Page 28 of Frost and Felines

"That's... actually amazing."

"That's The Hearthstone." He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower. "It's not just about providing beds and breakfast. It's about creating moments and memories. A place where people feel like they belong."

Mallory's fingers traced abstract patterns on the blueprints, her expression thoughtful. Kieran fought the urge to capture those delicate hands in his again. His tiger wanted to show her exactly how well she could belong here too, but he forced himself to stay put. She obviously wasn't ready for that. Not yet.

Mallory shifted on the couch, her fingers still tracing the blueprints. "You know, I have to admit something."

Kieran's tiger perked up at the softness in her voice. "What's that?"

"When I was stuck in that storm, I passed by the Lux Grove before ultimately choosing The Hearthstone." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Something about it just... called to me. It felt like coming home."

His heart thundered in his chest. His tiger purred at her words. "Yeah?"

"What you've built here in five years – it's incredible, Kieran." Her ice-blue eyes met his, sincere and warm. "The wayyou've created this sanctuary for people, how you've poured your heart into every detail. It really shows."

Kieran fought the urge to pull her into his arms. His tiger demanded he claim her right then and there. But he held back, knowing she wasn't ready for something like that.

"That means more than you know." He leaned in closer to her, unable to help himself. "Especially coming from you."

"From me?" She blinked, genuine surprise crossing her features. "I'm just your temporary fake wife."

"You're not 'just' anything, Mallory." His voice dropped lower, rougher. "You've become essential to this place. To me."

A blush crept across her cheeks, and his tiger preened at the sight. She opened her mouth to respond, but he pressed on, needing her to understand.

"The way you handle things, how you've connected with the staff, and your vision for making this place even better." He gestured to the blueprints between them. "You belong here."

"Kieran..."

"I know you're not ready to hear it." He caught her hand in his, his thumb stroking her palm. "But I'm not giving up on convincing you to stay. Not when you fit so perfectly here."

The way she looked at him then, vulnerable and yearning, made his tiger roar with satisfaction. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as determined to leave as she claimed. And Kieran would spend every day until then proving to her that she had found more than just a temporary home at The Hearthstone.

13

MALLORY

Mallory smoothed down the navy silk dress that she borrowed from Amy as she sat in The Hearthstone's finest dining room. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light across the white tablecloths while a fire crackled in the stone hearth. The investor, Daniel Sterling, dabbed his mouth with a napkin.

"So tell me," Daniel said, swirling his wine glass, "how did you two meet? I must admit I was surprised to hear Kieran had finally settled down."

Kieran's arm slid around her shoulders, pulling her close. The heat of him seeped through her dress. "We met at the Rothschild Gallery downtown," he said, his voice carrying that playful tone she'd grown familiar with. "Mallory was critiquing the awful modernist paintings."

"They were hideous," Mallory said, falling into their practiced story. "All squares and circles with no soul."

"I overheard her tearing apart this piece that cost more than my car," Kieran continued, his thumb tracing her shoulder. "And I knew I had to meet the woman brave enough to speak that truth in a room full of art snobs."

Daniel's eyebrows rose. "Love at first sight then?"

"More like love at first argument," Mallory said, earning a genuine laugh from Kieran that made her stomach flutter. "He tried to defend that monstrosity."

"Only to keep the conversation going," Kieran admitted, pressing a kiss to her cheek. The casual affection sent warmth flooding through her body.

"How romantic," Daniel said, though his tone suggested he found it anything but. "And now you've postponed Paris to help with the inn?"

"Family comes first," Mallory said, laying her hand over Kieran's where it rested on the table. His fingers immediately interlaced with hers, strong and steady. "Besides, who could resist spending Christmas here? The Hearthstone feels magical this time of year."

She meant it too, which surprised her. The inn had worked its way under her skin, becoming more than just a temporary shelter. Or maybe it wasn't just the inn.

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