Page 13 of Frost and Felines (Saltwater Grove #5)

13

MALLORY

M allory smoothed down the navy silk dress that she borrowed from Amy as she sat in The Hearthstone's finest dining room. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light across the white tablecloths while a fire crackled in the stone hearth. The investor, Daniel Sterling, dabbed his mouth with a napkin.

"So tell me," Daniel said, swirling his wine glass, "how did you two meet? I must admit I was surprised to hear Kieran had finally settled down."

Kieran's arm slid around her shoulders, pulling her close. The heat of him seeped through her dress. "We met at the Rothschild Gallery downtown," he said, his voice carrying that playful tone she'd grown familiar with. "Mallory was critiquing the awful modernist paintings."

"They were hideous," Mallory said, falling into their practiced story. "All squares and circles with no soul."

"I overheard her tearing apart this piece that cost more than my car," Kieran continued, his thumb tracing her shoulder. "And I knew I had to meet the woman brave enough to speak that truth in a room full of art snobs."

Daniel's eyebrows rose. "Love at first sight then?"

"More like love at first argument," Mallory said, earning a genuine laugh from Kieran that made her stomach flutter. "He tried to defend that monstrosity."

"Only to keep the conversation going," Kieran admitted, pressing a kiss to her cheek. The casual affection sent warmth flooding through her body.

"How romantic," Daniel said, though his tone suggested he found it anything but. "And now you've postponed Paris to help with the inn?"

"Family comes first," Mallory said, laying her hand over Kieran's where it rested on the table. His fingers immediately interlaced with hers, strong and steady. "Besides, who could resist spending Christmas here? The Hearthstone feels magical this time of year."

She meant it too, which surprised her. The inn had worked its way under her skin, becoming more than just a temporary shelter. Or maybe it wasn't just the inn.

"Indeed," Daniel said, his gaze calculating as it moved between them. "Though I imagine running an inn with your new bride isn't quite the honeymoon you imagined, Kieran?"

"On the contrary," Kieran's voice deepened, becoming possessive. "Having my wife by my side while building something meaningful together? That's better than any honeymoon."

The conviction in his voice made Mallory's heart skip. For a moment, she could almost believe this wasn't pretend.

Mallory watched as Daniel's expression softened, his weathered face creasing with joy as he started to describe his forty-year marriage. The investor's hands moved animatedly while he spoke about surprising his wife with a trip to Venice for their anniversary.

"Nothing quite like sharing life's adventures with the one you love," Daniel said, dabbing his mouth again with his napkin. "What about you two? You must have some wonderful moments together, being newlyweds and all."

Kieran's hand tightened almost imperceptibly on hers. Through their joined fingers, she felt the slight tension in his muscles. His usual smooth charm faltered for just a heartbeat.

"Well," he started, his thumb gently brushing her knuckles. "There are so many to choose from..."

Mallory's heart raced as she watched him grasp for details. The pause stretched a fraction too long. Daniel's eyebrows lifted slightly, interest sharpening in his gaze.

The scent of roasted chicken and cranberry sauce wafted from their plates, mingling with the pine and cinnamon that perfumed the dining room. Outside, snow continued to fall in thick flakes, coating the window panes in delicate patterns. The fire seemed to crackle louder in the hearth near their table.

Kieran shifted in his seat, his broad shoulders straightening as he prepared to speak. His auburn hair caught the warm light from the chandeliers, and Mallory found herself mesmerized by the way it highlighted the strong line of his jaw. Even in this moment of uncertainty, he radiated confidence and strength.

"The thing about Mallory is," he began, his deep voice carrying that hint of possessiveness that made her pulse quicken, "she constantly surprises me. Like when we..."

Daniel leaned forward, clearly invested in hearing their story. The crystal glasses clinked as a server topped off their wine. Mallory felt the weight of the moment pressing down, knowing their entire charade could unravel with one wrong word here.

Mallory squeezed Kieran's hand, pushing down the ache in her chest as she suddenly launched into the story. "Actually, one of my favorite memories is from just after we got engaged," she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her. "Kieran insisted on cooking me dinner - said he wanted to prove he could take care of me."

The memory of Eli's proud grin as he'd presented his attempt at duck confit flashed through her mind. She forced herself to keep smiling, though her heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice.

"I came home to find the kitchen looking like a war zone," she continued, watching Daniel lean in with interest. "Flour everywhere, pots and pans scattered across every surface, and this gorgeous man standing in the middle of it all with sauce splattered across his cheek."

Kieran played along perfectly, running his free hand through his hair in mock embarrassment. "In my defense, French cuisine is harder than it looks."

On the table, his other hand squeezed hers gently, as if he sensed the tremor in her voice that no one else would notice. The warmth of his touch anchored her, keeping the threatening tears at bay.

"The duck was completely burnt on the outside and raw in the middle," Mallory said, forcing a laugh that sounded natural enough. "But he'd gone to so much trouble, trying to recreate this recipe his mother used to make."

"So, what did you do?" Daniel asked, completely invested in the story.

"We ordered pizza," Mallory said, the words catching slightly in her throat as she remembered how Eli had kissed away her giggles that night. "And spent the evening slow dancing in the kitchen while he promised to stick to grilling from then on."

"Some promises are worth keeping," Kieran added smoothly, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her palm. The gentle motion helped steady her racing pulse.

Daniel raised his glass. "To kitchen disasters and the wives who forgive them."

As they clinked glasses, Mallory felt Kieran's concerned gaze on her face. She kept her smile firmly in place, even as her chest constricted with the effort of not letting the grief show. The memory of Eli's laughter echoed in her mind, mixing with the sound of Kieran's voice beside her, creating a discordant melody that threatened to break her carefully maintained composure.

Mallory's heels clicked against the polished floors as she and Kieran finally left the dining room. Her shoulders relaxed slightly now that the pressure of maintaining their charade for Daniel was over. The scent of Kieran's earthy cologne lingered as he walked close beside her, his hand resting protectively at the small of her back.

"That went well, I think-" she started, but a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Kieran Striker, you absolute bastard!"

A woman with perfectly styled dark hair and designer clothes stormed toward them, her face twisted with fury. Mallory felt Kieran tense beside her.

"Tina," he said, his voice dropping to that low, controlled tone she had noticed he used when dealing with difficult situations. "This isn't the time or place."

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I interrupting something with your latest conquest?" Tina's gaze raked over Mallory dismissively. "What's this I hear about you being married? We were together just a year ago!"

Mallory's stomach dropped. Through the dining room's open door, she could still see Daniel finishing his wine. If he heard any of this...

"Tina, please lower your voice," Kieran stepped forward, using his impressive height to try and shield Mallory from his ex's venom. "We can discuss this privately in my office."

"Discuss what? How you apparently got married without telling anyone? How you're parading around with this-" Tina gestured at Mallory, "-this nobody?"

Thunder rumbled outside, matching the storm building in Mallory's chest. She forced herself to take deep breaths, knowing her magic could spiral out of control if she let her emotions take over right now.

"That's enough," Kieran growled, his shoulders broadening as he took another step toward Tina.

Mallory touched his arm. "Kieran, go check on the dining room. I'll handle this."

He turned to her, his blue eyes fierce with protective instinct. "Mallory-"

"Trust me," she said softly, meeting his gaze steadily. After a moment, he nodded, though she could see how much it cost him to walk away.

Mallory turned back to face Tina, who looked ready to continue her tirade. Behind them, she heard Daniel's chair scrape against the floor. Whatever happened next would determine whether their careful performance had been for nothing.

Mallory suddenly gripped Tina's elbow. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she steered the protesting woman toward the inn's front entrance. Thunder rumbled louder outside, matching the storm of emotions inside her. The silk of her borrowed dress whispered against her legs with each determined step.

"Let go of me! You have no right-" Tina's voice pitched high enough to make nearby guests turn their heads.

"Actually, I do." Mallory's tone remained level as she pushed open the heavy oak door. "As Kieran's wife and co-owner of this establishment, I have every right to escort disruptive guests out."

The icy December air hit them both as they reached the covered entrance. Snow swirled beyond the overhang, creating white curtains that danced in the wind. Mallory released Tina's arm and stepped back, crossing her arms.

"Look," Mallory softened her voice. "I understand you're hurting. Break-ups are never easy, and finding out an ex has moved on can feel like salt in the wound."

Tina's perfectly lined eyes widened, clearly not expecting sympathy.

"But this bitterness?" Mallory continued. "It's not hurting Kieran - it's only poisoning you. Let it go and move forward."

"I..." Tina's shoulders slumped slightly. "You don't understand-"

Movement beyond the snow caught Mallory's eye. Gregory stood near his black Mercedes, his signature false smile firmly in place as he watched the scene unfold. The pieces clicked into place - Tina's sudden appearance during the investor meeting couldn't be a coincidence.

"Excuse me," Mallory said, stepping past a stunned Tina and into the swirling snow. Her bare arms prickled with cold, but anger kept her warm as she marched toward Gregory. Her designer heels sank into the fresh powder with each step.

"Mr. Simmons," she called out, her voice carrying over the wind. "I see subtlety isn't your strong suit."

Gregory's smile faltered. "Mrs. Striker, you'll catch a cold out here without a coat."

"And you'll catch worse if you don't back off," Mallory stopped inches from him, tilting her chin up. "This petty feud? It ends now. The next time you try to sabotage my husband's business, I won't be so pleasant about it."

Thunder cracked loudly overhead, emphasizing her words. Gregory took an involuntary step back, his perfectly greased hair dampening in the snow.

"Are we clear?" Mallory asked, her light blue eyes boring into his.

"Crystal," Gregory muttered, his facade cracking as he hurried into his car where Tina already waited.