JADEN
DARK HEART SERIES BOOK ONE
1
SENNA
“Enjoy your evening, Ms. Lloyd.”
Stretching a perfect smile, the hotel clerk hands me the key card.
“I hope you’ll find your stay as pleasant as ever,” he says.
For a moment, I study him suspiciously. The man looks at me, a grin beaming in his eyes.
I detect nothing.
Chill, Senna, for fuck’s sake.
“I will,” I say dryly, snatching up the key card and pulling away from the reception desk.
Pacing myself, I stroll across the lobby, my four-inch heels click-clacking against the polished floors all the way to the elevator.
The doors pull open with a quiet hiss.
I step in and press the floor number. As the doors slide shut, I examine my reflection in the wall mirror.
“Not bad,” I murmur to myself, running my eyes down, and checking my body.
The tailored black dress sets off my hourglass silhouette, the push-up bra exposing my cleavage. A black wool jacket drapes over my shoulders, adding a touch of subtle elegance.
I should dress like this more often.
A mischievous smile glints in my eyes, a chuckle falling from my lips.
I cut my eyes up and inspect the ceiling.
I can’t believe I’m giggling by myself. I bet security cameras are hidden beneath the panels, and I’m here laughing and talking to myself.
Looking like an idiot.
Dressed like a femme fatale, snickering like a girl.
Now that’s a catchy headline for my website.
I look up again. I bet some nerd just choked on his peanut butter sandwich, ogling me on the live feed. Lowering my eyes, I try to keep my mug under control.
What is wrong with me?
To distract myself, I go back to studying my reflection.
A long curtain of shiny, chocolate hair frames my oval face, setting off my full lips and whiskey-colored eyes.
'A face made for sin,' my grandma used to say, way before I had the slightest idea what she meant by that. I hadn’t even been kissed when she uttered that pearl of wisdom.
Frances Lloyd was a smart woman, way ahead of her time. She knew what was lying dormant in me despite me being only a kid at the time. She saw it before anyone else could, and she sure had known it before I did.
Ironically, she ended up being blamed by my family for my wrongdoings. Not that she gave a flying crap. Besides, no one dared to say it to her face.