Page 89 of Enemies with an Earl
Felix’sarmsslicedthroughthe water, legs kicking in a tight, relentless rhythm. His lungs screamed at him for a second time today. But this one was a welcomed strain, an addicting one that came from lungs, muscles, body pushed to its limits.
His fingers touched the edge of the bathing pool, and he ducked under the water, curling into a ball, flipping until his feet pressed against the tiled wall. He thrust off it and took off in the opposite direction. Slower this time, easing into a leisurely pace. He stopped when he reached the edge, turning to rest back against it. His chest ached from his heavy breaths, his gaze searching for…searching for—
Sam.
Sam sat on the edge of the pool to Felix’s left, legs dangling in the water, leaning back on his hands, completely unabashedly naked. Felix shook his head, flipping his hair out of his eyes, then slowly waded over. His body was a bloody dead weight, muscles trembling uselessly like flummery. Sam must have recognized Felix’s exhaustion because right before Felix reached him, he slid into the pool. Just in time to catch Felix falling into his chest.
Sam chuckled, his rumbled laugh jostling their bodies, his coarse hair gliding over Felix’s smoother skin. “You pushed yourself pretty hard out there. And I have to admit, much better view than swimming with Ash.”
Felix pulled back and met Sam’s shadowed stare. The swimming room at Thornfield Hall had no windows, lit only by wall sconces and the many fireplaces that were needed to keep the air comfortably warm for swimming in the two-story stone room.
Sam arched a brow, the flickering shadows dancing over his pale skin. “That arse of yours, Felix? Christ, it’s going to be the death of me.”
Felix glided back a pace, a smile tugging at his lips. He sank into the water, drifting backward with just his head above water, arms wading slowly. “Glad I could provide some entertainment.”
“Do you feel better now?” Sam absently grazed a flat palm over the top of the water, sending droplets flying.
Felix tilted his head back, staring up at the dark ceiling. Sound fell away as his ears sank below the water. Did he? A little. About some things. But one thing in particular was eating at him.
“How didn’t I notice?” His voice rang like a muffled echo in his submerged ears. He lifted his head and caught Sam’s gaze again. “I’ve known him… Well, I’ve known him literally for his entire life. And I didn’t once see the similarities?” He felt really blasted stupid.
“Well, it’s not as though you both stood side by side in a looking glass,” Sam pointed out. Quite sensibly. “And you’re not as conceited and obsessed with your looks as I initially thought.”
Felix shot him a dry glance. “What a wag you are with your witty jests,” he drolled. Sam chuckled and splashed a bit of water at him. Felix ducked out of the way, his grin popping back in place. “Fine, so perhaps I wouldn’t have noticed. But Flick? Fitzy?”
“There’s a very large age-difference between you two. I highly doubt you two appeared all that similar until recently. He would have been an awkward, gangly youth. He still has that beanpole look about him.”
True. Sam made valid points. But…
“You knew right away. Just like”—he snapped his fingers—“that. How, when my sister and brother couldn’t even see it?”
“Well, I’m not sure if you’re aware of this…but I think you’re a very bloody attractive man, and I have spent many-an hour memorizing your features.”
Oh.
“I’m pretty fond of your countenance, Fee,” he murmured. “I highly doubt your sister and brother look at you the way I do.”
Felix went soft, his heart a melty mess in his chest. Sam waded forward until they were only a few inches apart.
“That’s awfully lovely,” Felix whispered.
Sam ducked and kissed him quickly before pulling back with a grin. “I’m a lovely cove.” He winked. “But in all seriousness, I also think it’s something easier to see from the outside, no? You are all too close to it. It’s like with twins. Have you ever met a set of twins? You cannot tell them apart, but their parents or siblings think they look nothing alike.”
Felix cocked his head, a thoughtful hum rumbling from him. “That’s…an interesting point. The Kozington twins—you’ll meet them soon. They grew up with us on the neighboring estate—look nothing alike to me. But they switch places all the time because people can’t tell them apart.”
“There you go.”
Felix huffed out a laugh. “Christ. I can’t believe this. What is this life? I have another brother?” He laughed again, his mirth echoing around them. “My parents somehow managed to hide him from us, from the entire world. It feels like something one reads about in a wild novel.”
“I mean, that’s kind of what this is, isn’t it? The story of Felix. I have to say, I’m finding it a pretty enthralling read.” He bounced his eyebrows. “Titillating at parts.”
“You’re so juvenile,” Felix said, cheeks aching from his smile. “I hate how much I like it.”
Sam crowded him backward until his back hit the wall. “I’ve told you before, Felix. I’m irresistible.”
“I’m starting to believe it.”
Sam’s exaggerated gasp rang through the bathing room. “Juststarting to? You wound me!”
