DYLAN
After lunch, I drive Hermione back to the office, the light chatter from earlier fading into a comfortable silence between us. I glance over at her once, catching a glimpse of her thoughtful expression as she watches the city outside the window. There's something about the way she looks when she's deep in thought—something both vulnerable and powerful at the same time.
We reach the building, and I pull up to the curb, slowing to a stop. I turn to her, a small smile pulling at my lips. "Well, as much as I'd love to keep you to myself, I think your team is probably waiting for you."
Hermione gives me a playful side-eye. "You're right. I can't be late for my next meeting with the compliance team. They'd never let me hear the end of it."
I chuckle softly, watching as she unbuckles her seatbelt and reaches for the door handle. Before she opens it, though, she turns back to me, her gaze meeting mine.
"Thanks for lunch," she says, her tone sincere, her eyes softening. "It was nice to take a break from the madness. I needed it."
"You deserve it," I reply, my voice low, the words carrying more weight than I mean. "I'll see you tonight?"
She nods. "I'll be looking forward to it." She hesitates for a moment, as if she wants to say something more, but then just smiles and opens the door.
I watch her step out of the car and give her a brief wave as she heads inside the building. My mind is still on her as I pull away from the curb, but I know she's got her work cut out for her. And so do I.
The rest of the day flies by in a blur of meetings, calls, and decisions that need to be made. There's a certain rhythm to being the CEO of Voss Enterprise, a constant hum of responsibility that I've grown used to. Still, my mind keeps drifting back to Hermione—her smile, the way she looks at me when she thinks I'm not paying attention, the way she grounds me.
As the day draws to a close, I step into my office, the view of the city skyline outside my window always a welcome sight. But I'm not in the mood for just work tonight. I want to see her again. I pick up my phone, scrolling through my messages until I find her contact. I tap the screen and wait for her to pick up.
"Hello?" Hermione's voice comes through the speaker, warm and familiar.
"Hey, it's me," I say, leaning back in my chair. "How's your day going? Still buried under paperwork?"
She laughs lightly. "It's been a long day, but I'm managing. Just wrapping up some things before I head home. How about you?"
"Same here," I reply. "But I was thinking, how about I pick you up for dinner tonight? No work talk. Just us."
I can almost hear her smile on the other end. "I'd like that. What time?"
"I'll be there in an hour," I say, already reaching for my jacket. "Get ready to relax for the evening."
"Sounds perfect," she replies. "See you soon."
I hung up the phone and headed out of the office, the anticipation of seeing Hermione again making the rest of the evening seem like a blur. I've learned to appreciate the moments I get to spend with her, the ones where it's just the two of us, no business to discuss, no contracts to review. Just us.
An hour later, I pull up to her apartment, the lights from the city reflecting off the sleek exterior of the building. She's waiting outside when I arrive, her figure silhouetted against the glow of the streetlights. She's dressed casually, but effortlessly beautiful as always.
"Ready to get out of here?" I ask, stepping out of the car and walking toward her.
"Definitely," she says, her eyes lighting up when she sees me. She slides into the passenger seat, and I close the door behind her before getting in the car.
We drive off, and the weight of the day lifts from both of us as we head to a quiet little restaurant I know. It's not flashy, but the atmosphere is relaxed and intimate—perfect for a night like this.
The evening unfolds easily, with the conversation flowing between us, ranging from lighthearted topics to deeper ones. We talk about our childhoods, our dreams, and everything in between. The chemistry between us is palpable, yet there's a comfort in it that makes me feel like I can breathe.
By the time dinner is over, I'm reminded once again of how much I enjoy these moments with her.
When I drop her off later, I can't help but smile as she exits the car. "Goodnight, Hermione," I say, my voice soft.
"Goodnight, Dylan," she replies, her tone warm. She leans down to kiss me, the kiss slow and lingering, a promise of more to come. Then she pulls away, her fingers brushing mine one last time before she heads inside.
I watch her disappear into the building, the smile on my face lingering long after she's gone