Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107

Noah

I stood there, towel wrapped tightly around my waist, my body tense and frozen as Miguel’s gaze lingered on the red marks scattered across my skin. My heart hammered so fiercely in my chest that I was certain he could hear it echoing in the quiet room.

“Miguel, it’s nothing,” I blurted out, fumbling awkwardly with the towel to make sure it stayed secure. I took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. “It’s… not what you think it is.”

His eyebrows arched sharply, his expression unreadable for a moment before that familiar crooked smile crept onto his lips. “Really? Because what I’m thinking is one of three things: either someone’s been beating the hell out of you, you’ve got a seriously kinky girlfriend… or you’re one of those super devout Catholics who whips themselves for fun. Which, honestly, would explain your recent streak of celibacy.”

My head snapped up, eyes wide. “I’m not celibate, dude! Jesus. I just don’t bring the people I date around here. That’s all.”

Miguel blinked, waiting expectantly. The silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable. My palms grew sweaty. Damn it, I had to say something before Sherlock Holmes Jr. pieced it all together on his own.

“The truth is…” My throat tightened, but I forced the words out. “…I’m into BDSM. Like, bondage and stuff.”

Miguel’s jaw dropped so far I thought it might hit the floor. Before he could even respond, I rushed on, words spilling out in a nervous torrent. “It’s not a big deal, okay? Just—please don’t say anything. Please, Miguel. This stays between us.”

His grin grew wider, but it wasn’t mocking. It was curious. Respectful, even. “Hey, hey. Chill out. I’m not gonna blab. Respect for being honest, man. That’s… actually pretty badass.” He tilted his head slightly, his voice softening. “I just want to make sure you’re not being hurt or anything. You know what you’re doing, right?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I waved him off, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I know all about it. No one’s torturing me against my will or chaining me to a radiator. I’m just… experimenting. Safely. That’s all.”

Miguel chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Damn. I always suspected there was a freaky side hiding under all that golden-boy quarterback crap. Good for you, man.” Then, like the worst wingman ever, he added with a smirk, “So… details?”

I shoved him playfully on the shoulder, laughing nervously. “Hell no. You’re not getting details.”

“Fine, fine.” He grinned. “But you better come with us for a drink tonight. Help plan homecoming. Keeps the assholes from starting rumors, you know?”

“I’ll see,” I muttered, tightening my towel even more.

But even as the words left my mouth, my chest tightened with the truth I refused to admit. No way. Not a chance. Because after everything we’d just been through, the only person I wanted to see tonight was Aiden. The only one I needed was him.

I threw my clothes back on faster than ever, desperate to escape before Miguel could ask any more questions. My skin still burned under the weight of his scrutiny, his smirk, his promise not to spill the secret. God, if he slipped up even once, if anyone found out… I’d be finished. Football, school, my entire life—over.

Looking back now, I realize how many things back then threatened everything I was or hoped to become. I was living dangerously, balancing on a tightrope rather than standing on solid ground.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and started across the campus, head down, already calculating how quickly I could get to Sir’s house. The thought alone eased the tightness in my chest—safe, grounded, wrapped in his arms where none of the chaos could reach me.

“Noah.”

My feet halted instantly. That voice.

Hell, I should have been freaking out…

I nodded, forcing myself to swallow the lump in my throat. “Yeah. Extra careful.”

But inside, my chest twisted painfully. It sounded like distance. Like he was pushing me away. And yet… ‘extra careful’ still meant together. It wasn’t ‘we need to stop.’ It wasn’t the end.

So I clung to that hope.

I gave a casual wave, doing my best to fake it. “Alright. I’ll see what I can do.”

Then I turned and headed toward the bar where the guys were meeting, each step heavier than the last. Maybe this was a good idea after all. Maybe I needed to get out of my head—and out of his—for a while.

Just as I stepped through the door, Keon’s voice cut through the noise.

“Nosht! Look who’s here!”

I looked up—and met Cindy’s bright, knowing smile.

Fuck. I’m so busted.