Page 32 of Frost and Felines

He watched as she took another bite of stew, savoring the way her expression softened with simple pleasure. Such a small thing, but it made his protective instincts surge. He wanted to feed her, care for her, and chase away that loneliness that clung to her like a shadow.

"The stew is getting cold," she said, nodding to his untouched bowl.

Kieran picked up his spoon, grateful for the distraction. "Can't let that happen. Charlotte would never forgive me for wasting good food."

Her quiet laugh eased some of the tension in his shoulders. For now, this would have to be enough - sharing a meal, trading stories, and building trust. His tiger could wait as long as it took for her to realize what it already knew - they were absolutely perfect for each other.

15

MALLORY

Two weeks had passed in a blur and Mallory found herself falling into an easy rhythm at The Hearthstone. Each morning brought new challenges, but somehow, they felt less daunting with Kieran by her side. The way he commanded attention when he entered a room, the confident set of his shoulders as he dealt with difficult guests - it all spoke to a natural leadership she couldn't help but admire.

"Mrs. Striker!" a guest called out as Mallory passed through the lobby. The title still made her heart skip. "The fireplace in the library isn't working."

"I'll take care of it," Kieran's deep voice came from behind her, his hand settling on her back. The warmth of his gentle touch seeped through her cream sweater. "Why don't you handle the cookie decorating station, sweetheart?"

The endearment rolled off his tongue so naturally now. Mallory tried not to think about how right it felt, or how his blue eyes sparkled when he looked at her.

"Already on it," she said, ducking away from his touch. "Try not to burn the place down while fixing that fireplace."

"Your faith in me is overwhelming." His laugh followed her down the hallway.

The days seemed to merge in a whirlwind of holiday activities. Mallory taught children how to make paper snowflakes, helped elderly couples find their rooms, and mediated disputes between stressed-out families. All while Kieran prowled the inn like the protective owner he was, fixing problems before they could escalate.

"You're a natural at this," he told her one evening as they shared hot chocolate in the kitchen after hours. "Running an inn. Being around people."

"I'm just good at pretending," she replied, focusing on the marshmallows melting in her mug.

"No." His fingers caught her chin, lifting her face to meet his gaze. "You're good at caring. At seeing what needs to be done and doing it. At calling me out when I'm being stubborn."

Mallory pulled away, her heart thundering. "Someone has to keep your ego in check."

"And you do it so well." His voice held a hint of something deeper, something that made her skin tingle.

She busied herself with cleaning up their mugs, trying to ignore how perfectly they balanced each other. How he seemed to know exactly when to step in and when to let her handle things. How his strength complemented her practicality.

But those were dangerous thoughts. Thoughts that led to places she wasn't ready to go, no matter how right they felt.

Mallory watched intently as Kieran paced his office the next afternoon, his shoulders tense with barely contained fury. Another "accident" had occurred - this time some trees outside the front entrance had mysteriously caught fire. Thankfully, they'd contained it quickly, but the damage to the trees and Kieran's patience was evident.

"I'm going to tear that smirking bastard apart," Kieran growled, his blue eyes flashing dangerously.

"And give him exactly what he wants?" Mallory raised an eyebrow. "The minute you lose control, Gregory wins."

"He's already winning!" Kieran slammed his hand on his desk, making the coffee cups rattle. "Every day it's something new. The fire, the burst pipes, the missing deliveries..."

"We've handled everything he's thrown at us," Mallory reminded him, keeping her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her. Her magic stirred restlessly, responding to her rising emotions. "The guests love how we've adapted. Remember how they praised the handmade ornaments?"

"That's not the point," he rumbled. "He's trying to prove I can't protect what's mine."

The possessive tone in his voice sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. "Then prove him wrong by staying calm and collected. Show him he can't rattle you."

"That's easy for you to say. You're always so composed." He stopped pacing to look at her. "How do you do it?"

"Years of practice and discipline," she said dryly. "Besides, getting angry is exactly what Gregory wants. He's trying to make you look unstable in front of the guests and investors."

Kieran's jaw clenched. "I know. But watching him strut around with that fake smile while he systematically tries to destroy everything I've built..." He trailed off, his hands curling into fists.

---