DYLAN
I stand by the window, watching the city as the phone vibrates in my hand. I don't need to check the caller ID. I already know it's her.
A smirk tugs at my lips as I let it ring twice before answering.
"I'll take the job," Hermione says without preamble.
My grip tightens around the phone. Good girl.
"Smart decision," I murmur.
"I have conditions," she continues, her voice steady but firm.
I lean against the desk, intrigued. "Do you?"
"Yes," she says. "Full autonomy in my department. No interference unless absolutely necessary."
I chuckle, my amusement genuine. "Interference is subjective, Hermione."
"Not to me," she counters. "If you want me at Voss Enterprise, you'll trust me to do my job."
Fiery. Uncompromising. She has no idea how much that excites me.
"Agreed," I say smoothly.
"And my salary—"
"Already taken care of," I cut in. "You'll find it more than satisfactory."
She exhales. I can almost hear her debating whether she's just made a deal with the devil.
"You won't regret this," I tell her. "Be at my office at nine tomorrow."
I end the call before she can argue.
The next morning, she walks into my office like she belongs there.
The emerald green dress hugs her in all the right places, accentuating her tall, curvy frame. The fabric clings to the smoothness of her caramel skin, shimmering under the light. She's polished, professional, but I don't miss the way her fingers tighten around her black handbag.
She's trying to control the nerves.
Good.
"Mr. Voss," she greets, her voice even.
I take my time looking at her before replying. "Hermione. Sit."
She does, placing the contract folder on the desk. "I assume you've included every possible loophole to benefit yourself."
I smirk. "Would you expect anything less?"
She flips the folder open, scanning the contract. I watch her carefully. The slight narrowing of her eyes when she reaches the non-compete clause, the way her nails tap the edge of the paper as she reads the confidentiality terms.
"Did you have my entire life researched before offering me this job?" she finally asks, looking up.
"Of course," I say without hesitation.
Her jaw tightens. "That's invasive."
"It's thorough," I correct. "I don't take risks when it comes to the people I trust."
She scoffs, shaking her head. "That's ironic, considering you barely know me."
I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk. "I know enough. You're brilliant. You graduated top of your class at Stanford before moving on to Harvard Law. You turned down offers from some of the biggest firms to work for a mid-sized company because you wanted control over your career. You're meticulous, relentless, and loyal to those who earn your respect."
She crosses her arms. "And that's why you hired me?"
A slow smirk spreads across my face. "That's why I hired you and part of why I wanted you."
Her lips part slightly, but she quickly recovers, shifting her focus back to the contract. "I need a moment to review this."
I watch in silence as she flips through the pages, her brows furrowing when she reaches the salary figure.
"This is—" She stops, blinking. "This is twice my current salary."
I lean back in my chair. "I like to keep my employees happy."
Her eyes snap to mine. "Or indebted."
I don't respond. I don't need to.
She exhales sharply, then picks up the pen. "Fine. I'll sign."
I watch, captivated, as her signature flows across the page—final, binding.
The moment the ink dries, I murmur, "Welcome to Voss Enterprise."
Her gaze meets mine, something unspoken simmering between us.
She doesn't realize it yet.
But she belongs to me now.