cuts through the noise, grounding me like an anchor in a storm. I flash her a quick smile, letting her confidence fuel my own.

I swing my leg over the bull, gripping the worn leather strap. Thor feels bigger and more menacing than I remember. My muscles tense as I settle into the saddle. The leather is rough against my palms, the mechanical beast humming beneath me, vibrating through my bones. The crowd roars, but their cheers barely register.

The operator smirks, tapping the control panel. "Ready?"

I take a deep breath. "As ready as I’ll ever be."

A button clicks and Thor lurches to life beneath me, jerking violently to the side. My body reacts on instinct, tightening my grip as my thighs clamp down hard. The sudden movement knocks the wind from my lungs, and I grit my teeth, fighting to stay centered.

He wasn’t this wild last time.

The bull bucks harder, twisting in sharp, unpredictable jerks. My breath hitches, my heartbeat hammering in rhythm with the machine. Every nerve in my body screams, but I push through, muscles burning with the effort.

"Come on, Emma! Show that bull who’s the boss!" Misty shouts from the crowd.

The rhythm shifts and I adjust my grip, finding the pattern, and feeling the movement beneath me. The rough hide rubs against my skin, heat and friction sparking a sharp ache between my legs. I squeeze harder, determined to hold on.

Eric’s voice cuts through the chaos, calling my name. I barely hear him over the roar of the crowd, but then I see Caroline. She stands too close to Eric, smirking, and watching me.

She’s already taken my title. Now, she wantshim.

Over my dead body.

I grit my teeth and hold on tighter, ignoring the fire in my thighs. This isn’t about a championship anymore. This is aboutwinning.This is about proving, not just to her, but to myself, that I belong here.

Annabelle’s voice carries over the speakers. "You’re so close to breaking your record!"

I risk a glance at the timer.

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