Page 20 of Frost and Felines (Saltwater Grove #5)

20

MALLORY

S unlight streamed through the frost-covered windows and cast prisms across Mallory's bed. She burrowed deeper into the plush comforter, her fingers touching her lips where she could still feel the phantom pressure of Kieran's kiss from the night before.

"What was I thinking?" she whispered to herself, though a smile tugged at her mouth. The memory of his strong arms around her waist and the way his hand tangled in her hair pulling her closer when their lips met, sent pleasant shivers through her.

Rolling onto her back, she stared at the ornate ceiling of her suite. The kiss had been... electric. Different from Eli's gentle pecks, Kieran had kissed her with an intensity that made her toes curl. He'd tasted like cinnamon and promises.

A knock at her door made her jump.

"Housekeeping, Mrs. Striker!"

The title made her stomach flutter. Even if it wasn't real, even if it was all pretend, something about being called Mrs. Striker felt right in a way that suddenly terrified her.

"Just a minute!" she called back, though she made no move to get up. Instead, she touched her lips again, remembering how Kieran had looked at her after the kiss - like a starving man who had just discovered a feast.

The weather outside had calmed significantly since last night. Her magic hummed contentedly under her skin, at peace for the first time in years. She knew she should feel guilty about kissing another man, about wanting more kisses from Kieran, but somehow she didn't. Maybe it was time to stop punishing herself for being alive.

"You're overthinking this," she muttered, pulling the blanket up to her chin. "It was just a kiss under the mistletoe. That's what people do at Christmas."

But she knew that wasn't true. That kiss hadn't been just anything - it had been everything. The way Kieran had cupped her face, how his thumb had stroked her cheek, the small growl that had rumbled in his chest when she had pressed closer…

Another knock, more insistent this time. "Mrs. Striker!"

Mallory groaned, throwing an arm over her eyes. "Coming!" How was she supposed to face Kieran now? What if he regretted it? What if he didn't?

Her heart raced at both possibilities.

Mallory soon tugged on her cream sweater and dark jeans and smoothed her hair down. She opened her door to find Maria, one of the housekeepers, holding fresh towels.

"Good morning, Mrs. Striker! There's a note for you." Maria pointed to a red envelope propped against the wall.

Mallory's heart skipped as she recognized Kieran's bold handwriting. She waited until Maria bustled into the bathroom before opening it.

Meet me in the Rose Room for breakfast. Merry Christmas, beautiful. –K

The simple note caused warmth to spread throughout her entire body. She slipped on her boots and headed downstairs, her steps quickening as she approached the private dining area.

When she opened the door, she let out a soft gasp. Kieran had transformed the intimate space into a Christmas wonderland. Twinkling lights draped the ceiling in swooping arcs, casting a soft golden glow. Pine garland wrapped with red ribbon framed the windows, and the table gleamed with fine china and crystal glasses.

"Merry Christmas." Kieran's deep voice came from behind her. He stepped close, his presence solid and warm at her back. The earthy scent of his cologne made her want to lean into him.

"You did all this?" She gestured to the decorations, trying to ignore how her skin tingled where his hand rested on her shoulder.

"I had some help." His chest rumbled with amusement. "But the concept was mine. Come over here."

He guided her to the table, pulling out her chair with a grand flourish. "Today, you're getting the full-service treatment. No arguments."

"Is that an order?" She raised her eyebrows at him, enjoying the flash of heat in his blue eyes.

"Consider it a very strong suggestion." He winked, then lifted a silver dome to reveal fresh croissants and perfectly scrambled eggs. "I remember you mentioned these were your favorite breakfast items."

The fact that he had remembered such a small detail from one of their conversations made her throat tight with emotion. She watched him move around the table with fluid grace, arranging her plate just so, and pouring coffee into delicate cups.

"You really didn't have to go to all this trouble," she said softly.

Kieran paused in his preparations to fix her with an intense look. "Yes, I did. Now hush and let me spoil you today."

Mallory savored each bite of the perfectly flaky croissant, watching as Kieran devoured his third one. His appetite matched his tiger nature - fierce and unrestrained. Every so often, his knee would brush against hers under the table, sending sparks of awareness through her body.

"I haven't had breakfast this good since Paris," she admitted, taking another sip of the rich coffee.

"High praise indeed." His eyes crinkled at the corners. "But I've got another surprise planned. You better bundle up."

Minutes later, they stepped out into the crisp morning air. The town square sparkled with fresh snow, and Mallory's breath hitched at the sight of a magnificent sleigh, complete with two chestnut horses pawing at the ground.

"You didn't."

"I did." Kieran's hand settled on her waist, warm and possessive. "The Hendersons do this every Christmas. I may have called in a small favor."

He helped her into the sleigh, then climbed in beside her, immediately pulling a thick wool blanket around them both. The close quarters meant she was pressed against his side, their thighs touching. Heat radiated from him, and she found herself unconsciously leaning into his warmth.

As they glided through the streets, Mallory saw Saltwater Grove through new eyes. The bakery where Mrs. Chen was setting out fresh gingerbread. The bookstore where Mr. Patterson waved from behind frost-covered windows. The town square where children built snowmen and threw snowballs.

"Look at that display," Kieran pointed to an elaborate window at the flower shop. "Daphne outdoes herself every year."

"I've never actually seen it before," Mallory admitted. "I usually just grab what I need and go."

"You've been missing out." His arm tightened protectively around her shoulders. "This town has so much heart."

The sleigh rounded another corner, and Mallory's chest tightened with an unexpected yearning. She wanted this - not just the sleigh ride, but all of it. The community, the connection, and the way Kieran made everything feel possible and right. For the first time since Eli died, she wanted to be part of something bigger than her solitary existence.

"What are you thinking about?" Kieran's breath was warm against her ear.

"Just that I've been hiding for too long," she whispered, watching a group of carolers practice on a street corner. "I forgot how beautiful this place could be."

His fingers intertwined with hers under the blanket. "It's never too late to start fresh."

Mallory's boots crunched in the snow as she and Kieran made their way back to The Hearthstone. Her cheeks still burned from the cold air and the lingering warmth of being pressed against him during the sleigh ride.

"I can't believe you arranged all that," she said, watching his profile as he walked beside her. The way he carried himself, confident and assured, caused her heart to skip a beat.

"I can be very persuasive when I want something." His blue eyes flickered to her face, intense and heated. "Or someone."

Before she could process that loaded statement, Charlotte burst through the front door of the inn.

"There you are! The kids are getting restless waiting for Santa."

Kieran's eyes widened. "I completely forgot about that."

"Don't worry, I grabbed your suit." Charlotte thrust a red bundle into his arms. "They're all in the main sitting room."

"Come help me entertain them?" Kieran asked Mallory, already heading toward the bathroom to change.

"What exactly would I be doing?"

"Being my beautiful Mrs. Claus, of course." He flashed her a wicked grin before disappearing into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, Mallory found herself perched on the arm of a plush armchair while Kieran, now sporting a remarkably convincing Santa suit, listened to children's Christmas wishes. His natural charm had them all giggling and excited.

"And what would you like for Christmas?" A little girl with missing front teeth asked Mallory.

"Oh, I..." Mallory faltered, caught off guard.

"Mrs. Claus already got her Christmas wish," Kieran cut in smoothly, his voice pitched lower behind the fake beard. "She got me."

The children laughed while heat crept up Mallory's neck. The worst part was, he wasn't entirely wrong. Somehow this ex-playboy tiger shifter had worked his way past all her carefully constructed walls.

After the last child had been sent off with a candy cane, Kieran pulled her into his suite. The beard and hat came off immediately, but he kept the rest of the suit on as he collapsed onto his couch.

"That was actually fun," Mallory admitted, settling beside him.

"Everything's fun with you." He tugged her closer until she was practically in his lap.

She laughed, relaxing against him. "Thank you for making this Christmas special."

His arms tightened around her waist. "It's not quite over yet."

He suddenly sprang up from the couch with unexpected agility, reaching behind an antique armoire. "Close your eyes."

Mallory complied, her heart fluttering. The rustle of paper and his footsteps approached.

"Okay, open them."

In his hands was a stack of leather-bound books, tied with a red velvet ribbon. Her fingers trembled as she untied it, revealing first editions of several classic gothic romances she had mentioned loving.

"How did you..." She traced the gold lettering on the spine.

"I may have called in a few favors from that bookstore owner you like." His eyes sparkled with satisfaction at her reaction. "These were in his private collection."

"They're exquisite. Thank you, Kieran." She suddenly jumped up from the couch. "Wait here!"

She rushed across the hall to her suite, and soon returned with a large, flat package wrapped in brown paper.

Kieran's eyebrows rose as he sat down and unwrapped it. The hand-painted wooden sign showed The Hearthstone Inn's facade in warm, inviting colors, with intricate Celtic knots framing the edges. "You made this?"

"I had some art supplies in my shopping bags when I got stranded here." She bit her lip. "Do you like it?"

Instead of answering, he set down the sign and pulled her onto his lap, his arms wrapping around her waist. "It's perfect. You're perfect."

"Thank you for making me feel alive again," she whispered, meeting his intense gaze.

His blue eyes darkened with desire. "Mallory..."

He closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to hers. She responded immediately, one hand tangling in his hair while the other pulled him closer. The kiss deepened, and she felt herself melting against his solid chest.

Kieran pulled back slightly, his breathing ragged. "Are you sure about this? We can slow down."

"I've been hiding from life for too long." She traced his jaw with her fingertips. "I want this. I want you."