Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Aiden

I emerged from the kitchenette with a cup of tea–because of course I was that cliché–calm, in control, already filing the last few minutes away in my mental vault.

Noah was still sitting there.

Still flushed. Still hard, I was willing to bet.

I lifted my brow and took a sip.

“Are you still here?”

His jaw clenched. That embarrassed expression alone was enough to make my night.

“I thought you were leaving,” I added casually, walking past him.

“I… You didn’t tell me to.”

I turned, letting my gaze settle on him–long, slow, and deliberate.

“You need my permission now?” I asked softly. “What happened to your usual storm–outs after a tantrum?”

That made him bristle. Good. He was alive in there.

But he stayed seated. Silent. Still.

Interesting.

“I told you,” I said, lowering myself into the chair across from him, “if you weren’t ready to follow through, you could leave.”

“And I told you,” he snapped back, redder than ever, “you can’t expect me to sign my soul over without knowing what the hell I’m doing. That would be unprofessional.”

Unprofessional.

That almost made me laugh. The irony was delicious.

But instead, I gave him a slow nod.

“Absolutely. That’s why I don’t expect much from you.”

That hit.

Harder than I thought it would. His shoulders tightened, and I saw the flare in his nostrils as he tried to process the sting.

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11:40 Tue, Oct 21

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“You think this is same kind of kink?” I said, voice low. “A game to spice things up between gym sessions?”

“Training is a privilege. A commitment. A submissive offers their Dominant complete trust–blind, uncompromising trust–and in return, they’re seen, known, and protected in ways most people can’t even begin to comprehend. I don’t take your freedom, Noah. You give it to me. Freely. And that level of surrender can only be matched by someone who takes on the responsibility of your deepest well–being and truest happiness.”

“That sounds like a hell of a lot of responsibility on your end… and way too much trust on mine. More stress than peace, if you ask me.”

I chuckled. “Only if it’s done poorly. But I don’t do poorly. What I offer is excellence–and I don’t settle for less.”

He shot me a look. “Ha. And I’m the cocky one? You’re so damn full of yourself.”

“Maybe,” I said, letting the corner of my mouth lift. “But I’m honest.”

Another pause. He glanced at the floor, then back at me.

“What does… training actually involve?”

I tilted my head. “Rules. Tasks. Structure. Lessons in obedience, control, service, pain, and pleasure. You’ll learn how to communicate without words. How to kneel. How to breathe through submission instead of fighting it.”

“And if I suck at it?”

“Then I’ll stop.” I shrugged. “This isn’t a punishment. It’s not about hurting you or breaking you. It’s about teaching you to let go. And if that’s not something you want? Then it ends.”

He stared at me. Long and hard. “…You make it sound like a damn religion.”

“Discipline often is.”

He let out a breath, softer now. “So… there’s a trial?”

“There’s always a trial,” I said. “Before any contract. Before any collar. We take time to find out if there’s compatibility. Chemistry. Connection.”