Panther, Be Mine — Ju Dimello

Book 2 of the Inevitable series.

Her heat brings them together. His fear forces them apart.

Shea's heat might be ten years too late, but her feline side knows exactly what she wants. And her panther wants her best friend Darian as her mate. The “holiday romance” proves their sexual compatibility is explosive. But will she be able to convince him they belong together?

Darian is battling his own demons. When Shea asks him to teach her to handle her heat, he is unable to say no. He wants to touch her, taste her and mark her as his own. But when she asks for more, he cannot say yes. He'd rather stay away to keep her safe. From him.