Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

By the time Aiden emerged from the shower, clean and composed in a black T–shirt and joggers, I’d plated everything and set it on the

table.

He didn’t say a word. Just walked up beside me, looked at the coffee, the eggs, the toast, and nodded once. “Sit. You’re allowed to eat with me this morning.”

I tried not to show the wave of relief that hit me. I took my seat across from him.

We didn’t talk. Just ate.

Well–he ate. I mostly tried not to stare at him over my mug while my thoughts swirled like a hurricane. My body was a confused mess of pain and craving. My chest was tight from the silence. My pulse never slowed.

But still, I obeyed.

I ate what he gave me. I didn’t complain. I didn’t question, and somehow… that felt good.

When we finished, he stood, bringing both plates to the sink. “Get dressed. Athletic wear. Bring your cleats–we’ll start at the gym.”

“Yes, Sir.” The words came out of my mouth before I thought about them. Automatic. Natural.

And when I glanced up, I caught a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes…. Just before he turned away.

****

The weight room was already buzzing by the time we got there–steel clanking, guys grunting, music pulsing low through the speakers.

Aiden walked in like a shadow with purpose. Calm. Focused. Lethal.

Me? I felt like a grenade with the pin half–out.

We were barely two steps through the door when he barked, “Mercer. Warm up. Five sets of clean and press. Then deadlifts.”

He didn’t say it cruelly. He didn’t yell.

But every head turned anyway.

My name wasn’t the only thing they’d heard. It was the tone–that clipped command that carried no room for question. Like I was a soldier. A subordinate. A problem.

I nodded once and moved to the rack, ignoring the way half the room was staring and the other half was already whispering.

My body still ached from last night. My thighs burned from the position he’d held me in. My ass was raw. I couldn’t even look him in the eye without remembering the crop.

And now he wanted five full sets?

1/3

11:45 Tue, Oct 21

On bruised legs?

I made it through two sets before Aiden passed by and muttered, “Back straight. You’re lifting like you’re afraid of the weight.”

I forced a smile. “Yeah, lucky me.”

But I saw Aiden’s eyes flicker toward us. Just for a second.

Then he snapped, “Mercer. Again. From the top.”

I froze.

2

Miguel blinked. “The hell for? He’s already-”

“Miguel.” Keon’s voice, quiet but firm. “Leave it.”

Miguel raised his hands in surrender but shook his head as he walked off. “Damn. No mercy from the Mercer.”

Everyone laughed and I wanted to disappear, or explode…. Either would’ve felt better than standing there, surrounded by the weight of everyone’s attention and the growing fire in my chest.

I wanted to say something. Snap back. Fight… Anything to look like I wasn’t just taking it, but I didn’t, because I knew if I opened my mouth… I’d fail.

Not just the drill.