Page 83

Felix

“Get a room!”

Felix reluctantly pulled away from Sam, where he’d been practically in the man’s lap.

But the whisky and wine were flowing, Fitzy and Flick were offering an endless array of tavern ditties on the pianoforte, and laughter and good spirits rang through the large Thornfield Hall library.

Oh, and the young ones—and thankfully Felix’s mother—had all retired for the evening.

It was just the raucous crowd left. That and Felix had snuck away earlier to get Sam’s other surprise ready.

And he was counting down the minutes until he could deliver that one, too.

“I, personally, am happy for them to continue,” Ryker said from where he leaned against the sideboard next to Lord Kozington. “Or…” His gaze swept over them. “That’s quite a bit of man to handle, Bentley. I’ll gladly lend a hand.”

“He has it covered,” Sam growled. And now Felix was very much in Sam’s lap.

Felix melted back into Sam, everything light and a little spinny. He might be a touch bosky. But it was the perfect amount. Everything buzzed, thrummed with…happy.

“Whoever yelled that might have a point,” Sam whispered in Felix’s ear. “I think we—well, this entire group—might be overwhelming your new brother.”

Felix glanced over to where Weston stood off to the side, an untouched whisky in hand, a blush dusting his high cheekbones as he quietly took in the revelry.

He’d filled out quite a bit in the last year.

Much more man than lanky lad now, growing into the twenty years he’d turn this December.

But Weston was a studious type, similar to Fitzy in that sense, quieter, preferred smaller groups or one-on-one.

Felix had already warned Ryker to stay away from his brother.

Not that Felix had any idea of his brother’s preferences.

But he knew Ryker would be more than happy to help Weston…

figure that out, if there were any question.

Especially considering he now knew Ryker had a thing for younger brothers.

His attention landed on Xavier. He whistled softly, and Zavi’s gaze shot to his.

He canted his head, a silent signal to have Zavi come over.

The blond-haired, hazel-eyed young man stopped next to the couch Felix and Sam were resting on. Christ, the man was built. He may be only five-and-twenty, but he was a dedicated pugilist, and it showed.

“What do you need, Bentley? I’m in a giving mood, considering your nuptials, but I’m not as giving as Ryker.”

“We’re going to take up Lord Wessex’s suggestion and make ourselves scarce. But”—his gaze darted back to his youngest brother—“I don’t want to leave certain individuals unattended.”

And Felix could already see that certain other couples weren’t going to be sticking around much longer.

Ash and Georgiana were hovering around the pianoforte, as though they were waiting to swoop in and steal their spouses.

The last thing he wanted was to leave poor Weston with Ryker.

It was like tossing a lamb to a starving wolf.

Not that Ryker would ever force himself on someone, but Felix also didn’t need his brother being made uncomfortable by Ryker’s flirtatious remarks.

Felix frowned. And it looked like he had someone else to worry over—one who posed a threat larger than flirtation.

Lady Camoys sauntered up to Weston, and that light blush took over the poor young man’s whole face.

Christ, that woman. Felix didn’t know the extent of his brother’s experience , but he knew Lady Camoys wouldn’t hesitate to help…

educate him. And she was stunningly beautiful, something she knew how to use to her advantage.

A shy, young man like Weston didn’t stand a chance.

Zavi’s gaze followed Felix’s. “Ah, yes. Your poor brother, getting quite a bit of attention from both sides tonight. It’s unfortunate he’s nearly as handsome as you, Bentley. Tim and I can keep an eye on him until he retires.”

“Where is Tim—”

“I come with more food!”

Ah. There he was.

Tim, an identical version of Zavi, pushed a tea cart packed full of food. Felix’s eyes narrowed. Was that a roast chicken? Christ, what had he made Cook prepare?

Sam sniggered behind Felix. “Come now. Let’s slip out of here.” He pushed Felix off his lap to his feet.

Felix glanced nervously at his brother, where Zavi and Tim had just approached with the food cart. Timothy quickly inserted himself between Lady Camoys and Weston, and Felix let out a small, relieved breath.

A hand gently cradled Felix’s jaw and pulled his attention back to Sam. “The twins will keep an eye on your brother. And he’s a grown man, Fee. It’ll be good for him to learn how to deal with obnoxious people like Ryker.”

“I heard that!”

Sam ignored Ryker, though one side of his mouth tugged up in a smile. Felix leaned forward and murmured, “I think I’m more worried about Lady Camoys.”

Sam shrugged a shoulder and tugged Felix toward the library doors.

“Is that really so bad, Fee? Think back to what you were doing back when you were his age. Frequenting molly houses and picking up? Sure, that woman is a man-eater, but she cares about this family. She won’t do anything to hurt him.

Maybe the man needs to have a little fun. ”

Felix closed his eyes briefly and then blew out a large breath and shook out his hands, like he could shake off the urge to intervene. It didn’t quite work, but he wasn’t going to give in to it. He met Sam’s stormy grey gaze. “You’re right. It’s not my place.”

“Look at you,” Sam said softly. “Is that growth I see?”

Heat prickled over Felix’s cheeks. “Very slow growth, but I want to be better.”

Those grey irises melted before Felix, and pure, unmasked affection stared back at him.

“I think we need to get back to your chambers. Now. Or else Ryker’s going to get that show he’s been hoping for,” Sam said huskily.

They slipped into the hall, and Felix fell back against the wall, giving Sam a quick sharp tug so Sam fell atop him.

Sam laughed against his lips, and Felix swallowed down the beautiful low rumble.

It didn’t take long for the laughter and smiles to fade, in its place something deeper, insatiable.

It was like every time they came together now, there was a desperate urgency.

They knew what it was like to have almost lost this.

So, they grasped harder, held on tighter.

Said without words. I’m here. You’re here. We are here.

Sam pulled away, chest crashing into Felix’s with the force of his breaths. “Bedchamber, Fee.”

That growl sent a shiver stealing down Felix’s spine. Something Sam didn’t fail to notice.

Sam leaned forward, grazing his teeth over the column of Felix’s neck. He paused at the shell of Felix’s ear. “I’m losing my patience… husband .”

Shite .

Felix took off for his room. “Come on now. What are you waiting for?” he called over his shoulder. He smiled to himself. Sam wasn’t the only one who could give some cheek.

And then all of a sudden his feet were no longer on the floor, and he found himself thrown around a set of strong shoulders like he was a sack of potatoes. God, this man’s brawn. His blood heated.

“There’s only one insolent cove in this relationship,” Sam said, and started mounting the stairs.

Well, that sounded like a challenge. “Are you certain you’re all right carrying me, old man? Now, that I think of it, isn’t it past your bedtime?”

A hand came cracking down on his arse.

Oh. He blinked. That wasn’t half bad. Perhaps his sister-in-law was on to something.

Sam chuckled and stopped outside their chamber, then slid Felix down his front until Felix’s feet hit the floor. “Liked that, did you?”

“I never said that.” Felix wrinkled his nose. Damn it. That had come out breathless.

Sam’s grin doubled in size, and he booped Felix on the nose. “Fuck, you’re adorable. And also a big, big liar.”

Sam reached behind Felix and opened the door, and they stumbled into the room, a mess of groping hands and exploring lips.

“I can’t deny I’m not intrigued,” Felix said between kisses.

“But I have other plans for you tonight.” They hurried out of their garments, hindered by the little fact that they couldn’t stop touching and kissing each other.

Once they were finally naked, Felix shoved Sam hard in the chest until the backs of his thighs hit the bed. Sam arched a saucy ebony brow. Felix’s lips curled, and whatever Sam saw in his smirk had his lids falling low.

“On the bed, husband. Sitting up against the headboard. I have one more surprise for you.”

Felix blinked, and Sam was in place on the bed.

It would never cease to amaze Felix how fast that giant man could move when highly motivated.

Sam slowly stroked his thick shaft, eyes locked on Felix.

The muscles in his arms flexed with every stroke, his legs unashamedly spread, giving Felix the perfect view of Sam’s ballocks.

His mouth watered. He hadn’t planned on a detour, but that was too tempting of an invitation to ignore.

He crawled up, pressing a kiss to Sam’s ankle, to his thick calf muscle, which immediately flexed tight beneath his lips. He dusted his lips over the inside of Sam’s thigh, and a small thrill shot through him when Sam was the one to shiver.

And then he reached what he’d been waiting for.

He gently mouthed Sam’s ballocks, a bolt of lust arcing through him at every strangled grunt that left the man currently at his mercy.

His eyes fluttered shut, and he breathed in the very essence of Sam.

Felix’s body vibrated with barely leashed need, with heady anticipation. Because he knew something Sam didn’t.