diff --git a/libp2p/network/stream/net_stream.py b/libp2p/network/stream/net_stream.py
index f4e078e..cac0d48 100644
--- a/libp2p/network/stream/net_stream.py
+++ b/libp2p/network/stream/net_stream.py
@@ -28,12 +28,13 @@ class NetStream(INetStream):
         """
         self.protocol_id = protocol_id
 
-    async def read(self) -> bytes:
+    async def read(self, n: int = -1) -> bytes:
         """
-        read from stream
-        :return: bytes of input until EOF
+        reads from stream
+        :param n: number of bytes to read
+        :return: bytes of input
         """
-        return await self.muxed_stream.read()
+        return await self.muxed_stream.read(n)
 
     async def write(self, data: bytes) -> int:
         """
diff --git a/libp2p/network/stream/net_stream_interface.py b/libp2p/network/stream/net_stream_interface.py
index 6bf25ea..43bbc53 100644
--- a/libp2p/network/stream/net_stream_interface.py
+++ b/libp2p/network/stream/net_stream_interface.py
@@ -22,9 +22,10 @@ class INetStream(ABC):
         """
 
     @abstractmethod
-    async def read(self) -> bytes:
+    async def read(self, n: int = -1) -> bytes:
         """
         reads from the underlying muxed_stream
+        :param n: number of bytes to read
         :return: bytes of input
         """
 
diff --git a/libp2p/stream_muxer/abc.py b/libp2p/stream_muxer/abc.py
index 0903633..5c11107 100644
--- a/libp2p/stream_muxer/abc.py
+++ b/libp2p/stream_muxer/abc.py
@@ -88,9 +88,10 @@ class IMuxedStream(ABC):
     mplex_conn: IMuxedConn
 
     @abstractmethod
-    async def read(self) -> bytes:
+    async def read(self, n: int = -1) -> bytes:
         """
         reads from the underlying muxed_conn
+        :param n: number of bytes to read
         :return: bytes of input
         """
 
diff --git a/libp2p/stream_muxer/mplex/mplex_stream.py b/libp2p/stream_muxer/mplex/mplex_stream.py
index 7fc1361..6df8227 100644
--- a/libp2p/stream_muxer/mplex/mplex_stream.py
+++ b/libp2p/stream_muxer/mplex/mplex_stream.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import asyncio
+from io import BytesIO
 
 from libp2p.stream_muxer.abc import IMuxedConn, IMuxedStream
 
@@ -19,6 +20,8 @@ class MplexStream(IMuxedStream):
     remote_closed: bool
     stream_lock: asyncio.Lock
 
+    _buf: bytes
+
     def __init__(self, stream_id: int, initiator: bool, mplex_conn: IMuxedConn) -> None:
         """
         create new MuxedStream in muxer
@@ -34,13 +37,33 @@ class MplexStream(IMuxedStream):
         self.local_closed = False
         self.remote_closed = False
         self.stream_lock = asyncio.Lock()
+        self._buf = None
 
-    async def read(self) -> bytes:
+    async def read(self, n: int = -1) -> bytes:
         """
         read messages associated with stream from buffer til end of file
+        :param n: number of bytes to read
         :return: bytes of input
         """
-        return await self.mplex_conn.read_buffer(self.stream_id)
+        if n == -1:
+            return await self.mplex_conn.read_buffer(self.stream_id)
+        return await self.read_bytes(n)
+
+    async def read_bytes(self, n: int) -> bytes:
+        if self._buf is None:
+            self._buf = await self.mplex_conn.read_buffer(self.stream_id)
+        n_read = 0
+        bytes_buf = BytesIO()
+        while self._buf is not None and n_read < n:
+            n_to_read = min(n - n_read, len(self._buf))
+            bytes_buf.write(self._buf[:n_to_read])
+            if n_to_read == n - n_read:
+                self._buf = self._buf[n_to_read:]
+            else:
+                self._buf = None
+                self._buf = await self.mplex_conn.read_buffer(self.stream_id)
+            n_read += n_to_read
+        return bytes_buf.getvalue()
 
     async def write(self, data: bytes) -> int:
         """