Fanny enjoyed the kiss, but she suddenly gripped his wrist and held his hand still. Reluctantly, Jeremy drew back to look at her.
Her smile was shy. “May I show you what I like?”
He nodded quickly, embarrassed that his inexperience was so apparent.
Fanny captured a pillow from the settee and put it under her head, then she slid her hand between her legs again. She traced the folds of her sex with her fingertips, drawing them through the dampest of places and up to the top of her slit.
Jeremy moved to rest his weight on one hand, hoping for a better view of what she was doing to herself.
“I don’t mind if you watch,” she whispered. “In fact, I find that exciting. Move closer.”
Armed with permission, Jeremy wriggled down until his face was level with her quim. Fanny had a thatch of tight dark curls between her legs, and the skin of her slit was an alluring shade of pink.
Her fingers parted her folds and one digit brushed over a peak in the midst of her slit. “There. That is my clitoris. It is very sensitive and must be gently teased. A woman craves gentleness in this place in the beginning and can find great pleasure if it is touched or kissed by her lover.” Fanny sighed and put her arm over her eyes. “I would enjoy you continuing to tease me like that, Jeremy.”
He hardly needed the encouragement. He dragged his fingertips softly through Fanny’s slit and then returned to the hard nubbin he’d quickly discovered made her moan. Fanny arched her hips up from the floor as he circled and stoked over that sensitive spot again and again. He thought he was doing the right thing, and Fanny’s sighs and moans seemed to indicate he pleased her.
And then he remembered what she’d said about kissing her down there, too.
He moved closer and quickly pressed a kiss to her curls.
Fanny gasped. “Yes.”
He did it again, exploring her slit with the tip of his tongue, his lips. Kissing her down there seemed to please her very much, so he moved between her thighs and continued. Fanny widened her legs, tilted her hips up to push her quim closer to his mouth.
He found the salty tang of her appealing and worked hard to drive her wild.
Fanny was nearly sobbing when she finally found her peak. She cried out and collapsed, appearing suddenly boneless as she let out a sigh.
Jeremy nuzzled her sex, feeling quite proud of himself for satisfying her. “I could do that all day if you wanted.”
Fanny pushed his head away from her sex and closed her legs. “I am too sensitive for more.”
“Oh,” Jeremy said, disappointed to have to stop.
He sat back on his heels, uncertain if that was all she wanted from him. He was hard still. He ached for a completion of his own.
Fanny stirred, her legs parting slightly, then she raised her head to meet his gaze. “That was lovely. Come here, Jem.”
He was perched over her in an instant.
Fanny ran her hands down his sides. Her fingers gripped his hips and then skimmed his stomach to capture his cock in her hand. She stroked him slowly, making him moan.
She chuckled and her hands left his cock to squeeze the cheeks of his bottom. “When you are ready, I am too,” she whispered.
Jeremy lowered his hips until his cock was nestled at the apex of her thighs, brushing moisture and heat. He almost groaned with anticipation of thrusting into her and finding his own release. But what if she didn’t like the way Jeremy loved women? What if she was used to something different than he knew?
Fanny drew his head down to hers. “Jeremy, stop thinking.”
“But—”
“I’m just like every other woman.” She wriggled, and the head of his cock was notched just inside her body. “I want you now,” she whispered and then caught his ear in her teeth.
Jeremy surged the rest of the way inside her, unable to stop himself. He pumped his hips, finding a rhythm quickly, watching her face for signs of disappointment.
Fanny’s fingers tightened on him. She closed her eyes and made all the expected sounds of encouragement he needed. He was doing it right for her.
Jeremy braced himself on one arm above her, staring at her face. A delicate flush was climbing her cheeks. He nuzzled her there. “Fanny?”
“So good,” she whispered.
“You are,” he whispered back, then rose up on his hands.
Fanny’s breasts jiggled along with his thrusts, and she suddenly cupped them. At first, he feared she was hiding them from him, but he soon realized she was playing with them, teasing her own nipples.
“Look at me,” he demanded. She had to know it was him giving her this pleasure today and not herself.
Fanny opened her eyes slowly and continued to tug on her own nipples. “They like to be touched.”
He lowered his mouth to kiss one when she offered it to him. A quick suck made her gasp, and her legs were suddenly wrapped higher around his waist, her body clinging to his where they joined. With only her shoulders and head upon the rug, he feared she would tire of the position, but she simply ran her hands down her body, toyed with his cock as it slipped in and out of her depths.
“I could have you like this all afternoon,” he promised.
“I’ll come again soon,” she warned as her fingers were suddenly on her clit again.
Jeremy watched Fanny pleasure herself with her own fingers while his was cock buried inside her. It excited him to see her take charge of her own pleasure. “Devil take it!” he whispered in awe, twisting to see.
“I’ve a fierce need to feel you move inside me,” she told him. “Give me everything you are and more.”
Jeremy thrust, taking her hard until he thought his heart might burst from the pleasure of doing as he pleased. When Fanny suddenly squeezed around him and let out a muffled sob, coming around his cock, Jeremy gritted his teeth to hold back his own release. When he was confident, she’d wrung every moment of pleasure from the moment, he quickly withdrew, wrapped his hand around his cock and finished himself off.
Seed spilled over his fist, endangering the purity of the fine rug beneath them. He had to use both hands to capture it all, he was so excited. He knelt there a moment, trying to catch his breath with his eyes nearly squeezed shut to block out the delicious woman in front of him.
Fanny was suddenly on her hands and knees, coming close, and then her tongue flicked over the head of his cock. He felt her tongue glide around it. His cock gave another enthusiastic twitch and then he was engulfed in warmth. Jeremy opened his eyes fully to watch her have her wicked way with him.
Fanny finally sat back with a smirk gracing her lips. “I like the way you taste.”
Despite its recent exertions, his cock twitched at the idea she might want to take him into her mouth again. “I always thought proper ladies were above that sort of thing.”
“You’d be surprised. Some of us are quite experimental.”
He frowned. “Have I not provided enough satisfaction?”
Fanny pulled him to her for a deep kiss. “I’d be happy to discuss all the forms of pleasure we might share when we have more time to indulge, Jeremy. As it is, I must go.” Fanny rolled to her knees and then stood. “Would you help me dress? I have a blackmailer to meet and put in his place.”
“Blackmailer?”
“Yes, Lord Thwaite insisted I meet with his son today to return the contract. No doubt he’ll try to spring some sort of demand for money upon me then.”
“You never said you were being blackmailed by Thwaite or his son.”
She shrugged. “I never thought it was important to tell you.”
“I consider it important, my lady.”
“Why?” she shrugged again. “It will not be you paying their demands, not that I intend to give them one undeserving penny.”
Jeremy put his hands on her shoulders to still her. “You already have the document in your safe. Why bother going?”
Fanny looked up at him. “I am a woman of my word, sir. I agreed to meet, and I will hear what Wilks ha
s to say. And then I will refuse him. As you said earlier, they can do nothing without proof in their hands.” Fanny moved away to sit before her dressing mirror, naked and lovely, but she grimaced. “Oh dear, there’s the hoyden I used to be so long ago.”
Jeremy moved to stand behind her, seeing nothing he’d change, but still concerned. “Hardly that.”
“I look like I just tumbled down a steep slope. Several times.”
Jeremy wet his lips. “About this meeting. I’m coming with you.”
“No, you will not,” she said firmly.
“Why not? I’m involved.”
Fanny studied him in the mirror. “If you are there, it will only add fuel to their suspicions. But more importantly, I don’t need a man to fight my battles for me.”
“You needed me this week,” he reminded her.
Her face softened a touch. “And I appreciate your friendship during this difficult time. I really do. And today was lovely, but sir, you have no right to involve yourself in my affairs just because we made love.”
Jeremy flinched.
And Fanny was on her feet and before him in a second. “Now do not take offense. I need to do this alone. We’ll get along better if you stop questioning every little thing I decide, sir. I wish I didn’t have to go but I must.”
Jeremy did not like this at all but what could he really do? If she didn’t want him there, she didn’t. That didn’t mean he couldn’t be of help. “Wilks is not to be trusted.”
“Yes, I know that.”
“You shouldn’t be alone with him.”
Fanny frowned. “I hardly require a chaperone.”
“Don’t argue. I’ll not leave you alone with him.”
She smiled. “I had no idea you were such a worrier.”
Jeremy jerked his trousers on and tucked in his shirt, even though they were damp still. He’d have to change before he could follow her downstairs.
“Jeremy, have you ever laced a corset?”
“Once or twice. Why?”
“I’m going to need your help dressing.” She studied him through narrowed eyes. “Whose corset did you lace?”
He laughed that she sounded jealous. He was also slightly baffled that she would be. “That would be my business.”
Fanny’s eyes narrowed even more, clearly unhappy that he didn’t provide her with an answer. That was just too bad. If she wanted to keep him at arm’s length, he would do the same. She couldn’t have everything her way.
He snatched up her damp corset, but she handed him another dry one instead. “Don’t lace me so tight that I cannot breathe. I need breath to give Wilks a piece of my mind.”
“As you wish, my lady,” he replied with a short bow that he hoped would irritate her.
Chapter 13
Lord Wilks sauntered into their meeting twenty minutes later than Fanny had expected him to arrive. She was annoyed with him, and with the conversation she’d just had with Jeremy. The way they’d parted had left a bad taste in her mouth. One coupling did not make him privy to all of her business, even if making love to him had been better than she’d ever dreamed.
“My dear Lady Rivers, do forgive my tardy arrival,” Wilks drawled.
She would not. She would secretly hold that against him for years to come. She was a busy woman who knew her own mind and held private grudges. Fanny regarded him standing in the doorway, her jaw clenching momentarily before relaxing. The sooner this farce of a meeting was over and done with the better. She looked Wilks over but did not see any papers in his hands. “Lord Wilks.”
He glanced around the room, one brow arching. It was just the two of them. Fanny had not wanted any witnesses to her embarrassment. Especially not Jeremy, though she was touched by his concern. “I’m so glad you could see me. Alone too,” he drawled again.
Fanny regarded him warily now. “What is it that you want?”
“We’ll get to that.”
She glanced across to the empty chair opposite. “Please, won’t you sit.”
He made a circuit of the room and then swooped to sit close beside her. “Where is your cicisbeo today?”
Fanny didn’t bother to answer that. A cicisbeo waited on married women. Fanny was a widow, engaged in an affair. There was nothing wrong with her arrangement with Jeremy. Nothing at all when she betrayed no one. And what she did with Jeremy was no one’s business. “Your father promised the return of an important document of mine if I met with you today.”
Wilks smirked. “My father makes a lot of promises to me, too. Few of which I think he’ll honor unless I do as he wishes. He wished us to get to know each other better,” Wilks said with a smirk.
Fanny gritted her teeth. Clearly, Wilks planned to go along with that. He would also make her wait or beg for the document’s return. Jeremy insisted she should never beg. “I’m afraid your father will be doomed to disappointment, my lord. So will you.”
“I think not,” Wilks promised, turning toward her. “As I’m sure you’ve heard, my father’s tight fist has presented unacceptable difficulties for the running of Holly Field.”
“Your Devon estate? Yes, I’ve heard you’ve been living well beyond your means.”
Wilks glared at her. “Lies,” he hissed. “My father doles just enough blunt to keep me in line until the next quarter day. I haven’t had the funds to make improvements in years.”
Fanny doubted that. She’d seen Wilks gamble recklessly with her own eyes. “I still fail to see how this is any of my concern.”
“You could help me get out from under my father’s thumb,” Wilks murmured. “I’d make a good husband.”
Fanny laughed. “Is that right?”
He shuffled closer along the bench until his knee brushed hers.
Fanny barely stopped herself from launching herself out of her chair. She kept her hands folded in her lap though, ready to punch him in the nose if he had plans to force a match between them. “I’ve made no secret of my disinterest in remarriage.”
“You’ll change your tune when society turns its back on you.” He smirked. “You’ll find marriage to me the better alternative to the cold of a thousand cuts.”
Fanny had been on the outs with society before. Over Gillian, actually, but clearly Wilks thought her weak and malleable. “What could possibly cause such an event?”
“If a certain document with your signature upon it fell into the wrong hands, well…”
He left the threat unfinished.
Fanny had had enough. She had his measure now. He wanted all her money, not just a token amount. She loathed men like him, and his father, too. “Do you refer to the document you have right there in your pocket? The document you intend to blackmail me with to ensure we marry so you can fritter away my fortune on wine, other women and cards?”
He smiled as if she was finally catching on.
“You might have been moderately convincing if I didn’t have that document safely locked away already, my lord.”
Wilks froze, eyes boring into hers.
Fanny stood and went to ring the bell. “Since you have nothing truly important to say to me or give back, I believe we have nothing further to say to each other.”
Wilks was on his feet and rushing her, crowding her until she stumbled back. “I still know what it says,” he hissed.
“Do you believe everyone is always eager to believe fabrications? That hasn’t been my experience with society,” she warned.
Wilks drew back. “Anyone can see Dawes is in love with you.”
Fanny’s heart gave an odd lurch. “He is an actor. A very good one. That’s why he won my patronage over an actor with years more experience. He’s fooled you into thinking he was in love with me because I asked him to play a part. Father approved our little play and has been coaching him on the habits of society gentlemen. He has learned a lot this past week.”
A momentary expression of doubt flickered over Wilks’ face but he drew back even further. “So, you’re not involved with the actor.”
“He’s an amusing companion and plays no part in my decisions.”
A door opened and Fenton, steward of the Stapleton estate, stomped into the room looking unusually cross. Also, as usual, he carried a stout stick that he tapped on the floor as he walked toward her. “Dawes ordered me to come see you, Lady Rivers.”
As happy as she was to have Fenton in the room her heart sank as Wilks smirked. “Orders the servants about already, does he. I rather think there’s more to his position in your life than you want to admit, my lady. How far the mighty have fallen. Paying a man to make love to you and falling for him, too.”
Fanny ground her teeth. Jeremy!
Why couldn’t he have trusted her to take care of the matter without him. He had no right to interfere in her business. She couldn’t have been clearer. She had almost had Wilks convinced there was no gain to be had gossiping about a contract he didn’t have a copy of. “The only thing I have almost fallen for were your lies, and your father’s. Fenton, Lord Wilks has expressed a desire to leave the estate. Do be so kind as to have his luggage brought down so he might depart immediately.”
Fenton twirled his stick menacingly. “A pleasure, my lady. Oh, and his grace wishes to see you when you are free.”
“I am free now in fact,” she promised, glancing at Wilks without smiling. “Goodbye, my lord.”
Wilks wet his lips. “This isn’t over. My father will—”
“Yes, I’m sure he will try anything to get what he wants,” Fanny murmured. “Do make sure to remind your father that I was still considering the opportunity he was so anxious to have me invest in. His actions will guide my final decision.”
“When you are ready, my lord,” Fenton murmured, stepping closer to Wilks with a hard thump of his stick upon the floor.
Wilks looked ready to argue but then strode off when Fenton swung his stick again.
“His grace is waiting in the library,” Fenton said to Fanny grinning before he slipped from the chamber, following Wilks.
When they couldn’t be heard anymore, Fanny swore and then left the chamber to report to her father in the library.
Father beamed when he saw her, rising from a chair by the fire. “Ah, Fanny. There you are at last.”
The Lady Tamed Page 13