Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 135

Chapter 135

Noah

When Aiden told me the night would be ours, I imagined him taking me with fierce abandon, leaving me breathless and undone. But it took a moment for my brain to catch up to what he really meant—that tonight, release was a reward, something to be earned, and he had promised me that it would come the next day.

At first, I thought I’d feel let down. But damn if I did.

Spending time with him in this quiet, ordinary way—like a couple who didn’t live on the edge—was surprisingly comforting. Don’t get me wrong, I’d grown addicted to the rush of uncertainty that came with being with Aiden. That constant thrill, that dangerous spark, was something I never imagined I could give up. Yet, there was something deeply satisfying about the simple moments: cooking side by side, watching a movie while he gently tickled my arm, just having him close as if we were some happy, normal pair. It stirred a different kind of ache inside me.

Though, let’s be honest, Aiden’s idea of “normal” was probably what most people would call a wild night.

I admired how effortlessly he could transform even the most mundane activities into rituals of sensual pleasure and quiet joy.

It started with the bath. Upstairs, his enormous tub was filled with warm water infused with salts and oils that smelled like incense drifting through the air. Candles flickered softly, casting a golden glow, while gentle music played in the background. We each held a glass of wine, and he pulled me close, pressing me against his chest as he read aloud from a book of mysterious short stories. His fingers lazily tangled in my hair, soothing and slow. Me—the guy who usually jumped into a quick shower and called it good, who barely remembered to use conditioner once a week—was discovering this hidden world of pleasures women had known for centuries.

Then came dinner. Even that turned into an experience. We fed each other deliberately, savoring every bite with a sensual slowness. My eyes stayed locked on his as I slid a fork to my lips, and when it was his turn, he sucked the sauce off my fingers, making my knees weaken. Honestly, it was one of the most erotic things I’d ever done, aside from the moments we shared behind closed doors.

The one problem? The constant, gnawing fear of being found out. The social isolation. The endless refusals of girls’ flirting, advances, and temptations. It drained me.

So maybe—just maybe—if people saw me with Lexie, they’d stop scrutinizing me so closely. My time with Aiden could stay hidden in the shadows where it belonged, with no questions asked. As long as she understood I had practice, games, and a schedule tighter than hell, I could keep most of my freedom.

I spent half the night awake in Aiden’s arms, clutching him like I never wanted to let go, turning that idea over and over in my mind.

And the truth? I didn’t want anyone but him. I didn’t feel desire for any other girl. But if we adjusted things a little… I could fool around with Lexie if I had to. No feelings, no love—just occasional release during the week. It wouldn’t even be betrayal, not really. It would be saving face. Buying time until the day we reached where we needed to be—not stuck in college anymore—and no one cared, so we could finally go public.