Page 68 of Paws and Claws

"Just needs that final touch," she murmured, picking up her brush. Her wild magic danced along the bristles as she worked, adding depth and movement to the piece. The memory of Dominic's first "I love you" guided her strokes, infusing the canvas with raw emotion.

Her phone chimed with a text from him: "Caught three speeders today. None as cute as you."

Tabitha grinned, typing back: "That's because I haven't taken the bike out yet today."

"Don't even think about it," came his instant reply.

"Yes, sir," she sent back, knowing it would make him growl. Her big bad alpha lion had such delicious reactions when she teased him.

Turning back to her painting, she added the finishing touches - subtle sparkles of magic that would shimmer under gallery lights. The piece perfectly captured their relationship: wild and controlled, chaos and order, all wrapped up in love.

"Gallery's going to flip when they see this one," she said to herself, stepping back to admire her work. Her wild magic hummed contentedly, at peace in the space Dominic had created just for her. Who would have thought the town troublemaker would find her happiness with the biggest rule-follower in Saltwater Grove?

Tabitha hummed along to her music as she cleaned her brushes, her wild magic making the water in the bowl shimmer with purple sparks. The evening light filtered through the sunroom's windows, casting shadows across her workspace. She'd lost track of time again, caught up in her latest piece.

"Hey, troublemaker." Dominic's deep voice startled her. He stood in the doorway, still in his uniform but with his badge already off. "Come with me."

She raised an eyebrow at his commanding tone. "Let me finish cleaning these-"

"Now. Please." His green eyes held that intensity that always made her magic flutter.

"So bossy," she teased, but dried her hands and followed him down the hall.

The living room stopped her in her tracks. Dozens of candles bathed the space in warm light, their flames dancing in response to her surprised magic. "Dom?"

"Close your eyes." His voice had gone soft, almost nervous.

She complied, curiosity burning through her. Rustling sounds filled the room, then the unmistakable sound of guitar strings. Her eyes flew open.

Dominic sat on their coffee table, acoustic guitar cradled in his lap like it belonged there. His fingers moved over the strings with practiced ease as he began to play.

"You're supposed to keep them closed," he said smiling.

"You actually remember how to play?" She remembered him mentioning it once, back when they first met. He had told her that he used to enjoy playing his guitar, but she'd never heard him play before. Until now.

Instead of answering, he started singing. His voice, deep and rich, filled the room with lyrics about purple sparks and wild hearts, about breaking rules and finding love. About her.

Tabitha's magic reacted to her emotions, making the candle flames pulse in time with the music. Heat bloomed in her chest as she watched him perform. How had she never known he could do this? And damn if it wasn't the sexiest thing she'd ever seen and heard.

The final notes faded away. Tabitha's heart thundered in her chest as Dominic set his guitar aside, the last notes of his song still echoing through their candlelit living room. Her wild magic sparked purple trails through the air, responding to the surge of emotion as he dropped to one knee before her.

"Tabitha Moon." His voice held a tender undercurrent that brought tears to her eyes. "You crashed into my perfectly ordered life like a hurricane, breaking every rule I held sacred."

Her magic crackled, making the candle flames dance. "To be fair, most of those rules were pretty boring."

His green eyes blazed with alpha intensity as he pulled out a ring box. "You drive me crazy in the best possible ways. You challenge me, inspire me, and make me want to be morethan just the sheriff." He opened the box, revealing a stunning amethyst stone set in white gold. "Will you marry me?"

Tears spilled down Tabitha's cheeks as purple sparks showered around them. "You actually got me a purple and gold ring?"

"Answer the question." But his commanding tone wavered with vulnerability.

"Yes!" She launched herself at him, nearly knocking them both over. "Of course yes, you ridiculous rule-following lion."

His large hands steadied her as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The stone gleamed, catching the candlelight and the sparkle of her magic.

"It's enchanted," he explained, thumb brushing over the ring. "Nina helped me find one that would respond to your wild magic."

As if on cue, the amethyst pulsed with purple light. Tabitha stared at it in wonder. "I just have to say, you are amazing. But I reserve the right to keep breaking minor laws just to see you get all growly and alpha."

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