Page 11 of Frost and Felines

Rolling onto her side, she traced patterns on the pillowcase. "What would you think of this scheme, love?" The familiar ache in her chest wasn't as sharp as usual when she thought of Eli. "You'd probably say I'm overthinking it."

The wind whistled through a gap in the window frame, making her smile. It almost sounded like Eli's laugh - the one he'd use when she was being particularly stubborn about something.

"I know, I know," she murmured. "You always said I needed to get out more."

Her wedding ring caught the moonlight, and she twisted it thoughtfully. The guilt she'd expected to feel didn't come. Instead, she felt something almost like... anticipation?

"It's not real," she reminded herself firmly. "Just pretend. And those people at the Lux Grove hotel sound awful enough to deserve a little deception."

Lightning flickered outside, but for once it wasn't from her turbulent emotions. The storm was natural now, which meant her magic was settled. She was making the right choice.

"Besides," she reasoned, "Eli would hate the thought of me being stuck in this tiny room for weeks when there's a better option available." She pictured his face, the way he'd always encouraged her to take chances. "You would want me to live, wouldn't you? Not just exist?"

The answer came with surprising clarity. Of course he would. He would want her to grab onto any chance at happiness - even if it was just the temporary comfort of a larger room and the company of an intriguing stranger.

Mallory sat up, suddenly energized despite the late hour. She grabbed her notebook from the nightstand and started writing her list of boundaries. By the time she was done, the storm had calmed completely, and she felt at peace with her decision.

"Well, Kieran Striker," she whispered, finally settling back against her pillows. "Let's see what kind of husband you make."

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across Mallory's face. She blinked awake, surprised to find her heart beating with an unfamiliar rhythm - excitement. The storm from last night had cleared, leaving behind a pristine blanket of snow and, oddly enough, a smile on her face.

"What are you doing?" she asked her reflection as she pulled out her emergency clothes. Her fingers traced over the soft cashmere of her favorite cream sweater. She had shoved it into her emergency duffel bag, along with her best-fitting jeans on autopilot yesterday.

The bathroom mirror revealed a woman she barely recognized - cheeks flushed and eyes bright. She reached forher makeup bag, another emergency essential she rarely used anymore.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered, but still found herself applying mascara. "He's not even that..." The image of Kieran's confident stance flashed through her mind, the way he'd filled the doorway of her room last night, all broad shoulders and easy authority. "Okay, maybe he is that impressive."

She brushed her platinum blonde hair until it shone, falling in soft waves past her shoulders. The cream sweater hugged her curves in ways her usual oversized clothes didn't, and the jeans actually fit properly instead of hanging loose.

"You're dressing up for a business arrangement," she reminded herself sternly. But her reflection betrayed her, showing a woman who looked more alive than she had in years. "This is just practical. A better room. Free food. Nothing more."

Her stomach fluttered as she remembered the way Kieran's blue eyes had sparkled when he'd made his proposition. How his presence had seemed to fill the entire room with an energy she couldn't quite name.

"Stop it," she chided herself, dabbing on a touch of lip gloss. "He's probably like this with everyone. Mr. Charming Inn Owner, remember?"

But she couldn't deny the spring in her step as she opened her door, or the way her pulse quickened at the thought of seeing him again. It felt like... possibility.

6

KIERAN

Kieran paced the length of his office early that morning as the sun streamed through the frost-covered windows. The snow had finally stopped, leaving behind a pristine blanket of white that covered everything in sight. His tiger instincts made him restless, wanting to prowl through the fresh powder, but his mind kept circling back to Mallory and his impulsive proposition yesterday.

"You're going to wear a hole in that carpet," Charlotte said from the doorway, a steaming mug of coffee in her hands.

"I may have done something incredibly stupid." Kieran ran his hand through his hair. "Remember that woman in the lobby yesterday afternoon?"

"The blonde? Hard to forget her." Charlotte settled into one of the plush chairs. "What did you do?"

"I actually asked her to be my fake wife. Who does that? She probably thinks I'm completely unhinged."

"Considering the mess you got yourself into with the Simmons yesterday, it's not the worst idea you've had." Charlotte's eyes crinkled with amusement. "Though I'm curious what made you choose her specifically."

"You saw her yesterday. She handled those guests with such control and efficiency. Plus, she's gorgeous, smart, and has this... presence about her." Kieran leaned against his desk, remembering Mallory's no-nonsense demeanor. "She could stare down a charging rhino without flinching. And those eyes-"

"Focus, Romeo." Charlotte swatted him on the arm. "Tell me more about her background. What did you find out?"

"She lives alone in that old Victorian on the cliff outside of town. No husband or boyfriend in the picture." He straightened his button down, trying to appear casual. "She’s staying here because the bridge collapsed in the snowstorm, and she can’t get back home until they fix it."

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