Page 22 of Paws and Claws

"My work-"

"Keeps you busy. Yeah, I've heard that one before." She pressed closer as someone bumped into them. "Life's short, Sheriff. Even for paranormals."

The scent of her filled his nose, making his head spin. Or maybe it was the way she fit against him, like she belonged there. His lion rumbled with approval, which was definitely not helping matters.

"You're thinking too hard," she murmured.

"Someone has to."

"Not tonight." She rose on her tiptoes, her lips close to his ear. "Tonight you're just a guy in a bar, having fun with a pretty girl."

His grip tightened on her waist. "Is that what this is?"

"Could be." She pulled back with a wicked smile. "If you'd loosen up a little."

The jukebox crackled as it switched tracks, the upbeat song fading into something slower and more intimate. Dominic's breath caught as Tabitha slid her arms around his neck, her body pressing closer against his. His hands settled at her waist, seemingly of their own accord.

"There you go. The world isn’t ending because you decided to dance," she teased, her blue eyes sparkling up at him.

His lion stirred restlessly, wanting to pull her even closer. The scent of her enveloped him, making it hard to focus on anything else.

"I still don't think this is proper surveillance technique," he muttered, though his hands didn't move from her waist.

"Always the sheriff." She smiled, her fingers playing with the hair on the nape of his neck. "Even when you're supposed to be undercover."

The touch sent shivers through him. This close, he could count the light freckles across her nose and see the flecks of silver in her blue eyes. When had the troublemaker who constantly tested his patience become someone who made his heart race?

"Tabitha," he started, not sure what he was going to say next.

She tilted her head up, her lips parting slightly. The movement drew his gaze downward, and suddenly he couldn't remember why kissing her would be a bad idea. His head lowered, drawn to her like a magnet.

A flash of movement suddenly caught his eye. Bruce hurried past them, heading toward a darkened corner of the bar. Dominic's muscles tensed, his sheriff's instincts kicking in despite the haze of attraction clouding his mind.

"Did you see that?" he murmured.

"Mm-hmm." Her fingers tightened slightly in his hair. "Think we should follow?"

"In a minute." His lion growled in agreement. "We don't want to look too suspicious."

They swayed together for another moment, though Dominic's attention was now split between the woman in his arms and their target disappearing into the shadows.

Dominic finally guided Tabitha to a booth near Bruce's darkened corner, his hand protectively on her back. He positioned himself with his back to Bruce, trusting his enhanced hearing to pick up the conversation. Tabitha slid closer to him in the booth.

His lion's hearing picked up Bruce's muffled voice. "The witch is more trouble than she's worth. Blackmane's already suspicious."

"Then we move to plan B," a familiar voice replied, making Dominic's muscles tense. "This town's crawling with creatures who don't belong here."

Tabitha's hand found his under the table as Bruce continued, "These paranormals think they can just live among us like they're normal. It's disgusting."

"That's why we're here," the other man said. "To restore the natural order."

Dominic's fingers tightened around Tabitha's as his lion snarled beneath his skin. The hatred in their voices made his protective instincts surge.

Chairs scraped against the floor as Bruce and his companion stood. Dominic turned slightly, careful to keep his face hidden. His blood ran cold as he caught sight of Roy Marks, leader of the Paranormal Hunters.

"What is it?" Tabitha whispered, noticing his rigid posture.

"Roy Marks," he growled softly. "Bruce is working with the Hunters."

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