Page 19 of Frost and Felines (Saltwater Grove #5)

19

KIERAN

K ieran balanced the basket of treats in one arm while keeping his other hand at the small of Mallory's back as they moved down the hallway that afternoon. The scent of cinnamon and sugar from the fresh-baked cookies mingled with the pine garlands decorating the corridors. His tiger was content at having her so close.

"Room 212," Charlotte called out, consulting her clipboard. "The Williams family."

"I've got this one." Mallory stepped forward and knocked. The door opened to reveal two excited children who squealed when they saw the candy canes.

"Merry Christmas!" Kieran looked on as Mallory bent down to their level, her blonde hair catching the warm hallway lights. She handed each child a cookie and candy cane with such genuine warmth that his chest tightened.

"You're really good with kids," he murmured when she rejoined him.

"Don't sound so surprised," she replied dryly. "I did teach piano lessons before..."

She trailed off, that familiar shadow crossing her face. Kieran squeezed her hand. "Hey, want to hear about the time I accidentally set the kitchen on fire trying to make gingerbread men?"

Her smile was worth every bit of embarrassment from that story. "How did you manage that?"

"Pure talent." He winked. "And possibly some very flammable bourbon in the recipe."

They continued down the hall, trading stories between stops. Chase and Amy had gone ahead to the next floor while Charlotte brought up the rear, making notes about which rooms still needed visits.

At the next door, an elderly couple cooed over them being "such a lovely young married couple." Kieran felt Mallory tense slightly beside him, but he just smiled, wrapping his arm snugly around her waist.

"Thank you," he said smoothly. "I'm a very lucky man."

The words felt too true. He caught Mallory's gaze and for a moment the air crackled between them, just like in her room earlier. His tiger urged him strongly to close the distance, to finally taste those lips that had been tempting him for weeks.

But he held back. She had to be ready. Had to want it as much as he did.

"Next floor?" she asked softly, breaking the moment.

"Lead the way, sweetheart." He followed, content for now just to be near her, even if his heart yearned for more.

Several hours later, Kieran hefted another string of lights while watching Mallory arrange poinsettias on the tables. The way she bit her lip in concentration made his tiger rumble with approval.

A sudden flash of movement outside the window caught his eye.

"That sneaky bastard," he muttered, spotting Gregory's expensive wool coat as the man crept toward the utility area.

Mallory's head snapped up. "What is it?"

"Gregory. He's going for the breaker box." Kieran dropped the lights and headed for the door. "Coming?"

"Right behind you."

The freezing air hit them as they burst outside. Gregory stood by the electrical panel, chaos magic crackling between his fingers like dark lightning.

Kieran's tiger surged forward, demanding release. He gave in, his bones cracking and reforming as fur rippled across his skin. In seconds, a massive Bengal tiger stood where the man had been, muscles coiled and ready.

Gregory's eyes widened. The chaos magic fizzled out as he stumbled backward.

Kieran stalked forward, a low growl rumbling in him. His tiger wanted to teach this pest a lesson about threatening what was his.

"I suggest you leave," Mallory's voice rang out clear and sharp. "Next time you show up here uninvited, I'm calling the authorities. I'm sure they'd love to hear about all your little pranks."

Gregory scrambled away, nearly falling in his haste to escape. Kieran watched until he disappeared around the corner before shifting back. His clothes, specially enchanted, reformed with him.

"So..." He turned to Mallory, suddenly uncertain. "I'm a tiger shifter."

To his surprise, she was grinning. "That was breathtaking! I've never seen a shifter transformation up close before." Her eyes sparkled with genuine fascination. "The way your magic flows through the change is beautiful."

His tiger preened. "Most people aren't quite so... enthusiastic about it."

"Are you kidding me? It's amazing." She stepped closer, reaching up to brush her fingers through his hair where his fur had been moments before. "You're amazing."

The touch sent electricity down his spine. His tiger strongly urged him to pull her close, to show her just how amazing he could be. But he settled for capturing her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm.

"We should get back inside," he murmured. "Still have a dance to set up."

"Lead the way, tiger." Her teasing smile warmed him more than any fire could.

Kieran adjusted another centerpiece, his tiger unsettled beneath his skin. The event space gleamed with twinkling lights and evergreen garlands, but something felt off about the placement of?—

"If you move that flower one more time, I'm going to freeze it to the table."

He spun around and what he saw before him took his breath away. Mallory stood at the base of the staircase in a deep blue satin dress that hugged her curves before flowing to the floor. Her platinum hair cascaded over one shoulder in elegant waves. His tiger growled low in appreciation.

"Amy's dress?" he managed, drinking in the sight of her.

"Charlotte's, actually." Mallory crossed to him, the dress swishing softly. "You need to stop fussing. Everything looks perfect."

"I just want?—"

"To control everything?" She raised an eyebrow. "The party's already started. Come enjoy it with me."

His inner tiger preened at the invitation. "As my fake wife commands."

"Damn right." She slipped her arm through his, and the contact sent electricity through him. "Now, show me off to your guests like the proud alpha owner you are."

Kieran laughed, leading her toward where the guests mingled. "Using my own nature against me? That's fighting dirty."

They made their rounds, stopping to chat with various guests. Mrs. Hudson from room 204 gushed over them being "absolutely perfect together" while her husband nodded approvingly. The Taylors insisted on hearing their fake love story again.

"You two remind me of me and my Harold when we were young," Mrs. Taylor sighed. "Such chemistry."

Kieran felt Mallory tense up beside him, but he just pulled her closer against his side. "I'm so lucky," he said, meaning every word.

"Oh, stop," Mallory muttered, but he caught her small smile.

They continued circulating, and Kieran found himself relaxing into their easy rapport. His tiger settled contentedly each time she laughed at his jokes or touched his arm. When she leaned in to whisper commentary about particularly outrageous guest outfits, he had to resist the urge to nuzzle her neck.

"See?" she said after they finished chatting with the Wilsons. "Much better than obsessing over centerpieces."

"You might be onto something." He grinned down at her. "Though I still think that one by the punch bowl is crooked."

The band shifted to a slower melody, and Kieran's tiger purred at the opportunity. He turned to Mallory, extending his hand with a playful bow.

"Dance with me?"

She hesitated, those crystalline blue eyes searching his face. "I'm not much of a dancer."

"Neither am I. We can be terrible together." His grin widened. "Come on, I promise not to step on your toes. Tiger's honor."

"Well, when you put it that way..." She placed her hand in his, and his tiger rumbled in satisfaction at the contact.

He led her to the dance floor, pulling her close against him. One hand settled on her lower back while the other clasped hers. The satin of her dress was cool beneath his palm, but her skin radiated warmth.

"See? Not so bad," he murmured, guiding them in a slow circle.

"The night's still young. Plenty of time for toe-stepping." But she relaxed into his hold, her free hand resting on his shoulder.

The scent of her perfume – something light and floral – mingled with her natural storm-touched essence. His tiger wanted to bury its nose in her neck and breathe her in. Instead, he settled for drawing her fractionally closer.

"You look beautiful tonight," he said softly. "Blue suits you."

A slight flush colored her cheeks. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

"Pretty well? That hurts." He spun her out and back, catching her against his chest. "I'll have you know I spent hours picking out this tie."

Her laugh vibrated through him where their bodies pressed together. "Ten minutes, tops."

"Fifteen, actually."

They swayed together, and Kieran found himself mesmerized by the way the lights caught her platinum hair, how her eyes sparkled when she smiled. His tiger stretched lazily beneath his skin, perfectly content to have her in his arms.

The music swelled, and Mallory's fingers tightened on his shoulder. "Kieran?"

"Hmm?" He looked deeply into her eyes, caught by the intensity in her gaze.

"Thank you. For making me laugh again."

The simple honesty in her voice made his chest tighten. He wanted to kiss her right now, to show her exactly how much she meant to him.

Instead, he squeezed her hand and twirled her again, delighting in her surprised giggle.

"Anytime, storm witch. Anytime."

Kieran guided Mallory through the quieting halls of The Hearthstone, his tiger still purring from their dance. The satin of her dress whispered against his fingers where they rested on her back. His inner beast wanted to pull her closer, to breathe in more of that intoxicating storm-touched scent that was uniquely her.

"You were right about the party. It was perfect," he admitted, enjoying her satisfied smirk. "Though that centerpiece was definitely crooked."

"You're impossible." She bumped his shoulder playfully.

They rounded the corner toward their rooms and Kieran's keen eyes caught sight of something green hanging from the ceiling. His tiger's attention snapped to full alert – mistletoe. Charlotte must have hung it when he wasn't looking. That crafty woman.

Before he could decide whether to point it out or tactfully guide Mallory around it, she came to a stop directly beneath the sprig. Her blue eyes lifted to the ceiling, then met his with an intensity that caused his breath to catch.

"Mistletoe," she said softly.

"We don't have to—" he started, but she was already rising on her toes, one hand sliding up to cup his jaw.

The first brush of her lips against his was tentative, questioning. His tiger surged forward with a possessive growl and Kieran deepened the kiss, pulling her flush against him. She tasted like punch and possibilities, her mouth warm and willing under his. His hand tangled in her hair as he angled her head to better claim her lips.

Mallory made a small sound in the back of her throat that drove him wild. His tiger wanted to back her against the wall and show her exactly what she did to him. Instead, he gentled the kiss, pouring all his unspoken feelings into the press of his lips against hers.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Kieran rested his forehead against hers. His tiger rumbled in delight at the flush in her cheeks, and the slight swell of her lips.

"I've been wanting to do that for weeks," he murmured.

"Me too." Her fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck. "I just wasn't sure I should..."

"I'm sure." He brushed another soft kiss across her lips. "More sure than I've ever been about anything in my life."