Devon Archer - Love is in the Air

Final destination: Desire

Weekend reporter Holly Kendall isn’t looking for a mile-high romance when she boards a first-class flight home to Houston. Busy with work commitments, the one thing she can’t do is let anything sidetrack her. But Anderson Gunn, the sensual legal consultant sitting next to her on the plane, is one irresistible distraction. And once they land on solid ground, their attraction soars.

Holly’s passionate heart overrules her practical mind—until she discovers that Anderson’s exactly the kind of player she vowed to stay away from. An ex-fiancée is just one of the skeletons in Anderson’s closet, but he’s given up his heartbreaking ways. Yet convincing Holly that he’s a changed man is next to impossible. Will his past mistakes cost him a future with the woman of his dreams?

He put a hand to his chin.

“So you think you have me

all figured out, huh?”

“I don’t know about that, but at least the music.”

“A good start,” he said. “I’ll be happy to fill in the blanks whenever you like.”

“Good. I plan to hold you to that,” she promised.

At the moment, he would have just settled for holding her. The thought of their bodies touching had a rippling effect through Anderson, causing his temperature to rise. Was she feeling the vibe, too?

After the meal, Anderson walked Holly to her car. He wanted more than anything to kiss her. Something told him she felt the same.

He leaned in slowly and grazed her lips.

Holly felt his lips on hers and was quick to reciprocate. She had been hoping Anderson would kiss her, as it seemed the perfect way to end what had been a pleasant date. The kiss, which lasted for several scintillating seconds, wasn’t a disappointment in the slightest. She liked that he wasn’t pushing for too much, too soon, and was respectful in giving them both something to look forward to the next time.

In her mind, it was a given that there would be a next time. But were they on the same wavelength?

DEVON VAUGHN ARCHER

is a bestselling author of many Harlequin Kimani Romance novels. These include Love is in the Air and three stories that take place on different Hawaiian islands, including Pleasure in Hawaii, Private Luau and Aloha Fantasy. He is also the author of the Kimani holiday classics Christmas Diamonds and Christmas Wishes. Archer was the first male author to write for Harlequin’s Kimani Arabesque line with the moving love story Love Once Again. The author has also written a number of bestselling urban and mainstream fiction, including Danger at Every Turn and The Hitman’s Woman, as well as hot-selling young adult fiction, Her Teen Dream and His Teen Dream. To keep up with his latest news and upcoming books, follow, friend or connect with Devon Vaughn Archer on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, MySpace, Goodreads, LibraryThing and www.devonvaughnarcher.com.

Love is in the Air

Devon Vaughn Archer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

I am happy to present to you my latest Harlequin Kimani Romance, Love is in the Air. It is sure to keep you engaged throughout.

When a weekend anchor and a legal consultant wind up sitting together on a flight to Houston, it is but the beginning of their romantic journey that will perhaps never bring the pair back down to earth.

The idea for this story was conceived from a visit to the airport and imagining two strangers finding romance by chance and a mutual desire to fall in love. Is your mind open enough to find romance in the air, if you clicked with your seatmate?

This wonderful romance will make you believe anything is possible with love.

I invite you as well to read my three recent Hawaii-themed romances, Aloha Fantasy, Private Luau and Pleasure in Hawaii.

Kind regards,

Devon Vaughn Archer

I would like to thank my wife, H. Loraine,

for her tireless devotion to me and my writing.

I would never have found my current success without her presence in my world.

I also express appreciation to the Harlequin Kimani editors and staff I have worked with for their professionalism and support through the years.

To “Sleeping Beautiful,”

my other half and gorgeous wife who taught me

the meaning of true love and a lifetime commitment.

And to my mother, Marjah A. Flowers,

and sister, Jacquelyn V. White, the other ladies in my life who have provided the inspiration and support

to make me the person I am today.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 1

Saying goodbye was always the worst part of a trip for Holly Kendall. She was tongue-tied as she stood there at the Portland International Airport with her brother, Stuart, who was two years older at thirty-three, and his cute-as-a-button seven-year-old twin daughters, Dottie and Carrie. What was supposed to be a mid-August weekend trip from Houston had stretched into three days, but still seemed like far too little time. It would just give her an excuse to come back for a visit sooner rather than later.

“Well, guess you’d better get out of here, or you’ll have us all in tears,” Stuart said, scratching his pate under his short, dark hair.

“I suppose.” Holly had sworn she would keep it together at this point. But could she help it if they were the only family she had, aside from her father? Their mother had died suddenly five years ago. A year later, Stuart’s wife had left him to raise their daughters all by himself. Who said life was ever fair?

Holly bent down and gave the girls a hug and big kiss. “You take care of your daddy, you hear?”

“We will,” Carrie said tearfully.

“Promise,” Dottie followed.

“Good girls.” Holly stood up and reached to hug Stuart, who towered over her five-foot-nine-inch frame. “Maybe next time Dad will come with me.”

“Yeah, right,” Stuart scoffed. “I can count on one hand the times he’s visited since we’ve lived here.”

“He doesn’t like to be too far away from home,” Holly said. “At least not since Mom passed away. But hey, never say never.”

“I won’t. And that includes never saying you won’t meet Mr. Right and start your own family someday,” Stuart said.

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” It wasn’t that she had no faith such a person existed. It was more a matter of him never quite materializing in her busy world. She hadn’t exactly given up trying. But between her work as a weekend anchor, volunteer work and hanging out with her friends, she honestly wasn’t sure there was any time left in her life right now for a man.

Holly waved goodbye before going through security and heading for her gate. She had a half hour or so before boarding, so she stopped in a store and purchased an Oregonian newspaper, bottled water and some mints.

When she neared the gate, Holly could see that it would be a full flight. So what else was new these days as airliners consolidated and looked for every cost-cutting measure?

She saw an empty seat in the waiting area right next to a good-looking man. He was bald, well dressed and seemed quite content to stare off into space with his deep gray-brown eyes. Of course that changed when he saw her approaching and he gave her his undivided attention. A moment of self-consciousness swept over Holly as he assessed her from head to toe. She was dressed casually with little makeup, and her shoulder-length wavy black hair was in a convenient ponytail.