Page 44 of Paws and Claws

"Lead the way."

Inside, her house was organized chaos still - canvases everywhere, spell books stacked on coffee tables, and the lingering scent of paint and magic that was uniquely Tabitha. She kicked off her boots and sprawled onto her couch, patting the space beside her.

"So, Sheriff." She propped her feet on the coffee table. "Three abandoned labs in two weeks. Either they're running scared..."

"Or preparing for something bigger." He settled next to her, closer than strictly necessary. The lion in him preened when she didn't move away.

"My money's on bigger." Her fingers traced patterns in the air, purple sparks following the movement. "The tracking tech we found today? That's endgame stuff."

"Agreed." He watched those sparks dance, mesmerized by her casual display of power. "They wouldn't leave that behind unless-"

"Unless they already have what they need." She turned toward him, her knee brushing his thigh. "But what triggered the timeline?"

The contact sent a jolt through his system. His lion urged him closer, drawn to her wild magic and fearless spirit. "Could be they spotted us watching Bruce."

"Please." She rolled her eyes. "We're way too good for that to happen."

"We do make quite a team."

"Careful there, Sheriff." She leaned in, her dark purple hair falling forward. "Almost sounds like you enjoy working with a troublemaker like me."

His fingers itched to brush those strands back. "You're not as much trouble as I thought."

"And you're not as boring as I assumed." Her eyes sparkled. "Though you could still stand to live a little."

"I live plenty."

"Says the man who considers paperwork a hobby."

He growled playfully, shifting closer. "I have other interests."

"Oh?" Her breath hitched as their faces drew near. "Do tell."

The air sizzled between them, thick with possibility and unspoken desires. His lion demanded he close that final distance, claim those tempting lips that had been driving him crazy for weeks. But before he could lean in, his phone vibrated against his hip, shattering the electric tension between them.

His lion growled in frustration as he checked the screen. Connor's name flashed urgently.

"Duty calls again?" Tabitha's voice held a hint of disappointment that made his inner beast preen.

"Unfortunately." He stood, already missing her warm body next to his.

"Go catch the bad guys, Sheriff." She walked him to the door. "Don't miss me too much."

His lion wanted to pull her into his arms, to finally taste those tempting lips, but duty won out. "Stay out of trouble."

Driving to the station, Dominic couldn't stop thinking about her. His lion paced, already eager to return to her.

A month ago, these feelings would have terrified him. A sheriff falling for the town's most notorious troublemaker? It went against everything he thought he stood for. But now... now he understood there was more to life than rules and regulations. Tabitha had shown him that.

His lion rumbled in agreement. She challenged him, pushed his boundaries, and made him question his rigid worldview. And somehow, instead of driving him absolutely crazy, it made him want her even more.

"You've got it bad, Sheriff," he muttered to himself, unable to suppress his smile as he pulled into the station parking lot.

19

TABITHA

Tabitha 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.

---