Bound by law

Chapter 32: Marking Her Territory

Estelle barely had time to catch her breath before Celeste was on her again, this time with no restraint. Her lips crashed against Estelle's in a fierce, hungry kiss, claiming her with a passion that sent a wave of heat coursing through Estelle's body. Celeste's hands roamed freely, gripping Estelle's waist, sliding up her back, then down to her hips, pulling her closer, as though she couldn't get enough of her.

Estelle gasped against Celeste's lips, her hands clutching the edge of the desk for support. The kiss was all-consuming, a whirlwind of intensity that left her breathless and dizzy. Every inch of her skin tingled under Celeste's touch, her body responding to the raw desire and possessiveness radiating from her.

"You're mine, Estelle," Celeste growled against her lips, her hands sliding up to cup Estelle's face, tilting her head back slightly to deepen the kiss. "Whether you like it or not."

Estelle's heart raced, her mind spinning as Celeste's words sank in. The possessiveness in her voice, the way she touched her—it was overwhelming, intoxicating. And despite everything, despite the anger and the confusion, Estelle couldn't deny the fire burning between them. She felt herself melting into Celeste's touch, her body betraying any lingering thoughts of resistance.

Celeste's hands moved lower, gripping Estelle's hips before swiftly pulling her up and sitting her on the edge of the desk, her body pressed flush against Estelle's as she leaned over her, dominating the space between them. Her lips trailed down the side of Estelle's neck, leaving a trail of heated kisses, her breath hot against Estelle's skin.

Estelle's mind was a blur, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she clung to the desk for balance. She could feel Celeste's control slipping, the carefully maintained façade of professionalism falling away, replaced by something far more primal and fierce.

But then, just as suddenly as it began, Celeste pulled away, her breathing heavy, her eyes dark with desire. She stepped back, leaving Estelle sitting on the edge of the desk, still trembling from the intensity of their moment. Estelle blinked, her mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

Celeste didn't give her time to process. She turned and walked over to her desk, her movements quick and purposeful. Without a word, she pulled open one of the drawers and retrieved a stack of papers, her eyes gleaming with something wicked as she returned to Estelle.

"Sign these," Celeste said, her voice calm but laced with authority as she dropped the papers in front of Estelle.

Estelle stared down at the documents, her heart still racing, her mind still foggy from the kiss. "What is this?" she asked, her voice shaky as she tried to regain her composure.

Celeste smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she leaned back against her desk, crossing her arms. "Your new internship."

Estelle's brow furrowed in confusion, her mind still reeling from everything that had just happened. "Wait, what? New internship? What do you mean?"

"I can have more than one intern, you know," Celeste said casually, her tone dripping with self-satisfaction. "Congratulations, Estelle. You're mine now—officially."

Estelle blinked, staring at Celeste as the words slowly sank in. "You... you're giving me an internship? But you already have Pierce—"

Celeste's smirk widened. "I do. But you and I both know Pierce was never the one I wanted working closely with me."

Estelle's mind raced as she tried to make sense of what was happening. Just hours ago, she had been fired from Scarlett's firm, betrayed by Celeste's manipulation. And now, Celeste was offering her an internship at her own firm? It didn't make sense—none of it did.

"I don't understand," Estelle whispered, shaking her head. "Why would you do this?"

Celeste stepped forward again, her eyes locking onto Estelle's with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "Because I don't let go of what's mine," she said quietly, her voice low and dangerous. "And you, Estelle, have always been mine. I'm not letting anyone else take you from me."

The words hit Estelle like a shockwave, sending a flood of emotions through her—confusion, anger, desire. She felt trapped, pinned by the force of Celeste's will, unable to break free from the hold she had on her.

"You sabotaged my job at Scarlett's," Estelle accused, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and vulnerability. "You took that from me."

Celeste didn't deny it. Her eyes remained locked on Estelle's, unapologetic. "Scarlett wasn't going to take care of you the way I can," she said, her voice firm. "She didn't deserve you. I wasn't going to stand by and let her have you, not when you belong with me."

Estelle's breath caught in her throat, her body trembling with the weight of Celeste's words. The possessiveness, the control—it was suffocating, and yet, at the same time, it ignited something deep inside her that she couldn't deny.

Celeste took another step forward, standing directly in front of Estelle now, her fingers brushing lightly over the papers in front of her. "Sign them," she whispered, her voice soft but commanding. "Make it official. Work with me, not against me."

Estelle stared at the papers, her mind spinning. The logical part of her screamed at her to walk away, to fight against this control Celeste was exerting over her life. But another part of her—the part that had been drawn to Celeste from the very beginning—whispered for her to give in, to let herself be pulled into the fire.

Her hand hovered over the papers for a moment, hesitating.

"I—" Estelle started, her voice barely a whisper.

Celeste leaned closer, her breath hot against Estelle's ear as she whispered, "You know where you belong."

The words sent a shiver down Estelle's spine, and before she could stop herself, her hand moved, picking up the pen.