Chapter Twenty: Boundaries and Consequences 

Caspian 

Asher and I rushed to Kaida's room at the sound of her shrill scream, alarm bells sounding in my head at the thought that she might be in peril. Questions swirled within my mind as I sprinted toward her room at a blinding pace, my heart pounding in my chest.

I forced my way into her room, slamming my shoulder against the door with a loud crack. The door burst open, swinging wildly on its hinges. I stormed into the room, Asher close behind, our eyes scanning the space for any indication of danger.

Kaida released a shocked gasp at our abrupt entry, taking a step backward. Her eyes widened, her mouth agape.

My gaze settled upon her, and I ascertained that everything was in order.

I scrutinized her form, considering the possibility that she might have inflicted harm upon herself, but I was unprepared for the spectacle I beheld.

My throat constricted, my mind momentarily short-circuiting at the sight of Kaida's provocative nightdress.

It was a black, silky garment with delicate spaghetti straps. The black silk material covered only the periphery of her body, leaving the central region exposed. The center was comprised of a net of intricately woven, translucent material, secured to the other portions of the dress with knots at either end.

My eyes roamed over the soft, succulent contours of her breasts, visible through the woven net at the center of the dress, my gaze tracing the line to the gentle curve of her flat abdomen, her alluring curves.

A shiver coursed through my legs at the sight of her creamy skin on display. Then, I recalled that I was not the sole recipient of this breathtaking view.

I barked, "What in the world are you wearing?"

"What in the world are you doing in my room?" She retorted with equal measure, her eyes blazing with defiance and suppressed fury.

She placed her hands on either side of her hips, causing the exposed portions of her nightdress to reveal more of her body.

Asher suppressed a cough behind me and promptly excused himself from the room.

"You raised a false alarm," I accused, approaching her.

"As you can observe, I am not in danger. Now, conduct yourself with decorum, like Asher, and depart."

My eyes narrowed as I advanced further, invading her personal space.

Any other woman would have retreated, allowing me to maneuver them into the position I desired. Against the wall.

But Kaida maintained her stance, tilting her chin upward to meet my gaze directly, her creamy neck on display.

My hand itched to grasp her neck and consume her defiant mouth with mine. To back her against the wall and subject her body to the most unimaginable sensations she had ever encountered, until she surrendered beneath me, her satisfied moans a melody to my ears.

"You are transgressing a boundary here, Caspian," she cautioned, her eyes emitting glares.

I glanced down at her. For a woman of her stature, she possessed considerable audacity. "Isn't that what you desired?"

She rolled her eyes to the side, unabashedly standing nearly naked before me.

It infuriated me that she displayed no regard for propriety concerning her body, yet I could not suppress the surge of arousal that coursed through me, either, at standing this close to her.

Her perky, full breasts were begging to be cupped in my hands and suckled upon.

"Or," I leaned down, aligning myself with her height, whispering in her ear, "was it Asher you desired?"

I did not fail to notice how her breath hitched in her throat at my question. My suspicions were accurate.

"Shut the hell up and leave. I desire neither of you," she spoke through clenched teeth, her eyes locked on mine. "You filled my wardrobe with garments such as these, prohibited me from bringing my more modest attire, so do not express disapproval regarding what I am wearing. I am merely donning the uniform you provided." A sneer curved her mouth as she mentioned the word "uniform." "In the future, do not enter my room unannounced."

"Was what you wore yesterday comparable to this?" I questioned, glancing at the flimsy excuse for a dress she had on.

She smirked, wrapping her arms around her chest. This posture further accentuated her cleavage.

"Kaida," I snapped.

"Do me a favor and leave, Caspian, or I will report you for sexual harassment."

"Remember, Kaida. My brothers are off-limits."

"I could assert the same regarding you," she seethed. "I am not your possession to be taken. You had better not attempt any untoward behavior toward me. I have seen the money you sent. Thank you. Let us respect each other's boundaries, shall we?"

I offered no response, as I recognized that was an agreement I could not honor. I snatched the blanket from the bed and enveloped it around her body. "In the future, when you are in a room with two adult males, cover yourself."

She tsked. "How about the two adult males knock before violating a lady's privacy, instead of forcing their way in like common criminals?" She spat.

"Common criminals?" I bristled. "And cease screaming unnecessarily, raising false alarms. I presumed you were in danger."

"I was not in danger. Thank you for the concern. Now, go."

I exhaled a deep breath. "Must you invariably have the final word?"

She clamped her mouth shut, gesturing for me to proceed toward the door.

I was incensed by the confirmation of her attraction to Asher, as well as our exchange, yet I was also amused.

There, I had the final word. I should take my leave.

"Come out for breakfast once you are ready." I exited the room thereafter.

However, the door did not remain secured on its hinges when I attempted to close it.

Kaida cast me a pointed glance from the distance at which she stood, her lips pursed.

Fortunately, her body was concealed by the blanket with which I had covered her, but I could not erase what I had already witnessed.

My body still tingled with the residual effects of it.

"I will arrange for the repairman to address it. Place a weight behind it to keep it secured."

Kaida hissed under her breath as she surveyed the room for a suitable object, while I closed the door behind me, awaiting her to secure it from the inside before releasing the doorknob and departing.

****

Kaida 

I returned to the bed on unsteady legs after securing the door and confirming that Caspian had departed.

I collapsed onto it, feeling my body tremble in a mixture of nervousness and outrage.

I had, in essence, invited the consequences upon myself. The sight of the staggering sum currently residing in my account had been shocking.

I had screamed with unrestrained jubilation and incredulity, momentarily forgetting that I was not the sole occupant of the house.

I had been startled by their abrupt entry into my room, awed by their physical prowess.

The iron-wrought door had yielded effortlessly under a firm shove from Caspian, and the two men had rushed into the room like valiant heroes poised to rescue their damsel in distress.

It had been a cinematic moment, until their eyes had darkened, transforming into expressions of predatory hunger that robbed me of my breath. It was then that I recollected what I was wearing.

Meredith's selection for me while we perused my wardrobe together.

I would have been profoundly bored yesterday had she not kept me company, but her selection had nearly induced hypertension in me during the earlier moments when Asher and Caspian had occupied this room.

I had been too stunned to move as Caspian approached me earlier, like a predator advancing on its prey.

My heart pounded in my chest while he towered over me, his heated gaze fixed upon mine.

I questioned the source of the confidence I had displayed earlier. The familiar version of myself would have concealed herself from the moment I perceived how affected they were by my revealing nightgown.

But no, I had allowed them to feast upon my body with their hungry gazes, further enticing them.

"What has transpired with you, Kaida?"

I cupped my face in both hands, feeling my face heat my palms.

Something akin to pleasure rippled through my body, shooting straight down to my core.

I clenched my thighs, stunned by this unfamiliar sensation coursing through my body.

My body had been ignited solely from their intense gazes.

I sprang from the bed just as a question echoed in my mind: what if we had disregarded propriety?

Disgusted by my own thoughts, I sauntered into the bathroom to cleanse myself and change into more modest attire.

"You must maintain a clear mind while you are here, Kaida. You have received the financial compensation; now, it is your responsibility to uphold your portion of the agreement. Asher is off-limits. Caspian is off-limits," I muttered under my breath.

I paused, astonished by my declaration. When had Caspian joined the burgeoning list of men upon whom I harbored affections?

"You are clearly losing your sanity, Kaida," I muttered, shoving both hands through my hair.

I removed my nightdress and stepped beneath the shower, tilting my head upward to receive the cascading water.

Today marked the commencement of the first of 365 days I would be employed under the Ragnar brothers' roof.

I could not afford to become entangled in more intricate circumstances than my job necessitated.

"You are capable of this, Kaida. Wilders never yield." I exhaled a deep breath, expelling water from my mouth as I clenched a fist in the air in silent encouragement.