Kiss and Don't Tell(94)

“It’s not stupid,” Pacey says, stretching his arm across the back of my seat. We haven’t been in the car for more than twenty minutes and he’s already incredibly uncomfortable. I feel bad for him. “This means something to your mom. Like you said, this trophy meant the world to her.”

“It did. And she always said she wished she’d had it.” I bite my bottom lip as I look out the window. “We didn’t have a funeral for my mom. She wanted to be cremated and then turned into a tree. I thought that when I plant the tree, I could plant the trophy with her.” I grip my head. “Wow, it really sounds crazy. I mean, what sane person decides to drive across North America to hopefully steal a fifty-year-old artifact from the house of an uncle they’ve never met?”

This is insane. If I was watching this play out for someone else, I’d be thinking this is the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard of.

Pacey scratches the side of his jaw and a smile pulls at his lips. “It’s kind of ridiculous, not going to lie about that. It’s something you’d see play out in some low-budget comedy.”

“Exactly. Something a D-list actor would star in. You’d watch it and think this is dumb, but then have a chuckle here and there, making your time spent watching it worthwhile. Is that what my life has come to, Pacey? A low-budget comedy that gains a few laughs?”

“I think temporarily it has, but it’s going to be worth it, right? Because if you didn’t go through with it, if we turned around right now, you’d regret it. Wouldn’t you?”

I nod. “I would. I would always wonder if I would’ve been able to gain justice for my mom.”

“Which is exactly why we’re going to do this.” He nudges my shoulder. “Told you, you would need me on this trip.”

“You were right.” I lean against his shoulder and rest my head in his strength. His hand falls to my hair and he gently runs his fingers through it.

“Do you have an action plan?”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Do you plan on just going in there, spotting the trophy, stealing it, and running? Or do you plan on having a conversation with him first?”

“Oh, huh. I didn’t really think about it.” I lift off Pacey’s shoulder. “Oh God, I’m so not prepared for this.” What if he has me arrested? He’ll know who I am. What was I thinking?

Pacey links his hand with mine and brings my knuckles to his lips for a soft kiss. “It’ll be okay. We’ll work it out right now. Do you want to talk to him? To your uncle? Anything you have to say to him?”

I shake my head. “Not really. He’s obviously a dick, but I have no desire to dive into that. Because—what’s the point? It’s not as if I want a relationship with this man.”

“Okay, so this mission is purely an extraction. Grab the trophy and run.”

“Yes.”

“In and out.”

“Yes.” Excitement blooms inside me. “He’ll have no idea what’s happening.” An idea comes to mind. “How about this—I ring the doorbell, they invite me in once I explain who I am, and then while I take a seat in their living room, I spot the trophy and then ask for a drink. While they’re fetching a drink, I grab the trophy and then flee the premises.” In all seriousness, I turn to Pacey and say, “I’m going to need you to drive the getaway car.”

“You realize I’m going to look like a clown in a toy car, putt-putting the hell out of here?”

I laugh and say, “I do, but I think it’s going to be necessary.”

“You know I’m here for you, babe. Whatever you need.”

I lean over the console, grip his cheek, and place a chaste kiss on his lips. “I appreciate you so much.”

“And I appreciate your lips and your gratefulness. I wouldn’t mind more affection.”

Rolling my eyes, I push at him, but he grabs my hand and pulls me in close so his lips can capture mine. Instead of pulling away, I fall into his embrace and allow myself to revel in this small moment where I’m not alone. Where I have this strong, protective man at my side, helping me, guiding me.

“Mmm,” I say when I lift away from him. “You’re such a good kisser.”

He wiggles his eyebrows. “What else am I good at?”

“Hopefully driving fast when you see me fleeing the crime scene.”

He chuckles, the sound hearty and addicting. “I got you, babe. Your uncle will have no idea what happened.”

“That’s what I like to hear. We should exchange seats now, so you can pull up and wait in the car.”

“Probably a good idea.” He opens the door and unfolds out of the car. He stretches his long body and then rounds the car toward me. We meet by the back and he slaps my ass as I pass him.

“Hey,” I say, grabbing my butt. “Watch it, man.”

“Oh, sorry.” He holds his hands up. “I forgot spanking gets your sweet pussy wet.”

My cheeks flame. “Pacey.” My voice comes out embarrassed.

“Aww, Winnie, you shy talking about the things that turn you on?”

He gets into the car and adjusts the seat so his legs can barely fit. I slide into my seat as well. “I don’t mind talking about the things that turn me on, I just don’t want to talk about it in front of a house with a white picket fence and a sign that says ‘Grandma Crossing’ in the front yard.”