Blue Ribbon Summer (The Baltimore Banners Book 3) (8 page)

The night hung suspended between them for a fraction of a second as Ian stared down at her. Then he thrust inside her in one swift move, filling her, completing her. Her back arched and her hips met his, welcoming him. He pulled back, then thrust again, setting a pace that was exquisite torture, a pace that left her wondering how much more she could take, even as she moaned the loss of him each time he withdrew.

The rhythm set fire to the embers still smoldering from her first orgasm, and she grabbed blindly for him, searching for an anchor to hold her steady. Ian grabbed one of her hands and held it above her head as his other arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her closer to him.

His mouth ravished her breasts, her neck. His lips closed over her ear and he whispered to her, words that her heart thought they understood but that her mind failed to comprehend. Her hand tightened on his and her head fell back, her hips thrusting upward to meet his, faster, demanding. The muscles in her body tightened as sensation spiraled throughout her, as light and sound and time hung suspended. Ian thrust again and her back arched one last time before the world crashed around her, shattering in an explosion of heat 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.

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 coffee for fortification purposes.

Jake walked across the porch then settled himself on the railing, one leg dangling as he gulped from his own cup. He fixed Ian with his steady gaze, his eyes eerily vacant, then motioned toward the porch swing. Ian paused, then moved toward the railing, choosing to lean against it as the two faced each other. Jake raised one brow at him, questioning, but said nothing, just took another sip of the coffee and turned to stare out at the front yard.

"Did you enjoy yourself last night?" The question may have been phrased casually, but Ian's guard went up, knowing that there were many different questions hidden within it.

"Yeah, I did. The bull roast was fun. Different. Thank you again for inviting us to stay the night, and for bringing the twins home."

Jake turned to face Ian, his face still carefully blank. Ian met his steady gaze, letting the other man know that he wasn't going to be easily intimidated...or scared off. A brief smile lifted one corner of Jake's mouth before he turned away again, resting his head against the post. He closed his eyes and fell silent for so long that Ian briefly wondered if the man had fallen asleep. When he finally broke the silence, his voice was quiet, tinged with worry and strain.

"I'm not going to ask what's going on with you and Kayli. She's a grown woman and more than capable of making her own decisions. Lord knows she keeps this place going pretty much on her own." Jake opened his eyes again and stared off to the side. Ian had the strongest suspicion that he was seeing things that weren't there, that while his gaze was focused on the property sprawled around them, he was seeing something completely different.

Jake let out a deep breath and finished his coffee, then shifted so he was now facing Ian. "I don't want Kayli hurt or used."

Ian stiffened, insulted and angered at the insinuation. "I'm not--"

"I didn't say you were. But I'm pretty sure that Kayli's not like most women you date. If she's some kind of novel distraction..." Jake let his words hang in the air between them, his gaze still steady and unflinching.

Ian stiffened again, but he didn't know what to say. Jake was right: Kayli
was
different from the women he usually dated. He couldn't help but think that was a good thing. She was honest, genuine, real.

But to call her a novel distraction? No, she was more than that. "If you're asking if I like your sister, yes, I do. A lot. If you're asking about short term versus long term...I can't answer that. I don't know. We're just getting to know each other. For all I know, she could come out here in a few minutes and tell me to get lost. I have no idea what's going to happen today or next week or--"

"My leave is up in ten days. I'm being deployed again after I get back to California." Jake's voice was quiet, almost haunted, and made something roll in the pit of Ian's stomach. He looked down at the cup in his hand, not knowing what to say.

He had vaguely realized that Jake served in the military and was home on leave, but he didn't understand the reality of it. The subject had never come up, and Ian had never bothered to ask. And now he didn't even know how to act.

He cleared his throat and looked up at Jake. "Deployed. As in...?"

Jake offered him a short grin. "As they say in the movies: I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."

And Ian realized he was serious. This time he was the one who looked out over the yard, not really seeing it. "Does Kayli know?"

"I haven't told her or Lori yet. I don't want them worrying. I'd appreciate it if you kept it quiet."

"Uh, yeah, sure, no problem. But...why tell me?"

"The last few times I deployed were tough for both of them, but especially for Kayli. She's the sole caregiver for Lori, plus she takes care of this place. It's easier for her when I'm state-side, even though I'm all the way out in Cali. When I'm not...it's an adjustment." He shrugged, as if this was something people dealt with every day. "I don't want Kayli being hurt even more on top of everything else she has to deal with."

"I don't plan on hurting her."

Jake eyed him with a flat level gaze that made Ian uncomfortable, that made him think the man standing across from him had seen things he couldn't begin to imagine.

And that he was capable of much worse.

The silence drew tight as the minutes dragged by. Finally, Jake nodded, almost to himself, then offered Ian another small smile. "Good. I think Kayli left some food in the kitchen for you. Go grab something to eat then meet me up by the big barn."

"Excuse me?"

"I figure if you're going to be hanging around, I might as well get some work out of you." Jake walked by him, clasping him on the shoulder as he passed, then made his way down the porch steps. He paused then turned back to face Ian, a smile still on his face. "By the way, I didn't say anything to Kayli about the beard burn on her neck and chest this morning. Just like I'm not going to say anything to you about your shirt being buttoned crooked. I just wanted you to know that."

Ian stared after Jake's retreating figure, then glanced down at his shirt. Sure enough, the buttons that were actually fastened were off-center and mismatched. He sat his cup on the railing and quickly redid the buttons of his shirt, wondering what the hell had just happened.

And what the hell he had just gotten himself into.

Kayli braked the four wheeler to a stop and cut the engine, then leaned back on the seat and just stared. A little tingle shot through her as she watched Ian leaning over by the fence, the worn denim of his jeans stretched across his backside, the sun glinting off his bare back. The man was built, no doubt about it. All lean sculpted muscle that moved with a special beauty that only men could pull off. She wanted to run her fingers across all that bare skin, knowing that it would be warm from the sun. Another thrill raced through her when she imagined how his body would react to each of her touches. No, not imagined. Remembered.

Which was absolutely crazy, considering the bull roast had only been four nights ago. But so much had happened so fast in the days since. Ian was spending so much time here that Jake had suggested that he and the twins might as well move in until his sister came back from vacation. Kayli had held her breath waiting for his answer, then tried to hide her disappointment when he said no.

This morning he had shown up with a duffel bag for the twins and one for himself, and grumbled to Jake that he was tired of getting up so early to drive out here. Bonnie was due back in a week. Ian said maybe it wouldn't be so bad to just stay here after all.

Kayli didn't miss the heated look he slid her way, and she was pretty sure Jake hadn't missed it either. In fact, she doubted if Jake had missed anything in the last few days. If anything, he had gone out of his way to let her know where he was going to be and for how long. And he usually had all three girls with him.

He was surprising her, but she didn't want to question him. She knew her brother all too well and knew that he was up to something. And she still didn't want to question him.

Ian straightened and stretched, then turned and looked over at her, treating her to a view of his broad chest and sculpted abs. And strong, capable arms. He smiled then leaned against the fence, and Kayli was surprised at how comfortable he looked there. Almost like he fit in, like he belonged.

She pushed that dangerous thought away as she smiled back at him. "What are you doing?"

Ian straightened then walked toward her, a glint in his eyes. "I am fixing fence boards. Or making a bigger mess of them, I haven't figured out which, yet. I'm sure your brother will let me know."

"They're fence boards. All you do is nail them back in place--"

Ian grabbed her and closed his mouth over hers, kissing her deeply. She leaned into him, turning so she could press herself against his bare chest. He dragged his mouth from hers and down her neck, nuzzling her ear.

"Do not say 'nail' in front of me while you're straddling this thing. I never knew a four wheeler could be a turn-on."

Kayli barely managed a laugh as he continued kissing her neck, and she leaned further back, giving him access as she ran her hands across his chest and stomach then reached for the waistband of his jeans and tugged. "Have a seat with me."

"Hm?"

Kayli pulled away and smiled at his groan, then slid to the rear of the seat and patted in front of her. "I said, have a seat. It's big enough."

Ian's dark eyes twinkled. He lifted himself up and over the four wheeler, straddling the seat backwards so they were facing each other. Kayli lifted her legs over his and moved forward, sliding her hands across his chest and around his waist. His arms closed around her and pulled her even closer, so that she was nearly straddling him. Nearly.

He claimed her mouth in another kiss, his tongue sweeping inside, teasing, before he pulled away. "There's a fantasy here somewhere, I'm sure of it."

Kayli laughed and rested her head against his chest, just enjoying being close to him, enjoying the feel of his arms around her. The steady beat of his heart echoed in her ear and the sun warmed them from above. She could sit like this for hours, content to just be with him. But they didn't have hours.

"I want to make love to you Kayli." His hoarse voice was a whisper in her ear, and her body instantly responded, tightening in anticipation. She raised her head and looked up at him, liquid heat filling her at the hot desire so clear in his eyes. They didn't have hours, but that didn't mean they couldn't make the most of the time they did have.

They were getting pretty good at that.

Ian must have seen her thoughts in her eyes because he gave a low growl and crushed her to him, his touch powerful, his kiss possessive and demanding. But he pulled back too soon, his hand cupping her cheek as he ran his thumb across her lower lip.

"This, too. But I want to make love to you. In a bed. I want to fall asleep holding you in my arms and wake up next to you."

"Ian, we can't--"

"I know. I didn't mean here." He kissed her again, gently this time. "Let's go out Friday night. Just you and me."

Kayli bit her lip, indecision warring within her. She wanted nothing more than to say yes. And God, for once she wished she could just forget about everything, and not have to worry about getting up early, about all the responsibilities that fell on her shoulders, about everything that had to be done.

But she couldn't.

"What about the girls? Plus everything around here. I can't--"

Ian silenced her with another kiss. "Jake said he'd babysit, and that he'd make sure you wouldn't have to worry about anything. So how about it? Just you and me." He kissed her again, his arms tight around her. "I want to wine and dine you." Another kiss. "I want to impress you and romance you." Another kiss before his mouth moved to her ear, and his voice dropped to a husky whisper.

"I want to make love to you all night, with wine and candlelight and roses and soft music. I want to sleep with you in my arms then wake up and make love to you some more." His mouth moved back to hers, claiming her with a softness that made her melt against him. "Come with me, Kayli. Spend the night with me at my place. Just the two of us. Please."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes, her heart beating so fast she was surprised he couldn't hear it. Or maybe he could, because he leaned his forehead against hers and placed his hand between them, where their beating hearts met. She tried to smile, but was afraid it came out too wobbly. "You kinda had me as soon as you said Jake would babysit."

Ian laughed, but it came out sounding more relieved than humorous. He flashed her a brief smile, then cupped her face in both of his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. This kiss was different than the previous ones, coaxing a sweet surrender from her. Kayli tightened her arms around him and pressed herself closer, gladly giving in to him.

Yet the kiss became more demanding even as she surrendered to him. Ian's hands roamed across her back and down, cupping her bottom and pulling her more fully on top of him. Kayli tightened her legs around his waist and rocked against him, her body searching him out.

Ian's hands moved around to her own waist and grabbed the hem of her shirt in his fists. He slid the material upward, skimming her skin with his knuckles and sending shivers racing along her arms. His thumbs slid under the band of her sports bra, teasing the underside of her breasts, when a shout broke them apart.

Kayli let out her breath on a groan that echoed Ian's own. She reached up and pulled her shirt down then scooted back, putting some distance between them. Ian grabbed her for a quick kiss then slid off the four wheeler, adjusting himself with another groan.

"Friday night. I can survive until Friday night."

Kayli laughed and shifted sideways on the seat, looking over her shoulder when she heard her name being called again. Lori had just crested over the hill and was running toward them, her hair flying out behind her.

Kayli straightened then frowned as Lori called her name again, gaining speed as she got closer. She had never seen her niece run so fast, and she instantly went on alert. Ian must have sensed the change in her, because he stepped closer and rested his hand on her leg.

"Aunt Kayli!" Lori's voice was clearer as she closed the distance between them, finally skidding to a stop several feet away. She leaned over and took in several gulps of air, then looked back up. Her face was flushed and streaked with sweat and tears.

Kayli jumped off the four wheeler and rushed over to Lori, wrapping her arms around her. "What is it, Lori? What happened?"

"Where are the twins?" Ian was standing behind her now, and Kayli noticed the worry etched in his face. She hadn't even considered the younger girls, and now she turned back to Lori, even more anxious.

But Lori shook her head and pointed behind her. "They're...okay." Kayli looked up and, sure enough, the twins were skipping down the hill, Ronan running back and forth between them. "It's Dad."

"What? What happened? Is he okay?"

Lori took another deep breath and wiped her hand over her face, then shook her head. "Uncle Cole's up at the house. Aunt Kayli, I think Dad's going to kill him!"

A shaft of ice pierced her heart at the mention of Cole's name. She pulled away from Lori and turned back to the four wheeler, quickly climbing on and starting it in one motion. She looked over at Ian, trying to keep her face blank, trying to keep her emotions in check.

Not an easy thing to do when she was torn between anxiety, fear, hurt, and anger.

"Stay here with the girls."

"Kayli--"

"Please Ian. Just...stay here." She didn't wait to see if he agreed, just put the four wheeler into gear and took off toward the house, hoping he would listen.

But she quickly shoved her worry about Ian listening to the back of her mind. Cole was here, and she doubted if Lori had been exaggerating about Jake killing him.

The only question was if she'd stop Jake...or if she'd help him instead.

#

Ian had no idea what to expect when he got back to the house--something between a quiet family reunion and bloody bedlam. Although, for as hysterical and upset as Lori had been, he didn't think murder was really at the top of the list. Lori was a young teenage girl, and he was certain she was overreacting to what was nothing more than an uncomfortable family situation.

So he had stayed with her, trying to calm her down and reassure her. Having the she-devils with her helped, since both girls adored Lori and went out of their way to make the girl smile. It wasn't long before he figured the situation was as good as it was going to get.

So he made up some chore for them to do over at the big barn with stern instructions to stay there and stay out of trouble. Then he made his way back to the house, cursing the long hike under his breath, certain that whatever was going on was exaggerated, certain that whatever the situation was, it would be over when he finally made it back.

He had a mental image of the three siblings sitting on the front porch, talking amongst themselves, straightening things out. Yeah, from the little Jake had told him, he knew the relationship was strained. But he knew what it was like to have a sibling, and while it might be a little different because it was just Bonnie and him, surely things couldn't be as bad as Lori had made them seem.

Which was all the more reason why he was surprised to hear so much yelling when he neared the house, and even more surprised when he turned the corner and saw the scene in the front yard.

Jake was standing five feet away from another guy, and Ian could see the tension rolling off him in waves even from where he was standing. Kayli had her arms wrapped around him from the front, simultaneously leaning into him and trying desperately to push him back. Jake had one arm wrapped around her, and Ian could tell he was doing his best to get Kayli behind him even as he motioned toward the other man, warning him to leave.

But what surprised Ian the most was the appearance of the other man. If he hadn't known this was their brother, he would have sworn that their rural home had been infiltrated by a gang member.

He had Jake's height, but his build was slender, almost too thin in the baggy pants belted at his hips and the worn and stained cotton t-shirt. His ropey arms were covered in tattoos that stretched from his wrist to his neck. His hair was close-cropped, shaved almost to the point of baldness.

A mocking smile split the man's face in two. He lunged forward, then stopped and stepped back, laughing when Jake tried to move toward him. "Yeah? What are you going do, Jake? You gonna come after me? Big bad ass Marine? C'mon, do it."

"Cole, stop it! Just leave!" Kayli cried, looking over her shoulder at him as she continued holding onto Jake.

"Leave? Why would I do that? This is my home, too."

"Stop baiting him, Cole!"

"No. Not anymore it's not." Jake's voice drowned out his sister's in a threatening growl that would have sent sane men running, but Cole didn't move. Instead, he took another step forward and laughed.

"Yeah, it is."

"No. You have no right to anything around here. You gave up that right when you left the way you did. So do everyone a favor, and just leave."

Ian watched as Kayli stiffened, then pushed away from Jake's hold. Her fiery gaze moved between her two brothers and her chest heaved with each breath. She reached up with a shaking hand and pushed a thick strand of hair out of her face, then placed her palm flat against Jake's chest. "Jake, stop it. Cole's clean. He's been clean for almost two years."