Page 12 of Frost and Felines (Saltwater Grove #5)

12

KIERAN

K ieran found Mallory in the garden room the following morning. Her platinum hair gleamed in the sunlight as she arranged fresh flowers in a vase. His tiger stirred at the sight of her, and he pushed down the urge to wrap her in his arms. This fake marriage was becoming harder by the day.

"Morning, beautiful." He approached with two steaming cups of coffee. "Black, two sugars."

"You remembered." A small smile played on her lips as she accepted the cup.

"I remember every detail about you." The words slipped out. He cleared his throat. "Listen, I need a favor. Daniel wants to have lunch tomorrow. Would you join us?"

Mallory's fingers tightened around the coffee cup. "I don't do well in formal settings."

"You've been amazing with everything else." He stepped closer, catching the faint scent of rain that always seemed to surround her. "I'll be right there beside you. We can even practice some small talk tonight if you want."

"Practice small talk?" She arched an eyebrow. "That's not exactly reassuring."

"Come on, you handled the Simmons like a pro. Daniel's a teddy bear compared to them." He touched her elbow gently. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

"And here I thought you just enjoyed my sparkling personality." Her dry humor made him grin.

"That's just a bonus." He winked. "Seriously though, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done so far. This whole arrangement... you've made it easier than I ever expected."

Something flickered in her ice-blue eyes. "It's not entirely selfless. The suite is quite nice."

"Is that all I am to you? A luxury hotel provider?" He grabbed at his chest in mock hurt, delighting in her quiet laugh.

"And occasional entertainment." She set down her coffee cup. "Fine, I'll do lunch. But you owe me."

"Name your price, Mrs. Striker." The fake title still sent a thrill through him.

"I'll think of something." She gathered up her gardening tools. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more flowers to arrange."

Kieran watched her go, his tiger restless inside him. This woman who'd stumbled into his life was becoming far more than just a convenient solution to his problems. And that thought terrified him because he didn't know what to do about it.

Later that afternoon, Kieran knocked on Mallory's suite door, blueprints tucked under his arm. His tiger paced restlessly, eager to be near her again. The door opened, and there she stood in a form-fitting sweater that made her look soft yet extremely sexy. His tiger more than approved.

"I need your professional opinion." He held up the blueprints. "Got some time?"

"Depends. Are you actually going to listen to my suggestions?" Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

"When have I not listened to you?" He stepped into her suite, catching her intoxicating scent. "Your DIY ornaments and star are still getting compliments."

They spread the blueprints across her coffee table. He watched as she studied them, her finger tracing potential changes. His tiger rumbled contently at having her full attention.

"The lobby needs more natural light." She circled an area. "And this wall? Perfect spot for a stone fireplace. It would add warmth, literally and aesthetically."

"Show me more." He leaned closer, not entirely focused on the blueprints.

"The dining room could use better flow." Her hands moved animatedly as she spoke. "See how this layout creates dead zones? But if we opened it up, added some booth seating along here..."

Kieran found himself mesmerized by her enthusiasm. The usual guard she kept up had fallen away, replaced by genuine excitement. "You really know your stuff."

"I've written enough articles about it." She sketched quick changes on the margins. "This could be really amazing, Kieran. The bones are already perfect, it just needs..."

"You?" The word slipped out before he could stop it.

She stilled, her pencil hovering over the paper. "I won't be here for the renovation."

"But you could be." His tiger pushed him to press further. "The inn could use a permanent design consultant."

"Kieran." Her voice carried a warning. "We agreed. After the holidays, we go our separate ways. No complications."

"Maybe I like complications." He grabbed her hand, his thumb brushing her knuckles. "Maybe I like the way you light up when you talk about design. The way you handle every crisis like it's nothing. The way you fit here."

She pulled her hand away, but not before he felt her slight tremor. "I can't."

His tiger growled in frustration, but he made himself step back. "Just think about it. The inn needs you." I need you, he added silently, watching as she turned back to the blueprints, her walls firmly back in place.

He watched as she bent over the blueprints for several more minutes, her platinum hair falling forward like a curtain. His tiger paced restlessly, wanting desperately to brush those silken strands back.

"So why an inn?" She suddenly glanced up at him through her lashes. "What made you choose this particular path?"

The change of subject was obvious, but he'd let her have this one. His tiger settled as he dropped onto her plush couch, stretching his long legs. "Would you believe me if I said it started with my grandmother's cookies?"

"Cookies?" A smile finally tugged at her lips.

"Best damn snickerdoodles in Saltwater Grove. Everyone knew it." He leaned back, memories washing over him. "She'd bake these huge batches, and people would just... show up. Our house became this gathering spot. Even strangers felt welcome."

"Sounds pretty special."

"It was. Mom was the same way – had this gift for making everyone feel like family." His chest tightened. "We lost Grandma five years ago. Mom just recently. But they showed me what community really means."

Mallory set down her pencil, giving him her full attention. His tiger preened under her gaze.

"The first year here was rough," he admitted, his voice low. "Banks weren't exactly lining up to fund a twenty-five-year-old's dream of turning this old building into something special. But I knew – knew in my bones – that people needed a place like this."

"And now?"

"Now?" He gestured around them. "Every Christmas card from guests, every wedding hosted here, every kid who comes running back year after year – it proves I was right." His tiger rumbled with pride. "Though I'll admit, there were nights I questioned everything. Especially when the roof leaked during our first major event."

"Oh no." Her eyes widened.

"Oh yes. Right onto the birthday cake." He chuckled. "But you know what? The guests helped clean up, someone ran to the store for a new cake, and it turned into this impromptu party in the kitchen while we waited."

"That's... actually amazing."

"That's The Hearthstone." He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower. "It's not just about providing beds and breakfast. It's about creating moments and memories. A place where people feel like they belong."

Mallory's fingers traced abstract patterns on the blueprints, her expression thoughtful. Kieran fought the urge to capture those delicate hands in his again. His tiger wanted to show her exactly how well she could belong here too, but he forced himself to stay put. She obviously wasn't ready for that. Not yet.

Mallory shifted on the couch, her fingers still tracing the blueprints. "You know, I have to admit something."

Kieran's tiger perked up at the softness in her voice. "What's that?"

"When I was stuck in that storm, I passed by the Lux Grove before ultimately choosing The Hearthstone." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Something about it just... called to me. It felt like coming home."

His heart thundered in his chest. His tiger purred at her words. "Yeah?"

"What you've built here in five years – it's incredible, Kieran." Her ice-blue eyes met his, sincere and warm. "The way you've created this sanctuary for people, how you've poured your heart into every detail. It really shows."

Kieran fought the urge to pull her into his arms. His tiger demanded he claim her right then and there. But he held back, knowing she wasn't ready for something like that.

"That means more than you know." He leaned in closer to her, unable to help himself. "Especially coming from you."

"From me?" She blinked, genuine surprise crossing her features. "I'm just your temporary fake wife."

"You're not 'just' anything, Mallory." His voice dropped lower, rougher. "You've become essential to this place. To me."

A blush crept across her cheeks, and his tiger preened at the sight. She opened her mouth to respond, but he pressed on, needing her to understand.

"The way you handle things, how you've connected with the staff, and your vision for making this place even better." He gestured to the blueprints between them. "You belong here."

"Kieran..."

"I know you're not ready to hear it." He caught her hand in his, his thumb stroking her palm. "But I'm not giving up on convincing you to stay. Not when you fit so perfectly here."

The way she looked at him then, vulnerable and yearning, made his tiger roar with satisfaction. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as determined to leave as she claimed. And Kieran would spend every day until then proving to her that she had found more than just a temporary home at The Hearthstone.