Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

“Very well,” he said calmly. “Unless you ask me to.”

“That will be never… Sir.”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “We will see.”

I skipped over a small section and circled back to what I did understand.

“For my safeword,” I said, clearing my throat, “I’d like to go with… ‘Mercy.“”

His eyes warmed, just a bit. “A classic.”

“I was gonna go with ‘bananas,‘ but figured it might not work mid–panic.”

He didn’t laugh, but his eyes told me he wanted to.

Then came the deeper stuff. Fears. Desires. Punishment and reward. He asked calmly, professionally, like it was just another Tuesday night at a board meeting–but the questions? They weren’t easy.

“What do you fear most in this dynamic?”

Being abandoned. Not being good enough.

Letting someone down who finally gives a shit.

I shrugged. “Failure, I guess.”

“I see… And tangible fears?” he asked, one brow lifting.

Oh, smooth. I see what you’re doing.

“I don’t have any, Sir,” I lied.

The warmth in his expression vanished. “Noah, do you remember what we said about trust?”

“Yes, Sir.” I bit my upper lip.

“Without truth, there’s no trust. And there’s one rule that can never be broken. All mistakes can be punished and forgiven–except lying. You lie to me, and you’re out. Same goes for me. So I’ll ask again. Do you have any fears?”

My mouth went dry. “You just want me to tell you so you can use them against me.”

“Sir.”

Oh, my God. “Sir.”

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11:41 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 23

“And yes,” he said calmly, “I probably will. If it helps you heal.”

Smooth as hell…

I looked down, rubbing the back of my neck, trying not to pull my hair–childhood habit, anxiety trigger. “Small spaces I can’t escape from. And… cockroaches, Sir.”

He nodded once. “Good. Thank you for the honesty. Now–what do you want most?”

That one took longer. But when it came, it was simple.

“Peace.”

“And that, Noah, is exactly what I’ll give you.”

We kept going. He explained the difference between discipline and punishment. Talked about rules, structure, obedience. And when we reached the question about health or medications, I hesitated.

“I used to be on something for anxiety. I’m not anymore, Sir.”

“I, Noah Blake, request the acceptance of my submission by Aiden Mercer. I offer my trust and obedience freely, and in return, I ask for guidance, protection, and the structure to become my best self…”

“I agree to speak honestly, to voice needs, fears, and boundaries without shame. I surrender control only with the understanding that my safety -emotional, mental, and physical–will be your responsibility…”

“This contract is valid for a trial period of six weeks, at the end of which we will either renew, revise… or end it.”

I looked up. “Six weeks?”

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11:41 Tue, Oct 21

Chapter 23

“A full cycle. Enough time to assess compatibility.‘

“What if I’m terrible at this?” I asked. “Like, what if I trip during my first kneel and get a concussion?”

“Then I’ll teach you again. Slower. On carpet.”

That earned a laugh–real, breathy, nervous. “You’re serious about all this.”

“Deadly.”

And I believed him.

My fingers traced the edge of the paper as I said, quietly, “I want to try.”

And when he nodded, approval soft in his eyes, I felt something inside me settle.

Maybe I was crazy. Maybe this whole thing was one long delayed spiral, but right now, I felt seen. Safe.

And–for the first time in forever–wanted.

Just then, I signed myself in body and soul to a man I knew nothing about.

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