Page 12 of Claimed By Fur and Fangs

There was that pull again, that force I couldn’t resist. My heart skipped a beat, and before I knew it, I nodded. “Okay.”

As we got into the car, the soft hum of the engine filled the space, but the air between us felt electric. I could feel his presence beside me, his nearness making everything feel too intense. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, his gaze never leaving me for too long. It was as if he was watching me, studying me, trying to read every little shift in my expression.

“So, what’s your plan for dinner?” Aidan asked, breaking the silence. “I assume after a long day at the hospital, you must be starving.”

I glanced at him, my stomach betraying me with a soft growl of agreement. “I’m sure I could fix up something at home” I said, my voice quiet.

“Let me take you somewhere nice. You deserve it.”

“Uhm…” I muttered.

“Trust me. I know the place. I think you’ll like it,” he said, pulling onto a quieter street.

As we approached the restaurant, I blinked, my eyes widening as I saw the elegant building rise in front of us. The lights glittered from the windows, and the scent of rich food wafted toward me. The place looked... out of my league.

“I don’t think I can go in there,” I muttered under my breath. “I’m not exactly dressed for something like this. I’m in my scrubs.”

Aidan chuckled softly, turning to face me. “Amelia, I promise you, you’re perfect just the way you are. Don’t worry about the dress code.”

I hesitated, glancing down at my clothes, feeling completely out of place in this luxurious setting.

“I don’t know… are you sure they won’t bounce me out?”

“I own this place,” he smiled and shook his head, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

“You... what?” I turned to him, eyes wide in shock. “You own this restaurant?” My heart skipped a beat.

“Yes. I do. So, no worries about fitting in,” he nodded, his expression softening.

“You own it? This... this whole place?” I didn’t know whether to laugh or gape in disbelief.

“Yes, it’s one of my many ventures,” Aidan’s grin widened.

The car came to a stop, and he opened the door for me. As we walked in, the host greeted Aidan immediately with respect.

I was still trying to wrap my head around everything when Aidan led me to a private table tucked away in a quiet corner. The ambient light was soft, casting shadows around us, and the faint hum of classical music played in the background. It felt... intimate. Aidan’s eyes never left mine.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” I said, my voice small as I took my seat, feeling a little overwhelmed.

Aidan smiled as he sat across from me.

The waiter arrived with menus, but I barely glanced at mine, my mind still spinning. Aidan seemed completely at ease, like he belonged here, but I felt out of place.

“I’m not sure I’m dressed for this,” I admitted quietly, glancing at my scrubs.

He reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine. The touch was light but electrifying. His thumb moved gently over the back of my hand.

“You’re perfect, and you look beautiful just as you are” he whispered.

His words, laced with such genuine sincerity, made my heart flutter. The world outside seemed to blur, leaving just the two of us in the soft, candlelit glow of the restaurant. The tension between us was palpable, growing with each passing second. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.

“So,” he began, breaking the silence, his voice smooth and warm, “what would you like to eat?”

I looked down at the menu in my hands, but nothing jumped out at me. “I don’t know,” I admitted, feeling a little silly. “I’m kind of... overwhelmed. Everything sounds so fancy.”

Aidan chuckled softly, that deep, rich laugh that made something inside me stir.

“I get that. It can be a bit much at first,” he said, leaning forward just slightly, his voice lowering. “How about I suggest something?”

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