OFF LIMITS: HIS BEST FRIEND'S MOTHER

Olivia's PovThe noise inside Phantom Ice Arena was deafening. Forty thousand fans stood on their feet, chanting, stomping, screaming, all of it vibrating through the floor and up my legs. My hands were already sweaty, gripping my medical kit even before the puck dropped. Nights like this were why I loved my job… and why I hated it.Because out there, flying across the ice, was my son.And right beside him was the man who would complicate my life in ways I never wanted to admit out loud.“Ethan Carter,” the announcer’s voice boomed, “and Captain Alexander Hayes!”The crowd erupted as the two of them took center ice. Ethan’s strides were sharp and fearless, his jaw set the way it always was before a big game. He was twenty-two, still a kid in my eyes, but already carving out his place as one of the best young players in the league.Then there was Xander.Alexander Hayes. Twenty-eight. Cocky. Reckless. Too damn charismatic for his own good. His smile could light up the arena, and his gl

Olivia's Pov Ethan carried Xander’s duffel bag like it weighed nothing, his skates clanking against the strap as he pushed the guest room door open.“See? Perfect fit,” Ethan said proudly, dropping the bag by the bed. “You’ll be comfortable here, man.”Xander leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, grin lazy. “Comfortable? Sure. But I was expecting silk sheets. Maybe a hot tub.”“You’re lucky you’re not still in the hospital,” I said, standing stiffly behind them. My arms were folded, my lips pressed thin.Xander looked at me with that infuriating smirk. “This is better. My favorite doctor makes house calls.”“Stop calling me that,” I muttered.“But you are my doctor.” He shrugged. “What should I call you? Nurse? Caretaker? Warden?”“Warden fits,” I said flatly.Ethan laughed. “Careful, bro. She’ll ground you.”“She already has,” Xander shot back, shifting his weight to his good leg. “She said I can’t move, can’t skate, can’t live.”“I said you can’t damage your knee more than it a

Alexander's Pov The flash of cameras blinded me the second Cassandra tightened her grip on my arm. The valet barely had time to take my keys before she was tugging me forward, her nails digging in like claws hidden under diamonds.“Smile,” she hissed under her breath, lips frozen in a perfect curve for the photographers.I forced my jaw to relax, lips twitching into what probably passed for a grin. I’d been through enough galas, fundraisers, and charity dinners to know the drill. Walk the carpet. Smile like you’re grateful. Act like nothing’s broken.But everything was.Cassandra’s hand clung tighter. “Fix your tie,” she whispered, as though the cameras could hear her.I tugged at the silk knot and leaned down. “Relax, Cass. They’re not photographing you for Vogue tonight.”She stiffened. “They’re photographing us. As a couple. Which means you don’t get to slouch like some....”Her voice cut off when we stepped through the ballroom doors. The sound hit me first — champagne glasses cl

Olivia's Pov I made myself a promise that morning: no more slipping. No more stolen moments. No more giving Xander Hayes any space to worm his way past my walls.I repeated it like a mantra as I tied my hair back in the mirror of the staff locker room. My reflection looked paler than usual, eyes rimmed with exhaustion, lips still swollen in memory. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt him again , the taste of his mouth, the bruising grip of his hands, the groan that vibrated through my chest when he kissed me like he’d die without it.“No more,” I whispered to my reflection. “It can’t happen again.”The door creaked open.“Talking to yourself, Doc?”I spun. Xander leaned in the doorway, hoodie over his practice gear, grin sharp as sin.I grabbed my clipboard like a shield. “You’re early.”He shrugged, stepping inside. “Couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d get some extra reps.” His eyes swept over me, slow, lingering. “Guess I’m not the only one who couldn’t sleep.”I turned my back on him, for

Olivia's Pov The slam of the suite door sealed my fate.The muffled chaos of Vegas , music, shouts, laughter spilling down the hallway died the second the latch clicked into place. Silence swallowed the room, broken only by my pulse, pounding in my ears.Xander turned the lock with a sharp twist. The click echoed like a verdict.I should’ve left right then. Should’ve shoved past him, bolted back to the safety of my own room, pretended none of this was happening. But my feet wouldn’t move. My back was against the wall before I realized I’d stepped away from him. My heart hammered so loud I thought he’d hear it.He didn’t look at me like a patient. He didn’t look at me like Ethan’s mom. He looked at me like prey.“Liv,” he rasped, voice raw, chest heaving.“Don’t.” My throat tightened. “This is wrong.”“Then why are you here?” His eyes were dark, unblinking, devouring. “Why did you follow me in?”“I didn’t....”“Don’t lie to me.” He stalked closer, each step deliberate. His hand braced