The veiled princess

CHAPTER 3

Liora’s eyes flashed open. Her hand shot up to her neck, working away the painful cricks in her neck caused by her uncomfortable sleeping position on her desk. Her eyes flew to her watch.

7pm.

Despite the gala ending days ago, nightmares of her being exposed and earning Sebastian’s ire plagued her like a disease. 

Sebastian on the other had had been nothing short of nice to her, going even as far as to offer her a ride home whenever they worked late.

An offer Liora had rejected every time with a bitter taste on her tongue. Afterall, who wouldn’t want to spend more time with their crush? But, how does she explain her apartment being a penthouse in one of the high-end neighborhoods in New York?

It was best if Sebastian and whoever cared to go through her folder think that her place was the middle-sized apartment she put down for her address.

It was another night of working late and Liora was going to meet Sebastian for his signature on a document and then she could finally call it a day.

He leaned against his desk, his suit discarded on the couch, sleeves rolled to the elbow reveal muscled veined hands and the gleam of a luxury watch. His dark hair glistened under the chandeliers. He held two half-empty flutes of Moët.

“Lost something?” he asked, voice low, amused.

She swallowed. “The funds to go into the new product releases next month. You need to sign it for tomorrow’s meeting.”

“Right.” He beckoned onto her.

He watched her as she crossed his expansive office to meet him at his desk, eyes dark. “You work too hard, Quinn.”

She cleared her throat. “I like to stay busy.”

“Mm.” His eyes stayed focused on her.

A soft whoosh of air conditioning, muted city lights spilling through floor-to-ceiling windows. A marble bar stood against one wall, a leather chaise in the corner, and a spiral staircase hinted at a rooftop terrace.

Liora’s chest tightened.

“This might help you prepare for the meeting tomorrow with Alicia Adams. My sister should have gone but she’s being a pain in the ass like usual. Thankfully, you have an impressive knowledge of how to deal with CEOs, presidents and directors of companies.

How you learned that, I do not know, but I’m grateful for it.” He moved to a glass-fronted cabinet and retrieved a folder, flicking on a faint under-cabinet light.

She stepped closer. “Thank you.” Her voice trembled. The folder felt ridiculously heavy, stuffed with more than just spreadsheets.

He offered it. “You’re welcome.” His fingers brushed hers as she took it. Electricity skittered up her arm.

She cleared her throat, holding the folder like a shield. “I should go.”

Sebastian pulled the folder from her grip, setting it on the marble bar and uncapped a sleek bottle of Dom Pérignon. “One glass?” he asked, pouring amber liquid into two crystal tumblers.

She hesitated, then sank onto the chaise. “Just one.”

He handed her the glass and settled beside her. The bubbles in her drink blurred with the soft glow of the city below. Her head felt light—already spinning.

He leaned in. “You could become more than a temp with the way you are going. You’re like a raging fire Liora, even if Ms. Rivers comes back from maternity leave, I’d like to keep you on as a permanent staff provided all these benefits are exclusive to Crowe corporation.” His eyes roved her figure, lingering on her curves for a few seconds.

“To surviving your torture.” She lifted her glass, grinning. The warmth from the champagne spread through her veins, loosening her tongue.

He chuckled, low and husky. “I like it when you’re honest.” He drained his glass in one long swallow, then reached for the bottle. “Another?”

She nodded, mouth suddenly dry.

He refilled her glass, then, with surprising gentleness, took her hand. “Forget titles for tonight. Call me Sebastian.”

Her breath caught. “Err---Okay… Sebastian.” Her heartbeat thundered.

He studied her face, as if memorizing every freckle, every curve of her lips. “Liora,” he said softly. “Tell me something real.”

She licked her lips. “I’ve… always liked you.” The admission felt reckless. “From the day I started.”

She pursed her lips.

His pulse fluttered. “Even when I was an ass?”

Before then. Before you met me. Before you looked at me, you were all I saw.

She smiled, half-sad. “Especially then.”

He cupped her cheek. Electricity shot through her. “God, you’re beautiful.” His thumb brushed her lower lip. “And dangerous.”

She let out a breath she didn’t know she’d held. The world narrowed to his gaze, the faint thrum of the city below, and the heady roar in her veins.

Their distance evaporated. His hand slid along her jaw, down her neck. Liora’s fingers trembled on his chest. “Sebastian…” she whispered.

He silenced her with a kiss—soft at first, tasting of champagne and something sweeter: want. Her body arched toward him. His other hand tangled in her hair, deepening the kiss until it was urgent, demanding.

Liora felt her senses blur: the heat of his lips, the hard planes of his body, the slick silk of her dress riding up her thigh. He pressed her back against the chaise, one knee between her legs, his mouth exploring her neck.

“L—is—” she gasped, voice breaking.

He hushed her. “Shh. I want you.” His words were a low growl against her skin.

Hands shaking, she unzipped his jacket, slid beneath his crisp shirt. He tugged her dress up, inch by inch, until she was bare in his arms. His lips followed the line of her collarbone.

Every nerve ending ignited. She arched, breath catching. His body was a promise and a threat: powerful, unyielding, feral.

The ice in his glass crashed to the floor as he crushed her against him. “You drive me mad,” he murmured, voice ragged.

She clung to him. “Then show me.”

He obeyed. Clothes fell away in a tangle of silk and muscle. Liora’s world contracted to his hands and mouth, the tremor in her own legs, the intoxicating rush of everything forbidden suddenly within reach.

Time fractured. Moans echoed off the marble walls. His name was a prayer on her lips. His whisper was worship on her skin.

And then—an abrupt, jarring sound: the elevator doors opening below. Metal against marble. A harsh click of high-heeled footsteps on carpet.

They froze, breathless. Liora’s heart seized.

Sebastian’s hand stilled on her hip. He pressed a finger to his lips.

Together, they listened: the click-click approaching.

A soft but deliberate tap at his office door. Then—a voice: “Sir, there’s someone here to see you.”

His eyes darkened. “Stay here.” 

He crossed the room and swung open the door. A guard stood there, like a statue.

“Mr. Crowne, forgive the hour.” The guard’s voice was rigid. “Board members have arrived unexpectedly. They’re here to discuss the security breach.”

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. “Security breach?”

“Yes, sir. They said it’s urgent.” The guard glanced past Sebastian—into the office.

Sebastian’s gaze flicked back to Liora, his smirk falling at her terrible attempt of acting natural.

He turned back to the guard. “Very well. Show them in.”

The guard nodded. As he closed the door, Liora sank back into the chaise, heart hammering. 

Minutes passed. The city lights shifted. Then—footsteps again: low, civil. Voices murmuring: “Is this the Mr. Crowne’s office?” “He said it was urgent…” “Why are the lights dim…?” “I’ve never been here before---"

Liora’s breath stuttered. Had they come to do more than discuss a breach?

Sebastian returned, his face an impervious mask. 



His hand hovered on her head for a bit, before coming down to smoothen it. “Promise me you won’t open the door.”

She shook, words catching in her throat: “I promise.”

He cupped her cheek, nodding softly, then opened the door a crack. A queue of men in tailored suits stood beyond—board members, their expressions grim.

Sebastian’s voice was icy when he addressed them: “What breach?”

Liora pressed herself against the wall, heart in her throat before realizing two things in that moment.

First, she’d just made out with her boss and forever billionaire crush, Sebastian Crowne.

Second, something that made Sebastian cautious had just walked in.