Page 26 of Frost and Felines

"Sweetheart." Nina reached across the table to squeeze her hand. "That man is not playing anything. But that's not what worries me. Are you okay with this? Pretending to be someone's wife after..."

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken concern. Mallory stared down at her plate, her throat tight. Outside, snow began to fall hard against the windows.

Mallory drew a deep breath, the wine glass cool against her palm. "At first, I wasn't sure I could do this," she admitted, meeting Nina's understanding gaze. "Playing someone's wife after Eli..." Her voice caught, but she pressed on. "But Kieran's been different than I expected. He notices when I need space and respects my boundaries. Yesterday, he saw me getting overwhelmed by a crowd in the lobby and created this ridiculous diversion about a 'ghost' in the kitchen just to give me a moment to breathe."

Nina's purple sparks danced across her fingers as she smiled. "And?"

"And he's building something truly special here. You should see him with the guests, Nina. The way he remembers everyone's names and their stories. He turned this place into a home for people." Warmth spread through her at the memory of Kierancomforting a crying child yesterday, his strong hands gentle as he fixed the little girl's broken toy.

The thought of those same hands on her waist earlier sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. Mallory pushed the dangerous thought away, but it lingered like honey on her tongue.

"The Simmons, though." She wrinkled her nose. "They're trying to destroy all that with their fake smiles and sabotage."

Nina's expression darkened, purple energy crackling around her shoulders. "Watch yourself with those two, especially Vivian. Gregory's chaos magic is nasty, but Vivian?" She leaned forward, her voice low. "That woman's rune work once turned a rival's entire house inside out - with the family still in it. They lived, but..."

"Noted." Mallory's storm magic stirred beneath her skin in response to Nina's warning. "I'll be careful."

"Will you?" Nina's knowing look cut straight through her defenses. "Because I see the way you look at him when you think no one's watching. The way your magic calms around him instead of churning like it usually does with others."

Heat crept up Mallory's neck. Was she that transparent? The realization that she had grown fond of Kieran - his laugh, his protective nature, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her - sent panic fluttering in her chest. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to feel anything. No complications, remember?

"It's just temporary," she whispered, more to herself than Nina. But as she said it, her traitor heart skipped at the memory of Kieran's kiss on her temple earlier, so gentle it had nearly brought tears to her eyes.

12

KIERAN

Kieran found Mallory in the garden room the following morning. Her platinum hair gleamed in the sunlight as she arranged fresh flowers in a vase. His tiger stirred at the sight of her, and he pushed down the urge to wrap her in his arms. This fake marriage was becoming harder by the day.

"Morning, beautiful." He approached with two steaming cups of coffee. "Black, two sugars."

"You remembered." A small smile played on her lips as she accepted the cup.

"I remember every detail about you." The words slipped out. He cleared his throat. "Listen, I need a favor. Daniel wants to have lunch tomorrow. Would you join us?"

Mallory's fingers tightened around the coffee cup. "I don't do well in formal settings."

"You've been amazing with everything else." He stepped closer, catching the faint scent of rain that always seemed to surround her. "I'll be right there beside you. We can even practice some small talk tonight if you want."

"Practice small talk?" She arched an eyebrow. "That's not exactly reassuring."

"Come on, you handled the Simmons like a pro. Daniel's a teddy bear compared to them." He touched her elbow gently. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

"And here I thought you just enjoyed my sparkling personality." Her dry humor made him grin.

"That's just a bonus." He winked. "Seriously though, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done so far. This whole arrangement... you've made it easier than I ever expected."

Something flickered in her ice-blue eyes. "It's not entirely selfless. The suite is quite nice."

"Is that all I am to you? A luxury hotel provider?" He grabbed at his chest in mock hurt, delighting in her quiet laugh.

"And occasional entertainment." She set down her coffee cup. "Fine, I'll do lunch. But you owe me."

"Name your price, Mrs. Striker." The fake title still sent a thrill through him.

"I'll think of something." She gathered up her gardening tools. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more flowers to arrange."

Kieran watched her go, his tiger restless inside him. This woman who'd stumbled into his life was becoming far more than just a convenient solution to his problems. And that thought terrified him because he didn't know what to do about it.

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