BOUND BY OBSESSION

DYLAN

The air in the office was still thick with unspoken tension as Dylan and I walked toward the elevator. Every step I took felt like a performance, aware of the curious eyes that trailed us, whispering behind my back. He moved with a quiet confidence beside me, his presence overpowering without him needing to say a word.

I kept my gaze straight ahead, ignoring the glances from my new colleagues. I refused to be the subject of office gossip, even though I knew it was inevitable. My hands clenched into fists as I stepped into the elevator, and Dylan followed, standing too close, his rich, intoxicating scent curling around me like a trap.

The doors closed, and I released a slow breath.

"You don't have to walk me out," I said, keeping my voice composed.

Dylan turned his head slightly, watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "I want to."

I sighed, shifting on my feet as the elevator descended. I hated how he did that—stating things as if his decisions were law. As if my opinion didn't factor in at all.

The moment the doors slid open, I stepped out first, eager to put distance between us. The main lobby was just as extravagant as his office—marble floors gleaming under the golden lights, the scent of expensive cologne and fresh paper filling the air. People passed by, some pretending not to notice Dylan while others stole glances, their faces unreadable.

Outside, his sleek black car was already waiting at the curb. He walked ahead of me and, to my surprise, opened the passenger door. I hesitated.

"I can call a cab."

His brow arched. "Get in, Hermione."

I swallowed, hating the way my name rolled off his tongue like a command. But standing in front of Voss Enterprise wasn't an option, not when half the building was already curious about our relationship. With a frustrated sigh, I slid inside, and he shut the door before rounding to his side.

The ride was silent at first. I kept my gaze on the window, watching the city blur past. My thoughts were a mess. I had accepted his offer, but was I ready for this? To work under a man who set my nerves on fire, who made me question myself at every turn?

"You regret it," Dylan's voice broke through the quiet.

I turned to him. "What?"

"Taking the job."

I frowned, hesitating. "I don't regret it." That was the truth. But I did regret letting him affect me this much.

His fingers tapped against the steering wheel. "You will."

I scoffed. "You sound so sure of yourself."

"I am." He glanced at me, eyes dark and unreadable. "You're going to hate working for me, Hermione. You'll fight me at every turn. And I'll enjoy every second of it."

My stomach twisted. This—whatever this was between us—felt like a battle I wasn't prepared for. I had spent years perfecting the art of keeping my emotions in check, of staying in control. But Dylan Voss was chaos wrapped in a tailored suit, and he seemed to enjoy pulling me into his storm.

Before I could formulate a response, the car slowed to a stop in front of my apartment building.

Dylan turned toward me, his gaze lingering. "I'll pick you up at nine next week when you start working at the company."

I blinked. "I can get to work on my own."

"I know." His lips twitched slightly. "Seven."

I exhaled sharply, deciding it wasn't worth the argument. Without another word, I opened the door and stepped out, the cool evening air doing little to soothe the fire burning under my skin.

I barely made it up the stairs when my phone buzzed. Pulling it out, I saw Lia's name flashing on the screen. I answered instantly.

"Please tell me you're calling to take my mind off the mess that is my life," I said, walking into my apartment.

Lia laughed. "That depends. Are you still pretending you're not completely tangled up with your new boss?"

I groaned, tossing my purse onto the couch. "I'm not tangled up with him."

"Uh-huh." I could hear the amusement in her voice. "You called me last night to tell me how he practically stalked you into taking this job."

"That's an exaggeration."

"Is it?"

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Lia, he's… frustrating. Infuriating, even."

"But?" she prompted.

I hesitated. But he made my heart race in a way no one else ever had. But he looked at me like he saw every little secret I tried to hide. But he made me feel like I was teetering on the edge of something dangerous and thrilling all at once.

But I couldn't say any of that.

Instead, I exhaled. "But nothing."

Lia hummed, clearly unconvinced. "You sure you don't want me to come over? We can binge-watch something ridiculous and pretend men don't exist."

I smiled, the tension in my chest easing slightly. "Tempting. But I need sleep."

"Fine, fine. But don't think this conversation is over."

"I'd be disappointed if it was."

We hung up, and I let out a deep breath, collapsing onto my couch. My thoughts were a mess, tangled between logic and the undeniable pull I felt toward Dylan.

I needed to remind myself why I took this job in the first place. It wasn't about him. It wasn't about the way he made my pulse quicken or the way his eyes seemed to strip me down to my very soul.

It was about my future. My career. My independence.

Dylan Voss was nothing more than my employer. And I needed to start acting like it