Free Shadow Reaper (Shadowlands Series) by Amos Cassidy Page A

are, though.”
    “Aw, so sweet.”
    “You’re sweet.”
    Clay cocked a brow. “Really?”
    “You need to learn to take a compliment.”
    “Thank you.”
    “That’s better.”
    “Enough talk. Get back to submitting.”
    Clay got to work with his hands, roaming over Blake’s body, kneading his flesh, enjoying his lover’s gasps of pleasure. He loved the sound. It was a major turn on, and the fact that he was responsible for it made it more so.
    He made his way down Blake’s thigh down to his feet and gave his lover a foot rub.
    “Oh, Mother . . .”
    Blake did love his foot rubs. Clay took his time, really giving them a good going over, applying the required pressure to dissipate the tension.
    Need to fix the light.
    Screw this! Rather than risk another slip into his thoughts, he lifted Blake’s legs, throwing one over each shoulder.
    “Clay . . .”
    “You ready?”
    Blake nodded.
    Clay pushed down the thoughts once more and made love to his boyfriend.
    ***
    Blake was asleep on his chest, snoring lightly. Clay lay on his back, hands behind his head. The sex had been amazing as usual but sleep was still playing hard to get.
    Staring into the dark wasn’t solving anything. The wriggle of anxiety in his mind had grown from niggling to get-up-and-do-something-about-it level.
    Clay gently slid out of bed, making sure his boyfriend wasn’t disturbed. Blake was well and truly out. He didn’t even stir. His body obviously needed the sleep. Clay was a little jealous his wouldn’t do the same.
    He threw on his uniform of grey trousers, black T-shirt and black boots. Without the need of a light, he gathered up his tool belt and slipped out of the room.
    It was the dead of night. The streets were silent and almost gloomy. He wove his way through the maze of corridors, glancing at each of the soft lights as he went along. They were designed to look Victorian, a period way back in the day named after a Queen Victoria. Ash had given him a book about stuff from that time. Some of the pages were missing, but he’d got the gist.
    “Clay?”
    He stopped at the sound of Sarah’s voice.
    Sarah was a short, voluptuous brunette, who managed to make Fred salivate every time she graced his presence. She didn’t seem to notice. Her work as head Gardener took all her attention. She worked alongside Simon, Shelter’s Alchemist. They were a relaxed pair, really close, but not a couple. And they were great fun to hang out with—Clay and Blake had done so on many occasions.
    “Sarah? What are you doing up?”
    “I was just in the greenhouse, you know, having a look.”
    Clay sighed. “I’m sorry I haven’t fixed that light yet, but I promise I will.”
    “It’s okay.” Her smile was always so warm.
    “I will fix it.”
    “Is that where you’re going?”
    “Yeah.”
    “You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself about it.”
    Clay shrugged. “I just don’t want it to short out the others.”
    “Go to bed, Clay.”
    “I can’t.”
    Sarah clasped her hands together behind her back. “Look, I know how you’re feeling. I’m one to talk, being up and about like this. But I’ve had an epiphany.”
    “You have?”
    “Yep, and it’s that I am no use to anyone being knackered tomorrow from lack of sleep.”
    “You’re right,” Clay said. “But it’s bugging me no end. I don’t know how to tell Blake.”
    “You don’t need to. It’ll be okay. Just a glitch. Listen, I have a little something back in my room that might help. Simon whipped it up from some hops and tea leaves. Come, I’ll give you some.”
    Clay was kind of relieved. He would much rather be back in bed, worry free and snuggled up to Blake.
    “Thank you,” he said. “That would be great.” It appeared that epiphanies were contagious.
    He followed Sarah to her room. As soon as she opened the door, he was hit with the scent of roses. Sarah loved to grow them. Clay had built Sarah her own mini UV light for her room to do so.
    Sarah’s room was