Shadow Reaper (Shadowlands Series) by Amos Cassidy Read Free Book Online

eyes flared and her lips parted. “I thought you’d never ask.”
    ***
    Alcohol reduces inhibitions, it heightens whatever we’re feeling at the time and, man, I was horny. I couldn’t stop thinking about Bernadette’s tongue and that body of hers. So when Bernadette reached across to refill my cup, I grabbed her wrist, pulled her close and kissed her. I’d never kissed anyone before. This was a first, so I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right. Bernadette froze, and for a moment, I thought she was gonna push me away, but then she parted her lips and took over, pushing me down onto the bed and sliding on top of me. She kissed me until I couldn’t breathe and then reared back.
    “You sure?” she asked softly, her eyes hooded.
    I grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her in for another kiss. Her hands found the buttons on my shirt, her fingers found my breasts, and I was lost in sensations I’d only imagined. When she unbuttoned my trousers and slid them off, I was aching for her to touch me there. I cried out as she slid a finger into me.
    “So wet,” she murmured against my ear, sliding her finger out and then circling my clit with her thumb.
    “Oh, God.” It felt so good, too good.
    “Oh, baby, it only gets better.”
    She slid down my body and parted my legs. The cool air excited me further, heightening the anticipation, and then her mouth covered me, her tongue went to work, and I lost all coherent thought.
    We lay there afterward, in a haze of alcohol and post-orgasm glow. I waited for the embarrassment and the regret to kick in, but nothing happened. I could feel Bernadette beside me, tense, waiting. I turned on my side to face her and clocked the look of doubt on her face before she covered it with a cocky smile.
    “You okay?” she asked.
    “Better than okay. That was . . . amazing. Thank you, you were right.”
    She frowned. “Huh?”
    “That orgasm has made me feel much better.”
    Her eyes widened and then she burst out laughing. I joined her a moment later.

ASH
    If I was expecting things to be awkward after our little moment, then I was wrong. Strangest thing, but I felt even more comfortable with Bernadette than I had before. I felt closer to her, although we both agreed there would be no repeat of the little encounter.
    “No matter how much you beg,” she said.
    Our friendship was too important. Besides, I wasn’t her type. So why did I feel that little pang of disappointment? I was feeling refreshed and invigorated, despite the slight headache from the grog. When not reaping, Reapers train and help out around Shelter wherever the rota says. Since I’d spent the night in Bernadette’s quarters, I had to rush home, wash and change, and then head to the board to find out what the Powers That Be had in store for me today.
    I found them pinning up the days rota as we arrived. The Powers That Be—Ben and Vince, twins like Clay and I but identical—turned to me with a grin and a wink. Their parents ran Shelter’s domestic division, which basically meant they made sure shit ran smoothly and that everyone was where they were supposed to be at any given time. The twins had taken over rota management a year and a half ago. They were the oil in the machine, and the joke of calling them the Powers That Be had begun a year ago and it’d stuck. They were also in the minority of people who were still part of a complete family unit, with parents, grandparents, and children. It didn’t happen often. Most of us were orphans, or childless, or siblingless. We’d all lost someone, except the Powers That Be. They were intact and I think it made the name more fitting.
    “Bernie, you’re on maintenance with Clay. Ash, you’re helping out in the infirmary.”
    “What?” I shot Bernadette a panicked glance. “Can you swap with me?”
    “U-uh!” Ben wagged a finger. “You know the rules, no messing with the rota.”
    “Not unless there’s a very solid reason,” Vince said leaning in