Page 235 of Alpha Mates

The shower stream cuts off, and I hear the tug of the curtain rings against the rod as Julian steps out. I work quicker, yanking the quilt into place and fluffing the pillows so he can sink into a freshly made bed when he’s ready.

Dinner had been great, but Julian had tired soon after eating, and after everything I’d put him through, I need to take care of him and make sure he gets his rest.

“A-Aiden.”

I jerk and turning sharply, wondering how in Goddess’s name he got dressed so fast, but that question dies the second I see my mate. My stunning … beautiful … mate.

Julian stands just outside the bathroom door, skin flushed from the hot water, damp hair draped past his shoulders. He’s wearing my clothes—my shirt and my underwear, and nothing else. Fuck.

We haven’t done anything beyond hug in almost a month, something I hadn’t even realised until now ’cause it hadn’t been on my mind. I was happy just to have him close, to have us mending what we’d broken. Being intimate hadn’t crossed my mind. But now, looking at him …

“Yeah?” I manage, voice straining as my gaze travels down, over his arms, down his long legs, and back up to where his cheeks pinken.

“Can we sleep together tonight?” he asks, twisting his fingers in front of him. “Please?”

Julian’s heart batters his chest like a drum, but it’s nothing compared to mine.

“Okay,” I say, instead of the shout I actually want to let out, but it’s still a little quick and hopeful.

His head snaps up, eyes wide. I smile at him and all that tension drains as he inches his way over. He takes his time, hesitant, but that fear evaporates when I open my arms. Then, Julian’s running and I’m right there to catch him as he dives for me, sending us down to the bed as he does.

Happiness blooms inside of me, spreading throughout my soul and body before seeping into our bond as Julian scales me without shame. I laugh against him as I tug him closer, rubbing my head against his as he snuggles me and settles exactly where he belongs.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am loving this,” I whisper against his ear after a few minutes. “But how am I supposed to turn the lights off with you clinging to me, Jewels.”

Julian shivers against me, humming, though it sounds like a purr. “You’re an alpha, right? Use that self-proclaimed strength and figure it out.”

“Smartass,” I mutter under my breath as I squeeze his waist. He chuckles, but stays where he is, and I’m glad for it. I want him close, always.

With Jewels in my arms, I slide off the bed and make my rounds of turning off the lights and locking up before I bring us back to bed. I lay him down carefully before I join him, and Julian’s quick to claim me again the momentI do. He fixes me on my back so that he can latch onto me, with a leg over mine and an arm around my waist.

I follow suit, squeezing him in tight as I nuzzle him, sighing with contentment when I feel him do the same.

“Good night, Jewels,” I whisper against the top of his head.

“Good night, Aiden,” he whispers back sleepily with a surge of euphoria that courses through our bond. It passes over me like a wave, bringing with it a rippling current of serenity that sends me straight to sleep.

My eyes settle on Julian the moment I open them and refuse to move. I stare at him; stare because I can’t do anything else with him this close and perfect andmine.

A smile creeps across my lips as I thread my fingers through his long hair. His closed eyes twitch when he nestles deeper into me, his head tucked into the crook of my neck. Still sleeping, he breathes slow and steady, and each exhale sends a teasing pulse of warmth through me.

I could stay like this forever. Holding him, watching him. And sure, that soundscreepy, but I can’t bring myself to give a fuck.

I get to enjoy him for a little longer before he stirs, waking with a soft mewl that virtually cracks my chest open. He wiggles around a bit, stretching his limbs out before folding back into me with a contented sigh.

Unaware of the creepy admirer in his midst, his lips curl into a faint smile as his eyes flutter open and take in our position. He tightens his grip on my arm, inhales deeply. His eyes trail over me, slowly making their way up to my face, only to freeze when they catch mine already fixed on him.

His heart stops, the excited beating literally pausing as he stares at me with those gorgeous blue eyes, and then,Goddess have mercy, his cheeks turn pink.

“Morning,” he mumbles before he hides himself back into the crook of my neck.

“Good morning,” I say, biting my lip so I don’t laugh. I trace my fingers lazily up and down his spine instead as I hold him. “How did you sleep?”

“Good,” he replies. “You?”

“Great.” I press a kiss to his head. “Thinking I’ll do some work outside today,” I add. “You can get some more rest, but there’s also the odd book or two laying around here somewhere.”

Julian immediately sits up, the embarrassment long gone as he frowns down at me.