Page 46 of Frost and Felines

"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."

21

MALLORY

Kieran’s arms tightened around her, and before Mallory could process what was happening, he lifted her effortlessly off his lap. She let out a surprised laugh, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.

"You’re very… commanding," she teased, her voice breathless as he carried her toward the bed.

"Only for you," he shot back, that trademark smirk playing on his lips. He laid her down gently, the plush comforter soft beneath her back. His hands braced on either side of her, caging her in as he leaned down to kiss her again.

Her heart raced as his lips moved against hers, slow and deliberate, as if he had all the time in the world. His hand slid down her side, tracing the curve of her waist, and she shivered at his teasing touch.

---