Page 34 of Reckless Royalty

Got more where that came from. Wanna trade?

My heart pounds a little at the offer, but I go for it. I snap a half picture of the antlers of my deer tattoo sprawling over my skin, and send it his way. There’s a longer pause this time, and when he responds, his words make my cheeks burn.

Mihai:

Now you’re just showing off. That’s… damn, Maddy. You’ve got some amazing ink.

I take a deep breath, typing quickly before I lose my nerve.

Me:

Let’s see more of yours then.

A picture pops up, and I open it, my breath catching in my throat. Mihai’s lying in bed, his arm raised behind his head, showing off the ink that covers his chest.

Black and gray patterns swirl across his skin, symbols and lines that are both fierce and beautiful. There’s a burning rose tattoo over his heart that I want to ask him about, but decide notto. It’s raw, intense, just like him, and I can’t help but stare, my face heating up at the sight.

Bloody hell, he’s fit.

Mihai:

Like what you see?

I laugh, feeling my cheeks burn even hotter. I can’t believe he just said that. But there’s something freeing in the way he’s being so open, so… bold.

Me:

Maybe. Not bad.

I can almost feel his grin through the screen.

Mihai:

Not bad? This took hours of pain. That’s all you’ve got to say?

Me:

Pain builds character, doesn’t it? Thought you were tough, Mafia Prince.

Mihai:

Alright, alright. Now it’s your turn again.

I bite my lip, hesitating for a moment, and then snap a full picture of my chest tattoo, and send it to him before I cansecond-guess myself. There’s a longer pause, and when his reply finally comes through, it’s short but it says enough.

Mihai:

Fucking stunning.

His words make my stomach flip, and I can’t help but smile, feeling a warmth that’s as unfamiliar as it is intoxicating.

Me:

Thank you.

There’s a pause, and then another message comes in.

Mihai:

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