Page 8 of Frost and Felines (Saltwater Grove #5)

8

KIERAN

L ater that evening, Kieran wandered aimlessly around his suite, his tiger restless inside of him. The memory of Mallory standing up to the Simmons earlier today played on repeat in his mind. The way her platinum hair had shone in the lobby lights, and how her spine had straightened as she'd put them in their place. His tiger softly purred at the thought.

"She's just pretending to care," he muttered to himself. "This is strictly business, plain and simple."

But his tiger disagreed. The beast inside recognized something in her - strength, intelligence, and a hint of vulnerability she tried to hide. The combination was intoxicating.

He stopped at his window, watching the snow continue to fall. Today's sudden snowstorm showed no signs of letting up, which meant Mallory could be here even longer. The thought pleased him more than it should.

"What do you think, Charlotte?" He soon spoke into his phone. "Would asking her to dinner in my suite be crossing a line?"

"You mean your fake wife?" Charlotte's laugh crackled through the speaker. "The one you barely know?"

"She handled the Simmons perfectly. Did you see how they practically ran out?"

"I saw. I also saw how you couldn't take your eyes off her, or your hands."

Kieran's tiger preened at being caught. "She's... different."

"Different than the socialite girls you usually date? Thank goodness for that." Charlotte paused. "Just remember she's doing you a favor. Don't mess this up by thinking with your tiger instead of your head."

"But my tiger has excellent taste."

"Your tiger also thought dating twins was a good idea last year."

"That was completely different." Kieran rubbed his neck. "Mallory's not like that. She's... real."

"Real and probably not interested in being another notch on your bedpost."

His tiger bristled at the suggestion. "That's not what this is."

"Then what is it?"

Kieran stared at the snow, remembering how Mallory's eyes matched the icy blue of winter. "I don't know yet. But I really want to find out."

"Just be careful," Charlotte warned. "We still need her help with the inn."

"I know." He ended the call and resumed his pacing.

His tiger wanted to go to her suite right now, to invite her to dinner, to learn everything about her. But Charlotte was right - they needed Mallory's help, at least until Daniel left. He couldn't risk scaring her off by coming on too strong.

Still, as he watched the storm rage outside, he couldn't help wondering what she was doing right now, and if she was as aware of him as he was of her.

A half hour later, Kieran's tiger prowled close to the surface as he stood outside Mallory's suite door. He knocked before he could talk himself out of it.

The door opened, and there she stood in an oversized sweater and leggings, her hair loose around her shoulders. His tiger approved.

"Have dinner with me." The words came out more like a command than a question. He softened his tone. "In my suite. We should go over the holiday events."

Mallory hesitated. "I don't know if that's-"

"I already ordered your pad thai. Extra peanuts."

Her eyes widened. "You remembered?"

"I pick up on things." Like how her eyes sparkled when she was surprised, or how she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was thinking extra hard.

"Fine. Let me grab my phone."

In his suite, they sat at the small dining table near the window. The snow continued to fall outside, creating a cozy atmosphere that his tiger thoroughly enjoyed.

"So, these events," Mallory said between bites. "What exactly am I getting myself into?"

He leaned back, watching her savor the food. His tiger purred at providing for her, even if it was just room service. "Tomorrow we deck the halls. There's that twelve-foot Christmas tree in the lobby that needs its star."

"It's twelve feet?"

"Go big or go home. Then on the fifth, we do carols in the lobby. Hot chocolate, games, the works." He watched her face carefully. "Christmas Eve is special - we deliver treats to every room, and there's a dance in the foyer."

"A dance?" She set down her fork.

"And New Year's Eve..." He paused. "We throw quite a party. The Simmons usually have their gala that night too, but ours is better."

His tiger noticed how she tensed at the mention of the dance and parties. Interesting.

"I know it's a lot to ask," he said, "but I'd really like you to stay through New Year's. The suite's yours as long as you need it."

The silence stretched between him and Mallory as she stared out at the snow. His tiger wanted to push, to convince her, but he held back.

"I'm sorry," he said finally. "I know this isn't how you planned to spend your holidays."

She turned back to him, those ice-blue eyes unreadable. The storm outside seemed to intensify, but that was probably just his imagination.

Kieran's tiger suddenly went still as Mallory twisted the ring on her finger, the diamond catching the lamplight.

"I haven't really celebrated the holidays since Eli died," she said softly. "Two years ago. It was so sudden - one day he was fine, the next..." She shrugged, but Kieran caught the slight tremor in her shoulders. "The holidays lost their shine after that."

His chest tightened. The wedding ring. How had he missed it? His tiger, usually so observant, had been too caught up in her scent and her presence, to notice this vital detail. He'd been practically hitting on a widow who was clearly still grieving.

"I'm so sorry," he said, fighting the urge to reach across the table and take her hand. "I had no idea. And here I am, asking you to pretend to be married to someone else." His tiger growled at his own insensitivity. "That was thoughtless of me."

"No, it's..." Mallory's fingers stilled on the ring. "It's actually nice to have something to do. The holidays are harder when you're alone."

The snow fell harder outside, and Kieran wondered if there was a connection between her emotions and the weather. He had noticed the storms intensifying whenever she seemed upset.

His tiger wanted to protect her, to chase away that sadness in her eyes, but he tamped down the urge. She wasn't ready, and he wouldn't be that guy - the one who tried to rush a widow into moving on.

Instead, he straightened in his chair, letting his natural charm surface. "Well then, Mrs. Striker - temporarily speaking - I'm making you a promise right now." He tapped the table for emphasis. "This is going to be the best holiday season you've ever had."

"You don't have to-"

"It's already decided." He flashed her his signature grin, the one that usually made women swoon. "No take-backs. We're going to deck these halls until they shine brighter than Times Square. And you'll be sick of hot chocolate and Christmas carols by the time we're done."

A ghost of a smile touched her lips. "Is that a threat?"

"That's a guarantee." His tiger preened at drawing that small smile from her. "And I always keep my promises."

He soon walked Mallory back to her suite across the hall, his tiger hyper-aware of every small movement she made. The soft swish of her sweater against her leggings, the quiet pad of her feet on the plush carpet, even the gentle rhythm of her breathing - his heightened senses caught it all.

"Thank you for dinner," she said, stopping at her door.

His tiger wanted to pull her close, to shelter her from whatever storms raged inside her mind. Instead, he kept a respectful distance. "Thank you for being honest with me about Eli."

She twisted her ring again - a nervous habit he now recognized. The movement caught the hallway light, making the diamond sparkle.

"You know," he said, keeping his voice light, "I meant what I said about making these holidays special for you. No pressure, just... fun." His tiger purred contently at the tiny smile that tugged at her lips. "Maybe we could start small. Hot chocolate in the garden room tomorrow morning? The snow always makes it look magical."

"You don't have to entertain me."

"Who said anything about entertaining you?" He leaned against her doorframe, crossing his arms. "Maybe I just want hot chocolate with my fake wife. For appearances, of course."

A soft laugh escaped her - the sound made his tiger want to howl with joy. "At what time?"

"Nine? Unless that's too early for the woman who was up reading until three AM last night."

Her eyes widened. "How did you-"

"I could smell the coffee through my door. Four cups, if I'm not mistaken." He tapped his nose.

"That's..." She shook her head, but her smile remained. "Slightly terrifying."

"Sweet dreams, Mallory." He straightened, fighting his tiger's urge to lean in closer. "Try to get some actual sleep tonight."

"Goodnight, Kieran."

As she slipped into her room, Kieran's tiger memorized the soft click of her door, and the lingering scent of her shampoo in the air. He'd make damn sure she had reasons to smile every day she was here, even if it meant putting his own growing attraction on hold.

His tiger didn't like that last part, but some things were worth waiting for.