Page 22 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)

22

TABITHA

D ominic’s Mustang rumbled into the garage, the engine’s growl echoing off the walls before he cut the ignition. The sudden silence felt heavy, charged, like the air before a storm. Tabitha’s heart thudded in her chest, her wild magic still buzzing beneath her skin from the night’s chaos and the lingering thrill of Dominic’s proximity. She turned to him, her blue eyes locking with his intense green gaze. Something in his expression made her breath catch—something raw, hungry, and entirely unguarded.

“You look incredible in that dress,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. His hand reached out, cupping her face, and the warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine. “Watching you tonight, how fierce you were, how powerful... It really turned me on.”

Before she could respond, he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was all fire and urgency. Tabitha melted into it, her hands instinctively tangling in his dark hair. He tasted like adrenaline and the faintest hint of whiskey, and she couldn’t get enough. His other hand slid up her thigh, the heat of his palm searing through the fabric of her dress. She let out a breathy laugh against his lips, pulling back just enough to tease him.

“Sheriff Blackmane, are you breaking your own rules right now?” she purred, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw.

He growled, nipping at her bottom lip. “You’re the only thing I care about right now.”

Tabitha giggled, the sound bubbling up from deep in her chest. She hadn’t expected this side of him—this fierce, unrestrained version of the usually buttoned-up sheriff. It was intoxicating. His hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer, and she gasped as her body pressed against his. The leather seat creaked beneath them, the car suddenly feeling far too small.

“We should take this inside,” he breathed against her ear, his voice sending a fresh wave of heat through her.

She nodded, her fingers fumbling for the door handle. “Lead the way, Sheriff.”

They stumbled out of the car, their hands all over each other, their lips meeting again and again as Dominic guided her toward the house. The cool night air did nothing to temper the fire between them. Her dress clung to her as his hands roamed her body, and she could feel the hard lines of his muscles beneath his uniform shirt. Her wild magic seemed to spark in response to his touch, leaving faint purple trails where her fingers brushed his skin.

“You’re going to ruin this dress,” she teased breathlessly, breaking away from his lips for a moment as they crossed the threshold into his house.

“It’s already ruined from the fight,” he muttered, meeting her lips again, his hands sliding up her sides.

Tabitha laughed against his lips as he backed her toward the living room, unzipping her dress in the process. Her fingers worked at the buttons of his shirt as her dress fell to the floor. She stepped out of her dress, and he shrugged off his shirt, revealing the toned, broad chest she’d been admiring earlier. Her hands explored the planes of his chest as she kissed him hungrily.

He then picked her up effortlessly, his hands gripping her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He carried her to the leather couch, gently laying her down before following her, his body covering hers. His mouth found hers again, hot and demanding, and she arched into him, her hands tangling in his hair. His lips trailed down her neck, nipping and sucking at her skin, and she let out a soft moan.

“You drive me crazy,” he muttered against her throat, his hands sliding up her thighs.

“Good,” she gasped, her fingers tracing the muscles of his back.

The night’s adrenaline and their shared chemistry had stripped away any pretense of restraint. When Dominic’s mouth found its way between her thighs, all coherent thought left her, replaced by a white-hot ache of pleasure. She let out a series of broken gasps and moans, her fingers gripping his hair as he worked her body with a kind of hunger she’d only ever fantasized about.

“Don't stop,” she breathed, her voice trembling. He didn't, his movements continuing in a way she exactly needed.

The tension in her body coiled tighter and tighter until it snapped. She cried out, convulsing beneath him as waves of ecstasy washed over her. Her wild magic surged in response, sending a shower of purple sparks across the couch. Dominic’s hands held her thighs firmly as she came down, and she could feel the rumble of his low growl against her sensitive skin.

When she finally opened her eyes, still breathless, he was watching her with a look that was equal parts satisfaction and heat. “You’re so incredible,” he murmured, his voice rough with desire.

Tabitha smirked, her fingers brushing through his hair. “You’re pretty amazing yourself.” Her voice was teasing, but her heart was still racing.

Dominic stood up, his eyes dark with desire. Tabitha smiled, her blue eyes glinting with mischief as she reached for his belt. Her fingers fumbled with the buckle for a moment before she managed to unbuckle it. She tugged at his pants, letting them slide down his hips to reveal his hard length. Her breath caught in her throat, and she bit her lip, more than pleasantly surprised.

“Well, Sheriff,” she teased, her voice dripping with amusement. “Looks like you’ve been hiding quite the surprise under that uniform.”

Dominic growled low in his throat, his green eyes smoldering. “Do you like what you see?”

Tabitha nodded and laughed, a light, melodic sound that filled the room. “You have no idea.” She stood up, pushing him back down onto the leather couch. He didn’t resist, though his eyes never left hers. The alpha in him was unmistakable, and it only fueled her desire.

She straddled his lap, her hands resting on his broad shoulders. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, and her wild magic sparked in response, leaving faint purple trails where her fingers touched his skin. Slowly, she lowered herself onto him, her breath hitching as she took him inch by inch.

Dominic’s hands gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh as she sank onto him. His breathing grew more ragged, and he let out a low growl, his lion shifter instincts clearly taking over. Tabitha let out a breathy laugh, her body adjusting to his size.

“You good, Sheriff?” she teased, her voice trembling slightly as she began to move, grinding her hips against him.

“Better than good,” he growled, his voice rough with desire. His hands moved up her sides, tracing the curves of her body before settling on her breasts. He squeezed gently, sending a shiver of pleasure through her.

Tabitha soon threw her head back, a moan escaping her lips as she rocked against him. She could feel every inch of him inside her, filling her in the most delicious way. Her wild magic surged, sending sparks of purple light dancing around them. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her nails lightly scratching at his skin.

“You feel amazing,” she whispered, her voice breathless.

Dominic’s hips thrust up to meet her movements, his pace growing more desperate and fiercer. His hunger was evident, and it only fueled her own desire. His hands moved down to her hips, guiding her movements, urging her to go faster.

“You’re driving me insane,” he growled, his voice thick with need.

Tabitha laughed, the sound both sweet and teasing. “Good. I like seeing you lose control, Sheriff.”

Her teasing only seemed to spur him on, his thrusts becoming more demanding and quicker. The intensity of it soon shattered her, and she cried out, her body convulsing with pleasure as her orgasm washed over her. Her wild magic spiked, sending a burst of purple light that lit up the room.

He then buried himself deep inside her, his own release quickly following hers with a powerful intensity. He spilled his seed into her, his growl echoing in the room as he held her close. His breath was ragged as he came down from the high.

Tabitha rested her forehead against his, her breathing just as ragged. She could feel his heart pounding against her chest, and she couldn’t help but smile. “Wow,” she whispered, her voice trembling with both laughter and satisfaction. “That was... something else.”

Dominic chuckled, low and deep, his hands still gripping her hips. “You’re something else,” he murmured, his green eyes locking on hers.

She laughed again, a light, carefree sound that filled the room. “And I thought you were just a stick in the mud.”

He growled playfully, nipping at her bottom lip. “You bring out the wild in me.”

Tabitha grinned, her blue eyes sparkling. Tabitha's legs trembled as she lifted herself off Dominic, her wild magic still sparking purple trails in the air. His strong hands steadied her hips, helping her move. The leather couch creaked beneath them as he stood, pulling her close against his chest. His eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.

"That was the most magical moment of my life," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. His fingers traced her jaw before he leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

Her heart soared – she'd felt it too, that indescribable connection that went beyond just physical pleasure. She had never felt that way with anyone else.

He suddenly scooped her up in his arms, and she let out a surprised laugh as he carried her down the hallway.

His bedroom was surprisingly cozy, with dark wood furniture and soft gray bedding. He laid her down gently on the bed, following her down and pulling her close. His warmth enveloped her as she curled into his side, her head resting on his chest where she could hear his steady heartbeat.

As sleep began to pull at her consciousness, she realized she'd never felt so safe as she did right now in his arms.