Page 13 of Claimed By Fur and Fangs

I nodded, feeling a little relieved that he didn’t expect me to know what to order. “Sure.”

“How about you try theFilet Mignon Rossini?” he suggested.

“It’s one of the best dishes here—tender filet mignon with foie gras, truffle oil, and a rich demi-glace. It’s indulgent, but you deserve something special tonight.” he added.

“You really think I should try that?” I asked, my voice hesitant.

“Trust me,” he said, his smile growing warmer. “I’m sure you’ll love it.”

I didn’t even hesitate after that. “Okay, I’ll have that then.”

Minutes later, the waiter arrived with two elegantly plated Filet Mignon Rossini dishes.

“Ready to try it?” he asked.

I nodded, my mouth watering in anticipation...

“This is... incredible,” I breathed, looking up at Aidan, my voice full of surprise. “It tastes so good. I’ve never had anything like this before.”

Aidan’s smile softened as he watched me. “I’m glad you like it,” he said, his voice low, almost intimate. “It’s one of my favorites too.”

“This really is something else,” I said, my words coming out slower now as I savored each bite. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a meal this good.”

Aidan’s gaze never left mine, the weight of his attention making me feel exposed in the best way possible.

“I’m glad I could show you something new,” he replied, his voice soft, almost like he was savoring the moment too. “It’s not just about the food, you know. It’s about sharing these experiences. With someone you care about.”

The words hit me harder than I expected, sending a rush of warmth through me, and it felt like he was saying more than just the obvious—something deeper we both knew but hadn’t said yet.

As we ate in silence, the tension grew, and I realized—whatever this was, it was a connection I wasn’t ready for but couldn’t resist.

“Tell me, Amelia,” he said, his voice low and warm, “why did you decide to become a nurse?”

“It’s... it’s a long story,” I began, my voice softer than I intended. “But I guess it all started when my brother died.” My chest tightened at the thought of him, the memories flooding back with brutal clarity. I took a breath, steadying myself. “It wasn’t supposed to happen. It was a mistake... by a doctor.”

Aidan’s expression softened, his eyes narrowing with something that felt like understanding

“My brother... went into the hospital for a routine procedure, he was epileptic. But... something went wrong. The doctor made a mistake, he gave him the wrong injection and that was it. My brother never came home.”

I paused, the weight of the words pressing down on me, the familiar ache in my chest making it hard to breathe. I couldn’t stop the wave of emotion that washed over me, the years of anger, of loss, rising up to the surface.

“I was there when it happened. My brother died in my arms” I continued, my voice shaking slightly. “I couldn’t save him. My family was unable to recover after his death. After that, I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t let other people suffer the way we did. I became a nurse, so I could make sure no one else had to go through what my family did.”

“I’m sorry, Amelia,” he said quietly. “I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you. But I think... I think that’s one of the most selfless things I’ve ever heard. You turned your pain into something that helps others.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, not really knowing what else to say.

Aidan smiled, the look in his eyes softening. He reached across the table, his hand brushing mine again, the touch grounding me, steadying me. “I think you’re incredible, Amelia,” he said, his voice low, almost reverent. “And I’m really glad I got to meet you.”

“I’m glad we met too,” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Aidan drove me home in silence, the soft hum of the car filling the space between us. When we reached my apartment, he parked and turned to face me, his gaze soft yet intense. He reached into the backseat and pulled out a small bouquet of fresh flowers. The vibrant colors of the petals were striking against the dim light in the car.

“I wanted to give these to you earlier, at the hospital,” Aidan said quietly, his voice almost hesitant. “But I didn’t get the chance. I thought it might be a nice way to end the night.”

I took the flowers from him, brushing my fingers against his. The warmth of his touch lingered even after he pulled back, and my heart skipped a beat. It was such a simple gesture, but it carried so much weight.

“Thank you,” I whispered, a smile tugging at my lips.

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