Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

It's been a bad week topped off by the worse day ever. To finish it off, the elevator breaks down between floors, trapping both Makenna and Caden in it with a broken emergency phone. But neither got more than a hint of the other before the power goes out leaving them both Hearts in Darkness as well as stuck in this 'small' box with Caden's worst fear (claustrophobia).

Makenna James thinks her day can’t get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he’s terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he’s trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

Makenna James has three brothers, and growing up in a household of men, it was no surprise that she was a tomboy until college. And this is why she adjusted so well to being the only woman at her accounting firm. She is a forensic accountant, which is like doing declarative work in accounts and businesses for investigations.

 

Caden Grayson is a paramedic. He does like to help people, but much of it also has to do with the auto accident he was in when a child where he lost his mother and younger brother. The accident, scars from surgeries and pain/guilt from loosing his brother and mother are also why he has tattoos and piercings. Between looking so different from most people and having issues over and about his past has made Caden a bit of a loner. He is even embarrassed to admit to his claustrophobia when stuck in the elevator with Makenna.

 

Makenna is in the building for work, Caden to close his father's estate. But both getting stuck in the elevator seems more like fate than chance or luck. Despite looking very different on the outside, by being force to spend time together without knowing what the other looks like, and everything that goes with that, they learn they have many things in common. From favorite music to both having lost their mothers when young to similar humor. But the attraction between them is even more amazing. But what will happen after power is restored and the lights come on is the big question...

 

Will Makenna be able to look beyond Caden's outside appearance? And will Caden be able to come out of his shell and try for more with Makenna?

 

In Hearts in Darkness, both Caden and Makenna are both nicely mixed characters, like real people tend to be. Caden has some serious issues from his past, the accident and loosing his brother and mother during it. This makes him a wonder hero type. But he is also strong in several ways: him being a paramedic and helping other people, not wanting to burden others with his problems, and wanting to be sure to remember those he lost. Makenna seems to be an overly strong, modern woman. Working in a male dominate field, only with other men, not only as an accountant but also in investigations, etc. But she has her weaknesses as well: worrying about whether her humor is offensive, if she is attractive, too forward, and such (some typical female issues). These two not only compliment each other, but I think they are even 'cute' together.

 

Hearts in Darkness is SO much more than just a quick, erotic meeting in an elevator. While these two only meet for the first time during the elevator break-down, they do spend time talking and getting to know one another. This is not just about hot stranger sex (although I will admit that element is mixed in here). This is a nice, full story with background mixed in and character development (in novella length). Hearts in Darkness even leaves us with a smile and some of that warm fuzzy feeling we all love. A definite recommended read.