Page 27 of Paws and Claws

He gripped the glass, his knuckles white. "I am being casual."

"No, you're being too rigid. Roll your shoulders back and relax your stance." She demonstrated, her body loose and fluid. "See? Like that."

Dominic tried to mirror her posture, feeling awkward and exposed. His lion prowled restlessly beneath his skin, unused to being anything but vigilant.

"Better," she said, leading him toward the bar. "Now stop looking at everyone like they're suspects."

"They could be."

"And they'll know that if you keep glaring." She hopped onto a barstool, patting the one next to her. "Sit. Talk to me. Pretend we're on a date."

His heart skipped at the word 'date,' but he sat down anyway. "What should we talk about?"

"Anything except work." She turned toward him, her knee brushing his thigh. "Tell me something I don't know about you."

He took a sip of his drink, letting the burn of whiskey ease some of his tension. "I... used to play guitar."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "Why'd you stop?"

"Too busy with work, I guess." He found himself relaxing into the conversation, his body unconsciously mirroring her open posture. "Haven't picked it up in years."

"That's a shame. I bet you were good with those hands."

The suggestive tone in her voice made his skin heat. He watched her lips curve into a knowing smile as she sipped her drink, and for once, he didn't feel the need to maintain his usual professional distance.

"You'd be surprised what these hands can do," he said, letting a hint of growl color his words.

Her eyes widened slightly, and he caught the spike in her pulse. "Well, well. Look who's finally loosening up."

Around them, the bar hummed with energy - music thrumming through the floorboards, glasses clinking, and laughter floating through the hazy air. But for the first time since they'd arrived, Dominic wasn't thinking about potential threats or surveillance. Instead, he found himself caught in theway the neon lights played across Tabitha's face, highlighting the mischief in her eyes.

Tabitha suddenly grabbed his hand, sending a jolt of electricity up his arm. "Come on. Let's play pool while we wait."

His lion rumbled in approval at her touch, which only irritated him more. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Afraid I'll beat you?" She sashayed to the pool table, her hips swaying in a way that drew his gaze. "Or afraid you might actually have fun?"

"Neither." He followed her, picking up a cue stick. "I happen to be excellent at pool."

"Prove it." She bent over the table to break, giving him an enticing view that he absolutely shouldn't be noticing. The balls scattered across the felt with a satisfying crack.

"Not bad," he said, circling the table to line up his shot. "For an amateur."

"Oh?" She leaned against her cue stick, watching as he sank two solids in quick succession. "Someone's cocky."

"It's not cocky if it's true." He straightened, letting a hint of fang show in his smile.

"Keep talking big, kitty cat." She slid past him, her body brushing his as she lined up her next shot. "But actions speak louder than words."

The game continued, their banter growing increasingly heated. Every time she passed him, she found a way to brush against him. His lion purred at the contact, urging him to pull her closer instead of letting her slip away.

"Your shot," she purred, perching on the edge of the table.

"You're in my way."

"Am I?" She didn't move. "What are you going to do about it?"

Before he could stop himself, he stepped between her legs, bracing his hands on either side of her hips. "I could think of a few things."

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