Page 2 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)

2

TABITHA

T he summer breeze whipped through Tabitha's dark purple hair as she gunned the throttle on her Harley. The engine's rumble vibrated through her bones as she headed down Main Street. Her black leather jacket creaked as she leaned into a curve, the scent of fresh-cut grass and blooming flowers filling her lungs.

"Now this is living," she whispered to herself, grinning as the wind kissed her face. The lack of a helmet meant she could feel everything - the sun warming her skin, the rush of air through her hair, and the pure exhilaration of speed and freedom.

The speedometer needle crept past fifty, but she barely noticed, too caught up in the perfect moment.

The bike responded to her every movement like an extension of herself. This was better than any spell she could cast - pure, raw energy thrumming between her legs. She'd gotten the motorcycle specifically because it reminded her of flying on a broomstick, though she'd never admit that to anyone.

She laughed lightheartedly as she weaved around a slow-moving minivan. The driver honked, but Tabitha just nodded with a smirk on her face.

The art gallery rejection letter she'd received that morning seemed far away now, lost in the wind behind her. Who needed stuffy galleries anyway? This was real art - the poetry of movement and speed through a beautiful landscape.

"I should paint this," she mused, already imagining the swirls of color. Her hands itched for a paintbrush, but for now, they gripped the handlebars, guiding her motorcycle through the heart of Saltwater Grove.

The summer heat shimmered off the asphalt ahead, creating mirages that made the road look like it was floating. Perfect riding weather. Maybe she'd ride all the way to the coast, letting the ocean breeze clear her mind.

The wail of a police siren shattered Tabitha's perfect afternoon. Her shoulders slumped as she checked her side mirror, catching the flash of red and blue lights. Just perfect.

She guided her Harley to the curb, the engine's purr dying as she cut the ignition. The police cruiser pulled up behind her, and through her mirror, she spotted that familiar broad-shouldered silhouette stepping out.

"Of course it's him," she muttered, running her fingers through her wind-tousled hair.

Sheriff Dominic Blackmane approached with that confident stride of his, his badge catching the sunlight. His uniform stretched across his chest in a way that would've been distracting if Tabitha wasn't so annoyed. Those green eyes of his were already narrowed in disapproval.

"Fifty in a thirty-five, Miss Moon." His deep voice carried that authoritative tone that made her want to cast a silence spell on him.

"Only fifteen over?" She flashed him her brightest smile. "That's practically law-abiding for me, Sheriff."

His jaw tightened. "This isn't a joke. And where's your helmet?"

"Helmets mess up my hair." She patted her dark purple locks. "Besides, if I crash, I've got protection spells."

"Protection spells won't help if you're going too fast to cast them." He crossed his arms, and Tabitha definitely didn't notice how it made his biceps flex. "Do you know how many motorcycle accidents I've seen?"

"Are you really going to lecture me right now?" She leaned back on her bike, rolling her eyes. "Don't you have actual crimes to solve?"

"Breaking traffic laws is an actual crime." He stepped closer, looming over her. "You know, you've had two offenses already this month."

"Three now," she muttered. At his raised eyebrow, she added, "But who's counting?"

"I am. It's my job to keep this town safe, even from reckless witches who think they're above the law."

The lecture continued, but Tabitha's attention drifted to how the sun brought out golden flecks in his green eyes. Such a waste that all that attractiveness came packaged with a rigid personality. And now he was probably about to give her another ticket she couldn't afford, especially after that gallery rejection.

Tabitha's patience snapped like a rubber band stretched too far. The sun beat down on her leather jacket as Dominic droned on about responsibility and public safety. His voice had that deep rumble that probably worked wonders on everyone else in town, but it just made her want to hex him.

"Do you ever stop?" She threw her hands up, cutting him off mid-lecture. "I swear, you must practice these speeches in the mirror every morning. 'I'm Sheriff Dominic Blackmane, and I'm here to crush joy wherever I find it.'"

His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking under his skin. "You think public safety is a joke?"

"No, I think your attitude is a joke." Tabitha crossed her arms, matching his stance. "When's the last time you did anything fun? And I mean actual fun, not organizing your reports by date and infraction type."

A low growl resonated in his chest. "Unlike some people, I take my responsibilities seriously."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You know what? I bet you sleep in that uniform."

His eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, Tabitha caught a glimpse of his inner lion. The air crackled with tension, and despite herself, her heart skipped a beat.

"License and registration," he bit out, each word clipped and controlled.

Tabitha dug through her jacket pocket and produced the documents. "Here you go," she said through gritted teeth.

He snatched them from her hand and his fingers brushed against hers. The brief contact sent an unexpected spark through her arm, and she blamed it on her magic. Definitely not anything else.

Dominic scribbled the ticket with more force than necessary, practically shoving it at her. "Next time it'll be more than a fine."

"Promises, promises." Tabitha tucked the ticket into her jacket without looking at it. The engine roared to life under her, and she revved it just to see him wince. "Try not to strain anything with all that rule-following, Sheriff."

She peeled out before he could respond, leaving him in a cloud of dust. Through her mirror, she caught his frustrated expression and couldn't help but grin. Making Dominic Blackmane lose his cool was almost worth the price of the ticket.

Almost.

The Hexed bar buzzed with late afternoon energy as Tabitha pushed through the heavy oak door. Magic tingled across her skin from the protection wards, and the scent of sage and citrus welcomed her like an old friend. Strings of fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting a warm glow on the exposed brick walls covered in local artwork.

She slumped onto her favorite barstool, the worn leather creaking beneath her. The ticket burned a hole in her jacket pocket, reminding her of those penetrating green eyes and that infuriating authority in his voice.

"Something stronger than usual?" Jake, the bartender, asked. His tattoos shifted and swirled across his arms as he mixed drinks.

"Make it a double." Tabitha ran her fingers through her hair. "Our favorite sheriff struck again."

"Girl, what did you do this time?" Luna slid onto the stool next to her, her silver bangles jingling. "I could feel your anger from across the room."

"Apparently, enjoying a beautiful day on my bike is a crime now." Tabitha accepted her drink from Jake, taking a long sip. "You should've seen him, all 'I am the law' with his perfectly pressed uniform and that stupid confident stride."

"Sounds hot." Luna wiggled her eyebrows.

"Please." Tabitha scoffed, but her cheeks warmed. "He's about as fun as a tax audit. Did you know he actually said 'breaking traffic laws is an actual crime' with a straight face?"

Mira joined them. "Dominic Blackmane? That man needs to get laid."

"Not it." Tabitha raised her hand, making her friends laugh. "Though I swear he saves his longest lectures just for me. Today he went on forever about motorcycle safety like I'm some teenager who just got her license."

"Maybe he likes you," Luna teased, stirring her purple cocktail with her finger. Sparks danced across the surface.

"Yeah, right." Tabitha pulled out the ticket, grimacing at the amount. "This is going to eat up my art supply budget for the month. Guess I'll be painting with coffee grounds and my own tears."

"We could always hex his cruiser," Mira suggested.

"Don't tempt me." Tabitha sighed, watching the ice cubes in her glass dance without touching them. "I just wish he'd loosen up a little, you know? Life's too short to spend it being so uptight."

Tabitha soon twirled a dart between her fingers, her magic crackling along her skin like static electricity. The familiar warmth spread through her arm as she aimed at the board across the room. Her wild magic responded instantly, wrapping around the dart in swirls of purple energy.

"Watch this." She released the dart with a flick of her wrist. It curved impossibly through the air, looping around Luna's head before striking the bullseye with a satisfying thunk.

Luna gasped, patting her hair. "Show off! You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Please, like I'd ever really hit you." Tabitha grinned, the rush of successfully controlling her magic flooding her system better than any drink. "Your turn, Mira."

Mira's green magic lifted three darts at once, sending them in a perfect formation toward the board. They landed in a neat triangle.

"Amateur hour." Tabitha wiggled her fingers, and her wild magic responded eagerly. The darts pulled themselves from the board and began dancing through the air like fireflies, weaving between the fairy lights overhead.

"That's not even how you play darts," Luna protested, but she was laughing.

"Rules are boring." Tabitha guided the darts in an intricate pattern. "Besides, what's the point of having magic if you can't have fun with it?"

Her magic surged, stronger than she'd intended, and one of the darts shot toward the bar. Jake ducked just in time, the dart embedding itself in the wall behind him.

"Sorry!" Tabitha called out, but she couldn't stop grinning. The raw power thrumming through her veins made her feel alive. Sure, her wild magic could be unpredictable at times, but that's what made it exciting. It was about embracing the chaos and making it beautiful.