Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

His lips parted slightly as he said, “Oh, but I thought—”

“Well, you thought wrong,” I interrupted, a hint of amusement in my voice. “And look where that got you.”

His brows knitted together in confusion. “Wait, that was a punishment?”

“It was,” I replied simply. “I would never have paraded you like that on our first official day together. But you earned every second of it.” I let a teasing smirk curl on my lips. “Honestly, I envied having your mouth on me so much. Maybe we should make a habit of that in public.”

His eyes widened in shock, a strange mix of horror and desire flashing across his face.

I laughed softly and pulled him closer, wrapping my arms around him. Our lips met again, deeper this time, and I felt his body tremble against mine. All the noise in my mind faded away, replaced by the heat of the moment.

When the tension finally left his handsome face and he relaxed into me, I broke the kiss gently, before things escalated too quickly. Pressing my forehead to his, I whispered, “Good boy. You handled yourself well tonight. I’m proud of you.”

His lashes fluttered in surprise, breaking through his usual pout, and I smiled softly. “And just so you know,” I added, my thumb tracing the O-ring at his throat, “I understand that cage wasn’t easy. Not for a second. But you endured it—beautifully.”

A spark of belief lit his eyes as I helped him to his feet and led him to the bathroom to remove the device. I placed the gleaming cage carefully in the sink, a shining reminder of how far he’d come tonight.

“Go ahead,” I said, nodding toward the toilet. “Take a moment.”

He disappeared behind the door for a few minutes, then returned with a lighter step and looser posture. The tension in his shoulders had eased, and his expression was calmer—at least for a moment.

“Grab the crop,” I said evenly.

I picked up the crop and delivered five measured strikes across his ass. Each one stung sharply but was controlled, meant to be felt and endured. He tensed, shuddered, and whimpered softly through clenched teeth, but he didn’t break.

When the fifth strike landed, I dropped the crop onto the mattress. “That’s it. One point tonight. Not five, not ten—just one. For the transgression itself, not every little slip-up. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir,” he breathed, still trembling slightly but holding the position like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

“Good boy.”

I ran a hand gently over the reddened skin, rubbing soothing circles before tapping his hip. “Up. Shower. Clean yourself off and meet me in bed. Tomorrow’s a big day—for both of us.”

His legs wobbled as he stood, but the look in his eyes was unwavering—devoted. Mine. Always mine.