Page 138 of Hunt Me

“Your child will be an Ivanov,” Nikolai points out. “Combat maneuvers come standard.”

Sofia returns with sparkling cider, pressing it into Tash’s hands. “This is why you’ve been avoiding the wine tonight.”

“I’ve been avoiding everything.” Tash grimaces. “Morning sickness is a cruel joke. It’s all-day sickness.”

I watch the exchange, warmth spreading through my chest. The wine glass, now sitting untouched beside Tash’s plate, makes perfect sense. She usually matches Dmitri glass for glass, her tolerance legendary among their social circle.

“We’re telling the family first,” Dmitri explains, his hand finding the small of Tash’s back. “The formal announcement comes later, after the first trimester.”

“Obviously.” Katarina’s already glowing with excitement. “But we can start planning now, right? Nursery designs, color schemes?—”

“No.” Dmitri’s voice carries absolute authority. “We’re not discussing color schemes for at least six months.”

Alexi returns to my side, sliding his fingers through mine and squeezing gently. The simple contact sends electricity upmy arm. His lips brush my ear as he leans in, his breath warm against my skin.

“We need to get back to trying for a baby too,detka,” he whispers. “I need you pregnant.”

My breath catches. The possessiveness in his voice makes heat bloom low in my belly. Three weeks ago, his desire to breed me had been a fantasy that both terrified and thrilled me. Now, watching the glow on Tash’s face despite her complaints, I find myself wondering what it would be like—carrying Alexi’s child, a mingling of our DNA, creating something neither of us could hack or control.

“Is my biological clock ticking suddenly?” I murmur, but my body betrays me. My pulse quickens under his touch as his thumb traces circles on my wrist.

“Everything is ticking.” His eyes darken as they hold mine. “I need to see you round with my child.”

Alexi turns to the group, raising his voice. “We should get champagne from the cellar. Celebrate properly.”

Tash grimaces at her sparkling cider. “Rub it in, why don’t you?”

“Don’t worry,” Alexi says with an exaggerated pitying smile. “With Dmitri’s genes, your kid probably won’t come out with two heads. One and a half at most.”

Dmitri’s expression could freeze hellfire. “Amusing, little brother.”

“Come on,” Alexi tugs my hand, leading me toward the cellar stairs. “Let’s find something appropriately expensive to waste on this occasion.”

I follow him down the narrow staircase, his fingers still laced with mine. The temperature drops as we descend, but all I feel is heat spreading through my body at the thought of being alone with him, surrounded by bottles and darkness.

The wine cellar door clicks shut behind us, cutting off the chatter from upstairs. Alexi’s fingers tighten around mine as he leads me deeper into the rows of bottles, temperature dropping with each step.

“You know we didn’t come down here for champagne,” I say, watching his movements in the dim lighting.

Alexi turns to me, his eyes reflecting the soft glow from the cellar lights. “No, we didn’t.” His hand slides to my waist, pulling me against him. “Seeing Dmitri’s face... knowing Tash is carrying his child...”

His palm moves to my stomach, splaying possessively across my abdomen. “I want everyone to know you’re mine the same way.”

My breath catches. “We’re supposed to be celebrating their news.”

“We are.” His lips brush against my ear. “By making our own.”

Before I can respond, he turns me around and bends me over a wooden tasting table at the center of the cellar. My palms flatten against the polished surface as he lifts my skirt, exposing my underwear.

“Someone could come down?—”

“Let them.” His hand comes down on my ass with a sharp crack that echoes through the cellar. I gasp, the sting spreading delicious heat across my skin.

“They should know what I’m doing to you.” Another slap lands, harder this time. “Making sure my baby takes root inside you.”

He delivers three more spanks in quick succession, each one harder than the last, until I’m gripping the edge of the table, whimpering.

Alexi drops to his knees behind me, pulling my underwear down to my ankles. The cool air hits my heated skin just beforehis mouth does. His tongue slides between my folds, making me cry out. His hands grip my thighs, spreading me wider as he devours me with hungry precision.