Page 28 of Paws and Claws

Her breath hitched, pupils dilating. "Like what?"

The heat between them crackled, and Dominic's mind reeled. When had this happened? When had his annoyance with her transformed into this electric attraction? She was everything he wasn't - wild, reckless, and free. She drove him crazy in all the wrong ways, and yet...

A whispered conversation from the corner caught his attention. "This town's gone to the dogs - and worse. Shifters and witches, running around like they own the place."

"Soon enough," another voice replied. "We'll show them what happens when they get too comfortable."

Dominic's lion fumed at the threat, but he kept his position, using Tabitha's body to shield his reaction. She'd heard it too.

"Don't react," she whispered, her lips barely moving.

12

TABITHA

"Don't react," Tabitha whispered, sliding off the table. Her body brushed against his as she moved, sending a shiver through her that wasn’t from the conversation they'd overheard. "Where are they?"

"Three of them, corner booth." His voice was low and predatory.

They abandoned their pool game, moving casually through the crowd. Tabitha fought back a wave of disappointment. She'd been having fun - actual, genuine fun - with Dominic Blackmane of all people. Who would've thought?

She snuck a glance at him as they walked. His jaw was set, shoulders back, every inch the powerful alpha male. But the way he'd been teasing her earlier, matching her wit for wit, showing her glimpses of the man behind the badge...

"Damn it," she muttered to herself. This attraction was getting harder to ignore. Sure, she'd always known he was gorgeous - a girl would have to be blind not to notice those shoulders, or the way his uniform fit him just right. But this was different. This was dangerous.

"What's wrong?" he murmured, his hand settling on her lower back as they navigated through a cluster of people.

The touch sent heat racing through her body. "Nothing. Just... disappointed our game got interrupted." It wasn't entirely a lie.

His lips quirked up slightly. "I never thought I'd hear you say you enjoyed spending time with me."

"Don't let it go to your head," she shot back jokingly. Their eyes met and held for a moment, the air between them charging with something electric.

The sound of shattered glass from a waitress dropping a drink nearby broke the moment.

Tabitha kept following Dominic's lead through the crowded bar, his broad shoulders creating a path through the press of bodies. They slid into a booth close enough to observe their targets but far enough not to draw attention.

"Keep smiling," Dominic murmured, his knee brushing against hers under the table. "Act natural."

"I always act natural." She picked up a drink menu, using it as cover while she watched the three men in the corner. "You're the one who looks like he's about to pounce."

His lips twitched. "I do not."

"Please. Your inner lion is practically preening right now."

He leaned closer, ostensibly to look at the menu with her. The warmth of his body sent little sparks of awareness dancing across her skin. "They're talking about some kind of job," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. "Something big."

Tabitha fought the urge to shiver. "Define big."

"Not sure yet. They keep mentioning preparation and timing, but..." He tilted his head slightly, focusing his enhanced hearing. "These guys are definitely low-level. They don't know the details themselves."

A waitress approached their table. Tabitha ordered the first drink that came to mind, watching Dominic's face change as he continued listening to the Hunters' conversation.

"What now?" she asked once the waitress left.

"They're worried about getting everything ready in time, but they won't say when 'in time' is." His jaw clenched in frustration.

"At least we know they're planning something." She reached across the table and grabbed his hand, surprising them both. But they needed to look like a couple on a date, right? That was totally the only reason. "Better than what we had this morning."

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