Pride & Protection
Southern Boys #2
by K.C. Wells
What happens when an out-and-proud bear moves to a small Tennessee town, and takes a shine to the closeted cop?
Fireworks, that’s what.
When Del Walters agrees to go into business with his brother, he has one condition. Since he’s putting up the lion’s share, they’ll run the bike shop his way—and that means he gets to choose the name. And in a small Tennessee town, a business called Rainbow Racers, complete with a not-so-subtle sign, was always going to attract attention.
Fireworks, that’s what.
When Del Walters agrees to go into business with his brother, he has one condition. Since he’s putting up the lion’s share, they’ll run the bike shop his way—and that means he gets to choose the name. And in a small Tennessee town, a business called Rainbow Racers, complete with a not-so-subtle sign, was always going to attract attention.
Unfortunately, it’s the wrong kind of attention, and after a few incidents, Del is forced to call on the local police to deal with the culprits.
When Officer Taylor Cox walks into his shop, Del thinks Christmas has come early. An earlier encounter with the younger man left Del with a growing desire to know more about him. There’s only one problem—Taylor is in the closet, and there’s no way Del is going back into his.
When Taylor lays eyes on the sexy bear who owns the bike shop, he knows he’s walking into trouble. Not that he’s about to let Del know he’s interested: his view from the closet is just fine, thank you very much, and besides, that ship has already sailed, thanks to their first meeting. Now all he wants to do is forget Del even exists. But as time goes by, Taylor realizes how badly he is torn between protecting the persona he’s created, and giving in to his desires. And Del making it obvious that he wants Taylor isn’t helping matters.
Between an out-and-proud bear and a firmly closeted cop, something has to give. Problem is, it might be their hearts.
Carra's Review
Age gap romances always catch my interest, particularly when one of the characters is right near my own age. That this story is also set in a small southern town is also a draw for me, I’m a sucker for those southern accents usually sweet, polite southern ways. But with all that also comes the not-so-sweet side of the south that lurks in those whose old fashioned, narrow-minded views can tarnish all that southern goodness—something we get a small taste of here.
To be honest, the negative side really wasn’t widespread in this story compared to what it could have been, and the conflict was primarily contained to a smallish selection of malcontents. Things focused more on Taylor and Del’s fledgling relationship, and Taylor becoming more comfortable as a gay man, and acknowledging that he would never be happy staying in the closet.
Del was thoughtful and patient with Taylor, always willing to go at whatever pace Taylor set…which once he got a taste of things took off rapidly, even when his brain tried to back off in its attempts to keep the status quo. Del and Taylor together ranges from sweet and cuddly to hot and naughty, all while Taylor comes to terms with what he wants his life to be.
Pride & Protection wound up as a solid 4-star read for me, and is a story I’d recommend for any M/M romance fan, especially if you love age gap romances. Though this is the second book in the author’s Southern Boys series, you do not need to have read the first one to enjoy this one—though your interest will probably be piqued for Jake and Liam’s story even with the short amount of time Jake appears here in book two. This story is for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
About the Author
K.C. Wells started writing in 2012, although the idea of writing a novel had been in her head since she was a child. But after reading that first gay romance in 2009, she was hooked.
She now writes full time, and the line of men in her head, clamouring to tell their story, is getting longer and longer. If the frequent visits by plot bunnies are anything to go by, that’s not about to change anytime soon.
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