Page 12 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)

12

TABITHA

" D on't react," Tabitha whispered, sliding off the table. Her body brushed against his as she moved, sending a shiver through her that wasn’t from the conversation they'd overheard. "Where are they?"

"Three of them, corner booth." His voice was low and predatory.

They abandoned their pool game, moving casually through the crowd. Tabitha fought back a wave of disappointment. She'd been having fun - actual, genuine fun - with Dominic Blackmane of all people. Who would've thought?

She snuck a glance at him as they walked. His jaw was set, shoulders back, every inch the powerful alpha male. But the way he'd been teasing her earlier, matching her wit for wit, showing her glimpses of the man behind the badge...

"Damn it," she muttered to herself. This attraction was getting harder to ignore. Sure, she'd always known he was gorgeous - a girl would have to be blind not to notice those shoulders, or the way his uniform fit him just right. But this was different. This was dangerous.

"What's wrong?" he murmured, his hand settling on her lower back as they navigated through a cluster of people.

The touch sent heat racing through her body. "Nothing. Just... disappointed our game got interrupted." It wasn't entirely a lie.

His lips quirked up slightly. "I never thought I'd hear you say you enjoyed spending time with me."

"Don't let it go to your head," she shot back jokingly. Their eyes met and held for a moment, the air between them charging with something electric.

The sound of shattered glass from a waitress dropping a drink nearby broke the moment.

Tabitha kept following Dominic's lead through the crowded bar, his broad shoulders creating a path through the press of bodies. They slid into a booth close enough to observe their targets but far enough not to draw attention.

"Keep smiling," Dominic murmured, his knee brushing against hers under the table. "Act natural."

"I always act natural." She picked up a drink menu, using it as cover while she watched the three men in the corner. "You're the one who looks like he's about to pounce."

His lips twitched. "I do not."

"Please. Your inner lion is practically preening right now."

He leaned closer, ostensibly to look at the menu with her. The warmth of his body sent little sparks of awareness dancing across her skin. "They're talking about some kind of job," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. "Something big."

Tabitha fought the urge to shiver. "Define big."

"Not sure yet. They keep mentioning preparation and timing, but..." He tilted his head slightly, focusing his enhanced hearing. "These guys are definitely low-level. They don't know the details themselves."

A waitress approached their table. Tabitha ordered the first drink that came to mind, watching Dominic's face change as he continued listening to the Hunters' conversation.

"What now?" she asked once the waitress left.

"They're worried about getting everything ready in time, but they won't say when 'in time' is." His jaw clenched in frustration.

"At least we know they're planning something." She reached across the table and grabbed his hand, surprising them both. But they needed to look like a couple on a date, right? That was totally the only reason. "Better than what we had this morning."

His fingers intertwined with hers, warm and strong. "True. But I don't like not knowing what they're planning."

"You don't like not being in control, period." The words came out softer than she'd intended, more teasing than mocking.

His eyes met hers, intense and searching. "Maybe you're right."

The waitress returned with their drinks, breaking the moment. Tabitha pulled her hand back, telling herself she didn't miss the contact. She definitely didn't notice how his gaze lingered on her face.

"They're still talking," he said, "but it's just complaints about their boss now. Nothing useful for right now."

"So, we wait?"

He nodded. "We wait."

As the minutes dragged on, Tabitha watched the Hunters through narrowed eyes, her fingers drumming an agitated pattern on the table surface. Her wild magic crackled beneath her skin, begging to be unleashed. One little hex won’t hurt anyone - well, except Bruce. That arrogant bastard deserved it after the way he'd treated her in the interrogation room, getting in her face, calling her worthless...

The glass in front of her started to vibrate. She forced herself to take a deep breath, trying to reign in her power before it caused a scene. The last thing they needed was to blow their cover because she couldn't control her temper.

A warm hand suddenly covered hers, stilling her restless fingers. Tabitha's heart skipped as Dominic's thumb traced a gentle circle on her wrist. The gesture was so unexpected, so intimate, that for a moment she forgot how to breathe.

"Your magic was starting to show," he murmured, leaning close. His breath tickled her ear, sending shivers through her. "The air around you was sparking."

"I'm fine," she whispered back, but didn't pull away. His touch was grounding, helping her focus past the anger. "Just thinking about Bruce and his new Hunter friends."

"We'll stop them." His voice held that unwavering certainty she found annoying. Tonight, though, it was oddly comforting.

She turned to look at him, surprised by the intensity in his green eyes. The dim bar lights caught the angles of his face, highlighting his strong jaw and the protective set of his shoulders. When had he started looking at her like that? Like she mattered to him?

"Since when are you so good at reading my moods?" she asked, trying to deflect from how flustered she felt.

His lips curved into a slight smile. "I've been chasing you around town long enough to pick up a few things."

"Stalker," she teased. His thumb was still tracing patterns on her skin, and it was becoming very difficult to remember why she was supposed to find him irritating.

"Professional observer," he corrected.

Suddenly Dominic's hand tightened around Tabitha's, his entire body going rigid. His enhanced hearing had picked up something that made his jaw clench, the muscle ticking under his skin. She watched his expression darken, those green eyes narrowing dangerously.

"What is it?" she whispered, her heart beginning to race.

"They've got some kind of tracking device," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "New tech that can identify paranormals."

Tabitha's wild magic surged beneath her skin in response to her spike of fear. The air around them crackled with invisible energy, making the hair on her arms stand up. "Please tell me you're joking."

"I wish I was." His thumb stroked across her knuckles, whether to calm her or himself, she wasn't sure. "They're talking about testing it right now."

Oh, this was bad. This was very, very bad. Tabitha fought the urge to look over her shoulder at the Hunters. Her and Dominic were sitting ducks - a witch and a lion shifter, practically gift-wrapped for them. If they turned that device this way...

"We need to move," she breathed, but her body felt frozen in place. The exit seemed miles away, and there were so many people between them and freedom. "Dominic..."

"I know." His voice was tight and controlled. She could see the predator in him now, coiled and ready to strike if necessary. "But we can't draw attention. If we bolt, they'll definitely notice."

The glasses on their table started to vibrate as her magic responded to her anxiety. Dominic's free hand covered both of hers, his touch warm and steady.

"Easy," he murmured. "Your magic's showing again."

"Sorry." She took a shaky breath. "It's just, you know, not every day I get to be a lab rat for some paranormal-hunting psychos."

That earned her a small smile, though his eyes remained alert. "I thought you lived for excitement."

"Funny. Real funny." But his attempt at humor helped calm her racing thoughts. "Got any brilliant sheriff-ly ideas for getting us out of here?"

"Working on it." His enhanced hearing was clearly still focused on the Hunters, his head tilted slightly. "They're pulling the device out now."

Tabitha's stomach dropped. She could feel the wild magic building inside her, ready to defend them both if needed. Dominic must have sensed it because his grip on her hands tightened.

"Don't," he warned softly. "We're not there yet."

Tabitha watched Dominic's eyes scan the room, his gaze moving with predatory precision from one exit to another. His hands enveloped hers completely, warm and steady against her trembling fingers. The wild magic inside her sparked and fizzed like champagne bubbles beneath her skin, demanding release.

"Stop thinking so loud," he murmured, his thumbs tracing circles on her palms. "Your hair's starting to float."

She huffed out a laugh, trying to focus on the sensation of his touch rather than the panic clawing at her chest. "Sorry if the thought of being hunted down and probably tortured puts a damper on my mood control."

His lips quirked up, but his eyes remained serious as they swept the room again. The movement brought his face closer to hers, close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his green eyes. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Tabitha," he said, his voice soft and deep. The sound of it sent shivers down her spine. "Do you trust me?"

The question knocked her off balance. Did she trust Dominic Blackmane? Mr. By-The-Book himself? The man who'd given her more tickets than she could count? Who lectured her about responsibility every chance he got?

But also the man who'd defended her against Bruce. Who'd believed in her innocence when everyone else was ready to throw her to the wolves. Who was sitting here now, holding her hands and trying to keep her safe and calm.

She met his gaze, surprised by the intensity she found there. "Yes."

Something flickered across his face - satisfaction, maybe, or relief. His fingers tightened around hers. "Good. Because I have a plan to get us out of here."