Crossing Lines Chapter 97

**Aiden**

I wanted the best for Noah. I really did. But this news was a slap in the face.

While he’d been running his mouth about Lexie’s father and dinner invitations, all I could think was how much work I’d already put in for him. Every spare minute outside practice and games, I’d been emailing scouts, calling in favors, sending out highlight reels, and trying to get people to see him. To give him the opportunities he deserved.

Because Noah Blake had the talent. He had the grit. He was earning it with every drop of sweat he left on that field.

And now? A damn shortcut dangled in front of him, wrapped in blonde hair and a pretty smile.

Yes, William Hart could help him rise like foam and could put his name on every desk in the state overnight. But men like William weren’t stupid. They didn’t hand out favors for free. If Lexie wanted him, that meant William saw him as his daughter’s latest accessory—and if things ever went sideways, he’d crush Noah just as easily as he’d lifted him.

You didn’t fuck with people like William Hart. Or his family.

Not unless you were serious.

And judging by what had just happened under my desk that morning—the way Noah had risked everything to suck me off—I was willing to bet my entire career he wasn’t serious about Lexie.

Which left me with a sick taste in my mouth, fury burning through me like acid. I wanted him to shine. I wanted him to have everything. But not this way. Not by prostituting himself, not as a pawn in some investor’s family drama.

I drew in a breath, holding his gaze. “So tell me, Noah—what are you ready to give? Or give up? Because if you go down this road, it won’t just be football. It won’t just be a game. It’ll be everything.”

Noah frowned. “Why does it have to be that way? What if I impress him? What if I play so well that he can’t deny I’m worth it? Then I’d be paying off his investment with my work, not by… fucking Lexie.”

His words twisted in my chest. God, he was still so damn young.

I leaned forward, my voice low, steady. “Listen to me, Noah. The second you accept an exclusive sponsorship from someone like William Hart, it won’t just be about football. It’ll be about control. You’ll be pulled into private coaching, private training camps, events where they expect you to smile and nod and play the golden boy. Your life won’t be yours—it’ll be theirs. And if you slip? If you stop being what they want… Actually, let me rephrase that: what *she* wants? You’ll fall flat on your ass, and I won’t be there to catch you. I won’t be able to.”

Noah’s mouth tightened, but I saw the doubt flicker in his eyes.

I pushed harder. “And don’t fool yourself—William Hart isn’t putting his daughter’s happiness second to a football contract. The man has an empire. If she decides she’s done with you, if she wants someone shinier, easier—he’ll drop you without blinking. You’ll be nothing more than the guy she toyed with for a season.”

Noah swallowed, his jaw flexing. “So what—you’re saying if I were to accept anything from them, and don't get dropped like you said but actually make it, you would no longer be with me?”

I shook my head slowly. “I’m saying you’d be stepping into a different reality. One where I wouldn’t be allowed in, even if I wanted to be. And God help me, without those people, I’d be there through everything. I want to see you a star, Noah. I’d be there to propel you, to push you, even if the weight buried me. But, if you took this route, I could never watch you…” I stopped, the words cutting deep.

His eyes narrowed, testing me. “What? With another coach?”

I stepped forward before I could think better of it, grabbed the back of his neck, and yanked him close until our foreheads almost touched. “With her. Or with anybody else.”

And then I kissed him.

Hard. Furious.

Hating the way it made me feel alive, hating the truth of it. Against every line I swore I wouldn’t cross, I had fallen. Fallen hard, and I already knew—this was going to hurt like a bitch. But now, I just kissed him. 

Our mouths crashed together, and for a moment all that fury and hurt and fear dissolved into fire. His taste, his breath, his hands clutching at me—it was everything.

That dinner, those temptations, that uncertain future… it was coming whether we wanted it or not. But right now? There was just Noah. Right here. In front of me.

And I owed him both a punishment and a reward.

I wanted to bend him over, beat that ass raw with the crop for this morning’s recklessness, for hiding this from me, for making me feel so much that I’d actually considered leaving my career behind just to have him. I wanted to punish him for scaring the hell out of me with the thought that he might leave. But most of all, I wanted to punish myself—for letting it get this far.

And yet, I also wanted to reward him. To give him the release he was desperate for. But how could I? He didn’t deserve to be given the very thing that caused the punishment. And I didn’t deserve to fuck him—not after failing us both by letting him near her, by dragging us into this impossible situation that could only end with one of us losing our future.

So maybe what we needed was something else. A reward that was also a punishment and a lesson for both of us. That, along with drastic measures.

“Noah…” I started, but he leaned closer, whispering against my lips.

“I need you, Sir.”

The words gutted me. Then his mouth was on mine again, hungry, desperate. I let him strip me, piece by piece, until I was bare under his hands. His arms locked around me, pulling me closer, kisses rough then tender, his body pressed to mine. He whispered against my skin, I whispered back, touches turning slow and reverent, a fire that burned steady instead of wild.

By the time he pushed me back against the bed, I knew exactly what he thought was coming.

And fuck, I wanted it too.

I let him believe it, let him feel like he was finally breaking through all my walls. His lips trailed lower, his breath hot on my chest, my stomach, lower still—until I caught him, kissing him hard, rolling us back.

His eyes were glassy with want when I bent down, pressed my lips just above his groin, licking my way to his pulsing erection. I kissed his glands and whispered against his skin.

“Not tonight, baby boy.”

His eyes softened, obedient even through his overwhelming disappointment. “I understand, Sir. Should I bring the crop?”

My chest ached. I kissed him again on the lips, firmer this time, tasting the want on his lips. “No, Noah. Both punishment and reward will come tomorrow night. But tonight…” I pulled him against me, holding him tight. “…tonight I just want to hold you. Spend time with you. Whatever happens tomorrow, or next Friday, I want tonight to be just ours.”