Page 4 of Paws and Claws

"Protection spells won't help if you're going too fast to cast them." He crossed his arms, and Tabitha definitely didn't notice how it made his biceps flex. "Do you know how many motorcycle accidents I've seen?"

"Are you really going to lecture me right now?" She leaned back on her bike, rolling her eyes. "Don't you have actual crimes to solve?"

"Breaking traffic laws is an actual crime." He stepped closer, looming over her. "You know, you've had two offenses already this month."

"Three now," she muttered. At his raised eyebrow, she added, "But who's counting?"

"I am. It's my job to keep this town safe, even from reckless witches who think they're above the law."

The lecture continued, but Tabitha's attention drifted to how the sun brought out golden flecks in his green eyes. Such a waste that all that attractiveness came packaged with a rigid personality. And now he was probably about to give her another ticket she couldn't afford, especially after that gallery rejection.

Tabitha's patience snapped like a rubber band stretched too far. The sun beat down on her leather jacket as Dominic droned on about responsibility and public safety. His voice had that deep rumble that probably worked wonders on everyone else in town, but it just made her want to hex him.

"Do you ever stop?" She threw her hands up, cutting him off mid-lecture. "I swear, you must practice these speeches in the mirror every morning. 'I'm Sheriff Dominic Blackmane, and I'm here to crush joy wherever I find it.'"

His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking under his skin. "You think public safety is a joke?"

"No, I think your attitude is a joke." Tabitha crossed her arms, matching his stance. "When's the last time you did anything fun? And I mean actual fun, not organizing your reports by date and infraction type."

A low growl resonated in his chest. "Unlike some people, I take my responsibilities seriously."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You know what? I bet you sleep in that uniform."

His eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, Tabitha caught a glimpse of his inner lion. The air crackled with tension, and despite herself, her heart skipped a beat.

"License and registration," he bit out, each word clipped and controlled.

Tabitha dug through her jacket pocket and produced the documents. "Here you go," she said through gritted teeth.

He snatched them from her hand and his fingers brushed against hers. The brief contact sent an unexpected spark through her arm, and she blamed it on her magic. Definitely not anything else.

Dominic scribbled the ticket with more force than necessary, practically shoving it at her. "Next time it'll be more than a fine."

"Promises, promises." Tabitha tucked the ticket into her jacket without looking at it. The engine roared to life under her, and she revved it just to see him wince. "Try not to strain anything with all that rule-following, Sheriff."

She peeled out before he could respond, leaving him in a cloud of dust. Through her mirror, she caught his frustrated expression and couldn't help but grin. Making Dominic Blackmane lose his cool was almost worth the price of the ticket.

Almost.

The Hexed bar buzzed with late afternoon energy as Tabitha pushed through the heavy oak door. Magic tingled across her skin from the protection wards, and the scent of sage and citruswelcomed her like an old friend. Strings of fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting a warm glow on the exposed brick walls covered in local artwork.

She slumped onto her favorite barstool, the worn leather creaking beneath her. The ticket burned a hole in her jacket pocket, reminding her of those penetrating green eyes and that infuriating authority in his voice.

"Something stronger than usual?" Jake, the bartender, asked. His tattoos shifted and swirled across his arms as he mixed drinks.

"Make it a double." Tabitha ran her fingers through her hair. "Our favorite sheriff struck again."

"Girl, what did you do this time?" Luna slid onto the stool next to her, her silver bangles jingling. "I could feel your anger from across the room."

"Apparently, enjoying a beautiful day on my bike is a crime now." Tabitha accepted her drink from Jake, taking a long sip. "You should've seen him, all 'I am the law' with his perfectly pressed uniform and that stupid confident stride."

"Sounds hot." Luna wiggled her eyebrows.

"Please." Tabitha scoffed, but her cheeks warmed. "He's about as fun as a tax audit. Did you know he actually said 'breaking traffic laws is an actual crime' with a straight face?"

Mira joined them. "Dominic Blackmane? That man needs to get laid."

"Not it." Tabitha raised her hand, making her friends laugh. "Though I swear he saves his longest lectures just for me. Today he went on forever about motorcycle safety like I'm some teenager who just got her license."

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