CAPTURED INNOCENCE Read Online Free PDF Page A

window. She shook her head. I’m getting paranoid .
    After eight hours on her feet serving customers, and another hour rolling eating utensils inside napkins, Jo was more than ready to head home. She waved to Lilly and pushed the door open to step into a frigid wind. She jumped back as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle roared to a stop beside her.
    The driver removed his helmet and gave Jo a lopsided grin. “Want a ride?” Conley asked.
    She pulled her sweater tighter around her, and walked away. “No thanks.” She hunched over and stumbled headlong into the biting cold.
    He swung his leg over and hopped off the bike. “Come on. It’s cold out here. We could go get a cup of coffee.”
    Jo shook her head. “I’ve got to pick up Alex.”
    “Riding on my bike will be faster.”
    She stopped and glared at him. The wind picked up, pulling her hair free of the rubber band and whipping it around her face. With one hand, Jo held her sweater close and with the other, pulled her hair back. Her gaze clashed with Conley’s cobalt blue one. “Why is it so important to you that I be your friend?”
    He blinked. “I like you.”
    “How do you know? We’ve only just met.” She turned and marched away from him. “Go away.”
    “One cup.” He hopped and caught up with her.
    The pleading in his voice tugged at her heart. She sighed. “One cup, but I’m not getting on the back of that…thing. It’s too dangerous.”
    “It’s not dangerous. It’s exhilarating.”
    “I said no. Now, do you want me to have a cup of coffee with you or not?”
    “Okay.” He ran back, kicked up the kickstand and pushed the bike alongside her . A huge grin split his face.
    She laughed. “You’re like Alex. A little boy, nagging his mother for some candy after he’s been told he’s had enough.”
    “You’re as sweet as candy.” His gaze caressed her face.
    Her face grew warm despite the cold evening, and she turned away from him.
    They didn’t speak again until Conley held the coffee shop door open for her. “Your pleasure awaits, mi’lady.”
    The aroma of hot coffee and warm cinnamon buns hung in the air of the shop. Since she wasn’t paying, she decided to splurge and chose a frozen mocha drink with whipped cream. She chose a booth in the back and waited for Conley to join her.
    The forest green vinyl creaked beneath her as she settled into a comfortable position. The flecked Formica top shone with a heavy wax. Jo absently shoved the napkin dispenser to watch it slide.
    She glanced up and shook her head as Conley smiled and flirted with the young girl behind the counter. She couldn’t help but return his smile when he flashed one in her direction. The man definitely oozed charm.
    Conley set her frozen coffee before her. “Can’t understand why you want a cold coffee when it’s freezing outside.” He scooted into the booth. He wrapped his hands around his Styrofoam mug and blew into his hot coffee.
    Jo wrestled her gaze away from his lips.
    “I’ll tell you,” he said.
    Jo sucked on her straw. Sharp pain infused her sinuses , and she pinched the bridge of her nose against the ache. “Tell me what?”
    “Why I’m pursuing you.” He lifted the paper mug to his nose, and sniffed.
    “Pursuing me?” Despite her struggle to control the mounting fear, Jo’s voice squeaked.
    He unwrapped his hands from around the cup and leaned back. “Well, not really pursuing, but when I saw you the first time, I knew I had to help you. That you were more than just a job to me.”
    She o pened her mouth to reply and stopped. Over Conley’s shoulder, she caught a glimpse of a man with dark hair, standing by the door. The man turned, and Jo caught a quick look of his profile. She quickly registered the fact he sported a short beard and moustache. She frowned. If she could only get a look at his face.
    “What?” Conley looked over his shoulder.
    “That man by the door. I swear I saw him at the zoo yesterday, and I know he was at the