Page 28 of Paws and Claws (Saltwater Grove Romances #4)

28

DOMINIC

T he Midsummer Shifter Jousts transformed the local fairgrounds into a medieval wonderland. Dominic breathed in the aroma of roasted meat and sweet pastries while watching Tabitha's eyes light up at every new sight. Her purple hair caught the sunlight as she dragged him from stall to stall, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Look at this!" Tabitha held up an intricate crystal pendant. "It's supposed to enhance magical abilities."

"You're powerful enough without it," Dominic said, his chest swelling with pride as she beamed at the compliment.

The festival buzzed with energy as shifters from around the world mingled together. Wolf packs shared drinks with bear clans while feline shifters prowled the grounds with casual grace.

He guided her toward the food stalls, his hand resting possessively on her lower back. The weight of his badge was gone today, replaced by the lightness of being cleared of all charges. Bruce and his Hunter friends wouldn't be causing any more trouble in Saltwater Grove.

"Cotton candy?" Tabitha's eyes sparkled. "Or are sugary treats against regulation?"

"I think I can make an exception today." He bought her the biggest one available, watching in amusement as she immediately got some stuck to her nose. Without thinking, he brushed it away with his thumb.

The afternoon sun painted everything in golden light, and Dominic found himself stealing glances at Tabitha more often than watching the pre-joust entertainment. She'd changed him, drawn out a playful side he'd forgotten existed within him.

Dominic squeezed Tabitha's hand before releasing it. "I need to check on something. Wait here?"

"Everything okay?" Her blue eyes narrowed with concern.

"Perfect." He couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips. "Just need a minute."

As he walked away, his lion prowled, eager for action. He'd signed up for the competition weeks ago, hoping to show Tabitha that he wasn't just the rigid sheriff she'd first met. His competitive nature surged as he approached the competitors' tent.

Inside, other shifters were already gearing up. A wolf pack from Montana flexed their muscles while a pair of tigers from Thailand stretched. Dominic stripped off his shirt, revealing the defined muscles earned from years of police work and training. He felt several appreciative glances but ignored them all. There was only one person he wanted to impress today.

The announcer's voice boomed across the fairgrounds. "Next up, the shifter strength challenge! Competitors, take your positions!"

Dominic emerged from the tent, scanning the crowd until he spotted that flash of purple hair. Tabitha's jaw dropped when she saw him, and he couldn't suppress his satisfied grin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next competitor - Sheriff Dominic Blackmane!"

The crowd cheered, but Dominic only heard Tabitha's surprised laugh. The challenge involved lifting increasingly heavy weights while maintaining shifter form. His lion roared to life, muscles rippling as he partially shifted. Golden fur sprouted along his arms as his eyes took on their predatory gleam.

One by one, the other competitors dropped out as the weights grew heavier. Dominic's lion reveled in the challenge, showing off its strength. When he hoisted the final weight overhead, Tabitha's wild cheer rang out above the crowd.

"And we have a winner!"

Dominic shifted back fully human, accepting the victory medallion with a slight bow. He made his way through the crowd to where Tabitha waited, her eyes dancing with delight.

"So much for checking on something," she teased, pressing against his bare chest.

He wrapped an arm around her waist. "Thought it was time to show you I know how to have a little competitive fun."

"A little?" She traced a finger down his arm. "That was actually pretty impressive."

"Just wait until you see what else I signed up for."

Dominic's lion lurked close to the surface as he mounted the massive black stallion. The joust would be different from normal medieval tournaments - shifters were allowed to partially transform, adding their supernatural strength and reflexes to the challenge. His fingers flexed around the lance while his enhanced senses took in every detail of the arena.

"Kick their tails, Sheriff!" Tabitha's voice floated across the field, making his lion purr with satisfaction. He spotted her in the front row, her purple hair a beacon among the crowd.

The trumpet sounded and Dominic urged his horse forward. His opponent, a tiger shifter from Singapore, charged from the opposite end. As they thundered toward each other, Dominic let his lion emerge partially - his muscles swelled, his eyes shifted to predatory gold, and his reflexes sharpened to supernatural levels.

The lances met with a resounding crack. His opponent's weapon splintered against Dominic's shield while his own strike landed true, sending the tiger shifter tumbling from his mount. The crowd roared.

Match after match, Dominic dominated the field. His lion's strength combined with his tactical mind made him unstoppable. In the final round, he faced a massive bear shifter from Russia.

"Ready to yield, little cat?" the bear shifter taunted.

Dominic's lip curled. "Lions don't yield."

The final charge was spectacular. Both shifters partially transformed, their supernatural power evident in every movement. At the last second, Dominic twisted in his saddle, using his lion's impossible flexibility to strike at an angle his opponent couldn't block. The bear shifter crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact.

Victory secured, Dominic dismounted and walked back to where Tabitha waited. Her eyes sparkled as she launched herself into his arms.

"That was amazing!" She pressed closer, not caring about the dust and sweat covering him. "Who knew you were such a badass?"

"I have my moments." He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His lion preened under her praise.

"You certainly do." She traced a finger along his jaw. "Though I hope this doesn't mean you'll start letting me off with warnings now that you've learned to bend the rules a little."

"Not a chance." He captured her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "But I might be persuaded to show you other ways to have fun within the law."

Dominic's lion purred with satisfaction as Tabitha's fingers intertwined with his. The festival's aromas filled the air around them. His enhanced senses picked up every delighted gasp she made at new discoveries throughout the rest of the afternoon.

"You have to try this." Tabitha held up a piece of honey-drizzled meat. Instead of taking it from her hand, he leaned down and caught it with his teeth, deliberately letting his lips brush her fingers. Her pulse jumped, and his lion preened at the effect he had on her.

"It's sweet," he murmured, though his eyes never left hers. "But not as sweet as you."

"Did the big bad sheriff just make a joke?" She bumped her hip against his.

He pulled her closer, enjoying how perfectly she fit against his side. His lion had never felt so content, so at peace with someone before. The festival bustled around them - shifters in various states of transformation mingled with witches casting colorful spells for entertainment. Children darted between stalls while elderly paranormals shared stories of festivals past.

"Look at those wolf pups," Tabitha pointed to where three young shifters chased each other, partially transformed with tails wagging. "They're adorable."

"They're trouble," Dominic said, but his tone held no heat. "Just like someone else I know."

"You love my kind of trouble now." She stretched up on her toes to kiss his cheek. The casual affection made his chest tighten with emotion.

They wandered past a group of witches creating magical light shows, the colors dancing in Tabitha's eyes. Dominic found himself watching her more than the display, memorizing how joy transformed her features. His usual rigid control felt distant here, replaced by a carefree feeling he hadn't experienced in years.

"I never thought I'd see you so relaxed at a festival," Tabitha said, squeezing his hand. "Usually you're scanning for rule-breakers."

"Maybe I found something better to focus on." He tugged her to a stop, turning her to face him. "Someone who showed me there's more to life."

Her smile lit up her entire face. "Careful, Sheriff. That almost sounds like a thank you for all my troublemaking."

"Don't push it." But he was grinning as he said it, his lion rumbling with contentment as she laughed and pressed closer.

Starlight Cove lived up to its name as Dominic soon led Tabitha along the moonlit beach. Ancient magic pulsed beneath their feet, making the sand shimmer with each step.

Before long, he stopped and pulled her to face him. His lion urged him to claim her, to finally admit what he'd been feeling. "I don't want to write you any more tickets."

"That's a shame. Our little encounters were the highlight of my month." Her blue eyes gleamed with mischief, but he sensed vulnerability beneath her teasing.

"I'd rather have different encounters with you." He traced his thumb across her knuckles. "Better ones."

The waves crashed behind them as ancient magic swirled around their feet, responding to Tabitha's wild power. Her purple hair danced in the breeze as she stepped closer.

"Are you saying you want to be more than just the sheriff who keeps busting me?"

"I'm saying I want everything with you." His voice dropped lower, more possessive. "The troublemaker who taught me how to live again. The wild witch who makes my lion purr. The woman I'm in love with."

Tabitha's breath caught in her throat. "That's quite a confession from someone who used to lecture me about proper motorcycle safety."

"I still might lecture you about that." He pulled her against his chest. "But now I'll do it because I care about keeping you safe."

"I'm in love with you too," she whispered.

His lion roared with joy as he kissed her, pouring months of built-up tension and newfound freedom into it. She tasted like cotton candy from the festival and something uniquely her that made his head spin.

When they finally broke apart, the magical sand around them glowed brighter, responding to their combined joy. Dominic had never felt more complete than in this moment, holding his wild witch while his lion purred.