Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Camila POV

The walk to a quieter spot felt like miles. Each step made my heart thud harder in my chest, and I couldn’t tell if it was nerves or the fact that I was voluntarily putting myself through this. Maybe both.

Once we were far enough from the group of nosy idiots, I turned to face Ethan, determined to get this over with. My mouth opened, and before I could stop myself, words just started spilling out.

“Okay, first off, I feel like my reaction to you that night was completely justified,” I began, gesturing wildly with the coffee cup in my hand. “I mean, any sane, normal person would’ve been creeped out finding a guy following them, only for said guy to turn into something… something not exactly human.”

Ethan blinked, his expression blank, and it made me even more nervous. Why wasn’t he saying anything? Did he not agree? Oh God, was he offended?

“And, like, can you blame me?” I barreled on, unable to stop the verbal diarrhea. “It’s not every day you see someone transform into…” I trailed off, realizing I had no idea how to finish that sentence without sounding like I had lost my

mind.

Ethan just stood there, hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze unwavering. If he had any reaction to my rambling, he

sure as hell wasn’t showing it.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “Look, I’m just saying, if I freaked out, it’s because literally anyone in my

position would’ve done the same thing. So… yeah.”

Smooth. Real smooth, Camila.

Why was I even nervous? It wasn’t like he was going to bite me- though, technically, he could. Maybe it was the fact that there was a very real chance the boy standing in front of me liked me. And for someone who had gone through her

entire school life without receiving so much as a folded love note, this was uncharted territory.

Finally, I decided to cut my losses and get to the point. “But… after everything that happened, I still owe you my life,” I muttered, my voice softening. I held out the coffee cup toward him, deliberately avoiding his gaze. “So… thank you.”

Ethan’s eyes widened, and for the first time since we started this awkward little conversation, his expression shifted. “Is this for me?” he asked, his voice quieter than I expected.

“You look tired,” I explained, shrugging one shoulder. “I thought this might help. I hope you don’t mind coffee.”

His lips twitched, the smallest of smiles forming as he took the cup from my hands. He stared at it like it was some kind of rare artifact. I don’t mind,” he murmured, his tone carrying a hint of warmth I hadn’t heard before.

Just as I was about to relax, a loud voice called out from the direction of his friends. “Did she just give you coffee?”

Another one chimed in, “Didn’t you tell her you hate that stuff?”

I stiffened, heat rushing to my face. Of course, they had to make this more humiliating than it already was.

‘Don’t be fooled by his appearance!” someone else hollered, their tone full of laughter. “He’s a total sweet tooth!”

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Chapter 61

Their laughter echoed, and I could feel the blush creeping up my neck. If the ground could’ve swallowed me whole at that moment, I would’ve gladly let it.

Ethan turned his head slightly, glaring over his shoulder at the group. “Ignore them, he muttered, shaking his head. Then, to my surprise, he looked back at me and added, “It’s my favorite.”

now.”

I blinked. “Since when?”

His lips curved into a full–blown grin, and for the first time, I noticed the dimples on either side of his face. “Since

He beamed down at the coffee cup like it was the best gift anyone had ever given him. Meanwhile, I was left staring at him Jike an idiot, trying to figure out how someone could go from intimidating to annoyingly charming in the span of three seconds.

“Dimples,” I mumbled under my breath, barely realizing I had spoken aloud.

“What?” he asked, his brow arching slightly.

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