Page 138 of Hidden Empire

I frown at myself. “I wanted to have sex.”

Dmitri nods, kissing my shoulder. “I know, Krasotka. It’s okay.”

“It’s not,” I disagree. “I’m still horny, and now I look disgusting.”

His gaze in the mirror becomes sharp. “You do not look disgusting.”

“So we can still fuck?” I ask hopefully.

Planting a few open mouth kisses on my collar and neck, he hums. “No sex tonight, baby. But if your stomach settles and you still want something, I’ll finger you until you soak my hand in cum, how about that?”

Not as appealing as being railed into the mattress, but it’ll do. He probably just doesn’t want to rock me around too much and make me nauseous.

“Okay,” I mumble.

“Come on, baby,” he coos, taking my hand. “We’ll get you some water to sip on, and I’ll rub your back.”

My god, I adore him.

“Thank you.”

“What for?” he asks, brows furrowed.

“Just for being you.”

Chapter 36

Jade

One Month Later

The weather is so incredibly nice today. It’s warm but not humid or muggy and hot. The air is crisp from the cool water of the ocean. It’s the perfect day for ice cream, and that’s exactly what Ivan and I are devouring right now.

Being able to walk around in the daylight with him is so nice, not having to worry about being spotted is even better. Armani is gone for the whole day, up in the mountains working with the long-range sniper candidates. He selected five students with potential and went up there with them to get some practice and improvement.

The twins are out there with him, not shooting but acting as his unofficial guards. They won’t let anything happen to him while he’s distracted with working, but Remo says it’s not a big deal. Matteo is just in bed for a post-lunch nap, not feeling the need to tag along since he trusts Ivan now. He’s exchanged a few less snappy words with him in the past few weeks, and I can tell he’s accepted our friendship.

My morning sickness is still a bit of a problem, but I don’t want to think about it right now. This peach sorbet the kitchen employees made is fucking phenomenal, and I will not throw it up.

“Do you like yours?” I ask Ivan, nodding to the strawberry flavor in his cup.

“It’s good,” he replies, taking another bite.

We decided to sit near the beach, allowing us a bit of privacy without really hiding. Dmitri is around here somewhere, watching us from afar. I found out that he spends most of his time observing me and recognizing the feeling of his eyes has become instinctual. It’s sweet but also kind of sad. Soon enough, the semester will be over, and he’ll never have to watch me from a tree again because he’ll be right next to me.

I hum, nodding. “What flavor would Dmitri have gotten?”

Ivan thinks about it. “Probably peach since you got it.”

“Does he even like peaches?”

“I don’t know that he’s ever had one.” He shrugs. “But he’d try it for you.”

My cheeks lift as I smile at him. “You know one of my favorite things about Dmitri?”

He smirks. “His dick?”

I roll my eyes. “No—” Well, yes, but no, not the point. “—I was going to say you, you dummy. Having a boyfriend that comes with a best friend? That’s pretty fucking cool.” Ivan’s lips perk up on the sides, absorbing my words.

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