OFF LIMITS MY BEST FRIEND'S

The humid tropical air hit Mia Thompson like a lover's breath the second she stepped off the small private jet. It was thick, sweet, and carried the unmistakable scent of salt, coconut, and something wildly expensive. Her heart was already hammering before her sandals even touched the sun-warmed tarmac.

"Lily, I swear if this place isn't as insane as the pictures, I'm going to riot," Mia said, pushing her oversized sunglasses up into her long, wavy dark hair. She tried to sound casual, but her voice came out a little too breathy.

Lily Voss laughed beside her, looping her arm through Mia's as they descended the short flight of stairs. "Relax, drama queen. My dad doesn't do anything halfway. If he booked it, it's probably better than the pictures. Just wait until you see the villas."

Mia's gaze flicked involuntarily toward the front of the plane where Alexander Voss stood talking to the pilot. Even from twenty feet away, the man commanded attention. Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a crisp white linen shirt that clung slightly to his powerful frame from the humidity. His short salt-and-pepper hair was perfectly styled, and those dark eyes... God, those eyes had haunted her teenage dreams for years.

She swallowed hard. *He still sees me as Lily's little friend,* she reminded herself. *But I'm not little anymore. I turned eighteen three weeks ago.*

Alexander turned, catching sight of them. A warm, easy smile spread across his face-the kind of smile that made boardrooms quiet and women forget their own names.

"Ladies," he called, his deep voice carrying effortlessly over the sound of the ocean breeze. "You survived the flight. I was starting to worry Lily would talk your ear off the entire way."

Lily rolled her eyes dramatically. "Dad, please. I was a perfect angel. Mia's the one who kept asking if we were there yet like a five-year-old."

Mia forced a laugh, hoping it didn't sound as nervous as she felt. "In my defense, I've never been on a private jet before. Or to a private island, for that matter. This feels... unreal."

Alexander's eyes met hers for a brief moment. There was nothing but kind amusement in them. The same look he'd given her since she was fourteen and practically lived at their house after school. "Well, get used to it, Mia. Two weeks of this. No schedules, no responsibilities, just sun, sea, and terrible decisions."

*If only you knew what kind of terrible decisions I'm planning,* Mia thought, a secret thrill running down her spine.

A sleek black golf cart waited for them on the edge of the runway, driven by a smiling resort staff member in a crisp white uniform. Their luggage was already being loaded with quiet efficiency.

As they climbed in, Lily bounced excitedly. "Okay, real talk. There's an infinity pool that literally looks like it drops into the ocean. And the spa? Dad, you promised me unlimited treatments."

Alexander chuckled, settling into the seat across from the girls. His long legs stretched out, brushing accidentally against Mia's knee. She felt the contact like a spark.

"I promised you both unlimited treatments," he corrected, his voice smooth and authoritative. "But if either of you comes back with temporary tattoos or regrettable piercings, I'm blaming Mia."

Mia grinned, leaning forward slightly. "Why am I automatically the bad influence?"

"Because you usually are," Lily and Alexander said at the same time, then laughed.

The golf cart glided along a winding path lined with lush palm trees and vibrant hibiscus flowers. The resort unfolded before them like something out of a dream white sand beaches, turquoise water so clear it looked photoshopped, and elegant villas perched elegantly along the shoreline.

Mia couldn't stop staring at Alexander. The way the sunlight caught the silver at his temples. The relaxed but still commanding way he sat. The subtle flex of muscle under his shirt as he gestured toward the horizon.

"This place is insane," Mia whispered, mostly to herself.

Alexander heard her. He turned his head, one eyebrow raised. "Insane good or insane 'I should have stayed home and studied for college'?"

"Insane good," she replied, meeting his gaze boldly. "The kind of insane that makes a girl want to forget every rule she's ever followed."

Lily snorted. "Since when do you follow rules? You're the one who convinced me to sneak out for senior skip day."

Alexander's eyes lingered on Mia a second longer than usual. "Senior skip day? Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not," Mia said sweetly, biting her lower lip just a little. "Some things are better left as fond memories between best friends."

The cart slowed to a stop in front of Villa 7 their home for the next two weeks. It was breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a private infinity pool that seemed to melt into the ocean, and an expansive wooden deck with loungers and a dining area overlooking the water.

Lily squealed and jumped out first. "Dibs on the master bedroom with the ocean view!"

Alexander shook his head with an affectionate smile. "You always did that, even when you were six."

Mia stepped out slowly, taking it all in. The warm breeze lifted her hair, and she could already feel the sun kissing her skin. But her real focus was on the man now standing beside her, hands in his pockets, looking every bit the successful, self-made billionaire who had raised his daughter alone after tragedy.

"Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Voss," she said softly, using the formal name she knew he preferred from years of politeness. "This is... more than I ever expected."

Alexander turned to her fully. For the first time, she noticed a flicker of something different in his expression something that wasn't just polite kindness. Maybe it was the way the sunlight hit her face, or how her sundress hugged her newly confident curves. Whatever it was, his dark eyes seemed to actually *see* her for a split second.

"You're family, Mia. You've been around since Lily was in pigtails. And call me Alexander. We're on vacation, not at a business meeting."

Mia's pulse quickened. "Alexander," she repeated, letting his name roll slowly off her tongue like she was tasting it. "I like the sound of that."

Lily was already inside, shouting about the size of the bathroom, completely oblivious.

Alexander cleared his throat and gestured toward the villa. "Shall we?"

As they walked side by side up the wooden steps, their arms brushed. Mia didn't move away. Neither did he.

Inside, the villa was even more luxurious than expected cool marble floors, fresh flowers everywhere, and a fully stocked kitchen with a chef on call. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors opened directly onto the private beach.

Lily emerged from exploring, grinning ear to ear. "Dad, this place is ridiculous. There's a wine fridge bigger than my closet back home."

Alexander laughed, a rich, low sound that sent warmth pooling in Mia's stomach. "Good. Because I plan on drinking some very expensive wine while pretending I don't have a company to run."

Mia leaned against the kitchen island, watching him. "You? Relaxing? I'll believe it when I see it. You're the guy who answers emails at 2 a.m. during Christmas."

He shot her a look that was half warning, half amusement. "Careful, Mia. I might start thinking you pay too much attention to my habits."

"Oh, I do," she replied, her voice dropping just enough to feel dangerous. "I've been paying attention for years."

Lily groaned from the living room. "You two are already ganging up on me. This is going to be a long two weeks."

Alexander's gaze held Mia's for a heartbeat longer before he looked away, rolling up the sleeves of his linen shirt to reveal strong forearms. "I'm going to take a quick swim before dinner. You girls settle in. Dinner is at seven on the main terrace."

As he headed toward his bedroom to change, Mia watched every step.

Lily flopped onto the massive sectional sofa. "Can you believe this? Two whole weeks of pure luxury. No parents well, except mine, but he's chill. We're going to have so much fun."

Mia smiled, but her mind was elsewhere. "Yeah... so much fun."

Later, as the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, Mia stood on the deck in a light sundress, pretending to admire the view. In reality, she was waiting.

Alexander emerged from the villa in nothing but dark swim trunks, a towel slung over one broad shoulder. Water would soon cling to every ridge of muscle on that body. The thought made her mouth go dry.

He paused when he saw her alone on the deck.

"Lily still unpacking?" he asked.

Mia nodded, turning to face him fully. The breeze pressed her dress against her body. "She is. I think she's trying on every bikini she brought."

Alexander's eyes flicked down for half a second barely noticeable, but Mia caught it. Victory bloomed in her chest.

"You look... happy to be here," he said carefully.

"I am." She stepped closer, close enough to smell his clean, masculine scent mixed with the ocean air. "I've been looking forward to this trip for a very long time, Alexander."

Something shifted in the air between them. Not much. Just enough.

He studied her face, as if seeing her clearly for the first time. "You've grown up, Mia. It's... easy to forget how much time has passed."

Mia's smile turned soft, almost shy, but her eyes burned with intent.

"Good," she whispered. "Because I'm done being forgotten."

Alexander's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He opened his mouth to say something, then seemed to think better of it.

"I'll see you at dinner," he said instead, his voice a little rougher than before.

As he walked down toward the private beach and the inviting turquoise water, Mia watched him go, her heart racing with dangerous excitement.

The game had officially begun.

And Alexander Voss had no idea just how far she was willing to go.