Claw and Tongue

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She had never felt such fire under her skin, such heat, as when he suddenly pulled her close. The scent of his sweat was in her nose, heady and intoxicating, the sound of her heartbeat deafening. Her fingers twitched, itching to play over his skin, to let out her claws and mark him as hers. She fought to keep the beast contained. To keep the lioness bound, to keep her from taking-
"Raoul-" she gasped, that familiar growl in her hoarse voice. "I need-"
She wanted to tell him she needed him to let her go, that it would be too late if he didn't. What crossed her plump lips was something entirely different.
"I need you."

Raoul Romak, woodcarver and artist, is new in the town of Moors, as he just inherited his great-great aunt's old house. He's fit, strong, and why shouldn't he be after years of physical therapy? He's resolved not to fall in love after a terrible accident left him with a metal leg, so why not settle down in the forested surroundings of Moors? Especially if it means sticking around the Bearclaw Café and the intoxicating Mara.

Mara Hawkins is the fiery and driven owner of the Bearclaw Café. She's got her life neatly put together, an active sexlife and an appetite for life. She would have been the perfect woman for Raoul's passion, if it was not for a small detail- Mara isn't human. She's a lion-shifter, and she's as likely to bite him as kiss him, and the possibility is frightening. Especially since her inner lioness rebels at the very thought of humans and has a tendency to turn feral.

If different species weren't enough to keep the two apart, things are made further complicated as Mara's trauma comes back to haunt her in the shape of Joel Grosom. Can Mara overcome past fears and admit what Raoul is starting to mean to her? Can she protect Raoul from those who would harm him, and more, can she protect herself? Can Raoul open his heart to Mara or will he keep it in its chrome cage?