Page 28 of The Innocent

Oh my God!

Her mouth fell open as her eyes skated over the name of the club. Killcreek Drifters MC. It was Zane’s biker club. Holy shit! What were the chances? She inched closer, looking over the men. She couldn’t see their faces, but when the man on the end turned to the guy next to him, she gasped and covered her hand over her mouth.

It’s him!

Imogene stared, caught in a trance. She’d never seen him in outside clothes. Her gaze travelled over his profile. His beard was a bit longer, but his head was still completely shaved. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she’d stared at him enough to know they were a dark shade of blue. I memorized those eyes.

Imogene tripped slightly when they moved closer to their motorcycles. They were leaving? What do I do? She hadn’t expected to ever see him again. She’d hoped but knew the probability was low. Could this be fate? Maybe.

He grabbed his helmet from the handlebars. Make a choice. She only had seconds before he’d take off. Could she really stand by and let this opportunity pass? This could be the only chance she ever got. Freaking take it!

“Zane!” she tried to shout, but her voice cracked.

Dammit! Her nerves were getting the best of her. She lengthened her steps.

“Zane!” She shouted again, but between the cars whipping down the road and the music from the outside speakers at the club, it was possible he hadn’t heard her.

But…

He stilled and looked across the street briefly then swung his leg over his seat. Shit! In prison, they used formal names. But she’d heard several inmates use his road name, and it was on his paperwork. What was it? She racked her brain, as she moved in on the bikes. It was something clever tying him and Xander together. What was it? Two of the men started their engines, which triggered her brain, and she shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Jekyll!”

All five bikers turned to look in her direction, but she kept her eyes locked on him. Heat rose from her chest to her cheeks within seconds. He squinted, then his eyes darkened, and his jaw squared. He was just as handsome as she remembered. Maybe not in the classic sense, but this man had a harsh, rugged allure. It was impossible to resist. At least for Imogene.

I can’t believe it’s him!

She waved, unable to keep her smile at bay. He hadn’t said a word as she approached, but the motorcycles shut down, and the road became eerily quiet. She glanced over at the other four men. Their stares matched Jekyll’s, and none were welcoming. She stopped a few feet away and shifted on her feet, drawing her gaze back to him.

“Hi!” Her high pitched tone did nothing to conceal her excitement.

He was someone she’d thought of often but never imagined they’d cross paths again. But here he is.

Jekyll didn’t say a word. He stared as if looking at a stranger.

Does he not remember me? It had been quite a few months, six to be exact. It wasn’t very long to keep a memory of a person he’d seen a couple times a week. Or maybe it was if that person wasn’t very memorable to him.

He continued to stare, silently. The lines between his brows cut deep, and his lips were tightened in a flat line.

Uh-oh. This wasn’t good. What do I do?

At this point, she couldn’t simply walk away. She cleared her throat to speak but flattened her lips when he pulled off his helmet. He hooked it over his handlebar and stood, swinging his leg over his seat, turning to face her. They were only four feet apart. He still hadn’t said anything, and she didn’t have anything planned out. I didn’t think this through, but an introduction was a good start.

She rested her hand over her chest, and his gaze dropped to her breasts.

“Hi! I don’t know if you remember me.” She gulped. “I worked in the prison library. And um, you were in a few of my classes that I taught there.”

His gaze lifted, meeting her stare. But he continued to remain silent. He had a larger presence with his leather vest and street clothes. He’d been an intimidating figure in prison, but it didn’t compare to him on the outside. He seemed taller and more muscular. A bit more dangerous and brutal. And so incredibly sexy.

Focus!

“I-I um.” She swallowed the knot in her throat and dropped her gaze to the ground. This was embarrassing. “I made cupcakes on your last day for you and Xander before your release. You didn’t take one at first, but…” Her voice trailed off.

So this is what it’s like to crash and burn?

“I remember you.” He growled.

Her gaze shot up. A bubble of giddy excitement rushed to her stomach, and her smile widened, uncontrollably.