Bound by law

Chapter 43:Crossing the Line again

The sleek elevator doors slid closed behind them, sealing Estelle and Celeste inside the confined space. The quiet hum of the building barely registered in Estelle's mind as she shifted nervously, her heart still racing from the drive. She was just about to make a comment—maybe something about the weather or the day ahead—when she felt it.

Celeste's fingers brushed lightly against her waist, tugging at the hem of her top, pulling it up ever so slightly. Estelle froze, her breath catching in her throat as her mind scrambled to process what was happening.

Before she could even think to move, Celeste's other hand reached up and closed her blazer, straightening it so that it concealed more of the blouse underneath. Estelle stood there, completely still, her heart pounding in her chest as Celeste's hands lingered for just a moment longer than necessary, her touch deliberate and intimate.

"Wha—" Estelle started, her voice coming out in a surprised whisper, but Celeste cut her off, her voice low and smooth, like velvet.

"For me to see, Estelle," Celeste murmured, her lips dangerously close to Estelle's ear, her breath warm against her skin. "Not others."

Estelle's mind reeled, her body frozen in place as the elevator hummed quietly around them. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, as the weight of Celeste's words—and her touch—pressed down on her.

And then, before Estelle could fully register what was happening, Celeste leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, the barest brush of lips that sent a shiver down Estelle's spine. The gesture was subtle, almost tender, but the meaning behind it was anything but innocent.

Just as quickly as it had happened, the elevator pinged, signaling their arrival at the office. The doors slid open with a soft hiss, and Celeste stepped out, her posture perfect, her demeanor as calm and composed as ever. It was as though nothing had happened.

Estelle stood there for a second, rooted to the spot, her mind still spinning from the sudden and unexpected intimacy. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, the imprint of Celeste's touch still lingering on her skin. The sharp contrast between the cool professionalism of the office and the private moment they'd just shared made her head spin.

She blinked, realizing she was still standing in the elevator, and quickly hurried out after Celeste. She walked fast, catching up to her as they made their way through the sleek, polished halls of Thorne & Associates.

Celeste didn't look back as she strode toward her office, her heels clicking against the floor with purpose. Estelle, meanwhile, struggled to keep up, her heart still pounding from the unexpected encounter. Her mind raced with questions—What had just happened? Why had Celeste done that? And, most importantly, what did it all mean?

As they neared Celeste's office, Estelle felt the weight of the day pressing down on her already. She knew, without a doubt, that today was going to be long. The tension between them had only grown more intense with every passing moment, and now... there was no denying the shift in their dynamic.

Celeste reached her office door and opened it, stepping inside without a word. Estelle followed close behind, her nerves frayed, trying to compose herself. She could still feel the imprint of Celeste's lips on her cheek, the possessiveness in her touch, and it left her both confused and rattled.

Once inside, Celeste glanced over her shoulder at Estelle, her expression cool and unreadable. "Take a seat, Miss Brooks," she said, her voice perfectly composed, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened in the elevator.

Estelle hesitated for a moment before nodding and sitting down at the desk across from Celeste's. She reached for the files that had been left for her to review, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened them.

But no matter how hard she tried to focus on the work in front of her, her mind kept drifting back to that moment in the elevator—the way Celeste had pulled her close, the feel of her hand against her skin, the whispered words that lingered in the air between them.

This wasn't just about work anymore. It wasn't just about the internship or the firm. Whatever was happening between her and Celeste had crossed a line, and Estelle knew, deep down, that things were only going to get more complicated from here.

She glanced up at Celeste, who was already immersed in her own work, her face perfectly composed, betraying nothing of the encounter they'd just shared. But Estelle knew better. Beneath that professional exterior was something far more dangerous—something that had just begun to reveal itself.

As Estelle turned back to her papers, her heart still racing, one thought echoed in her mind:

This is going to be a long day.