Trouble with Pocket Aces (limit O8), OOP, 2 opponents

[yukoncpa]

Normally I don’t overvalue aces and I don’t tend to get in any trouble with them, but this hand came up recently:

I’m on big blind with AA68o, 6 handed, UTG limps, middle position calls, everyone else including the little blind folds, I rap pat. 3 players, I’m OOP. No raise before flop.

Flop is KJ2 with two suits, I bet, both players call ( they are both calling stations ).

Turn is 9, no flush possible , I bet, UTG folds, MP calls. Heads up.

River is 3. I check, he bets, I call.

Was I too optimistic with bare aces? Any better way to play this? Would it have been better to check the flop and see what these players do? If played that way, what happens if 1st player also checks, then last player bets, should I then check raise?