Page 85 of The Favourite

“Neither the King nor Queen is in attendance, then?” she asked, her breathing hitching when she felt his thumb stroke her in a light caress.

“No royal presence is scheduled,” he confirmed.

“So ... it cannot be terribly important, can it?”

The smile came forth at this, curving his lips. “You agree then? My time would be better spent here?”

“Yes,” she said faintly. “I agree.”

“So glad we are of one accord in this,” he said, lowering his voice as his hand slid down and snaked between her thighs. “I would much rather dance attendance on you than some stuffy diplomat.” Jane’s face felt like it was on fire as she let her legs part for him. “Your hair is not all crinkled today,” he observed as his fingers worked between her cleft. She felt a rush of wetness there and bit her lip.

For one terrible moment, she thought he was commenting on the hair between her legs. Then she tumbled to his meaning. “Oh, no,” she mumbled. “My hair was fully dry before it was braided today.” A whimper slipped past her lips before she could prevent it. “Oh!”

He eased off at once and Jane caught her breath again. “I do apologize. Is that more comfortable for you, my lady?” he enquired politely.

Jane stared at him in bafflement. What? “Uh, y-yes my lord,” she answered in confusion.

A gleam entered his eye, but he murmured an obliging, “I’m so glad. I would be loath to do anything that would discompose you.”

Jane’s brain scrambled to comprehend exactly what he was playing at, but as he chose at this moment to slide two fingers deep inside her, she did not get very far with her ruminations. Instead, she stifled her gasp and squeezed her eyes shut.

“Have you written back to your family yet?” he asked conversationally, his hand stilling.

Jane’s eyes flew wide. “M-my family?” she quavered. Was he not going to kiss her tonight? She felt a little outraged by the oversight.

“To thank them for their marital advice,” he clarified. Jane stared at him. Why had he stopped? “Particularly your aunt Maud,” he continued lazily. “I had opportunity to further study her letter today. Most edifying.”

Jane knew she was panting now, but she seemed powerless to grasp control of herself. “Um, my Aunt Maud?” she echoed uncomprehendingly.

He nodded. “Your dear aunt that was so kind as to send us the pizzlewort and the illustrated text.”

Jane had no sooner made the connection than he added his thumb between her legs making her gasp. Frustratingly, he did not ply it at the same spot he had before. If she did not know better, she would almost think he was deliberately avoiding it.

“Maybe I should reply and thank her,” he debated lazily, “and let her know that I am not the only one suffering with a surfeit of lust. Ah, Jane if you could only see yourself right now. My poor, needy, Jane,” he said richly, and he was smiling, actually smiling, the swine. Jane let out a whine of frustration. She was aching for him to touch her right.

“Ask me nicely,” he suggested, “and maybe I will let you. Unless …” He leaned down and nipped her bottom lip. “You want to take it like you did before, you greedy girl.”

Almost without thinking, Jane moved her hips and slid against his hand until his thumb was in exactlythe right place. She gave a sharp cry of relief, arching her back.

“There? Really?” he asked as if he did not know. He circled it slowly with his thumb. Too slowly. Jane panted and struggled against him. It was so close, but not quite there.

“Please, I need—!” She lifted her head off the pillow.

“Show me,” he coaxed. “Move your hips again, my dove.” Jane felt too mindless with desire to object. Instead, she shifted her hips fitfully. “That’s it,” he grunted, starting to pump his fingers within her. “Yes, Jane,” he groaned in encouragement. “Such a nice, tight squeeze. I can’t wait to feel it around my cock.”

What in heaven was he saying to her? Jane’s outraged mind shut down as the pleasure gripped her, and a shower of sparks rained down behind her eyeballs. She let out a moan, which seemed to go on for a disgracefully long time, then sagged back against the mattress, gasping for breath. For the next few moments, all that could be heard was the sound of their mutually ragged breathing.

“Why Jane,” he said reproachfully, withdrawing his hand. “You gave me no warning at all. That’s bad form,” he tutted, “very bad indeed.” Jane just whimpered; she had no idea what he was talking about. “Now, how are you going to make this up to me? I demand satisfaction, madam.”

Jane allowed her eyes to flutter open. She beheld him speechlessly for a few heartbeats. “Satisfaction?”

He nodded, gesturing downwards. “My cock is about to explode. It will be all over your belly if you don’t let me in, like a good girl.”

Jane made a muffled sound, then widened her legs. For him. It was a good thing her face was already on fire by this point. “Come in, then,” she murmured, eyes downcast.

He gave a gasp of laughter. “Such sweet talk,” he teased, but she noticed he did not hesitate to take her up on the offer. Jane braced herself as he slid his fingers between them again, parting her folds to position the bulbous head of his manhood against her slippery cleft before starting the slow push inside. It no longer hurt when he did this, though she could not help but brace herself against his progress, for the unaccustomed fullness was almost uncomfortable in itself.

They both gasped aloud when he finally slid into place, his body resting against hers in the most intimate manner. Even the crisp hair of their most private of places was now intertwined. Jane drew up her knees, savoring the feeling of his weight against the cradle of her hips. His body stilled against her own for a few heartbeats, as though he was letting her adjust, and strange to say, Jane could feel herself opening up to welcome him.