Forever Is Not Enough [Council Enforcers 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

started shouting all at once.

Chapter 8
     
    Jacqueline was pleasantly surprised as she sat down at the dinner table next to Ben. The meeting had gone well once all of the shouting had ended and she was able to explain. What had shocked her was that none of the yelling had been directed at her personally. That was something she wasn’t used to. She had expected them all to hate her, but no one was even angry with her for what she had done or that their friend could possibly die.
    Instead, in the three hours since the meeting had ended, not only did she have everything she needed to continue her research, but the guys had managed to turn a section of Mitch’s basement into her own personal lab. It amazed Jacqueline how fast everything was moving.
    She felt herself blush as Ben winked and began putting food on her plate. That man had been by her side through everything, and if Jacqueline had to admit it, she was falling fast for him. She barely knew him, but she could literally feel the bond forming between them. She made a mental note to ask him more about mating and if that was a part of it when they were alone.
    Her nerves started to kick in at the thought of them being alone together. She rubbed her lips, remembering what had happened the last time they were alone and wondered if he would touch her again.
    “If you don’t stop that, everyone here will know what you’re thinking at the moment,” Ben whispered in her ear.
    His hot breath against her neck made her shiver. “How do you know what I’m thinking?”
    “I can smell your arousal, little mate.”
    Jacqueline should have been embarrassed at Ben’s comment, but it just made her even hornier. She felt her panties dampening and clenched her thighs together. She gripped the table and held back a moan when she felt Ben’s hand slide up her leg. She was seconds away from coming, all from his one touch. She could only imagine what would happen when Ben touched her all over.
    The sound of someone clearing her throat snapped her out of the sexual haze she was in. Jacqueline hadn’t realized she had moved so close to Ben that she was practically in his lap. Much to her embarrassment, amused eyes around the table stared at her. The only one whose attention was not focused on her was Nico, who was happily munching away at his meal with his legs swinging in his chair.
    Tessa patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, honey, it’s the mating pull. I went through the same thing.”
    “Mating pull had nothing to do with it. She just couldn’t resist my golden glory,” Mitch grumbled.
    Ben snorted beside her as a dinner roll bounced off Mitch’s head, thrown by his mate. Jacqueline giggled, glad the attention was off her. She silently agreed with Mitch. He was gorgeous with his gold hair and tanned skin. He did nothing for her though. Neither did Ken or Ryan, who were equally as beautiful in her opinion. Ben had been the only man she had ever had any interest in, and she had been attracted to him since she’d laid eyes on him. She had lain awake at night imagining what it would be like if her life was different when she’d met him. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined the man would forgive her for what she had done to him and they would be sitting and laughing at dinner together.
    After dinner, Jacqueline headed for the basement to get started on her antidote, but it seemed Ben had other ideas. She squealed as he threw her over his shoulder and headed toward the stairs. She latched on to his waist and prayed he didn’t drop her as he climbed.
    “What are you doing, Ben? I need to get started on my work. We only have a little time left.”
    “I plan on spending a little alone time with my mate. Plus, we need to find that tracker.”
    “But—”
    Ben swatted her behind, causing Jacqueline to clench him tighter to keep from falling as she jumped. “No buts, little mate. Your work can wait a little longer.”
    Her protest was effectively ended when Ben began to caress the spot he had just hit. Jacqueline moaned and gave in to the fact that he was going to get his way. She couldn’t find it in herself to be upset. His caress felt way too good to care about anything else at the moment. Returning the favor, she let go of his waist and reached down and squeezed his tight bottom. She felt his growl rumble up his back as his pace quickened and smiled. It was good to know she affected his just as much as he affected her.
    Ben carried her into the