OFF LIMITS MY BEST FRIEND'S

ivate jet. It was thick, sweet, and carried the unmistakable scent of salt, coconut, and something wi

iot," Mia said, pushing her oversized sunglasses up into her long, wavy dark

rt flight of stairs. "Relax, drama queen. My dad doesn't do anything halfway. If he b

the man commanded attention. Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a crisp white linen shirt that clung slightly to his powerful frame from the hu

ttle friend,* she reminded herself. *But I'm not l

smile spread across his face-the kind of smile that m

the sound of the ocean breeze. "You survived the flight. I was

I was a perfect angel. Mia's the one who kept a

elt. "In my defense, I've never been on a private jet before.

he'd given her since she was fourteen and practically lived at their house after school. "Well, get used

decisions I'm planning,* Mia thought,

y, driven by a smiling resort staff member in a crisp white unif

ere's an infinity pool that literally looks like it drops into t

e girls. His long legs stretched out, brushing accidental

ice smooth and authoritative. "But if either of you comes back w

d slightly. "Why am I autom

Lily and Alexander said at

rs. The resort unfolded before them like something out of a dream white sand beaches, turquoise

silver at his temples. The relaxed but still commanding way he sat. The

ne," Mia whispered,

eyebrow raised. "Insane good or insane 'I sho

oldly. "The kind of insane that makes a girl w

ow rules? You're the one who convince

second longer than usual. "Senior

ower lip just a little. "Some things are bette

athtaking. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a private infinity pool that seemed to melt into t

first. "Dibs on the master

affectionate smile. "You always d

e sun kissing her skin. But her real focus was on the man now standing beside her, hands in his pockets,

using the formal name she knew he preferred from years

something that wasn't just polite kindness. Maybe it was the way the sunlight hit her face, or how her sundress

Lily was in pigtails. And call me Alexander.

, letting his name roll slowly off her tongue li

ting about the size of the ba

hroat and gestured towa

wooden steps, their arms brushed. M

s, fresh flowers everywhere, and a fully stocked kitchen with a chef on c

ear. "Dad, this place is ridiculous. There's

in Mia's stomach. "Good. Because I plan on drinking some very

You? Relaxing? I'll believe it when I see it. You're t

f amusement. "Careful, Mia. I might start thi

pping just enough to feel dangerous. "

ou two are already ganging up on me.

p the sleeves of his linen shirt to reveal strong forearms. "I'm going to take a qu

s bedroom to change, M

ve this? Two whole weeks of pure luxury. No parents well, ex

mind was elsewhere.

rizon, Mia stood on the deck in a light sundress, pret

towel slung over one broad shoulder. Water would soon cling to eve

he saw her al

unpacking?

e pressed her dress against her body. "She is. I

a second barely noticeable, but Mia c

py to be here,"

n, masculine scent mixed with the ocean air. "I've been lo

the air between them.

for the first time. "You've grown up, Mia. It'

, almost shy, but her e

ed. "Because I'm do

ptibly. He opened his mouth to say somet

e said instead, his voice a

the inviting turquoise water, Mia watched him

ad officia

no idea just how far