Page 11 of Swipe Right on the Alpha
The tender gesture, more than anything that had preceded it, made something flutter dangerously in Aiden’s chest. He wasn’t used to this—the quiet intimacy after passion, the feeling of being truly seen rather than just desired.
“I should get cleaned up,” he said, suddenly needing a moment of space to process the unfamiliar emotions.
Dylan nodded, releasing him reluctantly. “Bathroom’s through there. Towels in the cabinet.”
In the privacy of the bathroom, Aiden examined his reflection as he cleaned himself. His hair was a disaster, lips swollen from kissing, and several marks were already forming on his neck and collarbone where Dylan’s mouth had been particularly enthusiastic.
What am I doing?he wondered, the reality of the situation hitting him.This was supposed to be another dating adventure for content. Not… whatever this is becoming.
When he returned to the bedroom, Dylan had cleaned himself up as well and pulled on a pair of loose pajama pants. He stood by the window, staring out at the moon with an unreadable expression.
“Everything okay?” Aiden asked, suddenly aware he was still naked while Dylan had covered up.
Dylan turned, his expression clearing as he took in Aiden’s state of undress. “More than okay,” he said, moving to pull back the covers on the bed. “Stay tonight?”
The invitation was casual but Aiden heard the importance behind it. He hesitated only briefly before nodding. “I’d like that. Though I should warn you I’m a shameless blanket thief.”
“I run hot anyway,” Dylan said with a small smile, patting the space beside him. “And I’m told I’m like a furnace to sleep next to.”
“Convenient,” Aiden said, sliding into the bed and immediately appreciating the high thread count of the sheets. “Though I’m not sure how much sleeping will happen if round two is anything like round one.”
Dylan’s arm came around him, pulling him against a chest that was indeed radiating heat like a personal furnace. “Let’s rest first,” he suggested, pressing a kiss to Aiden’s temple. “The night is young.”
As Aiden drifted toward sleep, comfortable and sated in Dylan’s embrace, a stray thought crossed his mind:I haven’t checked my phone or updated my followers once tonight. And I don’t even care.
That realization should have alarmed him. Instead, it felt strangely like freedom.
Chapter 6
Aiden woke to early morning sunlight streaming through the windows and the enticing smell of coffee and bacon. He stretched languidly, his body pleasantly sore in ways that brought vivid memories of the night’s activities flooding back.
Three rounds,he recalled with a mixture of pride and disbelief.The man has supernatural stamina.
He located his boxer briefs and borrowed one of Dylan’s t-shirts, which hung almost to mid-thigh on his leaner frame. Following the sounds and smells, he made his way to the kitchen where Dylan stood at the stove, his back to Aiden.
The morning light emphasized the powerful lines of Dylan’s body—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, muscles shifting beneath tanned skin as he moved. He wore only low-hanging sweatpants, his feet bare against the hardwood floor, hair still mussed from sleep and Aiden’s hands.
This is a dangerous sight to wake up to,Aiden thought, his body already responding despite the thorough workout it had received hours earlier.I could get used to this view.
The thought was alarming in its sincerity. Getting attached wasn’t part of Aiden’s brand or his carefully maintained emotional defenses.
Dylan turned before Aiden could announce his presence, a smile spreading across his face. “Morning,” he said, eyes traveling appreciatively over Aiden in his borrowed shirt. “Coffee’s ready.”
“You heard me coming?” Aiden asked, accepting the mug Dylan offered.
A strange expression flickered across Dylan’s face. “Something like that.”
Over breakfast—perfectly cooked bacon, eggs, and toast—they fell into surprisingly easy conversation. Dylan asked about Aiden’s plans for the day, and Aiden found himself reluctant to leave despite having a sponsored post deadline looming.
“I should probably head back soon,” he said eventually, regret evident in his voice. “I have content to edit and post by this evening.”
Dylan nodded, though disappointment was clear in his expression. “Will you tell them about this? Your followers?”
The question held weight beyond simple curiosity. Aiden considered it carefully. “Not everything,” he said finally. “Some things I want to keep just for us.”
The smile that spread across Dylan’s face was worth the small sacrifice of content. “I’d like that.”
As Aiden gathered his things to leave, Dylan seemed increasingly agitated, checking his watch and glancing out windows with the same restlessness he’d displayed the previous evening.
