OFF LIMITS MY BEST FRIEND'S

"Hurry up, slowpokes! I can see the villa!" Lily called again, waving her phone like a flag as she practically skipped down the winding stone path.

Mia's heart was still racing from the charged words she'd exchanged with Alexander. She glanced sideways at him. His jaw was tight, and he kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, but she could tell he was affected. The way his hand flexed at his side gave him away.

Alexander cleared his throat as they caught up to Lily. "Easy there, kiddo. The villa isn't going anywhere."

Lily spun around, eyes sparkling with excitement. "But it's right there! Look at it! It's even prettier than the photos Dad sent."

The three of them rounded the final bend, and the villa came into full view. Mia's breath caught for an entirely different reason this time.

It was stunning.

The beachfront villa rose gracefully on wooden stilts, its expansive glass walls reflecting the golden afternoon light and the endless stretch of turquoise ocean beyond. A wide private deck wrapped around the front, complete with a sleek infinity pool that seemed to spill directly into the sea. Loungers with crisp white cushions dotted the space, and a shaded outdoor dining area waited under a canopy of flowing white fabric.

"Wow," Mia breathed, unable to hide her awe. "This is actually insane."

Alexander gave a small, satisfied nod, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I'm glad you like it. I wanted something private. No crowds, no noise... just us and the ocean."

Lily bolted up the wooden steps first, pushing open the wide glass doors with a dramatic flourish. "Dibs on the biggest room! The one with the direct ocean view and the huge bathtub!"

Alexander chuckled, shaking his head as he followed. "You've been calling dibs on rooms since you were old enough to talk. Some things never change."

Mia climbed the steps more slowly, hyper-aware of Alexander walking just behind her. She could feel the heat radiating from his body and the subtle brush of his arm against hers as they entered the cool, air-conditioned interior.

Inside, the villa was even more breathtaking. Open-plan living space with high ceilings, pale marble floors, and tasteful modern furniture in soft neutrals and ocean blues. Fresh tropical flowers filled crystal vases, and the entire back wall opened onto the deck and private beach.

Lily had already disappeared down the hallway, her excited voice echoing back. "Oh my God, Dad! There's a wine fridge in here the size of a car!"

Alexander set the key cards on the marble kitchen island and turned to Mia. His dark eyes studied her face again, more carefully this time. "You're being unusually quiet. Everything okay?"

Mia leaned against the island, letting her fingers trail along the cool stone. She met his gaze head-on, a small, secretive smile playing on her lips.

"I'm just trying to process how lucky I am," she said softly. "Sleeping under the same roof as you for two whole weeks... it feels surreal."

Alexander paused, his hand still resting on the counter near hers. For a moment, the only sound was the distant crash of waves and the faint rustle of palm leaves outside.

He tilted his head slightly. "You've slept under the same roof as us plenty of times back home, Mia. Sleepovers, movie nights, that time you stayed for a whole week when your parents went to Europe."

Mia's smile deepened. She lowered her voice just enough that only he could hear. "Those were different. Back home you had your big office and your rules. Here... there are no walls between us. Literally."

Alexander's eyebrows drew together slightly, a flicker of something caution mixed with awareness crossing his features. "Mia..."

Before he could continue, Lily burst back into the main area, holding up two tiny bikinis. "Which one should I wear first? The red one or the black one? Be honest, both of you."

Alexander immediately looked relieved at the interruption. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Sweetheart, I'm not the right person to ask about bikinis. Ask Mia."

Lily turned to her best friend expectantly. "Well?"

Mia forced herself to focus on Lily, though her mind was still replaying the heat in Alexander's eyes. "The red one. It makes your legs look endless. But save the black for dinner tonight. It's sexier."

Lily grinned and gave her a quick hug. "You're the best. I'm going to claim the master suite with the ocean-facing balcony. Dad, you take the one on the left. Mia, you get the middle room it's between ours. Perfect for late-night gossip sessions."

Mia's pulse spiked. *The middle room.* That meant Alexander's bedroom was on one side of hers, and Lily's on the other. She would be sleeping literally between them. Every night.

She swallowed, trying to keep her voice light. "Middle room sounds good. I like being in the center of things."

Alexander's gaze snapped to her again. He opened his mouth, then closed it, choosing instead to pick up his suitcase. "I'll take my things to my room. Why don't you two get settled? We can meet on the deck in thirty minutes for a welcome drink."

As he disappeared down the short hallway to the left, Lily dragged Mia toward the middle bedroom. The room was beautiful king-sized bed with crisp white linens, a private bathroom with a rainfall shower, and large sliding doors that opened directly onto the shared deck.

Lily flopped onto the bed dramatically. "Can you believe this place? It feels like we're in a movie. I'm so glad you came with us, Mia. This trip would've been boring without you."

Mia set her bag down and smiled, though her thoughts were elsewhere. "I wouldn't have missed it for anything."

Lily sat up, suddenly serious. "Hey... you've been acting kind of weird around my dad today. Everything okay between you two? Did he say something that bothered you?"

Mia's heart stuttered. She turned away, pretending to unpack her clothes into the sleek wooden dresser. "No, nothing like that. He's been really nice. I guess I'm just a little starstruck by all this luxury. Your dad knows how to travel in style."

Lily laughed. "Tell me about it. He works so hard all year. I'm happy he's finally relaxing a bit. He deserves it."

Mia nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of a silky camisole she'd packed specifically for this trip. "He does. He's always taking care of everyone else. Maybe this vacation someone should take care of him for a change."

Lily raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "You're such a sweetheart. I'm going to change and hit the pool. Join me?"

"In a bit," Mia replied. "I want to unpack first and take a quick shower. The flight made me feel sticky."

Once Lily left, Mia let out a long breath and walked over to the sliding doors. She stepped onto the deck, the warm wooden planks smooth under her bare feet. From here, she could see straight into the living area and catch glimpses of the other bedrooms.

Alexander's room was to her left. The door was slightly ajar.

She moved closer, curiosity and desire pulling her forward. Through the gap, she saw him standing by the large window, unbuttoning his linen shirt. The fabric parted, revealing the strong, defined muscles of his chest and abdomen. Years of disciplined workouts and sheer presence had carved his body into something powerful yet graceful.

Mia's mouth went dry.

He turned slightly, and for a heart-stopping second, their eyes met through the narrow opening. Alexander froze.

Instead of closing the door or turning away, he held her gaze. The air between them felt thick, charged.

Mia didn't look away. She let her eyes drift slowly down his torso, then back up to his face. A small, bold smile curved her lips.

"Nice view," she said softly, her voice carrying just far enough for him to hear.

Alexander's hand paused on the next button. His voice came out lower than usual, rough around the edges. "Mia... you shouldn't be looking at me like that."

"Like what?" she asked innocently, stepping just inside the threshold of his doorway. "Like I appreciate a beautiful man who's been kind to me for years?"

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "You're eighteen. You're my daughter's best friend. This... whatever you think is happening here... it can't."

Mia tilted her head, letting the breeze lift her wavy hair. "I'm not a little girl anymore, Alexander. I know exactly what I want. And right now, standing this close to you every single night for the next two weeks... it's going to be very, very hard to pretend I don't want it."

Alexander's eyes darkened. He took one step toward her, then stopped himself, gripping the edge of the dresser. "You need to be careful with words like that. I'm trying to do the right thing here."

Mia's smile turned softer, almost tender. "Maybe doing the right thing isn't what you really need right now. Maybe what you need is someone who sees how much you've been carrying alone."

The sound of Lily singing off-key in the shower drifted from the other side of the villa.

Alexander glanced in that direction, then back at Mia. His voice dropped to a near whisper. "Go unpack, Mia. Please."

She lingered for one more second, letting the tension stretch between them like a live wire.

"Sweet dreams tonight, Alexander," she murmured. "I'll be right next door... if you need anything."

With that, she slipped back onto the deck, heart pounding wildly.

Back in her own room, Mia closed the door and leaned against it, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. She could still feel the heat of his gaze on her skin.

She was so close.

Every night, she would sleep just a thin wall away from the man she had wanted for years. She could hear his movements, imagine him lying in bed, fighting the same pull she felt.

Mia walked to the mirror and looked at her reflection. Her cheeks were flushed, her hazel eyes bright with determination.

"This is going to be the best two weeks of my life," she whispered to herself.

Outside, the sun continued its slow descent toward the horizon, painting the ocean in shades of gold and pink. The infinity pool shimmered invitingly.

Mia began unpacking her most revealing outfits, carefully choosing what she would wear tonight.

The game had only just begun, and she was already winning the first round.