.16. Is this a date?

"I don't want to involve myself in your private life, but who was that prick? I mean, it's okay if you don't want to answer, just wondering," Aiden smiled awkwardly, trying to hide the rage he felt. His hands gripped the steering wheel, eyes dead set on the road ahead.
The male couldn't understand how someone as bright as Camilla could be hated- for whatever reason was there.

"That prick was someone whom I called my best friend for years. He was my only friend if I have to be absolutely honest. People change, and that's completely okay, I'll be out of this hell hole soon enough." Camilla leaned against the cold car window, silently fighting off the tears. She didn't want to seem weak around Aiden, especially after he stood up for her. Nobody had ever done such a thing for Camilla, and she was genuinely grateful for meeting the man.
A hand placed on hers startled Camilla. Aiden smiled at her warmly and squeezed her hand as if silently trying to tell her that things would get better. Camilla knew that sooner or later, it would, but she wanted everything to end sooner.

Aiden cleared his throat before he spoke: "So about that dinner. Can I take you out, please? What kind of a *boyfriend* would I be if I wouldn't take my sugarplum out? Can't let the beauty starve," he winked at her, putting an extra emphasis on a word boyfriend.

Camilla burst out laughing, nodding her head like a maniac. She had never been out with a guy before; the young woman could feel a panic attack creeping on her.

"Is this a date?" Camilla finally gathered the courage to confront Aiden. She noticed the slight blush appearing on his cheeks and screamed internally. Would this really be her first date? With a guy like Aiden? Was he blind? *I mean he's obviously not blind, but why me?* Camilla kept questioning his intentions silently. He didn't seem like the type of guy who lacks attention from females.

"I mean, yeah. That is, if you want to," Aiden moved his hand from hers to the back of his neck. Camilla found his mere distress rather cute.

"I'd love to. After dinner, we can go to my house and watch some movies?" Camilla didn't want to have a short date with Aiden; she wanted to get to know him more. Just a few hours seemed to be a way too short a period of time to ask enough questions.

"Sounds like a plan, princess," Aiden grinned, pulling in the parking lot of a small pizza place.
"Sorry, this is the only place which is open at this hour," he apologized, but by the awed look on Camilla's face, the male understood that he hit the jackpot. A woman happy for a date in a small pizza place was a woman worth holding on to. In Aiden's eyes, Camilla was not only beautiful but humble- the perfect combination for the ideal woman.

He got out of the car first and ran around it to open the passenger door and help Camilla out. He threw his arm around her neck and pulled her in. Camilla eyed the male, but his nod at the window of the pizzeria explained more than a thousand words.

There he was- the founder of her nightmares, Zane Snow. He and a group of his friends sat across the table, laughing and enjoying their drinks.

"Princess, I can cook something for you at home, if you don't want to go in there," Aiden offered, turning her body to face him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in, leaning to her ear and whispering: "Or we can go in there. Maybe it's time for you to show those pricks that you aren't bothered by their games. What do you think?"

Camilla smiled and nodded her head; she was ready. If not today, then not ever, she would gather the courage to stand in front of her bullies with a head held high. Aiden hugged her tighter and chuckled.

He leaned back, placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and let go of her, once again throwing an arm over her shoulder. Wolves are territorial beings; this was Aiden's way to show off that Camilla was off-limits.
"Let's go, my wildflower," Aiden grinned.

As they entered the pizzeria, all eyes were on them, making Aiden feel like he hit the jackpot once again. But who wouldn't feel like that? Camilla was the definition of beauty- inside and out, and Lord that body. Aiden couldn't get his eyes off the girl since the moment he first saw her.

"Should we find a table?" Camilla asked him, biting onto her lip nervously. She felt how her hands started to tremble in fear, Zane's gaze burning holes in her body.

"No way, *babe*, we're taking one home. Movies night," Aiden spoke loudly, emphasizing the word babe. Nobody among shifters felt ashamed of showing off their relationship in public. Even though Camilla felt a little uneasy, she gladly played along with him.

Aiden leaned down and kissed her lush lips, preventing Camilla from biting her lip even more. A low growl formed in his chest as they broke the kiss: "Don't do that in public. This is only for my and my only eyes to see," he smirked, being way too good at acting like a jealous boyfriend. Aiden took off his jacket and put it on Camilla's shoulders, zipping it closed. "And this," he extended a finger at her breasts: "This also is for my eyes only. Behave, princess."
Aiden winked and led Camilla to the counter.

A friendly looking brunette waved at them, flashing a million-dollar smile as she spoke: "Good evening, what can I get for you, lovebirds?"

The woman's remark made Camilla blush. Aiden pushed out his chest, feeling pride for their fantastic teamwork as an actor.
The time he spent with Camilla was truly refreshing, but Aiden would lie if he would say that Zane's hatred gaze didn't amuse him.

"Good evening, miss," Aiden smiled at the woman.
"I think I'll take large bacon with extra bacon and two cans of Pepsi. What would you like, princess?" Aiden turned his attention to Camilla and slid his hand into the pocket of the back of her jeans. They had a show to put on, and being the extra touchy, yet aggressive boyfriend was a role made for him.

"Can I get a small cheese pizza, please? And two cans of Pepsi," she ordered and looked up at Aiden, who smirked, approving her choice.

"Would that be all?" the kind woman wrote down their order and leaned against the counter.

"Yes, that would be all. Wrap it up, please, we won't be staying here." Aiden smiled and handed the woman a hundred dollar bill. Her eyes widened as she rushed to the cash register to get the leftover money back to the male.
"Keep the change, consider it a tip for making my *girlfriend* smile," Aiden called out, once again showing off their fake relationship.

They heard a loud thud behind them, but none gave any attention to what was happening. They were too busy enjoying the time together and staring into each other's eyes. Even though they both knew that their relationship was faker than a plastic barbie, they looked like the perfect couple for everyone around.

"Would you like to sit down while your order is getting prepared? I can take the ready meal to your car if the place seems too crowded for both of you," the same woman approached them again, winking at Aiden as she spoke.

"You know what, we will wait in the car, thank you. The red Dodge Ram," Aiden pointed at his car to make sure that the woman wouldn't mess anything up.

She smiled and nodded, whispering a thank you for the generous tip.

Aiden took Camilla by her hand and led her out. As they passed a table, Aiden noticed heated gazes, turned towards the group of guys sitting there, and nodded, flashing a smile at them. "Have a good evening, boys," he added before opening the door for Camilla.

As they neared the car, Camilla sighed- the heels were killing her feet. Definitely not a part of a perfect first date.
Aiden stopped as if a mysterious stop sign appeared out of nowhere and turned around to look at Camilla. He seemed to be genuinely worried when he leaned down and asked: "what is it, princess?"

"My feet, the fucking heels are killing me," Camilla didn't try to deny her being in pain. Heels were Hell invited by men to torture women.

"Yeah, that's not a type of language which beautiful women should use," Aiden took his chance and smacked her ass playfully, earning a yelp from Camilla. The powerful growl from the pizzeria threw more fuel into his fire.

"They're staring at us, aren't they?" she whispered, too afraid to look over her shoulder and meet the eyes of her bully.

Aiden shrugged his shoulders and leaned to her ear: "they are, princess. Now, how about we put on a little show for those bastards?"

The wicked smile on Camilla's face meant only one thing- she was in for a challenge and ready to play along.

Aiden picked her up bridal style and carried her to his car. He gently placed Camilla on the car's hood and took off her shoes, making her laugh. The male unlocked his car and threw shoes in, walking back to the Goddess, who smiled whenever their eyes met.
He inched closer to Camilla and parted her thighs, positioning his hips in between them. Aiden's hands slid to her hips and pulled her closer against his body. "Sho must go on," Aiden whispered and crashed his lips against hers. Camilla yelped in surprise, and Aiden took a chance to thrust his tongue into her mouth. After a way too heated make-out session, their lips finally parted, both rested foreheads against each other's, panting for breath.

"God, I fucking love kissing you," Aiden snarled and grabbed sides of her head, crashing their lips back together. She wrapped her arms around his neck, their bodies pressed against each other with no space left in between. It was evident that those kisses were more than just a show- a flame burned between them, none of both were faking the attraction.

"I so fucking want to take you home now," Aiden growled against her lips, gently biting her lower lip, then tracing his tongue over it in a teasing manner.

"How about our food, *baby*? I', still quite hungry, and your cooking is shit." Camilla was the one to emphasize words now. She loved the tense atmosphere in the air and gazes, throwing daggers at them.

"Well, excuse you then. At least I'm trying to cook, unlike someone who keeps wiggling her half-naked ass in my face. Would you know that special woman who loves to tease me? You know, the one with a body of a Goddes, fucking crazy nymphomaniac? I'm not sure, but I think her name starts with C... She might be my girlfriend. But to stop us arguing, I offer my love as a bribe. Or my body, whichever suits your likings best," Aiden placed a hand on his heart for an extra dramatic look, a grin on his face growing with each word.

"Nope, I don't know her. But I could settle for the body if you're so kind to offer. And I'll cook for you. How does beef lasagna sound, would that be proper enough for dinner? You can set the table while I cook, we can recreate a restaurant at home, so our date doesn't fail," Camilla honestly didn't want their date to end on a bad note. Aiden could see the sincerity in her eyes, this time he smiled with warmth. But the fact that Camilla brought up Zane's favorite food was like a cherry on top of the cake. She knew how much that asshole loved her lasagna since he never ate one cooked by other staff members, cooks, or his mother.

"Sure, princess, everything for you. Need a hand or hands?" He stepped away from Camilla, waiting to get the hint. To his surprise, she caught up with his idea faster than he thought.

"Hands please," the woman blushed.
Aiden positioned his hands under her ass and pulled Camilla against his chest. She wrapped her legs around his torso and rested her head on his shoulder. To her surprise, she didn't care if Zane and his stupid friends looked at them anymore. She felt safe in Aiden's hands, even somewhat loved. The warmth of his body calmed her down. With her, still, on his arms, Aide got into the driver's seat and pulled her deeper into his lap. Camilla was straddling him as a real girlfriend would.

Aiden eyed the pizza house entrance and noticed the woman rushing towards his car with bags in her hands. As she ran out of the door- Zane and his friends followed her.

"Don't leave; I got your order!" The woman yelled, trying to catch Aiden's attention. The male rolled down the window and smirked, enjoying the pissed off Alpha-to- be sending death glares his way.

"Look, baby, you don't need to cook today. Let's set back the lasagna evening when we move to the new pack, shall we?" Aiden grinned, he was just a step away from challenging the Alpha's son, and the male had no other intention than to piss him off.

The woman handed Aiden their order and wished both a great evening to what Aiden whispered: "Oh, trust me, I'll have more than a great evening, if you know what I mean," and winked at the flushed woman. Another terrifying growl filled the silent parking lot. Aiden looked at Zane, a triumph visible on his face as he watched the couple of men holding back Alpha-to-be.

"Are we going home? Still the original plan for the evening?" the woman in Aiden's lap asked, her voice sleepy. She sounded cuter than a cub.

"Yeah, now we can go home. I came up with a better plan, though," Aiden grinned. He was definitely a man who loved to challenge others, since the moment when they arrived in the parking lot, Aiden did everything to piss Zane off.

"What's the plan, babe?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Secret," Aiden faked, closing an imaginary zipper on his lips.

Camilla stirred in Aiden's lap and pecked his lips in gratitude. She didn't expect him to grab the sides of her face and to smash their lips together, kissing her with such passion. It made her knees tremble. When they parted, Aiden suddenly spoke up.
"Ever heard a saying- save a horse, ride a cowboy?" He wiggled his eyebrows, smiling like a maniac.

Before Camilla could utter a word, a low growl shook the ground underneath them; someone stomped towards them in rage.

"You motherfucker!" the person snarled.