Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Noah

I had convinced myself we were headed straight to the hotel. That was the plan—or at least the version I’d been replaying over and over in my mind. But when the car turned into Aiden’s driveway instead of pulling up somewhere in downtown Houston, my heart instantly kicked into overdrive.

“What are we doing here?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, but all I got back was that inscrutable smirk of his.

Inside the house, he wasted no time. “Shower. Wait for me in the bathroom. Naked.”

My stomach twisted into knots. That tone—cold, commanding—meant only one thing: punishment. I’d been bracing myself for it since yesterday, but after the luncheon, I’d dared to hope he might let it slide. Silly me.

The bathroom mirror fogged over as I stood there, water dripping from my hair and skin, my pulse hammering in my ears. My mind raced, unable to silence itself. This could go in so many directions, Noah. So many damn ways…

Then the door creaked open. Aiden filled the doorway, radiating calm authority. “Hands on the sink. Present yourself.”

My throat tightened as I obeyed, pressing my chest against the cold porcelain, my backside exposed. Damn it. Here it comes…

“You earned seven points yesterday,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. My stomach sank. I squeezed my eyes shut, already knowing what was coming.

“And another three—for lying, hiding things from me, and acting behind my back.”

My head shot up. “Wait—what?”

I mean, yeah, I had, but how the hell did he find out?

He let the accusation hang in the air, heavy and brutal. Shame flared inside me, burning hot. My mouth moved faster than my thoughts. “Sir, I’m sorry—I was going to tell you—”

“Too late, boy.” His hand pressed firmly into the small of my back, forcing me to stay bent over. With his other hand, he ripped open a box I hadn’t even noticed before. The sound of tearing cardboard was deafening in my ears. Inside was a black, slick silicone device—pinecone-shaped, about an inch and a half wide.

“What’s that, Sir?” My voice cracked.

“Your punishment.”

The click of the lube cap echoed sharply. His cool, slick fingers spread me open, and then the foreign object pressed in. My lungs seized. What the hell…? A butt plug?

“Relax,” he ordered. I tried, or at least pretended to, as the plug slid in deeper, stretching me, filling me until I thought I might lose my mind.

Before I could even catch my breath, he pulled out something else—a different kind of trap. “Turn around.”

The chastity belt. My cock twitched involuntarily, already half-hard and aching. He tapped it sharply with two fingers, the sting causing my erection to deflate instantly. Then, without giving me a chance to protest, he locked me in.

Humiliation, confusion, and guilt washed over me. And somehow, despite it all, I was painfully hard again.

Then, as if none of it had happened, he strode over to the closet and pulled out my black suit. Crisp white shirt. Polished shoes. He laid them on the bed like this was just another ordinary evening. “Get dressed.”

Oh God. Please, shut up. I wanted to strangle the man with his own bowtie. Instead, I nodded like a grateful rookie and nearly swallowed my tongue.

“Oh, nonsense—” Aiden smiled at me. “This boy here has done just as much for me. You should see some of his secret skills…”

I almost choked on my own spit, my vision blurring for a moment with a rush of panic and embarrassment. William tapped my shoulder, pride shining in his eyes like he’d just found a rare treasure at auction. “Well, I’m hoping he’ll be willing to share those secret skills with the rest of us!”

Do not die. Do not faint. Smile like you mean it. Don’t let Aiden see you crack—don’t let anyone see. My mind was a chaotic storm of terror and shame.

Then Lexie appeared, radiant as ever—perfect hair, flawless dress, dazzling smile. “Why don’t I show Noah around before the others arrive?” She hooked her arm through mine like I was hers to claim.

“Of course! Let the young ones have a little fun while we, the responsible elders, discuss business,” William said with a chuckle.

Responsible elders—Aiden was going to love that one.

Lexie led me away, all sunlight and laughter, but I risked a glance back. Aiden was leaning against a marble pillar, thumbs flying over his phone, smirking small and private. Our eyes met briefly, and that glance—that subtle curl of his mouth—wasn’t amusement. It was ownership.

Lexie introduced me to a parade of people—friends who laughed like bells and touched my arm like they were marking me as theirs. Compliments rained down, warm and dizzying, and I smiled, answered, sipped champagne, and tried my best to be charming.

Then—the plug hummed, startling me. I looked at Aiden in disbelief.

Oh no, you didn’t, you sadistic motherfucker…