Off the Ice
"I’m straight, Thorne. I like women."
"Good. Because you’re definitely not my type."
As the captain of the city’s most brutal pro-hockey team, Jaxson Thorne rules the rink with iron fists. He doesn't do PR stunts, and he definitely doesn't do men. But when a massive bar brawl threatens his captaincy, management hands him a devastating ultimatum: fake-date the new figure skating coach to clean up his image, or lose his contract.
Liam Vance is desperate. When his Olympic funding is cut, his dreams shatter. The contract to pretend to be deeply, madly in love with a thuggish hockey player is his last financial lifeline. The catch? They have to move into Jaxson’s luxury penthouse to keep up the charade for the paparazzi.
Both men are fiercely, stubbornly straight. Behind closed doors, it’s a war of flying insults and strict boundaries. But when the cameras flash, forced proximity starts to blur the lines. A casual touch sparks an agonizing heat. A fake kiss leaves them breathless.
Suddenly, the most terrifying game isn't on the ice—it's the realization that the man they are supposed to be pretending to love is the only one they can no longer live without.
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Chapter: Chapter 8: The Reality CheckThe elevator ride up to the penthouse was dead silent, but the air inside the mirrored glass cabin felt heavy enough to choke on.The moment the doors slid open, Jaxson didn't say a word. He stepped out into the dark foyer, ripped off his charcoal suit jacket, and tossed it carelessly onto the sofa. He unknotted his tie with a sharp, impatient tug, his jaw clenching so hard a muscle violently twitched beneath his stubble.Liam stepped out after him, his hand unconsciously rubbing his own wrist—right where he had held Jaxson back at the restaurant. "Jaxson? Are you even listening to me? You almost ruined everything tonight. If Marcus had provoked you any further—""I need a drink," Jaxson interrupted, his voice a low, gravelly rasp. He didn't look at Liam. He couldn't. Every time he glanced at the smaller man, all he could see was the way the midnight-blue silk shirt draped over Liam's collarbones, and the memory of how perfectly Liam's smaller hand had locked into his under the table.
Last Updated: 2026-07-06
Chapter: Chapter 7: The Paparazzi DinnerThe velvet booth at L’Etoile felt less like luxury and more like an interrogation room.Located in Manhattan's most exclusive district, the restaurant was a hotspot for old money, high-profile celebrities, and the ravenous photographers who stalked them. The lighting was dim and amber, casting long, intimate shadows across the crisp white tablecloth.Liam shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his hand tightening around the stem of his water glass. Sarah, the PR director, had picked out his outfit for tonight—a tailored, midnight-blue silk dress shirt that clung to the elegant lines of his collarbones, paired with dark trousers. It felt entirely too smooth, entirely too exposed.Sitting directly next to him, close enough that their thighs brushed with every subtle movement, was Jaxson.The captain looked lethal in a dark charcoal suit, his broad shoulders easily dominating the small booth. He had his left arm draped casually along the top of the leather seat behind Liam's head. To anyone
Last Updated: 2026-07-06
Chapter: Chapter 6: The Agility TestThe whistle blew, its sharp, shrill ring echoing off the rafters of the Horizon Center."Alright, gentlemen!" Coach Miller shouted, clapping his hands together as the team skated toward the center circle. "For the next hour, this ice belongs to Coach Vance. The front office wants agility, edge work, and speed. So wrap your heads around it and pay attention."A low murmur passed through the rows of black-and-gold jerseys. Liam stood near the center dot, his arms crossed over his chest, his posture rigid and commanding. He had traded his cream sweater for a sleek, fitted black athletic jacket that zipped tightly up to his throat. On his feet were his pristine white figure skates, their specialized freestyle blades catching the bright overhead stadium lights.Standing right at the front of the pack, leaning heavily on his hockey stick, was Jaxson.The captain’s dark hair was wild and damp with sweat from their early warm-ups. His dark eyes locked onto Liam, tracking the smooth, effortles
Last Updated: 2026-07-06
Chapter: Chapter 5: The Locker Room Cold WarThe quiet safety of the café lasted all of twenty minutes. By the time they reached the Horizon Center, the news of Jaxson’s public statement had already exploded across every major sports network.Liam hurried into the facility, deliberately walking three paces ahead of Jaxson to keep some distance between them. His lower back still felt bizarrely warm, the phantom imprint of Jaxson’s large palm lingering through his sweater like a brand. It was infuriating. He was a straight man who had spent his entire life chasing women, yet a simple corporate stunt with a brute of a hockey captain had his pulse acting completely erratic."Vance," Jaxson called out, his boots thudding heavily against the concrete corridor. "Slow down. I'm not chasing you through the halls.""Then don't," Liam snapped without turning around. "Go to your locker room. I have to prep the agility mats before practice starts.""The coach changed the schedule," Jaxson said, quickening his stride until he easily cut off L
Last Updated: 2026-06-15
Chapter: Chapter 4: The First FlashesThe morning sun hit the penthouse like a spotlight, reflecting blindingly off the polished marble floors.Liam woke up with a sharp jolt, his muscles stiff from the uncompromising frame of the leather sofa. For a terrifying three seconds, he didn't know where he was. Then, the heavy scent of cedar wood and expensive cologne anchored him. He was still wrapped tightly in Jaxson’s velvet duvet.He threw the blanket off like it had suddenly caught fire. Standing up, he stretched his aching back, his stomach letting out another loud, demanding rumble.Before he could even check his phone, the heavy master bedroom door swung open.Jaxson stepped out, completely dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit that made his broad shoulders look impossibly wide. His dark hair was styled back perfectly, and he was buttoning his cuffs with a cold, focused precision. He didn't look like a rough hockey player anymore; he looked like a high-profile executive.He didn't even glance at Liam as he walked into
Last Updated: 2026-06-15
Chapter: Chapter 3: The First Rule of the PenthouseThe penthouse elevator chimed with a soft, expensive ring before the polished steel doors glided open.Liam stepped out into a massive, minimalist living room that looked more like a modern art museum than a home. The entire back wall was made of floor-to-ceiling glass, showcasing the glittering New York City skyline. Everything was sleek chrome, dark leather, and pristine white marble."Drop your bags by the door," Jaxson muttered, tossing his car keys onto a marble kitchen island that was larger than Liam’s entire old bedroom.Jaxson had finally changed out of his bulky hockey gear into a gray hoodie and dark sweatpants, but his presence still managed to swallow up the massive room. He looked exhausted, his broad shoulders slightly slumped, though his posture remained aggressively defensive.Liam set his two battered duffel bags down onto the spotless hardwood floor. Next to the flawless luxury of the apartment, his worn-out belongings looked incredibly pathetic. He crossed his arms
Last Updated: 2026-06-15
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