Let It Ride

This is the second book in the "Pick up Men" series and is the story of Eric the paramedic and Bridge, one of the pick up men in the rodeo circuit. Don't worry though all your favorite characters from the first book are back but have become the secondary characters.

The book starts off at the beginning of yet another year at the rodeo, the only difference is Bridge has not been able to forget the handsome paramedic he met last year. It confuses him because even though he has gay friends, he experimented in college and has never had any issues showing affection to others, even pointing out "Hot" guys to his friends. He's never considered himself gay. So why can't he seem to get Eric out of his head.

He hopes seeing him again at a training camp for greenhorns will dispel any lingering traces of the attraction he's built up in his mind. Unfortunately though, one look at Eric and he realizes he is not only attracted to Eric but finds himself wanting to be more then friends with the hesitant paramedic.

Eric shows up at the training camp both happy and nervous at the same time. His whole life he has been tossed aside and made to feel he's not worth anything. From his parents forcing him into foster care to lovers who flat out have told him he's not worth it. He is constantly waiting for the perverbial "other shoe to drop".

Becoming close friends with the close knit group is something he treasures but wholeheartedly believes eventually they'll tire of him and toss him aside like everyone eles has in his past.

Along with Bridge, Eric finds himself more then attracted to the other man but is afraid since Bridge isn't "gay" he might just be an experiment. He feels if he goes down that road and acts on the mutual attraction, one day Bridge will deicde he's straight again. If that happens he'll not only lose Bridge, but also the only group of men he has considered friends for more years then he can count. The walls he's built up for self preservation will be hard to crack.

As the training camp winds down, Bridge has had enough of the passing heated glances, sexual innuendos and decides just to go for it. He's determined so he corners Eric and kisses him. To Bridge that solidifies something in him that Eric is the one for him. But Eric is reluctant to persue a relationship because with his insecurities he has to much to lose and he isn't sure he could come back from loosing it all.

Bridge takes Erics challenge and agrees to a no strings, friends with benefits arrangement to appease Eric but in Bridge's heart he knows Eric is the one he's meant to be with.

After the camp Bridge convinces Eric to come back home with him until the circuit starts in two weeks, planning on showing Eric just how serious he really is. Eric reluctantly agrees but puts road blocks up at every attempt Bridge make to move them past no strings, friends with benefits.

Each man is fighting within themselves. Bridge not knowing what he needs to do to prove how much Eric means to him and Eric is fighting the voice in his head that tells him Bridge could be "his one" and continues to let his insecurities rule his relationship or rather lack there of with Bridge.

As the two weeks before the circuit starts and Eric is staying at th ranch, Bridge is starting to fall even harder for Eric. He even convinces Eric to move into the "casual dating" label.

You almost feel bad for Bridge though. He seems to be doing everything right and being with Eric feels right, but he just can't break down the walls, as Eric bluntly makes it known when Bridge takes him out to eat, that even though the restaurant is full of couples this is definitely not a date.

What can Bridge do but to agree and make up a stupid reason for them being there but you can obviously see his attitude shifts.

As the two weeks come to an end you almost want to slap Eric for his inner whinning and pity parties. For literally 83% of the book Eric lets his past control his life and this time it's no different. But instead of feeling sorry for him, I pity him and how he lives his life. To never be willing to take that chance because things in the past didn't work out is sad.

Bridge is doing everything he can to show Eric he's serious. Even having Eric with him at his birthday dinner with his family. It never seems enough. Bridge even goes so far as to ask Eric to live with him on the circuit, but to Eric it's just to much.

At the beginning everyone was concerned about Bridge hurting Eric but what Eric does after the first rodeo takes the cake. Eric a coward and leaves Bridge heartbroken.

Lost and unsure of what to do Eric with the help of an old man decides it's time to take his destiny into his own hands. He only hopes its not to late.

To me this book had everything I would expect from L.C. Chase. Hot cowboys, steamy tasteful scenes and a HEA. I would definitely recommend reading this book if you want something that will run the gammets of your emotions.

I would give it 4* I'm excited to see where the writer takes the boys in the next book