Dylan
The hum of the office is as familiar as the scent of coffee in the air. I can feel the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders, but I've learned to embrace it. Being the CEO of Voss Enterprise isn't just about making the big decisions—it's about handling the small ones with as much care. But today, as I walk through the corridors, my thoughts aren't on mergers or acquisitions.
They're on her.
I round the corner and find Hermione's office door slightly ajar. I pause for a moment, watching her through the gap. She's hunched over her desk, focused, with her brows furrowed as she reviews a document. Her dedication is one of the things I admire most about her, but right now, I need her attention.
I push open the door, stepping inside. "Busy morning?" I ask, a little teasing, leaning against the doorframe.
She looks up, her eyes lighting up as soon as she sees me. "Mr. Voss. Not even a knock?" Her tone is playful, but there's a soft edge to it, like she knows me better than anyone else.
I smirk. "I don't need permission to check in on my new head of legal." I pause, eyes flicking to the stack of papers on her desk. "You're handling it all just fine, I assume?"
Hermione rolls her eyes, but there's a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. "You always think the best of me, don't you?" She shifts in her seat, straightening up as if to signal she's ready for the conversation. "I'm handling it, Dylan. There's nothing to worry about."
"I'm not worried." I walk toward her desk, stopping just a few feet away. "I just wanted to make sure you're not drowning in work." My voice softens, something I don't usually do in the office, but with her, I can't help it.
She arches an eyebrow. "You're concerned?" She leans back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. "Or are you just here to make sure I don't forget about our dinner plans tonight?"
I chuckle, the sound low and easy. "You're not that easy to forget about, Hermione. You know that."
She's about to respond, but I don't give her the chance. I take a step closer, my hand reaching out to gently tilt her chin up, my fingers brushing against the soft skin of her neck. There's something about the way she looks at me, so assured and powerful in her role, that makes me want to slow down and savor the quiet moments with her.
I lean in, pressing my lips to hers in a slow, lingering kiss. It's not the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last, but every time feels like the first. When I pull back, I see the slight flush on her cheeks, and I'm reminded just how much she affects me.
"Still think I'm just here for dinner?" I murmur, my voice a bit rougher than I intend.
Her lips twitch as if she's holding back a grin. "Maybe," she teases, her voice soft but confident. "But you're still the CEO, Dylan. You should probably get back to work."
"I have time," I say, my hand lingering on her desk, tracing the edge of the papers she's been working on. "What's on your agenda today?"
She sighs, glancing down at the files. "Well, after this, I've got a meeting with the compliance team about the new tech acquisition. Then I'm reviewing a few contracts for tomorrow's negotiations. You know, the usual." Her eyes flicker up to mine again. "What about you? Big day ahead?"
I give her a half-smile, a little amused by how she's already trying to shift the focus away from us. "Oh, just the usual. Meetings, presentations, more meetings. But I'd rather be spending my time with you."
There's a brief pause as we share a look, and for a moment, the rest of the office fades into the background. No more meetings, no more high-stakes decisions—just the two of us. It's the kind of moment that feels rare in this whirlwind life we've found ourselves in.
Hermione's expression softens. "You really know how to make a woman feel special, don't you?"
"I try," I say, my voice quieter now, more sincere. "You deserve it."
She meets my gaze, a moment of silence passing between us before she glances back at her desk. "Alright, well, if you're going to distract me, you might as well take me to lunch. I'm starving."
I chuckle, relieved that she's willing to take a break. "Done. Let's go."
The day passes in a blur, but when lunch finally comes, I'm grateful for the quiet moments we share. The restaurant is a casual one, nothing too fancy, but the ambiance feels perfect for the kind of day we've had. I pull out her chair for her, and she gives me an amused look.
"Really?" she asks, but there's a warmth in her eyes that I love.
"I'm just being a gentleman," I reply, sitting across from her.
We order our food, and then the conversation shifts—casual, but meaningful. We talk about everything and nothing, from her favorite childhood memories to how I'm adjusting to the CEO role. It's easy, comfortable, like we've been doing this for years.
"I'm glad you're handling things well," I say, looking at her over the rim of my glass. "I was worried about how the transition would go, but you make it look effortless."
Hermione shrugs, clearly modest. "You've got a solid team, Dylan. I'm just the person who makes sure everything is in order."
"You're more than that," I respond, the words slipping out before I can stop them. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
She holds my gaze, the air between us thick with unspoken words. Then, after a beat, she smiles, and I swear the world shifts.
"I think we both know I'm not going anywhere anytime soon," she says, her voice light, but there's a deeper meaning there.
I grin. "Good. Because I'm not letting you."