Page 49 of Frost and Felines

Kieran was out of his chair before she finished speaking, drawn to her like a magnet. As he passed, he couldn't resist brushing his fingers along her waist, delighting in her sharp intake of breath.

"My hero," she said dryly, but her eyes sparkled. "Coming to save me from the great coffee machine disaster."

"For you? Always." He pressed a soft kiss to her temple, breathing in her crisp rain scent. His tiger purred. It's been four days, and he still couldn't believe he had actually claimed her. Now if he could just convince her to stay with him.

Later that morning, Kieran looked on as Mallory balanced precariously on a ladder, hanging silver and gold streamers along the inn's front porch. His tiger prowled nervously, urging him to stay close in case she slipped. The late December wind tousled her hair, carrying her rain-fresh scent to him.

"You know, I could do that for you," he called up, moving closer to steady the ladder.

"And deprive me of the satisfaction?" Mallory glanced down, her blue eyes dancing. "Besides, someone needs to supervise the fireworks setup."

"I'm supervising something alright." His gaze traced the curve of her legs. Since Christmas, touching her had become addictive. His tiger wanted to mark every inch of her as his.

"Eyes up here, tiger." She tossed a bundle of tinsel at his head. "Or these decorations will never get done."

Kieran caught the tinsel with shifter reflexes and grinned. "Can't blame a man for appreciating the view." He steadied the ladder as she descended, his hands finding her waist. "Especially when it's his wife."

"Fake wife," she corrected, but leaned into his touch.

"For now." The words slipped out without thinking. His tiger rumbled in approval - they both wanted her to stay, to make this arrangement permanent. The inn felt more alive with her here, and so did he.

Mallory's cheeks flushed pink. "We should check the firework setup."

He kept his arm around her waist as they walked to where the staff had laid out the New Year's display. The winter sun caught the frost on the bare trees, making everything sparkle. Just like the night they had first kissed under the mistletoe, magic seemed to crackle in the air between them.

"You know," he said, pulling her closer, "I was thinking we could add some permanent lighting out here. String lights in the trees, maybe some architectural spotlights. Really make the place glow year-round."

"That would be beautiful." Her eyes lit up the way they always did when discussing design. "We could do warm white lights to match the cottage aesthetic..."

His heart swelled at her use of 'we'. She belonged here - running the inn with him, making it more beautiful and more welcoming. Making him better.

Kieran soon watched with pride as Mallory charmed Daniel over their farewell lunch in The Hearthstone's finest diningroom. His tiger preened every time the investor laughed at her witty observations or nodded appreciatively at her suggestions for future improvements to the inn.

"The DIY Christmas decorations were so inspired," Daniel said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "Such creativity under pressure - that's exactly what this business needs."

"Mallory's full of surprises," Kieran said, sliding his hand over hers on the table. The touch wasn't just for show anymore - not since Christmas. His tiger growled contentedly at the contact.

"Which is why," Daniel pulled out his checkbook, "I've decided to double my investment. The Hearthstone has never looked better, and your partnership clearly works." He began writing figures that made Kieran's eyes widen. "You've got something really special here."

"We're grateful for your faith in us," Mallory said smoothly, squeezing Kieran's hand.

After they bid Daniel farewell, Kieran pulled Mallory into his office, lifting her onto his desk. "You were amazing with Daniel at lunch. Have I told you how incredible you are?"

"Only about twelve times today." But she was smiling, that rare full smile that made his heart race.

"I mean it." He stepped between her legs, breathing in her rain-fresh scent. "These past four weeks... you've transformed this place. The staff adores you, and the guests respect you." He traced her jawline with his thumb. "You truly belong here."

His tiger urged him to say more, to beg her to stay permanently. But he held back, not wanting to pressure her. She'd been through so much, lost so much. He would give her some more time to realize on her own that The Hearthstone could be her permanent home.

"We do make a good team," she admitted, playing with his tie.

"The best." He kissed her forehead, savoring her closeness. "Now come on - we've got a little celebrating to do."

Kieran stood next to Mallory, watching with pride as his staff crowded around her, their excited chatter filling the private dining room. His tiger rumbled with delight at how seamlessly she fit into their little family, how naturally she commanded respect while still maintaining that sharp wit he'd grown to love.

"To doubling our investment!" Charlotte raised her glass of champagne. "And to the dynamic duo who made it happen."

"Here's to Mallory showing Gregory what real class looks like," Amy chimed in, making everyone laugh.

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