Cliff's Edge
By Laura Harner
4.5/5
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About this ebook
Navy SEALs Cliff “Snides” Snyder and Ryan “Rhino” Matthews have been moving comfortably in each other’s worlds for two decades. Best friends since attending BUDs twenty years earlier, and despite playing for different teams, they’re often accused of acting like an old married couple—much to their amusement.
Assigned to shore duty for his final tour before retirement and without Ryan to anchor him, Cliff’s restlessness leads him to a local club and hands-on research that leaves him in a compromising position and a witness to murder—signaling the abrupt end of his Navy career. Needing a place to lay low and lick his wounds, Cliff visits his old friends at the Willow Springs Ranch while he considers making cowboy his new job title.
After six long months on deployment, Rhino returns to San Diego—only to discover Cliff’s gone dark and the unlikely words ‘poor judgment’ hanging in the air. Despite the offer of a prestigious assignment, Ryan opts to track down his best friend first and finds him at the WSR...along with more questions than he ever expected. With the most coveted orders for a SEAL dangling, twenty years of service under his belt, and Cliff determined to move on without him, decisions must be made.
Ryan is certain he has the perfect solution going forward, but Cliff knows he must face the fallout of his actions alone—and the one thing he’s determined to do is protect Ryan from making the biggest mistake of his career—even if it costs Cliff everything. You know what they say—the only easy day was yesterday.
Be sure to read all the books in this exciting series:
Ty Hard
Hold Tight
Taking Chance
Ty'd Down
Hanging Chad
Park's Lot
Kismet and Cartwheels (Bonus Book)
Whit's End
Cliff's Edge
Laura Harner
Laura lives on waterfront property in Arizona because she's always wanted to be an oxymoron. She once enjoyed hobbies such as gardening and travel—now the characters in her head compel her to tell their stories, so she writes. (It doesn't actually help quiet the voices—but it keeps the folks in the white jackets at bay.)She shares her home with an ever-revolving cast of characters—some of whom are actually real—and is living her dream of building her own version of the Willow Springs Ranch.With over fifty published novels and novellas, Laura is an international bestselling author of erotic romances, romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and Highland romances. Her books can be found at all major online retailers.Connect with her online at:http://lauraharner.com
Read more from Laura Harner
Ty'd Down Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Hold Tight Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hanging Chad Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Park's Lot Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Taking Chance Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ty Hard Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Whit's End Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Never Fear: Phobias Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHoney House Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Kismet and Cartwheels Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ty'd Up Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Broken SEAL Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Diamonds & Dust Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Diamond Draw Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Part of Me Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiamond Edge Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiamond Flush Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Diamonds Down & Dirty Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ace of Diamonds: The Complete Series Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Reviews for Cliff's Edge
10 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Cliff’s Edge by Laura HarnerBook #7: Willow Springs Ranch SeriesSource: PurchaseMy Rating: 5/5 starsMy Review: After reading the entire Willow Springs Ranch series twice, I can safely say that both times through, Cliff’s Edge was and still is my favorite read. From beginning to end, Cliff’s Edge satisfied me on every level but the real highlight of the read are Cliff and Ryan. For twenty years, Cliff and Ryan have been partners in crime, so to speak. They have gone through military training together, they have gone on dark ops missions together, survived at least one marriage and divorce together, and put up with the constant teasing of their teammates about being an old married couple. In so many ways, the teasing is beyond accurate but it isn’t until Ryan thinks he may lose Cliff forever that he begins to really assess what that designation might mean.After a misstep that has cost Cliff his career in the military, he escapes to the Willow Springs Ranch to sort out his thoughts and decide what it is he wants for his future. When he left, Cliff had no way to contact Ryan and really had no intention of doing so. If Cliff’s career is over, he certainly isn’t going to bring his best friend down with him so leaving was really the best for both of them. After twenty years, Cliff should have known better. When one seriously pissed off Ryan literally swings down from the rafters at the WSR, Cliff is in for an ass-chewing like he has never experienced. Once Ryan calms down and is ready to listen to Cliff’s story, he understands his old friend’s reasoning but warns Cliff there won’t be a repeat of the running away incident. Furthermore, there won’t be any going at it alone and whatever consequences Cliff is facing, Ryan will be by his side. Outwardly, Cliff agrees to Ryan conditions but he still has no intention of dragging Ryan through the mud with him. Because of Cliff’s actions, he is a part of an ongoing investigation that, if involved, could bring Ryan’s career to an end as well. Until he is called back into the investigation, Cliff is content to spend his time at WSR with Ryan. After twenty years, Ryan is more convinced than ever that his one and only has been by his side for the last twenty years and if he can convince Cliff of the rightness of them as a couple then they can deal with everything as they always have, together. Cliff is straight-up, totally gay but Ryan has always leaned a bit more toward women than men. Make no mistake, Ryan has considered what it would be like to be with Cliff in that way but has never acted on his thoughts until now. Cliff certainly enjoys the action he’s getting from and giving to Ryan but he is also beyond worried that what they are doing physically will ruin twenty years of friendship. But, for the time being, Cliff will find a way to suffer through the phenomenal sex with Ryan. As you may well expect, the road to the HEA isn’t easy and, in fact it gets quite dangerous. What two better men to send into the fray than two deadly Navy SEALs who have spent the bulk of their lives fighting side by side?? That’s right, there aren’t two better men Yet again, Cliff and Ryan face and nullify the danger but what they discover is that the immediate danger is just that, immediate and there is something even more sinister lurking in the shadows. The Bottom Line: I’ve read it twice and I’m going to read it again!! Cliff’s Edge has everything I love in a book!! There’s hot men, hot sex, just the right amount of danger and drama, and the promise of more to come. Cliff and Ryan are strong, sexy, courageous, honorable, and did I mention, sexy?? In so many ways, they remind me of Cass and Ty, two men who are partners in every way. Though their path will eventually lead them away from the WSR, Cliff and Ryan’s story isn’t over and Harner clearly isn’t done with this particular genre. YAY FOR ME!!!!
Book preview
Cliff's Edge - Laura Harner
Cliff’s Edge
Willow Springs Ranch
Laura Harner
Cliff’s Edge is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 by Laura Harner
Cover photograph by DWS Photography
Cover Art by Laura Harner
Edited by Jae Ashley
All rights reserved.
Smashwords Edition Published in the United States by Hot Corner Press.
ISBN: 978-1-941841-01-3
Warning: All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission, except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Contact the publisher for further information: Hotcornerpress@gmail.com
Contents
Dedication
Trademark Acknowledgements
Cliff’s Edge
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Also Available
About the Author
Dedication
When I first wrote Ty Hard, Willow Springs Ranch Book 1, I had no real idea of how much the readers would fall in love with my guys. This series really signaled a new beginning in my writing life. Here we are 6.5 books later, and Cliff and Ryan are ushering another new beginning. I hope you love them every bit as much as Ty and Cass.
Thank you to my writing partners: Havan Fellows, Lee Brazil, Will Parkinson, and Tom Webb—I love spending every day in Google chat writing with you.
A very special thank you to Mardee Barnett, Christy Duke, Mary Wallace, and as always, Jae Ashley.
Finally, I would like to thank you, my wonderful reader. I couldn’t have done this without each and every one of you. Thank you, for all your support.
Trademark Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following trademarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Big Red: WM. Wrigley Jr. Company
Coke: The Coca-Cola Company
Corona: Cerveceria Modelo, S.A. de C.V.
Day-Glo: Day-Glo Color Corp.
Dirty Jobs: Discovery Communications, LLC
Gator (4-wheeler): Deere & Company
Google: Google, Inc.
Guinness: Diageo Ireland
iPhone: Apple, Inc.
iPod: Apple, Inc.
Jack (referencing Jack Daniel beverage): Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc.
Jeep: Chrysler Group, LLC
Keurig: Keurig, Inc.
Luminox: Lumondi, Inc.
NCIS: CBS Studios Inc.
Netflix: Netflix, Inc.
New England Patriots: New England Patriots LLC
San Diego Chargers: Chargers Football Company, LLC
San Diego Padres: Padres L.P. Padres, Inc.
SEALs: The Department of the Navy
Seattle Seahawks: Football Northwest LLC
SIG 226 & SIG: SIG Swiss Industrial Company
Skilcraft (clock): National Industries for the Blind
Sons of Anarchy: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
So You Think You Can Dance: Dick Clark Productions, Inc.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Viacom International Inc.
US Army: Department of the Army
Wranglers: Wrangler Apparel Corp.
Cliff’s Edge
WSR Book 7
Navy SEALs Cliff Snides
Snyder and Ryan Rhino
Matthews have been moving comfortably in each other’s worlds for two decades. Best friends since attending BUDs twenty years earlier, and despite playing for different teams, they’re often accused of acting like an old married couple—much to their amusement.
Assigned to shore duty for his final tour before retirement and without Ryan to anchor him, Cliff’s restlessness leads him to a local club and hands-on research that leaves him in a compromising position and a witness to murder—signaling the abrupt end of his Navy career. Needing a place to lay low and lick his wounds, Cliff visits his old friends at the Willow Springs Ranch while he considers making cowboy his new job title.
After six long months on deployment, Rhino returns to San Diego—only to discover Cliff’s gone dark and the unlikely words ‘poor judgment’ hanging in the air. Despite the offer of a prestigious assignment, Ryan opts to track down his best friend first and finds him at the WSR…along with more questions than he ever expected. With the most coveted orders for a SEAL dangling, twenty years of service under his belt, and Cliff determined to move on without him, decisions must be made.
Ryan is certain he has the perfect solution going forward, but Cliff knows he must face the fallout of his actions alone—and the one thing he’s determined to do is protect Ryan from making the biggest mistake of his career—even if it costs Cliff everything. You know what they say—the only easy day was yesterday.
Chapter One
Black and tan. I’ll watch while you pull,
Cliff told the bow-tied, bare-chested bartender.
Very good, Sir. I always enjoy being watched while I’m pulling,
the cheeky man behind the bar replied with a smile.
Laughing, Cliff dragged a high-backed stool closer as he looked beyond the taps to survey the Thursday night crowd. Although he’d only been to the club half a dozen times in as many years, the interior was as he’d remembered. Dark wood wainscoting, white with red fleur-de-lis accented wallpaper, and swathes of heavy red fabric draped around the room, masking the interior-sealed windows. Elaborate gold and crystal chandeliers glowed softly over the burgundy leather tufted-back sofas, chaise lounges, ornate side chairs, and decor tables. If the cavernous room had been devoid of people and props, you could almost believe you’d stepped into a long ago Victorian parlor. Cliff snorted. Okay, maybe a Victorian brothel. His gaze settled on the woman clad only in a black silk bustier, bound face-first against the St. Andrews cross. Behind her, a man wielded a flogger, drawing up a shade of pink across her ass and thighs.
Mostly ignoring the scene in the center of the room, men and women stood talking or sat in one of the many conversational groupings, some actively engaged in play, others watched, and a few people drifted from spot to spot, seemingly entranced by their surroundings.
Turning to study the others who’d elected to sit at the bar, Cliff noticed most of them were men, dressed in business casual. Some of the drinkers might be starting a long weekend and didn’t have to be to work until Monday, but Cliff would bet more than a few would have serious regrets when they hit the desk tomorrow morning. Several pretended an interest in the bottom of their glasses, but most followed the bartender’s slim hips as he worked the crowded bar. The glass of Guinness sat nearly full to the side of the beer taps while the pretty dark-haired man stepped to the opposite end of the bar to pour a Jack and Coke for another customer. He moved with a slightly exaggerated graceful efficiency that said he was aware of the admiring glances. By the time he returned to Cliff’s end of the long bar, the dark brew had settled. He added the last inch, holding the glass straight up so the head rounded perfectly above the rim. So many suggestive comments played in Cliff’s head, but in the end, he settled for a quick thanks as the bartender placed the perfectly stacked Guinness on a circular coaster.
Running a tab tonight, Sir?
Cliff tossed a bill on the bar. No thanks—this is it for me,
he said, raising the glass in toast. He tilted it just enough to take a mouthful of foam along with the velvet smooth brew nearly thick enough to make a meal. Mmmm…perfect. Keep the change.
The slender young man’s brows rose at the generous tip. Thank you. My name’s Gentry. I don’t think I’ve seen you around Hard Labour before, Sir…
He vigorously swiped at a nonexistent stain on the gleaming oak while he waited to see if Cliff would take the conversational bait.
Oh, I’ve been here a few times,
Cliff assured him. He licked the foam from his lips, enjoying the way the big, blue eyes followed every movement of his tongue. He raised a brow. Is Draco around?
Oh—
Gentry’s gaze darted to the dimly lit staircase that ran along the wall. May I tell him who’s asking?
Cliff. A friend of Rhino’s. Draco’s expecting me.
Damn…he wished Rhino was in CONUS. He should have talked to his best friend first.
Sure…I’ll call and let him know you’re here.
He swished his narrow hips a little as he walked to the register, rang up the drink, and dropped the change in a tip jar. He tossed a quick wink over his shoulder, then turned away to use the phone hanging on the wall.
Five minutes later, Gentry stepped around the bar and ushered Cliff to the bottom of the stairs. Just call out if there’s anything at all I can do for you, Sir. Oh, and you forgot this.
He shoved the coaster into Cliff’s hand. Looking down, he saw the man’s name scrawled across the back, along with a phone number.
Thanks, Gentry. I’ll keep that in mind.
Taking the steps two at a time, Cliff Snyder bounded up the half staircase leading to the loft that served as the office for the club manager. Now that he made up his mind—sort of—he was anxious to get on with the mission. He gave himself a mental snort. Okay, so maybe looking into club membership and training as a Dom wasn’t exactly the same thing as the life or death assignments that were part of his job. Given his teammates often referred to him as Cool Hand when he was deep in demolition mode, anyone he worked with would be laughing at his current case of uncertainty.
He tapped on the door and entered at the shouted, Come in.
The man striding toward him was striking. With his square face creased into a broad smile, he reminded Cliff of Harrison Ford in a craggy kind of way. Cliff, nice to see you again,
he said, hand extended.
Accepting both the handshake and the polite lie, Cliff followed the club owner inside. Draco Kincaid would have no reason to remember meeting him more than two years earlier.
Thanks for seeing me. I have— Shit. What the hell do I have?
He laughed and shook his head.
A few questions?
Draco supplied. Come on. Let’s have a seat and talk.
The room was divided into two distinct areas. Directly in front of them and lining the left wall was the office space. In addition to a traditionally styled oak desk with a rolling leather chair, there were filing cabinets, a small safe, and a metal equipment rack with shelves holding miniature security monitors. In the center, a twenty-seven inch display cycled through each camera view, the image hovering on the screen for less than ten seconds before shifting to the next. It was a dizzying array of club scenes and private sessions, but before the screen changed views three times, Draco pressed a button on a small remote, and the monitors went dark. The cameras are monitored from another room,
Draco said by way of explanation as they passed through the open office to the sitting area along the far wall.
This is my own private space…no cameras. I have the office and this sitting area…
He pressed another button on the remote and a small whir sounded from the bookshelf that lined the opposite wall. The shelves divided down the center, rolling away to reveal another room, shrouded in darkness. With a dramatic flourish and a wicked grin, Draco pushed the remote once more, and