Page 11 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)

11

DOMINIC

T he doorbell rang and sent a jolt through Dominic's chest. He smoothed down his blue button-up shirt and opened the door, his breath catching at the sight before him. Tabitha leaned against the doorframe, her cropped leather jacket hugging her curves and ripped black jeans clinging to her legs. The white t-shirt underneath her jacket showed just a hint of skin above her waistband.

"Are you going to let me in, or just stare all night?" she teased, a bright smile spreading across her face.

He stepped aside, clearing his throat. "I wasn't staring."

"Sure you weren't." She sauntered past him, her purple hair swishing across her shoulders. "The Underground is our first stop tonight. Like I mentioned, it's where people go when they don't want to be found."

"And the owners have issues with non-humans?"

"Exactly. Perfect spot for our Hunter friends to hang out." She turned and gave him a once-over, her nose wrinkling. "But you can't go looking like that. You scream 'cop' in that getup."

"What's wrong with my clothes?"

"Everything." She brushed past him to find his bedroom. "Come on, Sheriff. Time for a makeover."

"Absolutely not." But he followed her anyway, his protests dying as she flung open his closet doors.

"Don't you own anything that isn't pressed and starched?" She dug deeper, pushing hangers aside. "Ah! Here we go." She pulled out his leather jacket, the one he hadn't worn in quite a while.

"No."

"Yes." She tossed it at him. "And these." A pair of dark jeans followed. "With this." A black t-shirt hit him in the face.

"I'm not-"

"You want to blend in or not?" She planted her hands on her hips. "The Underground isn't exactly a button-up kind of place."

He growled low in his throat but grabbed the clothes. "Fine. Turn around."

"Prude." But she spun to face the wall.

When he finished changing, she turned back and whistled. "Now that's more like it. You almost look dangerous."

"Let's just go." He headed for the door, but she caught his arm.

"We're taking my bike."

"No way."

"Your squad car definitely screams cop even more than your clothes did." She jangled her keys. "And I'm guessing you don't want to take your prized Mustang to that part of town."

He ground his teeth. "Fine."

Outside, she soon straddled her motorcycle, the engine purring to life. "Hop on, big guy. And hold tight."

Dominic climbed on behind her, his hands hesitating before settling on her waist. The heat of her body seeped through her jacket.

"Tighter than that," she said over her shoulder. "Unless you want to fall off."

He pulled her closer, his chest pressed against her back. Her hair tickled his nose, carrying the scent of jasmine and something wild.

"Now that's more like it." She revved the engine. "Try not to let go, Sheriff."

The motorcycle roared to life beneath them as Tabitha accelerated down the empty street. Dominic's hands tightened instinctively around her waist, his fingers pressing into the soft leather of her jacket. The wind whipped through his hair, carrying away the last remnants of his usually rigid control.

His lion stirred inside him, reveling in the raw speed and freedom. The beast had always loved to run, to feel the earth beneath its paws, but this - this was different. This was flying.

Tabitha took a corner at speed, and Dominic leaned with her, their bodies moving in perfect sync. Her hair streamed behind her, tickling his face with strands of purple silk.

"You still with me, Sheriff?" She called over her shoulder, her voice carried away by the wind.

"Just drive," he growled. His heart hammered in his chest, but not from fear. When was the last time he had felt this... alive?

They wove through the darkening streets, the city lights blurring past them like shooting stars. Dominic found himself tracking the subtle shifts of Tabitha's body, the way she telegraphed each turn with a slight lean or twist. His hands stayed firm on her waist, his thumbs brushing against the strip of bare skin where her shirt had ridden up.

All too soon, the neon signs of The Underground came into view. Tabitha cut the engine, letting the bike coast to a stop in front of the bar. The sudden silence felt heavy after the rush of wind and engine noise.

Dominic swung off the bike, his body humming with leftover adrenaline. When he looked up, he caught Tabitha watching him with an expression he'd never seen before - something between surprise and appreciation.

"Well, well," she said, sliding off the bike with fluid grace. "Who knew the straight-laced sheriff could actually let loose? You didn't even flinch when I took that curve on Fifth."

"I've ridden before," he said, running his hand through his wind-tousled hair.

"Sure, but not like that." She stepped closer, reaching up to adjust the collar on his leather jacket. "You actually look... relaxed. It's a good look on you."

Dominic caught her wrist, his thumb pressed against her pulse point. "I think I just needed the right teacher."

Her breath caught, and for a moment, the air between them crackled with something dangerous and electric. Then she pulled away, clearing her throat. "Come on, Sheriff. We've got work to do."

The moment they stepped inside The Underground, Dominic's shoulders tensed and his spine straightened. His eyes swept the dimly lit space, cataloging exits and potential threats with practiced efficiency.

"Stop that," Tabitha whispered, her fingers brushing his arm. "You're practically screaming 'law enforcement' right now."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yes, you do. You're scanning the room like you're about to raid it." She pressed a drink into his hand. "Here. Pretend you're actually here to have fun."

He gripped the glass, his knuckles white. "I am being casual."

"No, you're being too rigid. Roll your shoulders back and relax your stance." She demonstrated, her body loose and fluid. "See? Like that."

Dominic tried to mirror her posture, feeling awkward and exposed. His lion prowled restlessly beneath his skin, unused to being anything but vigilant.

"Better," she said, leading him toward the bar. "Now stop looking at everyone like they're suspects."

"They could be."

"And they'll know that if you keep glaring." She hopped onto a barstool, patting the one next to her. "Sit. Talk to me. Pretend we're on a date."

His heart skipped at the word 'date,' but he sat down anyway. "What should we talk about?"

"Anything except work." She turned toward him, her knee brushing his thigh. "Tell me something I don't know about you."

He took a sip of his drink, letting the burn of whiskey ease some of his tension. "I... used to play guitar."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "Why'd you stop?"

"Too busy with work, I guess." He found himself relaxing into the conversation, his body unconsciously mirroring her open posture. "Haven't picked it up in years."

"That's a shame. I bet you were good with those hands."

The suggestive tone in her voice made his skin heat. He watched her lips curve into a knowing smile as she sipped her drink, and for once, he didn't feel the need to maintain his usual professional distance.

"You'd be surprised what these hands can do," he said, letting a hint of growl color his words.

Her eyes widened slightly, and he caught the spike in her pulse. "Well, well. Look who's finally loosening up."

Around them, the bar hummed with energy - music thrumming through the floorboards, glasses clinking, and laughter floating through the hazy air. But for the first time since they'd arrived, Dominic wasn't thinking about potential threats or surveillance. Instead, he found himself caught in the way the neon lights played across Tabitha's face, highlighting the mischief in her eyes.

Tabitha suddenly grabbed his hand, sending a jolt of electricity up his arm. "Come on. Let's play pool while we wait."

His lion rumbled in approval at her touch, which only irritated him more. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Afraid I'll beat you?" She sashayed to the pool table, her hips swaying in a way that drew his gaze. "Or afraid you might actually have fun?"

"Neither." He followed her, picking up a cue stick. "I happen to be excellent at pool."

"Prove it." She bent over the table to break, giving him an enticing view that he absolutely shouldn't be noticing. The balls scattered across the felt with a satisfying crack.

"Not bad," he said, circling the table to line up his shot. "For an amateur."

"Oh?" She leaned against her cue stick, watching as he sank two solids in quick succession. "Someone's cocky."

"It's not cocky if it's true." He straightened, letting a hint of fang show in his smile.

"Keep talking big, kitty cat." She slid past him, her body brushing his as she lined up her next shot. "But actions speak louder than words."

The game continued, their banter growing increasingly heated. Every time she passed him, she found a way to brush against him. His lion purred at the contact, urging him to pull her closer instead of letting her slip away.

"Your shot," she purred, perching on the edge of the table.

"You're in my way."

"Am I?" She didn't move. "What are you going to do about it?"

Before he could stop himself, he stepped between her legs, bracing his hands on either side of her hips. "I could think of a few things."

Her breath hitched, pupils dilating. "Like what?"

The heat between them crackled, and Dominic's mind reeled. When had this happened? When had his annoyance with her transformed into this electric attraction? She was everything he wasn't - wild, reckless, and free. She drove him crazy in all the wrong ways, and yet...

A whispered conversation from the corner caught his attention. "This town's gone to the dogs - and worse. Shifters and witches, running around like they own the place."

"Soon enough," another voice replied. "We'll show them what happens when they get too comfortable."

Dominic's lion fumed at the threat, but he kept his position, using Tabitha's body to shield his reaction. She'd heard it too.

"Don't react," she whispered, her lips barely moving.