Against the Rules (Taylor Swift x Reader)

Y/N's POV
The office was quiet, the hum of the air conditioning filling the space as I finished the last adjustments on my slides for tomorrow's presentation. Most of the team had already left, but I stayed behind, wanting everything to be perfect.

"Y/N."

Her voice pulled me from my focus. I looked up to see Taylor standing in the doorway of her office, her blazer draped over her arm and the sleeves of her blouse rolled up to reveal her forearms.

"Yes?" I asked, turning my chair toward her.

"You're still here," she said, stepping closer. Her heels clicked softly against the floor, a sound I was starting to associate with her.

"I wanted to finish this," I explained, gesturing toward my laptop.

She smiled faintly, her gaze steady. "Dedication is good. I admire that."

My pulse quickened, but I managed to keep my tone even. "Thanks."

"But," she continued, her voice dropping just slightly, "even the dedicated need a break. Come have a drink with me."

I blinked, caught off guard. "A drink?"

"Yes," she said with a small laugh. "Unless you'd rather stay here staring at that screen all night."

Her teasing smile made it hard to say no, and I found myself nodding before I'd even thought it through. "Sure. Why not?"

"Good choice," she said, her smile deepening.

Taylor had chosen a small, upscale bar tucked away from the busier streets. It was quiet, intimate, with dim lighting and a relaxed atmosphere.

She slid into the booth next to me instead of across from me, and I felt her presence like a physical weight—warm and magnetic.

"You okay with this?" she asked, her voice low as she gestured to the space between us.

I nodded, though my heart was racing. "Yeah. It's fine."

"Good," she said, her tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.

When the server arrived, Taylor ordered for both of us without hesitation. There was something about the way she carried herself, the quiet confidence in her movements, that made me trust her judgment without question.

The drinks came quickly, and she nudged mine toward me. "Try it."

I took a sip, the tangy sweetness catching me off guard. "This is really good."

Her smile turned softer, more intimate. "I knew you'd like it."

Her fingers brushed mine on the table, lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. My breath caught as she leaned in, her eyes searching mine.

"You work too hard," she murmured, her voice so low it felt like a secret. "You should let yourself enjoy the moment."

Her words wrapped around me, pulling me closer to her orbit. She was so close now, her gaze dropping to my lips. My pulse thundered in my ears as she leaned in, and for a brief, reckless moment, I let myself lean in too—

"Y/N?"

The voice was so familiar that it felt like a bucket of cold water. I jerked back, blinking up to see Riley standing a few feet from our booth.

"Riley," I said, my voice soft with surprise.

She smiled, her dark hair framing her face as she stepped closer. "I thought that was you." Her eyes flicked to Taylor, her smile tightening just slightly. "And you must be Taylor. Y/N's boss?"

"That's right," Taylor said evenly, her tone cool.

"I'm Riley," she said, extending a hand. Taylor shook it briefly, her expression unreadable.

"I didn't know you'd be here," I said, forcing a smile.

Riley tilted her head, her gaze softening as she looked at me. "I had some time, and I wanted to surprise you." She slid into the booth on my other side, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. The gesture felt familiar, but it didn't spark the warmth it used to.

"Surprise accomplished," I said, trying to sound lighthearted, but the tension in the air was palpable.

Riley's eyes lingered on me, a flicker of something possessive in her gaze. "So," she said, looking at Taylor, "how's Y/N doing? Is she keeping up with your expectations?"

Taylor's lips curved into a tight smile. "She's exceeding them."

"That doesn't surprise me," Riley said, her fingers brushing over my shoulder. "Y/N's always been a perfectionist."

The weight of her touch felt heavier than it should have, and I shifted slightly, trying to ease the discomfort growing in my chest.

"We should probably get going," I said, glancing at Taylor.

Riley raised an eyebrow. "Already? I thought we could grab a drink together. Unless you're too busy?"

Her voice was teasing, but the question hung heavy in the air. I hesitated, glancing between Riley and Taylor.

Taylor's expression was carefully neutral, but her eyes burned with something I couldn't quite place. Jealousy? Frustration? I couldn't tell, but it made my stomach twist.

"Okay," I said finally, forcing a smile at Riley. "Just one drink."

Riley grinned, her fingers squeezing my shoulder briefly before she stood. "Perfect. I'll wait for you outside."

She gave Taylor a curt nod before walking away, leaving the booth in silence.

Taylor's POV
I watched Riley leave, her confident stride making my jaw tighten. She was everything I'd expected—bold, possessive, and far too comfortable in her place beside Y/N.

"You're really going with her," I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Y/N turned to me, her expression unreadable. "She's my girlfriend, Taylor."

The word girlfriend hit me like a punch. I already knew, but hearing her say it felt different. Final.

"She's lucky," I said, my voice quieter now. "You're... special."

Y/N blinked, taken aback by the softness in my tone. "Thanks," she said hesitantly.

I wanted to say more, but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I leaned back in the booth, watching as she grabbed her bag and stood.

"Have a good night," I said, forcing a polite smile.

"You too," she said, but there was something in her voice—hesitation, maybe regret.

As she walked away, I couldn't stop the bitterness creeping into my thoughts. Riley didn't deserve her. Not with the way Y/N's smile dimmed when she was around.

And yet, I was the one sitting alone in the booth as she left.