Dylan’s PovI had barely finished gasping for air from the whole art show fiasco when my life decided to get even more complicated.The office was its usual circus—phones jangling, emails piling up, and the subtle scent of high-end coffee lingering in the air. I was neck-deep in scheduling hell, coordinating yet another last-minute meeting Tristan hadn't bothered to inform me about, when a voice I knew called out above the chaos."Morning, sunshine."Fucking hell.I looked up, and there he was. Oliver Sinclair. Leaning on the reception desk like he was king of the world, dressed in a navy business suit that probably cost more than I spent on the entire apartment lease. His hair was perfectly disheveled in that I rolled out of bed this way and you'll never be cooler than me type of way, and his smile? Tolerable.I sighed, already bracing myself for whatever kind of devastation he was about to unleash. "Mr. Wolfe is in a meeting," I said bluntly. "You'll have to wait."A slow, self-sati
Tristan’s PovI hadn't expected they would be together.And I definitely did not expect they would be so in each other's faces and so relaxed looking—too close, too fucking intimate.The moment I walked into the office, tension was in the air. My blood boiled, a jealous anger seeping into my pores as I took it all in. Oliver was reclining over the chair in front of Dylan's desk, grinning that infuriating smile of his reserved especially for moments such as these—moments when he knew he was provoking me.And Dylan…Dylan was relaxed. Too relaxed. His head was tilted to one side, lips twisted into a wry smile as if Oliver's drivel was actually hilarious to him.I hated it.I hated everything."No. What's going on here?" My voice cut through the room like a blade—tensed, cold, barely on the leash.Dylan glanced up, his face instantly falling into something guarded. "Nothing," he said quickly. "Oliver was just leaving."Was I? Oliver drawled, not even wincing at all. He leaned his head in
Dylan’s POVI should’ve said no.I wanted to say no.But standing there, caught between Tristan’s impossible gaze and Oliver’s quiet, waiting confidence, my mouth wouldn’t cooperate. My heart was a fucking mess, hammering too fast, too loud, drowning out the one part of me still clinging to reason.The silence stretched—awkward, heavy, choking. Neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke. And me? My brain was spinning out in a million different directions at once.I should walk. Should pack my shit, toss Tristan’s precious files on his desk, and leave this entire mess behind. I should.But I didn’t.Because even now—especially now—I couldn’t stop remembering.Every moment. Every mistake. Every fucking time I let myself hope—only to get burned.I remembered the first time I met him. Suit crisp, voice cold, eyes sharp enough to cut through steel. He didn’t smile. Didn’t look at me twice. I was just another assistant—another cog in the machine. But even then—even then—he got under my sk
Dylan’s POVThe second the words had left my lips—"I accept."—it was like the whole fucking room shifted.No going back. No pretending this had never happened.And Tristan? He didn't say a word.Not a single goddamn thing.But his face—fuck. If looks were deadly, I'd have been a pile of smoldering ash on the high-end marble. His jaw was so tight, I knew he was going to snap a tooth, and his fists—oh, those were curled up like he was about to shatter something. Or someone.Probably me.Good. Let him break the fuck out.Oliver, on the other hand, was the epitome of smug contentment. That sly smile—too easy, too smooth—spread at the corners of his mouth like he'd already got what he wanted. And perhaps he had. I mean, I agreed, didn't I?Fuck it.I spun on my heel, making a beeline for the door before my idiot, traitor heart could change its mind."Dylan."His low, slicing voice cut across the room, freezing me in my tracks.Of course. Of fucking course.I didn't turn around. I should ha
Dylan’s POVIt’s been two weeks away from Tristan…. Day one working for Oliver, and I’m doing fantastic.It had been two weeks since I quit. Two weeks since I walked out of Tristan Wolfe’s office without looking back—without giving him the chance to stop me.And maybe I was fucking stupid, but part of me still thought he would. That he’d call. That he’d show up. That he’d do something.But he didn’t.Not a text. Not a word. Not a single sign that he gave a shit I was gone.So, yeah. Fuck him.I’d moved on. Or at least—I was trying to.Day one working under Oliver was… weird. Not bad. Just—different.His office wasn’t as cold as Tristan’s. No sleek glass walls, no sterile, soulless vibe that made me feel like an intruder in my own fucking life. Instead, everything here felt warmer. More chaotic. Like the entire place ran on caffeine and vibes.People smiled. Smiled. Like, actual smiles—not those tense, fake-ass grimaces everyone wore around Tristan like he might snap their necks for br
Tristan’s POVThe coffee tasted like shit.I set the cup down with a sharp clink, fingers flexing against the desk. The bitterness sat on my tongue, too much and wrong. It wasn’t the coffee’s fault. Same brand. Same machine. Same cup.But it wasn’t the same.Nothing fucking was.I exhaled through my nose, glancing at the empty space outside the office. His desk was still there. His chair, his neatly stacked papers, even the damn pen he used to chew on when he thought I wasn’t looking.But no Dylan.No low muttering as he read through reports. No quick, sharp sighs of frustration when someone emailed him something stupid. No perfectly timed reminders before I even had to ask.Just silence.Over filling. Suffocating.I turned back to my screen, eyes scanning the report in front of me. I read the same line four times before realizing I wasn’t absorbing a single fucking word.Useless.The whole goddamn morning had been useless.Meetings I didn’t give a shit about. Paperwork Dylan used to
Dylan’s POVOliver did not give up.Not for a fucking second.Day by day, minute by minute, he was there. Pushing. Probing. Clouding the waters between boss and. whatever.I should have known better.The way he leaned in a little too close when he spoke. The way his hand touched my wrist when he handed me something. The way his eyes stayed on me for a fraction of a second longer—hard, calculating, aware.I ignored it.Told myself I was seeing things.But Oliver wasn't subtle. He wasn't Tristan.Tristan, who had spent years building walls. Who had moved as if it would kill him to touch me. Who could fuck me wild one night and take calls I wasn’t allowed to hear the next morning.Oliver wasn't like that.Oliver wanted me to know.He made it plain in ways Tristan never did.It was the manner in which he brought me food to my desk before I even realized that I was hungry. "Eat, Dylan," his handwriting would say, like I was some kind of child who needed reminding.It was the manner in whic
Dylan’s POVOliver sat propped up beside my desk, easy confidence and smooth arrogance emanating from him, as if he fucking owned the world. As if he fucking owned me."Big night tonight," he said, stirring coffee in his cup. His unreadable, sharp eyes were pinned on me. Watching. Waiting. "You should go."I didn't even look up from my laptop. "Work event?""Technically."I breathed in through my nose, flipping through messages I wasn't actually reading. "Then I'm figuring I don't have a choice.""It's always your choice," Oliver told me, pushing off the desk and moving around my chair. His fingers brushed along the back of it, too close, too comfortable. As if he was checking."But I'd… rather if you came.""It's just about work now.".I wasn't stupid—I knew Oliver's play. The taunts. The smirks. The way he looked at me like I was a puzzle to be solved, piece by piece.And some part of me should have said no.Should have ended this before it could even go any further.But the other p
Dylan’s POV I barely have time to catch my breath before Tristan’s hands are on me again, pulling me closer, his grip firm and unyielding. I don’t even have a chance to process the shift before he pushes me back onto the bed, his body following mine down. The mattress creaks under our combined weight, and I barely manage to brace myself before Tristan is straddling my waist, pinning me down. His eyes are dark, heavy-lidded, and wild—like he’s barely holding himself together. My pulse races, heart thundering in my chest, and I can feel the heat rolling off him in waves. His hands are on either side of my head, caging me in, and he leans down, our noses brushing, his breath hot and uneven against my lips. I can’t think straight. Everything’s spinning out of control, and I know I should push him back—should remind him that he’s still feverish and not in his right mind. But fuck, the way he’s looking at me—like I’m the only thing anchoring him to reality—it’s got me trapped. “Tristan
Dylan’s POV My body buzzing from the way his hands had moved over me, the way his lips had claimed mine like he was staking his territory. Tristan’s hands are still trembling, but now they’re softer, almost hesitant as he pushes me back gently onto the bed. He straddles me, his fingers tracing my collarbone and drifting down to my chest, his eyes still dark with desire but tempered now with something softer—something almost tender. He swallows hard, his throat bobbing, and I can feel his pulse racing under my hands as I rest them on his hips. There’s something unspoken hanging in the air, and I know he’s fighting to keep himself composed. “Are you okay?” I ask quietly, brushing his hair back from his face. He nods, but his hands are still shaking, his breath uneven. I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way he’s trying to ground himself. I reach up, cupping his face, and he leans into the touch, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment. “Talk to me,” I murmur, my thumb strokin
Dylan’s POV I’m losing it. Tristan’s hands are moving with more purpose now, slipping under my shirt, fingertips tracing the lines of my ribs. His touch is scorching, leaving trails of fire on my skin. I can’t help the way my breath hitches, the way my body instinctively responds to his touch. I know I should be pulling back, telling him to calm down, but fuck, it’s impossible when he’s looking at me like this—eyes dark, lips parted, and his hands sliding up my sides. He leans in, his mouth finding the hollow of my collarbone, and his lips are hot, pressing open-mouthed kisses that make my head spin. I grip his hips, trying to steady both of us, but he just presses closer, his chest flush against mine, his mouth dragging up to my neck. “Tristan…” I whisper, trying to sound firm, but it comes out like a rasp. He doesn’t answer—just nips at my collarbone, sucking the skin gently before kissing it again, as if apologizing for the bite. I can’t think straight. My hands slide up to h
Dylan’s POVI’m trying to keep my mind straight—keep my focus on soothing Tristan and not on how his hands won’t stop wandering. His fingers are tracing the line of my neck, light and teasing, and I can’t ignore how his touch makes my skin tingle. I know he’s still battling the remnants of his heat, but his movements are slower now, more purposeful, as if he’s caught in some trance of his own making.“Hey,” I murmur, trying to ground him. “Tell me more about your mom’s piano songs. What was your favorite?”Tristan’s fingers slide from my neck to my collarbone, his eyes still half-lidded, that feverish glow lingering in his gaze. “She used to play this old waltz… I can’t remember the name. I just know it was sad. Bittersweet. She’d play it when she thought no one was listening.”He moves closer, his lips brushing against my jaw before I can react, and I stiffen, swallowing hard. “Tristan, focus,” I say, voice low. “What did you want to be when you were a kid?”He pauses, his hands slid
Dylan’s POV I barely have time to react before Tristan steps closer, his hands gripping the hem of his shirt. He pulls it over his head in one fluid motion, letting it fall to the floor. The heat coming off his bare skin is suffocating, and my brain stalls, caught between instinct and reason. He’s standing there, chest heaving, sweat glistening on his torso, eyes locked on mine with a wild, feverish intensity. My mouth goes dry. His muscles tense and relax under his flushed skin, and it’s impossible not to notice every line, every defined plane of his body. He takes another step forward, and I instinctively take one back, my back hitting the wall. His lips curl into a half-smile, and there’s something feral about the way he’s looking at me. “We’re just stalling, you know,” he says, voice rough and low. “You’re just trying to delay the inevitable.” My heart is pounding so loud I can barely hear him. “Tristan… you’re not thinking straight. You don’t want this.” His eyes narrow, a g
Dylan’s POV I’m holding onto my sanity by a thread. Tristan’s body is pressed up against mine, his head still resting on my chest, and I’m trying to keep my breathing steady, my hands moving gently through his hair. His fever hasn’t broken, but his shaking has eased a little, and for a moment, I think he might finally be calming down. Then his hands shift, moving up from my waist to cup my face, his fingers tracing my jawline with a featherlight touch. My heart stutters, and I swallow hard, fighting to keep my reaction under control. He’s looking at me through half-lidded eyes, pupils blown wide and glistening with something raw and unfiltered. His thumb brushes over my cheek, and I can feel the tremor in his touch, the way he’s barely holding himself together. “Prettyboy…” he whispers, voice shaky and soft. “Make it stop.” I know what he’s asking for—relief, comfort, something to pull him out of this feverish haze. I can feel his desperation like a physical force, wrapping around
Dylan’s POV I know I’m in trouble the second Tristan’s mouth brushes against my neck. It’s just a fleeting touch—barely there—but it sets every nerve on fire. My breath hitches, and I force myself to stay still, my fingers tangled in his hair, gently massaging his scalp to keep him calm. He’s too hot—feverish and restless, his body shifting against mine, making me acutely aware of every inch of him pressed up against me. I tell myself to focus, to breathe through it, but it’s fucking impossible when he’s nuzzling into me, his lips grazing my skin again, this time more deliberate. “Tristan,” I murmur, trying to sound steady. “You need to rest.” He doesn’t answer—just sighs against my collarbone, his hands slipping from my shirt to trace along my sides. The touch is slow, almost absentminded, but it’s sending shocks straight through me. I swallow hard, reminding myself that he’s not in his right mind, that the heat is making him like this. But then he does it again—his lips ghost ov
Dylan’s POV Tristan’s breathing has calmed some, but his skin still feels too hot, his pulse too rapid. I know I need to do something to help him cool down, but his hands are gripping my shirt with a kind of desperate strength, like he’s terrified I’ll slip away if he lets go. “Tristan,” I whisper softly, brushing his hair out of his face. “I need to get something to help you cool down, okay?” His grip tightens, his fingers curling into the fabric. “Don’t… go,” he mumbles, voice hoarse and laced with lingering need. I swallow the knot in my throat, forcing a smile. “I’m not leaving. Just let me get a cloth to help, alright?” His eyes are barely open, but I can feel his body tense as if the idea of me moving even a few feet away is unbearable. I don’t blame him; the synthetic heat drugs are making his instincts go haywire. “I’m not leaving,” I repeat gently, squeezing his hand. After a moment, he lets me pull away just enough to reach the bathroom. I grab a small towel, soaking it
Dylan’s POVIt feels like the room is collapsing in on itself, engulfed by the bloated scent of heat that Tristan’s body is emitting. He’s barely coherent, his head lolling against my shoulder, his breaths coming out in ragged, shallow gasps. I can feel his pulse racing under my fingertips, his skin feverishly hot.I know he can’t stay here like this. The paramedics have done all they can, and the suppressants aren’t working. I don’t trust anyone else to handle him right now—not when he’s this vulnerable, this raw. I take a deep breath, steadying myself before carefully pulling him up from the chair.“Tristan,” I murmur softly, brushing his damp hair out of his face. “We need to move you somewhere safer. Can you stand?”He mumbles something, too low for me to catch, but when I pull him to his feet, his legs give out almost immediately. I catch him before he hits the ground, wrapping my arm firmly around his waist. His body slumps against mine, and I can feel every tremor that runs thr