Page 138 of Alpha Mates

Floor-to-ceiling windows frame a valley cradled between two large mountains, the careening nature outside stretching out for miles in every direction. This place is the perfect getaway for any supernatural creature.

“I take it you like it,” I say, following Aiden as he drifts to the glass.

“Like?” he mumbles before he turns to face me with his mouth still hanging open. “Jewels, Iloveit!”

Is it possible to have fireworks go off inside you? It must be, because that’s what happens when his lips stretch into that warm smile.

“I’m glad,” I say—and I mean it.

Over the last few months, I’ve gone from hating Aiden, to begrudgingly enjoying his happiness, to desperately seeking it out in any way I can.

I like making him smile—like being the source of his joy, and it’s that simple.

I sidle up to him, and the second I’m in reach, he slides his fingers between mine, holding on tight.

“Thank you,” he says, his voice softer now, like those dark eyes he settles on me. “Thank you, Julian,” he repeats, the three words carrying so much weight it nearly buckles me.

It’s enough on its own, but then Aiden leans in to kiss my cheek and my spirit is set aflame. I have to resist the urge to reach up and touch it when he pulls away, or better yet, pull him to me for more. But no, I have plans. We’d get to all that eventually. For now, and for as long as we can manage, I just want to enjoy this with him.

“No problem,” I say, my smile coming easily as I watch him take in the view again.

He’s obsessed with it, like I knew he’d be. Watching Aiden all the time has taught me that he has a thing for landscapes and scenic views, which is precisely why I got this room. This suite offered the best views of the valley during both sunset and sunrise. Even in between, the sight is breathtaking.

“I’m going to unpack,” I whisper, leaving him to stare. “You have a look around.”

He nods absently, clearly not going to look at anything besides the horizon.

Biting back a laugh, I grab our bags from the entrance and slip into the bedroom. Once again, I’m rendered speechless—the massive king-size bedwaits for us, scattered with petals. It sits in the centre of the obscenely large room, taking up most of the space, but incubi famously only like one piece of furniture. I imagine all that space would come in very handy for us once we … started.

Cheeks warming, I bypass the bed and take our bags to the dresser. I send a message to Beckett to let him know we’ve arrived safely with no issues before I unpack all our clothes. I tuck our shoes into one corner, hide the lube in the bottom of my drawer, stuff our bags away once they’re empty, and then call the front desk to confirm that all my plans for tonight and tomorrow are in place.

Aiden doesn’t know it yet, but he’s never going to forget the next four days.

When I return, he’s exactly where I left him. I chuckle from the doorway, and he turns to me.

“Hey,” he greets eagerly.

“Hey,” I reply, matching it. “I got us a table at one of their restaurants. What do you say to sushi for dinner?”

“Sure, but I’ve never had it before,” he admits as he strides over.

“Me neither, but I’m sure we’ll like it.”

“Are you,” he teases, “or are you just looking for an excuse to stuff your face with salmon?”

“I plead the fifth,” I reply dryly. He chuckles before he reaches for me, but I step back before he can, maintaining the distance between us. “You need to shower.”

“After what we did in that parking lot, we both need to shower,” he replies as his eyes drop to my lips. My neck heats and he groans a little. “Come with me, Jewels.”

“No. Aiden …” I warn, but he’s too busy trying to get those hands on me. I push them away and press a hand to his chest when he tries again. His entire expression crumples.

“Please,” he begs, almost pouting. “Let me return the favour.”

I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a good deal to me,Alex inputs hungrily.

It sure did, but—“If I do, we won’t leave and then we’ll miss dinner.”

I push Aiden’s chest, ignoring both Alex and Aiden’s whining as I do.