Page 19 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)
19
TABITHA
T abitha walked beside Dominic through downtown Saltwater Grove, the streetlights casting a warm glow over the cobblestone sidewalks. The evening air carried the scent of fresh bread from the nearby bakery, mixing with the salty breeze from the coast. Her wild magic tingled, responding to his presence beside her.
Dominic's powerful frame moved with casual grace, his shoulders back and head high as he scanned their surroundings. Even off-duty, he carried himself like the alpha male he was, drawing admiring glances from passersby. The sight of him in casual clothes instead of his uniform did funny things to her insides - his dark jeans and fitted shirt somehow made him even more appealing than the badge.
"We should check that warehouse district again tomorrow," he said, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver through her.
Tabitha nodded, not trusting herself to speak. How had this happened? A month ago, she'd seen him as nothing but an annoyingly uptight sheriff who lived to ruin her day. Now her heart did backflips whenever he was near.
A group of tourists passed them, and Dominic's hand brushed her lower back, guiding her around them. The casual touch sent sparks of awareness through her body. His protective instincts emerged so naturally, and damn if that wasn't attractive.
She studied the way the streetlights caught the angles of his jaw, highlighting the subtle stubble there. The urge to reach out and touch his face was getting harder to resist with each passing day. Her wild magic responded to him too, reaching out like invisible tendrils whenever he was near.
This was ridiculous. She was Tabitha Moon - free spirit, troublemaker, and the exact opposite of everything this man stood for. And yet here she was, melting inside because he'd remembered how she took her coffee this morning. Because he'd actually laughed at her jokes today. Because somehow, working with him had become the highlight of her days.
"Everything alright?" His voice rumbled with concern.
She was so screwed. There was no point denying it anymore - she'd fallen hard for the most rule-following, duty-bound, frustratingly honorable man in Saltwater Grove.
Tabitha glanced at Dominic as they walked. "Yeah, everything's fine. I'm just curious what you actually do for fun?"
Dominic's stride faltered slightly. "I read."
"And?"
"Watch the news."
"That's not fun, that's homework," Tabitha said, her wild magic crackling with amusement. "Come on, there has to be something else."
He shifted uncomfortably, his broad shoulders tensing. "Not really. I work a lot. And there's always paperwork to catch up on."
"Oh my god, that's the saddest thing I've ever heard." Tabitha spun to face him, walking backward on the cobblestones. Her magic danced around her, responding to her mounting excitement. "That's it - we're doing something fun tonight. Taking a break from all this Hunter business."
"No." His voice carried that firm, authoritative tone. "I'm not letting you drag me into one of your wild schemes."
"Then you pick something," she challenged, enjoying the way his green eyes narrowed at her. "Show me what the mighty Sheriff Blackmane considers a good time."
"Tabitha..." The warning in his voice only made her grin wider.
"What's wrong, afraid you can't handle a little fun?" She poked his chest playfully. "Or maybe you just don't know how?"
His jaw tightened, and she could practically see the lion shifter's pride bristling at the challenge. The streetlights caught the angles of his face, highlighting the determination settling there. God, he was gorgeous when he got all alpha male like this.
"Fine," he growled, stepping closer. The heat from his body made her pulse quicken. "I'll show you what I consider a good time."
Tabitha's heart did a tiny flutter at his proximity, but she kept her voice light and teasing. "This should be interesting. Just please, nothing involving paperwork."
Tabitha's wild magic tingled with anticipation as Dominic led her to his house, his powerful stride purposeful. His classic red Mustang sat in his garage like a gleaming jewel, its chrome catching the moonlight.
"Get in," he commanded, opening the passenger door.
The leather seats creaked as she slid in, and she watched him perfectly fit his broad frame behind the wheel. The engine roared to life, and Tabitha's magic danced in response to the powerful rumble.
They soon cruised along the coastal road, the salt air whipping through the open windows. The moon painted silver streaks across the dark water, and Tabitha found herself sneaking glances at Dominic's strong profile.
"The lighthouse?" she asked as they pulled into the parking lot of the historic Saltspire. "I thought you were going to show me a good time, not give me a history lesson."
His green eyes glinted with amusement. "Trust me."
The ancient stone structure loomed above them, its beacon sweeping across the night sky. As they climbed the spiral staircase, Tabitha's wild magic reached out to touch the centuries of spells woven into the walls.
"This place has some serious magical juice," she said, trailing her fingers along the stone.
"It was built by witches," Dominic explained, his hand settling on her lower back as they reached the top. "They used their magic to guide ships safely to harbor."
The observation deck offered a breathtaking view of the harbor, where dozens of boats dotted the water like floating constellations. The lighthouse beam swept over them in a steady rhythm, painting everything in brief moments of golden light.
"Okay, I'll admit it," Tabitha said softly, leaning against the railing. "This is pretty amazing."
Dominic stepped closer, his body heat warming her in the cool night air. "Sometimes the best moments aren't about being wild or breaking rules."
His words touched something deep inside her. Here was the man who'd given her countless speeding tickets, showing her a different kind of thrill - one that made her heart race just as fast as any motorcycle ride.
"Who knew you had a romantic side, Sheriff?" she teased, but her voice came out breathier than intended.
"There's a lot you don't know about me," Dominic murmured, his eyes intense as they met hers.
Tabitha's breath caught in her throat. The moonlight silvered his dark hair, and his green eyes seemed to glow with an inner fire that caused her wild magic to dance beneath her skin.
Her heart thundered against her ribs as he stepped even closer, his broad frame blocking the cool sea breeze. The heat radiating from him made her dizzy with want. This quiet moment held more intensity than any midnight motorcycle race or magical duel ever had. Who would have thought standing still could feel so thrilling?
When his lips met hers, soft and questioning, Tabitha's wild magic surged through her veins like lightning. His kiss was gentle at first, testing, exploring. But when she pressed closer, twining her fingers in his dark hair, something seemed to snap inside him.
A low growl rumbled in his chest as he deepened the kiss, one hand sliding to her lower back while the other cupped her face. He tasted like midnight and promises, like everything she never knew she wanted. Her magic sparked between them, little bursts of energy that made him pull her even closer.
"Careful," he murmured against her lips, but his voice held more heat than warning. "Your magic's showing."
"Can't help it," she whispered back. "You make me lose control."
His answering kiss was fierce and possessive, the lion in him clearly pleased by her admission. Tabitha melted into him, overwhelmed by the way his thumb traced circles on her back, the way his fingers tangled in her hair, the way he seemed to want her as desperately as she wanted him.
When they finally stopped kissing, both breathing heavily, Tabitha couldn't help but laugh. "And here I thought that you didn't know how to have fun."
"I just never found the right person to have fun with," he said, pressing his forehead to hers.
Tabitha turned in Dominic's embrace, letting his strong arms encircle her waist as she settled back against his broad chest. The steady thrum of his heartbeat against her back matched the rhythm of the lighthouse beam sweeping across the harbor. Her wild magic hummed contentedly, weaving invisible patterns in the air around them.
The boats below looked like fireflies dancing on the dark water, their lights swaying with the gentle waves. Salt air ruffled her purple hair, carrying the scent of the sea mixed with Dominic's distinctly masculine presence - cedar and something uniquely him that made her pulse quicken.
"You know," she said softly, tilting her head back to rest against his shoulder, "I had all these wild plans for showing you how to have fun. Midnight motorcycle races, maybe a little breaking and entering..."
His chest rumbled with laughter. "And here I thought you were trying to reform."
"Reform? Never. But this..." She gestured to the panoramic view before them. "This is perfect. Better than anything I could've dreamed up. Who knew the straight-laced Sheriff had such slick moves?"
His arms tightened possessively around her waist. "You bring it out in me. The adventurous side, the softer side - all of it."
The drive home in his pristine Mustang felt too short. The leather seats creaked as she shifted closer to him, watching his strong hands on the steering wheel. The engine's purr couldn't quite drown out her thundering heart.
When they pulled up to her house, Tabitha lingered in the passenger seat, reluctant to break the spell of the evening. Her wild magic reached out, wrapping invisible tendrils around him like it wanted to keep him close.
"I should go in," she said, making no move to leave.
"You should," he agreed, his eyes intense in the darkness.
Finally, she forced herself to step out into the cool night air. At her front door, she turned back to see him watching her. Even in the dim light, she could see the possessive heat in his gaze.
Once inside her house, Tabitha leaned against the closed door and let out a shaky breath. Her magic danced around her in happy little sparks, reflecting the joy bubbling up inside her. She was completely, utterly, head-over-heels in love with Dominic Blackmane. The thought should have terrified her, but instead it felt like coming home.