DYLAN
I can't stand another minute of being apart from her. Two weeks. It feels like an eternity. My flight landed earlier than expected, and I wasted no time. The deal is done, everything is handled, but nothing matters more than getting to Hermione.
I don't even go to my apartment first. I head straight to her office.
It's just past noon when I walk into the lobby, my heart pounding in anticipation. The receptionist greets me, but I'm barely paying attention. My eyes are locked on the elevator doors, and in moments, I'm on my way up.
When the elevator dings, I step out into the quiet hallway, my steps purposeful. Hermione's office is a few doors down. I pause outside, take a breath, and push the door open without knocking.
She's sitting at her desk, reviewing some papers, completely unaware of my arrival. Her back is to me. She's wearing that professional look that never fails to take my breath away, but it's not what I'm focused on right now.
It's her.
The second she hears the door open, she looks up. Her eyes widen in surprise as they lock on mine. The papers slip from her hands, falling to the desk. "Dylan?" she breathes, her voice incredulous.
A grin tugs at my lips as I step fully into the room, closing the door behind me. "Surprised?"
Her eyes flicker with disbelief before her face softens, and then she's off her chair in an instant.
"W—What are you doing here?" she stammers, her voice catching in her throat. "I thought you weren't coming until tonight!"
Before I can answer, she's already crossing the room, and I don't wait for her to reach me. I'm the one who closes the distance between us, my arms wrapping around her as I pull her to me.
She crashes into me, her body colliding with mine, and for a moment, neither of us says a word. I can feel her breath against my neck, warm and quick. Her hands clutch the back of my shirt, like she's afraid I might disappear if she lets go.
"I missed you so much," she whispers into my ear, her voice thick with emotion.
"I missed you more," I murmured back, burying my face in her hair. She smells like everything I've been craving—like home, like peace, like Hermione.
She pulls back just enough to look at me, and I can see the tears brimming in her eyes. "Two weeks is too long, Dylan. I couldn't stand it."
I gently wipe the stray tear that escapes from her eye with my thumb. "I know," I whisper, my voice low, filled with the ache of everything we've been through these past weeks.
And then, without another word, I lean in and kiss her—deep, slow, and with all the pent-up emotion I've been holding onto for what feels like forever. She melts into me, her lips soft against mine, and it's like nothing else exists but this moment. The taste of her, the feel of her in my arms, the warmth of her body against mine. It's everything I've been missing.
She pulls away first, breathless, her hands still tangled in my shirt. "I thought you were going to make me wait until tonight," she teases, her voice a little shaky, but there's that familiar glint in her eyes.
I smirk, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I couldn't wait any longer."
Her smile widens as she runs her fingers along the collar of my jacket. "You're lucky I'm so happy to see you," she says, her tone playful, but the look in her eyes is all warmth and affection.
"I think I'm the lucky one here," I reply, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
She chuckles and shakes her head, but I can see the relief in her eyes. "You really know how to make an entrance."
"Only for you," I answer, my voice softer now, the moment turning tender.
I look around the office, and then my gaze returns to her. "I should have come sooner. I wanted to surprise you."
"You definitely surprised me," she laughs, her hands still gripping the back of my shirt, not letting go. "You have no idea how much I've missed you, Dylan. It's been too long."
I can feel the same ache in my chest—the same longing. "I feel the same way, Hermione. But I'm here now, and I'm not leaving."
She smiles up at me, her eyes full of trust and love, and I know, without a doubt, that nothing will ever tear us apart.
I hesitate for a second, glancing at my phone. "I do need to get back to work for a bit. Just a few hours. But then…" I step closer to her, brushing my lips against hers, "then I'm taking you home. I think we've both earned a little time to unwind. Together."
She raises an eyebrow playfully, her lips still tingling from our kiss. "You better not be taking too long."
I smirk. "I'll be as quick as possible."
With one last lingering kiss, I pull away reluctantly, my hand resting on her arm as I watch her sit back down. "I'll be back for you in a few hours, I promise."
And just like that, as I head out the door, all I can think about is how much I can't wait to take her home and just have her to myself again.