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Close Protection
Close Protection Ficlets
A collection of ficlets set in the Close Protection universe.
101 pages, ebook
First published January 2, 2013
7 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Cordelia Kingsbridge
32 books1,232 followersCordelia Kingsbridge has a master's degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, but quickly discovered that direct practice in the field was not for her. Having written novels as a hobby throughout graduate school, she decided to turn her focus to writing as a full-time career. Now she explores her fascination with human behavior, motivation, and psychopathology through fiction. Her weaknesses include opposites-attract pairings and snarky banter.
Away from her desk, Cordelia is a fitness fanatic, and can be found strength training, cycling, and practicing Krav Maga. She lives in South Florida but spends most of her time indoors with the air conditioning on full blast!
Away from her desk, Cordelia is a fitness fanatic, and can be found strength training, cycling, and practicing Krav Maga. She lives in South Florida but spends most of her time indoors with the air conditioning on full blast!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 17, 2017
3.5 Stars.
September 14, 2017
All the ficlits were written because readers requested them. They can be read in any order and any of them can be skipped. I'd definitely recommend skipping "Unfaithful", unless an MC's cheating doesn't bother you, and you might want to skip "Dirty Little Secret" because of references to cheating (no actual cheating in any of the Luca/Ryder ficlets, except "Unfaithful"). I'm going to try to pretend that those two just never happened.
There's plenty of good stuff in the other ficlets, though. Luca and Ryder get to be open -- finally -- about their relationship and the delicious smexy-times that Luca and Ryder get up to, I just loved. The glimpses into their relationship, for the most part, were fabulous. "The L-Word" was super sexy and made me melt a little.
Most of the short ficlits in this collection were easily worth 3.5 or 4 stars. I tried to not read "Unfaithful", but I'm rarely successful with that. It's there and I love Ryder and Luca and I even want to see their pain. And I knew going into that ficlit what it was, I did. And even knowing... gah! All the ficlits are very well written and I loved getting little glimpses of their lives, but I could have done without the existence of the two I hated. I kind of feel like having one of my epic rants, but, truly, out of 22 ficlets, I hated 2, was creeped out by 1, was ambivalent about 2 and really enjoyed 17, so all in all, I really can't complain. Much.
There's plenty of good stuff in the other ficlets, though. Luca and Ryder get to be open -- finally -- about their relationship and the delicious smexy-times that Luca and Ryder get up to, I just loved. The glimpses into their relationship, for the most part, were fabulous. "The L-Word" was super sexy and made me melt a little.
Most of the short ficlits in this collection were easily worth 3.5 or 4 stars. I tried to not read "Unfaithful", but I'm rarely successful with that. It's there and I love Ryder and Luca and I even want to see their pain. And I knew going into that ficlit what it was, I did. And even knowing... gah! All the ficlits are very well written and I loved getting little glimpses of their lives, but I could have done without the existence of the two I hated. I kind of feel like having one of my epic rants, but, truly, out of 22 ficlets, I hated 2, was creeped out by 1, was ambivalent about 2 and really enjoyed 17, so all in all, I really can't complain. Much.
April 28, 2018
This is hard to rate. Some of these fics I loved. Most all of them were scorching hot. Some I was sort of ambivalent about, but others like Evelyn and Antonio meeting was sweet. Some I ended up skipping because my care cup was dry, but others like running into Andy I found surprisingly engaging. Who knew?
Some were hard, though. Those made me question the longevity of Ryder and Lucas and I'm not sure how I feel about that, so I guess I'll just split the difference and go with 3 stars.
Some were hard, though. Those made me question the longevity of Ryder and Lucas and I'm not sure how I feel about that, so I guess I'll just split the difference and go with 3 stars.
August 24, 2016
Lo primero, es lo primero, gracias, a quién corresponda ;)
Merecen mucho la pena estos relatos, la autora con ellos nos regala ese epílogo faltante en Close Protection.Luca y Ryder me han vuelto a robar el corazón. Son maravillosos, punto.
Mención especial a Unfaithful, que se lleva 5 estrellas porque es lo que esperaba y más.
Lo dicho, imprescindible para cerrar el círculo.
Merecen mucho la pena estos relatos, la autora con ellos nos regala ese epílogo faltante en Close Protection.Luca y Ryder me han vuelto a robar el corazón. Son maravillosos, punto.
Mención especial a Unfaithful, que se lleva 5 estrellas porque es lo que esperaba y más.
Lo dicho, imprescindible para cerrar el círculo.
September 4, 2017
I shouldn't have read the "Unfaithful" ficlet. Not the author's fault, she warned the reader. I'll just pretend I didn't. But well-written.
I didn't read all stories but I really liked what I read. Except you know...the one that shall not be named.
I didn't read all stories but I really liked what I read. Except you know...the one that shall not be named.
February 24, 2018
All the love! Seriously all of it!!!!
March 2, 2017
Finally! I have been looking for this for SOO long! And I have it! And I read it!
Honestly, I can't separate the thrill of searching and actually finding it from my enjoyment of actually reading ficlets. It was great going back to this world, to see what happens next for these characters. Both ups and downs.
Thank you to the beautiful and mysterious Elena for helping me out!
Honestly, I can't separate the thrill of searching and actually finding it from my enjoyment of actually reading ficlets. It was great going back to this world, to see what happens next for these characters. Both ups and downs.
Thank you to the beautiful and mysterious Elena for helping me out!
September 4, 2017
Written really well, but the killed it for me.
December 28, 2015
Meet Cute
Early 1990s. The story of how Evelyn Lindholm met Antonio D’Amato.
But I’m A Quarterback
Late 1999. Ryder is forced to confront a deeply-buried truth about himself.
The Doctor Is In
Late 2009. Luca’s first time – and Siobhan’s biggest regret. Read the warnings first!
Beware Those Latin Lovers
Summer 2011. Andy doesn’t date doctors. I was disappointed at first that this took place before Andy and Ryder dating, but it becomes clear early on how things will play out in the long run. It was sweet and a little sexy, we get to see a very different dynamic than what we get with Luca and Ryder and it drives home that Andy and Ryder really weren't a good fit. Can't wait to see more of Dr. Paul later! 3 stars
Five Fantasies
November 2011 – January 2012 (takes place during the first part of the novel). Five inappropriate places Ryder has fantasized about Luca.
You’ve Got A Friend In Me
January 2012. Ashton likes to feel needed. This is sweet with some friends-with-benefits sex thrown in. I wanted them to talk about Ryder but I knew from the book that Luca hasn't told Ashton yet. But Ashton is a good friend and I'm glad he stuck around, nice to see things from his POV too. 3 stars
A Day In the Life
April 2012. Five roles Clarke plays on any given day.
The Green-Eyed Monster
Summer 2012. Ryder gets jealous. Hot little fic with Ryder fucking Luca up against a wall, some sweetness too of course; "The truth was, there were plenty of men who could have fucked him exactly like this – but there was no other man in the world he would have trusted not to drop him." 3.5 stars
The L-Word
October 2012. Luca's nineteenth birthday is a night of more than one first. FINALLY! Loved the hot bareback smexin. But it was so sweet and sad to see Luca struggle with his feelings and whether or not he's good enough, but the way he finally went about it was perfect and so Luca . "I love the way you treat me, I love that you're so much stronger than me but you never make me feel weak. I love that you take care of me without implying that I can't take care of myself. I love that you let me take control but always call me on my bullshit." Swoon. 3.5 stars
In Your Dreams
November 2012. Luca fantasizes about Ryder and Ashton. Read the warnings first! Sexy Sexy threesome fantasy with some sweet resistance from Ashton. I liked that it's not all fantasy but we get some sweet smexin from our boys too. 3.5 stars
Requiescat In Pace
December 2012. Ryder comforts Luca on the anniversary of his father's death.
Starfruit
January 2013. Ryder uses his safeword for the first time. I was very curious how this would play out but it makes total sense and, again, I like these little snippets of seeing Luca and Ryder deal with relationship issues. 4 stars
Top/Bottom
March 2013. Luca doesn't top, but sometimes Ryder wants to bottom. They compromise. I guessed what their "compromise" would be and it was just as sexy as you'd imagine. And as usual I loved the relationship talk that lead to it, it was nice to see Luca be the one to compromise and work for it this time. 4 stars
Unfaithful
May 2013. Luca cheats on Ryder for the first time. Infidelity warning! This was hard to read at times but oh so perfect and oh so necessary. Not everyone thinks of sex and monogamy in the same light and I really appreciate that Ms. Kingsbridge didn't try to give us a fake and "perfect" HEA and change Luca into someone that he isn't. But I'm also glad that she was honest about who Ryder is and how this was for him. The solution is realistic and I feel like being able to accept the person you love for who they are and make compromises that keep you both happy and satisfied is so important and often undersold in the white-picket-fence romance world. LOVED it! 4 stars
Under Arrest
October 2013. Luca and Ryder roleplay cop/arrestee. Read the warnings first! Hot little dub-con role playing. When I started this book I wasn't sure how I would like the role reversal, but it feels so real and organic and I love the change of having the power bottom be the Dominant one. So sweet and sexy when Ryder goes into subspace and Luca takes care of him. It takes that power and control he likes to feel and channels it into something healthy, caring for the person he loves, instead of the destructive way he used to use it. 4 stars
Getting In
November 2013. Ryder got into Georgetown, but what does that mean for him and Luca? This was sweet and I like watching how they communicated and intertwine relationship talks with sex. Good stuff. 3 stars
(Sort Of) Full Disclosure
December 2013. After his last day as Luca's bodyguard, Ryder tells his parents about their relationship. Short and sweet. 3 stars
Dirty Little Secret
February 2014. Ryder's reluctance for Luca to meet his new classmates blows up in his face. Again, I really like these follow up shorts where we get to see Luca and Ryder deal with relationship stuff. It makes them feel even more real and like they'll make it, knowing that they can fight but are getting so good about talking about where they're each coming from and growing together. I would love to see that dinner with Ryder's classmates though! 3.25 stars
Fireworks
July 2014. The first holiday Luca spends with Ryder's family. This was sweet, to see how nervous Luca was to impress them, and I liked Ryder's telling off of Will at the end. Only issue is that it states this is the first time Will is meeting Luca, but in the novel when Ryder was in the hospital Morgan mentions how much the family loves Luca and she says "even Will!" So a little discrepancy, but not a big deal. 3.5 stars
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
September 2014. Evelyn meets Ryder's parents for the first time. I hope we get to see more of Evelyn because I'd really like to see her relationship with her son grow, we got hints in the novel but it never went to far. I liked the little come-to-Jesus talk that Ryder had with Luca, that maybe Evelyn isn't the problem. 3.5 stars
Hello, Stranger
Early 2015. Ryder and Luca roleplay an old fantasy. Sexy little number. Poor Adam. 3 stars
Blast From the Past
June 2015. When Ryder sees Andy for the first time in three years, a lot has changed. I liked this a lot, seeing everything come full circle. Hope this doesn't mean we're not getting any more ficlet's though! 4 stars
Early 1990s. The story of how Evelyn Lindholm met Antonio D’Amato.
But I’m A Quarterback
Late 1999. Ryder is forced to confront a deeply-buried truth about himself.
The Doctor Is In
Late 2009. Luca’s first time – and Siobhan’s biggest regret. Read the warnings first!
Beware Those Latin Lovers
Summer 2011. Andy doesn’t date doctors. I was disappointed at first that this took place before Andy and Ryder dating, but it becomes clear early on how things will play out in the long run. It was sweet and a little sexy, we get to see a very different dynamic than what we get with Luca and Ryder and it drives home that Andy and Ryder really weren't a good fit. Can't wait to see more of Dr. Paul later! 3 stars
Five Fantasies
November 2011 – January 2012 (takes place during the first part of the novel). Five inappropriate places Ryder has fantasized about Luca.
You’ve Got A Friend In Me
January 2012. Ashton likes to feel needed. This is sweet with some friends-with-benefits sex thrown in. I wanted them to talk about Ryder but I knew from the book that Luca hasn't told Ashton yet. But Ashton is a good friend and I'm glad he stuck around, nice to see things from his POV too. 3 stars
A Day In the Life
April 2012. Five roles Clarke plays on any given day.
The Green-Eyed Monster
Summer 2012. Ryder gets jealous. Hot little fic with Ryder fucking Luca up against a wall, some sweetness too of course; "The truth was, there were plenty of men who could have fucked him exactly like this – but there was no other man in the world he would have trusted not to drop him." 3.5 stars
The L-Word
October 2012. Luca's nineteenth birthday is a night of more than one first. FINALLY! Loved the hot bareback smexin. But it was so sweet and sad to see Luca struggle with his feelings and whether or not he's good enough, but the way he finally went about it was perfect and so Luca . "I love the way you treat me, I love that you're so much stronger than me but you never make me feel weak. I love that you take care of me without implying that I can't take care of myself. I love that you let me take control but always call me on my bullshit." Swoon. 3.5 stars
In Your Dreams
November 2012. Luca fantasizes about Ryder and Ashton. Read the warnings first! Sexy Sexy threesome fantasy with some sweet resistance from Ashton. I liked that it's not all fantasy but we get some sweet smexin from our boys too. 3.5 stars
Requiescat In Pace
December 2012. Ryder comforts Luca on the anniversary of his father's death.
Starfruit
January 2013. Ryder uses his safeword for the first time. I was very curious how this would play out but it makes total sense and, again, I like these little snippets of seeing Luca and Ryder deal with relationship issues. 4 stars
Top/Bottom
March 2013. Luca doesn't top, but sometimes Ryder wants to bottom. They compromise. I guessed what their "compromise" would be and it was just as sexy as you'd imagine. And as usual I loved the relationship talk that lead to it, it was nice to see Luca be the one to compromise and work for it this time. 4 stars
Unfaithful
May 2013. Luca cheats on Ryder for the first time. Infidelity warning! This was hard to read at times but oh so perfect and oh so necessary. Not everyone thinks of sex and monogamy in the same light and I really appreciate that Ms. Kingsbridge didn't try to give us a fake and "perfect" HEA and change Luca into someone that he isn't. But I'm also glad that she was honest about who Ryder is and how this was for him. The solution is realistic and I feel like being able to accept the person you love for who they are and make compromises that keep you both happy and satisfied is so important and often undersold in the white-picket-fence romance world. LOVED it! 4 stars
Under Arrest
October 2013. Luca and Ryder roleplay cop/arrestee. Read the warnings first! Hot little dub-con role playing. When I started this book I wasn't sure how I would like the role reversal, but it feels so real and organic and I love the change of having the power bottom be the Dominant one. So sweet and sexy when Ryder goes into subspace and Luca takes care of him. It takes that power and control he likes to feel and channels it into something healthy, caring for the person he loves, instead of the destructive way he used to use it. 4 stars
Getting In
November 2013. Ryder got into Georgetown, but what does that mean for him and Luca? This was sweet and I like watching how they communicated and intertwine relationship talks with sex. Good stuff. 3 stars
(Sort Of) Full Disclosure
December 2013. After his last day as Luca's bodyguard, Ryder tells his parents about their relationship. Short and sweet. 3 stars
Dirty Little Secret
February 2014. Ryder's reluctance for Luca to meet his new classmates blows up in his face. Again, I really like these follow up shorts where we get to see Luca and Ryder deal with relationship stuff. It makes them feel even more real and like they'll make it, knowing that they can fight but are getting so good about talking about where they're each coming from and growing together. I would love to see that dinner with Ryder's classmates though! 3.25 stars
Fireworks
July 2014. The first holiday Luca spends with Ryder's family. This was sweet, to see how nervous Luca was to impress them, and I liked Ryder's telling off of Will at the end. Only issue is that it states this is the first time Will is meeting Luca, but in the novel when Ryder was in the hospital Morgan mentions how much the family loves Luca and she says "even Will!" So a little discrepancy, but not a big deal. 3.5 stars
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
September 2014. Evelyn meets Ryder's parents for the first time. I hope we get to see more of Evelyn because I'd really like to see her relationship with her son grow, we got hints in the novel but it never went to far. I liked the little come-to-Jesus talk that Ryder had with Luca, that maybe Evelyn isn't the problem. 3.5 stars
Hello, Stranger
Early 2015. Ryder and Luca roleplay an old fantasy. Sexy little number. Poor Adam. 3 stars
Blast From the Past
June 2015. When Ryder sees Andy for the first time in three years, a lot has changed. I liked this a lot, seeing everything come full circle. Hope this doesn't mean we're not getting any more ficlet's though! 4 stars
January 4, 2017
Some fabulous little snippets that elaborate on specific times or events that occurred throughout the story. Written just as well as the main story.
May 7, 2018
“Just don’t know what to do with myself...” Sing 🎶
I was floored and crying in a corner after I had finished reading Closed Protection because I didn’t want it to end and thanks to the goddess of the great books, Queen Cordelia had these ficlets in storage. And life was good again and everything made sense until at least I finished those too.
These are a collection of short stories set in the CP universe. There are so many great things! I must discuss! Just a little warn SPOILERS AHEAD. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
.
.
.
LAST CHANCE.
.
.
.
.
.
We have a story from Clarke’s POV (which is great), we have Luca’s mom meeting his father for the 1st time, we have Andy having sexy times with a cute Doctor, we have Ash’s POV, but for the most part we have Luca and Ryder <3. There’s everything I thought was missing in the books: first ILY, their lives together after Ryder was no longer Luca’s bodyguard, Ryder telling his family about him and Luca, Luca meeting the parents...
AND *cue to sad music * Luca’s cheating on Ryder. I know. I know. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭I actually cried reading it because fucking hell Ryder was so crushed. We all knew it was coming, even Ryder but as our big strong guy, we thought we were prepare but we weren’t. And it hurt so badly. I have had to mull over it and I have come to the conclusion that: tho I don’t think cheating equals lack of love, or that cheating means the end of a relationship, I’m not sure I can reconcile to Luca’s reasoning of it. I think I would be ok with him fucking other guys if this was their thing. Like, for example, Andres and Riley from Boston Verse. In the BS story Andres is not only ok with Riley sleeping around, he’s turned on by the idea of it and that makes it all ok because they are both enjoying it. Which is not the case with Luca and Ryder. Ryder is a romantic and he equals sex to love and he just can’t comprehend how Luca can still fuck other guys while loving him. Just let me be clear and say that I absolutely believe Luca loves Ryder and if Ryder found a way to “understand” Luca’s needs, so can I. It’s just...ugh. I felt so heartbroken for Ryder. Sighs. Falling for book characters is hard.
Well, do I even have to say I loved this? Since I finished it I have already read it twice. I’m not sure what I’m gonna do with my life once I’ve read all of CK’s book. I’ll probably cry. Wait for updates.
I was floored and crying in a corner after I had finished reading Closed Protection because I didn’t want it to end and thanks to the goddess of the great books, Queen Cordelia had these ficlets in storage. And life was good again and everything made sense until at least I finished those too.
These are a collection of short stories set in the CP universe. There are so many great things! I must discuss! Just a little warn SPOILERS AHEAD. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
.
.
.
LAST CHANCE.
.
.
.
.
.
We have a story from Clarke’s POV (which is great), we have Luca’s mom meeting his father for the 1st time, we have Andy having sexy times with a cute Doctor, we have Ash’s POV, but for the most part we have Luca and Ryder <3. There’s everything I thought was missing in the books: first ILY, their lives together after Ryder was no longer Luca’s bodyguard, Ryder telling his family about him and Luca, Luca meeting the parents...
AND *cue to sad music * Luca’s cheating on Ryder. I know. I know. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭I actually cried reading it because fucking hell Ryder was so crushed. We all knew it was coming, even Ryder but as our big strong guy, we thought we were prepare but we weren’t. And it hurt so badly. I have had to mull over it and I have come to the conclusion that: tho I don’t think cheating equals lack of love, or that cheating means the end of a relationship, I’m not sure I can reconcile to Luca’s reasoning of it. I think I would be ok with him fucking other guys if this was their thing. Like, for example, Andres and Riley from Boston Verse. In the BS story Andres is not only ok with Riley sleeping around, he’s turned on by the idea of it and that makes it all ok because they are both enjoying it. Which is not the case with Luca and Ryder. Ryder is a romantic and he equals sex to love and he just can’t comprehend how Luca can still fuck other guys while loving him. Just let me be clear and say that I absolutely believe Luca loves Ryder and if Ryder found a way to “understand” Luca’s needs, so can I. It’s just...ugh. I felt so heartbroken for Ryder. Sighs. Falling for book characters is hard.
Well, do I even have to say I loved this? Since I finished it I have already read it twice. I’m not sure what I’m gonna do with my life once I’ve read all of CK’s book. I’ll probably cry. Wait for updates.
March 9, 2020
Kind of confused because the ficlets I’ve just got was different from the one published before. I’ve read Sandra’s great review of the ficlets and several of the shorts were omitted including unfaithful. I wish I could read the first one though but I can’t find that anywhere.
My fav was the L word for obvious reasons!!
My fav was the L word for obvious reasons!!
May 21, 2017
A very nice follow-up to Close Protection.
It's so good to see how the R-ship between Luca and Ryder evolved after the events of the main book.
It's so good to see how the R-ship between Luca and Ryder evolved after the events of the main book.
January 30, 2021
I’m torn because, sure, I love Ryder and Luca together but GOD... I cannot for the life of me see their relationship lasting.
Also am I the only one interested in a Clarke spin-off 👀
Also am I the only one interested in a Clarke spin-off 👀
October 7, 2014
These were great additions to the story! It was eye-opening reading the first time for Luca and so sweet reading their futures. And of course the inbetweens. :)
September 11, 2020
God I miss this book - one of my top favorites. I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.
These ficlets weren’t enough I need moreeeee
These ficlets weren’t enough I need moreeeee
January 27, 2022
Buenos relatos. Me gusta que haya historias de varios de los personajes y poder vislumbrar más de la personalidad de todos ellos. Muchos de los relatos son de una época posterior al final del libro, así que aprecio estas historias a falta de un epílogo. Sin embargo, sé que hay mas ficlets de los que pude leer... Quizá en algún momento pueda leerlos.
June 18, 2023
Is it weird that I liked some of these ficlets almost more than the book itself?
Some of these were scorching, exactly the hotness level I came to expect from Ms Kingsbridge, and sometimes missed in the book. And I loved the relationship development away from all the action storyline - yes, even the cheating. And of course I LOVED the three some, but I guess that surprises actually no one.
Some of these were scorching, exactly the hotness level I came to expect from Ms Kingsbridge, and sometimes missed in the book. And I loved the relationship development away from all the action storyline - yes, even the cheating. And of course I LOVED the three some, but I guess that surprises actually no one.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews