Crazy (The Gibson Boys #4)(67)

“Peck,” Dylan hisses. She takes a deep breath. “We’re sorry, Officer. We didn’t know we weren’t supposed to be out here.”

Kip eyes me curiously. He’s amused, and that only means this is going to get interesting. Except for the fact that I know he won’t haul us in. Not for this. He would’ve over those gas cans from Tad—if he could catch me—but he won’t from hauling my truck through the mud. He’s been through that hole as many times as I have over the years.

“I didn’t say you weren’t supposed to be out here,” he says.

“Oh.” She looks at me. “Well, we didn’t do anything wrong. I swear.”

Kip lowers his chin. “The first indication of someone doing something wrong is them telling you they aren’t. Now, do you want to tell me what’s going on out here, or do you want me to give you a ride to the pokey?”

The pokey? I start to laugh, but a warning shot is sent my way from Kip, so I choke it back.

“Sir, Officer, I can’t go to jail. Not over this.” Dylan looks up at me. “You said this was safe.”

I shrug, still not one hundred percent sure what Kip is up to. But I’m willing to play along.

“Damn it, Peck,” she says.

“What? I didn’t do anything wrong,” I insist.

“Clearly, something is wrong, or this nice officer wouldn’t be out here messing with us.” She bats her eyelashes at Kip. “Right?”

“Is that true, you little nice officer?” I ask.

She rams her elbow into my ribs, making me yelp. Kip tries to hold a steady face but loses control.

“I had you going, didn’t I?” he says with a laugh.

Dylan’s jaw drops.

“I couldn’t figure out what the hell you were doing,” I say. “What’s up, Kip?”

“Not much. I had a report of vandalism on the cabin on the East side. I saw the headlights back here, and thought I’d see what was happening.”

“Wait?” Dylan says. “You two know each other?”

“Cousins,” we say at the same time.

“That figures.” She grits her teeth, but her eyes shine. “You both are assholes.”

“Did ya think I was taking you in?” Kip asks.

“To the pokey?” I tease.

She turns away. I look back at Kip when a handful of mud slams into the side of my face.

“You’re on your own now,” Kip says and runs back to his car.

I head to the driver’s side of the truck and load my palm with mud.

Blood soars past my ears as I anticipate Dylan’s next move. The mud squishes as she tries to sneak up on me from behind. I crouch next to the tire and wait for her pretty little head to pop around the tailgate.

Splat!

My handful of mud finds its target and sticks to the front of her chest. She screams, the sound embedded with a laugh, as she launches her own ball haphazardly. It misses.

“Maybe I should give you a new nickname,” I say, scooping up another handful of gunk. “Something like—hey!”

A glob of mud smashes me in the side of the face. Dylan cheers, jumping up and down. She’s filthy and downright, absolutely gorgeous.

I lunge forward and am in front of her before she knows what’s happening.

Pinning her to the filthy tailgate, I take in the wildness in her eyes. I haven’t seen them this lively before. It’s amazing to witness.

Her breathing is ragged, matching mine, as I hover my lips over hers.

“Kiss me,” she demands.

“Eh, maybe.”

She palms the back of my head and tries to lower my mouth to hers, but I resist. It takes everything I have, but I manage it.

“Kiss me,” she says again. “Please?”

“On one condition.”

“What’s that?”

She has mud stuck to her hair, the side of her face, and the corner of her lip. Her clothes are filthy, and her shoes might be ruined. But, I don’t think she cares.

“When we get home,” I say, letting my finger trace the side of her face. A dark brown streak is left in its wake. “You have to take a bath with me. Not a shower,” I say, thwarting her interjection, “but a bubble bath.”

“Let’s think about that for a second. Do you want to sit in a mud bath?”

“I’d sit anywhere with you.”

She grins.

“But,” I say, “fair point. Shower first to get the mud off. Then a bubble bath.”

She acts as though she’s considering it.

“Think fast,” I prod.

“Fine,” she gushes. “I guess—”

I stop her words with the kiss she wanted. I halt all the overthinking we’re both about to do with my tongue. I pause all thoughts of anything besides her and me right here, right now, with my body up against hers and kiss her until the sun sets behind the tree line.

Then, and only then, do I take her home.





Twenty-Six





Peck



“What are we going to snack on?” I ask.

Dylan’s legs swing back and forth off the countertop as she watches me take inventory of the pantry.

“What are my choices?” she asks.