Free Blue Ribbon Summer (The Baltimore Banners Book 3) by Lisa B. Kamps Page B

and need and fragment.
    And still Ian thrust, deeper, faster, pushing her further over the edge into an alternate reality where nothing existed except the two of them and millions of glittering stars. He said something, whispered words in her ear that made no sense except for the heat that shot through her with each thrust. She turned her head, her eyes capturing his for one brief second before his mouth closed over hers, swallowing her cries.
    His hold on her tightened, his mouth more demanding as he thrust again, again, then one last time. He pulled his mouth from hers and raised his head back, a low groan pushed from between his clenched teeth as he thrust a final time, his own shudder racking his strong body as held himself above her.
    Kayli met his final thrust, her body gripping his, wrapping around him, squeezing. She remembered to breathe, the warm night air filling her lungs as her body finally settled, the fragmented pieces coming back together, forming a solid existence.
    Time began to move, a slow passing as she wrapped her arms around Ian and held him close. He lowered his head to rest against her chest, his hand softly stroking her side as his own ragged breathing evened out.
    Kayli closed her eyes, a small smile on her face, content for the moment to just be. They would have to leave, have to break apart and get dressed and go home. But for now, still joined together, they were one.
    And nothing existed except for them and the moon and stars that stood watch over them.

Chapter Eight
    Something pushed against Ian's shoulder. He mumbled and shrugged it off, fighting against the drag of awakening. Something pushed him again. He rolled over and tossed his arm over his face as consciousness pulled at his tired body. Ian only wanted to drift back into the darkness, to rest and replay last night--
    He shot to a sitting position and nearly fell off the sofa before catching himself. Laughter came from somewhere to his side and he turned his head, searching through eyes that were barely open. He blinked and dragged both hands over his face, then blinked again as life came into focus around him.
    Jake was standing less than a foot away, a steaming mug held out toward him, something that couldn't quite be called a smile on his face. Ian swallowed his groan and swung his legs to the floor, then leaned forward to accept the mug. He didn't have to look around to know that Kayli was nowhere in sight, but he couldn't stop himself from casting a quick glance around the room. She had fallen asleep, curled next to him in his arms, right here on the sofa.
    Ian looked at his watch and frowned. Less than four hours ago? That couldn't be right. Or maybe it was, if the fog of sleep that still clung to him was any indication. He took a sip of the steaming coffee and winced as the hot bitter brew slid down his throat.
    "I've never managed to make decent coffee. If you wanted the good stuff, you needed to get up earlier to drink the pot Kayli made."
    "Earlier? What the hell time is it anyway?" Ian's voice was hoarse and rusty with sleep, and he forced himself to take another swallow of the brew.
    "About seven, give or take."
    "In the morning?" No wonder Ian was having trouble waking up. They hadn't gotten back here until after two, and hadn't fallen asleep until much later than that. And as much as Ian may have wanted otherwise, that time had been spent curled up here on the sofa, innocently talking.
    "Yes, in the morning. Why don't you come on outside with me."
    Mostly innocently, Ian amended to himself. From the tone of Jake's voice, and the expression on his face, Ian didn't think he was being invited outside to enjoy the morning air. With a groan that had as much to do with his stiff body and sleep-fogged brain as it did with the prospect of going outside with Jake, Ian pushed himself from the sofa, wincing as he stretched. He followed Jake through the living room and out onto the front porch, taking another sip of the strong bitter