Page 104 of Reckless Royalty

“What if I want to try hard?” he asks, his voice low, his accent thick. “What if I want to impress you?”

My breath catches, and I suddenly feel like the air has been sucked out of the room. He’s standing so close now, his eyes locked on mine, and I don’t know how to answer.

“Then…” I swallow, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re doing a good job.”

His smirk returns, softer this time, and he leans down just enough to brush a kiss to my forehead. “Good. Because I’m not planning on stopping anytime soon.”

And just like that, he turns away, leaving me breathless and wondering how the hell one man can have this much power over me.

And, God help me, I think I’m falling for him.

MIHAI

The engine hums beneath us as I steer the sleek black SUV down one of the winding roads on the Willow Bridge estate. The place is massive, practically its own little city, and I know all its ins and outs like the back of my hand. But for Maddy, everything here is still new.

She sits quietly in the passenger seat, looking out the window as the scenery rolls by—dense forests giving way to sprawling fields, the sun breaking through the trees and dappling the road ahead.

“You good over there, baby?” I ask, glancing at her.

She turns to me with a small smile, her cheeks faintly pink. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s beautiful here.”

“Beautiful, sure,” I say with a shrug. “But also boring as hell when you’ve been here long enough.”

“I’m guessing you’re not exactly the stay-at-home type,” she teases, her accent wrapping around the words with that quirky lilt I’ve come to love.

I smirk, glancing at her again. “Nah. I like movement. Thrill. Things that make me feel alive.”

Her smile falters just a bit, but she quickly hides it by turning her attention back to the window. I can’t help but wonder what’s going on in that head of hers.

I clear my throat, steering us onto a smaller path that leads toward one of my favorite spots on the estate.

“Thought we’d stop for a coffee,” I tell her, nodding toward the little café coming into view. It’s tucked away among a grove of trees, quaint and quiet—the perfect place to just… breathe.

Her face lights up a little, and the sight makes something in my chest tighten. “Coffee sounds perfect,” she says softly.

I park the car and lead her inside. The café’s rustic charm is a stark contrast to the luxury of the estate—a cozy space with mismatched chairs and tables, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. It’s empty except for the barista, who greets us with a polite nod.

I order for both of us—two coffees and some pastries she’s chosen—then guide Maddy to a corner table by the window. She sits across from me, her hands wrapped around her mug, and for a moment, we just sit there in comfortable silence.

“So,” I start, leaning back in my chair. “Tell me about your family.”

Her gaze drops to her coffee, and I can see the hesitation in her eyes. I reach out, resting my hand on hers.

“You don’t have to if it’s too much,” I say softly.

She shakes her head, offering me a small smile. “No, it’s okay. It’s just… I haven’t really talked about them in a while.”

I nod, giving her the space to gather her thoughts.

Her fingers tighten slightly around her coffee cup, but she doesn’t shy away from the question. “My mum… she was the strongest person I’ve ever known. She always made things work, no matter how hard it got. After my dad died, she didn’t break—not in front of me or my sister, at least. She just… kept going.”

I don’t push, letting her take her time. She looks up at me, her brown eyes glistening. “My little sister, Isla… she was my best friend. The sweetest, most curious little thing. She’d follow me everywhere, asking a million questions about everything.”

Her voice cracks, and she takes a shaky breath. “She idolized me, you know? Always wanted to do what I was doing. And that day…” She trails off, looking away.

“Maddy,” I say gently, my voice low. “You don’t have to carry that guilt. What happened wasn’t your fault.”

She lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “You sound like Mihai, the therapist.”

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