Page 61 of Frost and Felines

"Because you belong here, with me." He brushed his thumb across her cheekbone. "You were brilliant yesterday at the investor meeting. Remember their faces when youdemonstrated your controlled weather system for the outdoor gardens?"

Mallory smiled, a touch of her old vulnerability showing through. "It feels good to use my power to create beauty instead of destruction."

"You never destroyed anything that couldn't be rebuilt." Kieran nodded toward the pile of presents under the tree. "Should we?"

"Breakfast duties first." Mallory tapped his chest with one finger. "Charlotte will have our heads if we're late."

"The staff can wait." Kieran caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. "I'm not letting you go anywhere until I've properly celebrated having you in my life for a full year."

"You're impossible." But Mallory's smile told him she wouldn't have it any other way.

Kieran and Mallory settled on their plush carpet, the small Christmas tree casting multicolored shadows across her face. He couldn't help the predatory satisfaction that surged through him as she leaned against his shoulder. A year ago, she had been ready to flee back to isolation for good. Now she was his, completely and utterly.

"Ladies first," he said, pushing a neatly wrapped box toward her.

Mallory's fingers deftly removed the wrapping paper, revealing a first-edition copy of her all-time favorite novel. Her gasp of delight sent warmth curling through his chest.

"How did you find this?" Her eyes widened with genuine surprise. "I've been searching for years!"

"I have my sources." Kieran tapped the side of his nose, enjoying her reaction. "A tiger always hunts down what his mate desires."

She rolled her eyes at his possessive tone but couldn't hide her laughter. That was what he loved most about the newMallory—she no longer fought to conceal her emotions. Her laughter came freely now, her smile unrestricted.

"Your turn." She pushed a rectangular package into his hands.

Kieran tore through the wrapping with less finesse than she had shown. Inside was a handcrafted leather-bound journal with the inn's logo embossed on the front.

"Open it," Mallory urged.

Inside, she had sketched designs for The Hearthstone's expansion—the outdoor gardens they'd been planning, complete with her annotations about weather-resistant materials and seasonal plantings.

"You've been holding out on me." Kieran traced the detailed drawings with appreciation. "These are remarkable."

"I may have consulted with a few professionals," she admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

They continued exchanging gifts—a new watch for him, cashmere sweaters for her, books they'd mentioned wanting to read, and small tokens that proved how well they had come to know each other's tastes. With each present, Kieran's fingers brushed against the small box in his pocket, his heart rate increasing incrementally.

When the last visible gift had been opened, Mallory began gathering the discarded wrapping paper.

"We should really head out now. Charlotte will be expecting us to make an appearance at breakfast." She started to rise, but Kieran's hand shot out, catching her wrist.

"Not yet." His voice was firm, brooking no arguments. "There's one more."

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she settled back onto the floor beside him. "You're being mysterious."

Kieran reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around the small velvet box.

"Close your eyes," he instructed.

"Demanding," she quipped, but complied.

Kieran's heart hammered now in his chest as he held the velvet box in his outstretched palm. The room suddenly felt too warm, his tiger instincts heightening every sensation—Mallory's gentle breathing, the pine scent of their Christmas tree, the distant sounds of holiday cheer from the inn's lobby.

"Okay, open your eyes," he commanded softly, his voice deeper than usual.

When Mallory's eyes fluttered open, widening at the sight of the small box in his palm, Kieran studied every flicker of emotion that crossed her face. The slight parting of her lips, the catch in her breath, the tears forming in her eyes. He wanted to remember this moment perfectly.

"Kieran..." she whispered.

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