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“What do you think of me, Leo?” Lucas asked, narrowing his eyes at his brother. Leo, still comfortably perched on Caspian’s lap, shrugged nonchalantly. Lucas clenched his jaw and said, “I don’t flirt with every girl I see.”

“That’s hard to believe,” Neel commented, entering the room from what I assumed was the kitchen. I could see a kitchen island behind him, though everything else was hidden behind a wall separating the two rooms.

“Then don't believe.”

“What were you doing in the kitchen?” Caspian asked, absently scratching Leo’s head like a caring mother. The chauffeur wasn’t kidding when he said the other brothers treat Leo like a king. “I told you not to have snacks before dinner.”

Neel rolled his eyes and took a seat on the armchair in front of the fireplace. “I just had a single cookie. I was starving.”

“Because you skipped lunch. How many times do I have to tell you to eat lunch?” Dev shook his head, making me feel even more uncomfortable sitting there.

“Skipping meals is not good for your health. You are not a child, Neel. Learn to take care of yourself.” Caspian joined and Neel looked away. 

“Anyway,” Lucas interjected, looking at Caspian as if to convey something silently. “He is not going to die because he ate some cookies. Let him live.”

The three brothers seemed to communicate silently before Caspian looked at me. “I’m sorry, Katherine, I forgot you were here. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“Wow! Way to make her feel welcome in the house,” Leo chimed in, hiding his face in Caspian’s chest before he could glare at him.

“I really hate you sometimes, you know that, right?” Caspian said, trying to pull Leo away. “Again, I'm sorry Katherine, that's not what I meant.” 

“No-no… it's fine,” I stammered, trying not to draw more attention to myself. “I understand; it’s my first day here after all. It would take some time.”

Just then, Caspian’s phone rang interrupting the moment. He glanced at the screen and then tried putting Leo down but the youngest Salvatore was not having it. I chuckled when I saw the way Leo wrapped his hand and leg around Caspian, not ready to let go. 

 “I have to take this. It’s Dad,” He said, and finally, Leo loosened his grip, falling on the couch gently. Caspian gave me an apologetic look before stepping out of the room.

Once Caspian left, the atmosphere lightened a bit. The brothers started to talk more freely and tried to engage me in their conversation too, asking me about my likes and dislikes, my interests, and what I thought of Washington so far. 

I tried to talk without stuttering, and the boys were nice enough to give me time to form my sentences. It was a relief to talk about something other than the tension-filled interactions earlier. But at the back of my head, the thought of Lucas sitting next to me still bothered me. 

After a while, Caspian returned, his expression serious but calm. “Katherine, would you mind coming to my study?” 

“What happened?” Lucas questioned, straightening his back. He was worried about something. 

“Nothing happened. We need to discuss some things about her college before she starts.” I nodded, feeling a flutter of anxiety in my chest. 

“I am coming too,” Leo announced, jumping on his feet. 

“No, you're not,” Caspian said bluntly and Leo pouted like a child, pleading. “It is related to her studies, which is personal and not something to be shared with everyone.”

“Come on, Katherine.” He ordered and started walking. As I followed him down the hallway, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding.

When we entered his study, my eyes looked all around, noticing the smallest of details. It was a beautifully decorated room that was sleek and modern, with dark wood furnishings and shelves lined with numerous books. It smelled nice too, like autumn.

I went toward his desk, walking behind him when my foot slipped on something—a pencil. Before I could catch myself, Caspian’s strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me close to his chest. I grabbed on his shoulder and opened my eyes, realizing I was safe. For a moment, everything else faded as I looked into his green eyes. 

Our faces were incredibly close, our lips almost brushing and I felt his breath on my skin. His hand rested firmly on my lower back, dangerously close to my ass. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt goosebumps rise on my skin at the contact. The urge to close the gap between us was almost overwhelming, but I resisted, my heart pounding in my chest.

Caspian quickly steadied me and helped me stand up properly. 

“I’m sorry about that. You aren't hurt, are you?” he said, his voice a bit huskier than before. I shook my head and he took a step back, clearing his throat, and gestured for me to take a seat in the chair opposite his desk. “Please, have a seat.”

“Thanks,” I managed, still trying to calm my racing heart as I took the seat. I didn't know what was wrong with me, first Lucas and now Caspian. They were both my stepbrothers, and I shouldn't have had the thoughts I was having. 

He picked up the pencil and moved behind his desk. I was still trying to calm the rush of emotions from our brief encounter. Caspian settled into his chair, his expression returning to its usual calm and composed demeanour. However, I noticed the blush on his cheeks as he switched his computer. 

“Dad tell me to look over your program and make sure everything is set for the upcoming semester,” he said, unbothered by what happened. 

I felt a pang of worry when his words registered in my head. I knew nothing about my admission process because Mom assured me that Derek would take care of everything. “Is there a problem with my admission?”  

“No, everything is fine.” He answered, his eyes on the screen. “This is just some preliminary process that one does before starting the semester. You won't have to go through the registration process in the campus to get your syllabus and timetable. I will send it in your mail.” 

“How can you do that from your personal computer?” I asked, frowning in confusion. “Are you like in the administration of the university?” 

Caspian looked up from the computer and met my gaze. “Wait, you don't know?” 

“Don’t know what?” 

He chuckled, “Dad is on the board of the trustees of St. Louis. My grandfather was the founder of St. Louis.”