First Class to New York

By AJ Harmon

(For Mature Audiences Only – Adult Content)
A year after losing her husband, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life to cancer, Janie Anderson embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York City. Trying to escape the oppressive loss and hopelessness of a life without him, Janie sets off on the adventure she has dreamed about since she was a little girl. Exploring the Big Apple, New York City, she secretly hopes that this landmark event will free her from her grief and unlock a future as wonderful as the life she had lost with Robert’s passing.
After a series of embarrassing encounters with a man in a dark grey suit during the flight, Janie wonders if this trip might be more than she bargained for. At 42, she is much too young to spend the rest of her days as a lonely widow, but is resolved to the fact that, like lightning, a love like that of her first marriage rarely strikes twice.
When she accepts his invitation to dinner that evening, Janie is terrified at the realization that she’s actually attracted to him. The handsome and wealthy Matt Lathem is sexy as hell, but, as Janie comes to realize, has baggage of his own. Can they help to heal each other in time to realize that a second chance at love is within their grasp?
Join Janie as she risks her heart for a chance to love again. Download your copy now!

‘First Class to New York’ is a contemporary, adult romance novel, written by AJ Harmon. It is the debut book in the ‘First Class’ series, with Matt and Janie’s story concluding in ‘First Class to Portland,’ available now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AJ Harmon
• Release date: Sep 20, 2013

Book preview

First Class to New York

by AJ Harmon

www.firstclassnovels.com

Second Smashwords Edition, March 2015

Copyright 2012 by ABCs Legacy, LLC

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without written permission from the author.

If it was a dream, she didn’t want to wake.

Janie smiled and graciously accepted his offer. He led her to the dance floor and pulled her close to him, his right arm snaked around her back and his left hand held her right hand to his chest. He took a deep breath and began to move slowly with the music. Janie could feel his breath escape at the top of her ear and it sent tingles all the way down her spine. Her nose was level with the collar of his crisp white shirt and she was intoxicated as she breathed in his unique smell. She closed her eyes and leaned her head gently to his cheek. Their bodies moved together in perfect sync and Janie wished that time would just come to a complete stop. This was one of those moments that she hoped to remember for the rest of her life. She felt a little like Cinderella at the ball with this mysterious, but beautiful prince and if it was a dream she didn’t want to wake!

First Class Love Story!

I absolutely love this story. I laughed and cried as I read this book because I could see myself in Janie's shoes if something happened to my husband.

psychstudent13 AGC/Amazon

Great book!

Absolutely loved this story! So nice to read a great story that wasn't about 20 year old college kids! I love those too but First Class to NY was awesome!! Cannot wait to read more about Janie and Matt!!!

Tricia/Amazon

Fab read and highly addictive. A story that made me want to be a character in it.

Can't wait to read the next installment.

Den/Amazon UK

A year after losing her husband, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life to cancer, Janie Anderson embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York City. Trying to escape the oppressive loss and hopelessness of a life without him, Janie sets off on the adventure she has dreamed about since she was a little girl. Exploring the Big Apple, New York City, she secretly hopes that this landmark event will free her from her grief and unlock a future as wonderful as the life she had lost with Robert’s passing.

After a series of embarrassing encounters with a man in a dark grey suit during the flight, Janie wonders if this trip might be more than she bargained for. At 42, she is much too young to spend the rest of her days as a lonely widow, but is resolved to the fact that, like lightning, a love like that of her first marriage rarely strikes twice.

When she accepts his invitation to dinner that evening, Janie is terrified at the realization that she’s actually attracted to him. The handsome and wealthy Matt Lathem is sexy as hell, but, as Janie comes to realize, has baggage of his own. Can they help to heal each other in time to realize that a second chance at love is within their grasp?

‘First Class to New York’ is a contemporary, adult romance novel, written by AJ Harmon. It is the first book in the ‘First Class’ series, with Janie’s story concluding in ‘First Class to Portland,’ available now.

You’ll want to read all the great books in the First Class Novel series

Follow the Lathem Family saga as the hot, hunky and wealthy bachelors fall one by one to the sweet, sexy seduction of romance and everlasting love.

First Class to New York

(Book I)

First Class to Portland

(Book 2)

First Class Justice

(Book 3)

First Class Voyage

(Book 4)

First Class Hero

(Book 5)

First Class Menu

(Book 6)

First Class Rescue

(Book 7)

First Class Stamp

(Book 8)

First Class Farewell

(Book 9)

Table of Contents

Chapter:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

1.

Janie almost tripped over her large suitcase trying to get it onto the curb. She was much later than she had intended to be. Damn traffic! Her flight was listed as departing on time and she still had to check this pain-in-the-butt suitcase and get through security and to the gate, which was probably all the way at the end of the longest terminal, knowing her luck. The one good thing going for her was that she had decided that for once in her life she was going to fly first class, so maybe she would get through the lines quicker. That had to be a perk, right? Shorter lines? Well, she hoped so as she hurriedly walked across the road and through the giant revolving doors.

There was just one elderly couple ahead of her in the first class line, so Janie let out a deep breath and tried to relax her tense shoulders. Yes, she should make it to the gate in time. The ticket agent caught her eye and smiled brightly. May I help you? she asked.

Janie moved to the counter and placed her purse on top, rummaging through it to find her I.D. Good morning, I’m Janie Anderson. 6:35a.m. flight to New York. Janie handed her drivers’ license to the pleasant young woman standing before her, and in just a second or two her boarding pass was being printed and a tall man appeared out of nowhere and was hefting her suitcase onto the scale.

Thank you, Janie mumbled, wondering where he had come from.

Pleasure, Ma’am, he smiled back.

Any other luggage you would like to check today, Ms. Anderson? said the ticket agent, snapping Janie out of her thoughts.

No… that’s it. Just one bag.

The agent handed Janie her boarding pass and the stub for her checked bag, along with a small brochure for the First Class Lounge to which she now had entrance for the thirty minutes before her flight was due to take off. Thank you.

You are most welcome, came the reply. Have a good trip.

Janie grabbed her purse off the counter and slung it over her shoulder. She made her way out of the ticketing area and around the corner towards the security gates. She had always wanted to fly first class, to see how the other half lived so to speak. She had flown many, many times but she and Robert had never had the money to fly anything but coach.

Robert. Robert. Robert never even wanted to fly first class – he was perfectly happy in coach. He was happy not flying at all if truth be told. That was one of the disagreements that had endured during their 23-year marriage. Oh they were happy, but Robert liked to stay home and Janie wanted to see the world! But Robert, and lack of money, placed a huge hurdle in front of her. He would be flippin’ mad about this, Janie thought. Buying a first class ticket was just a monumental waste of money in his mind. "There couldn’t be anything that much better about those few seats at the front of the plane to make it cost that much more," was always his response to Janie when she asked for the umpteenth time to try it just once.

Janie smiled as she thought of him. If that was the worst of the disagreements in 23 years of marriage, then it was a pretty good run, she thought to herself. And, as if on cue, she glanced down at her left hand where her wedding and engagement rings used to be and looked at her empty finger. Even after a year it was weird to not see the gold bands and shiny diamond there.

OH! Excuse me! yelped Janie. Damn it! She should watch where she was going. Having been so focused on her hand, she had walked right into the back of the person in front of her in the security line. Stepping backwards, she apologized again. I’m really sorry.

Janie was talking to the back of a dark grey suit, with a smidge of white shirt collar showing through some very dark hair. Not long hair, but in need of a trim. The jacket started to turn and Janie could see a profile come into view; long eyelashes, average-sized nose and a strong jaw line. Janie took in a breath and then came the smell! He smelled divine. Dark blue eyes focused on her and Janie slowly released her breath as he smiled. No problem, he said. Are you okay? He smiled again. Straight, white teeth and perfectly proportioned lips finished the face. Wow!

Yes, thank you. Janie managed to get the words out and then he turned back and strode to the first of the many TSA agents.

*****

She stood in the women’s restroom, her reflection staring back. Janie had managed to get through the security gate without another embarrassing incident quite quickly, thanks to her first class ticket. And here she stood wondering what had happened back there. Robert had passed away 13 months ago and not for one second had Janie even glanced at another man, let alone found one to be positively dreamy looking.

She closed her eyes briefly, frowning, memories of the trips back and forth to doctors and hospitals and clinics and labs flashed through her mind. Almost 11 months to the day after Robert had been diagnosed with cancer he had fallen asleep one night and not woken up. The prognosis from the very beginning had been grim, but even so, Janie had hoped… wished… desperately prayed for a miracle that didn’t come.

And now here she was, standing in an airport restroom thinking of a suit jacket and dark hair. Guilt? She didn’t think so. Her friends had told her that forty-two years old was way too young to be out of the game. Even her sons had told her they wanted her to find someone special to spend the rest of her life with. No, not guilt. But it was something. She just couldn’t put her finger on what.

Janie shook her head and brought her thoughts back to the present. She was flushed. Not because of him, but because she was hot. It must be 80 degrees in here, she thought and stripped off her V-neck sweater. Dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt, she wasn’t sure she was appropriately attired for first class, but it was April and not very warm yet in Portland and the weather app on her phone had said it wasn’t overly warm in New York either. Plus, she wanted to be comfortable for the 6-hour flight. She was clean and presentable and ready for the two-week adventure she had been planning since she was 16 years old. Janie pushed her hair behind her ears and headed out of the bathroom in search of the lounge.

*****

Opening the door, Janie could see red carpet and leather armchairs and a clear view of the runway. It didn’t look that fabulous upon first glance. She stepped through the doorway, almost feeling like an intruder, and stopped just inside the door. It swung closed behind her and she started to take another step, the door catching her purse. She twisted and pulled the straps, freeing the offending bag and turned, taking a step forward, and was met with a shivering sensation of cold and wet. ARGH!!!

Janie whipped her head in the direction her feet were headed and found herself six inches from the dark grey suit. His hand was against her breasts holding a now empty cup, the contents being absorbed into her t-shirt.

I. AM. SO. SORRY! dark grey suit sputtered out.

Shit! I am now a wet t-shirt contest joke, thought Janie.

The dark grey suit finally moved his hand away and produced a clean, white handkerchief. You weren’t there and then you were… He sounded perplexed, embarrassed, and Janie watched his brow wrinkle. Really, really sorry.

Janie accepted the offer of his handkerchief and dabbed at her shirt. Fortunately, her bra was covering any embarrassing bits, but her shirt was clinging to the skin exposed above it.

Well, I guess I’m not hot anymore, Janie muttered under her breath. The dark grey suit cleared his throat and Janie looked up.

No, you’re definitely hot. One corner of his mouth twitched upwards and there was that perfect mouth again.

Janie blushed beet red and looked down at her sopping wet shirt again. Is there a bathroom in here?

Umm… yes. Over there. The dark grey suit pointed Janie in the right direction and she scurried away as quickly as she could.

*****

In a restroom once again, Janie immediately noticed the difference between this one and the one in the regular part of the airport. This bathroom had granite countertops and proper towels to dry hands on, and a make-up table complete with lights and lotions. Nice! she thought. Her attention was drawn back to the problem at hand – her wet t-shirt! UGH! Stripping it off over her head, she used the back to try and dry her clammy skin. Janie pulled out her v-neck sweater and put it on, straightening it so the argyle stripes were in the right place. The sweater was soft and comfortable, but the V plunged down much lower than she would ever wear without a shirt underneath. Oh well, what other choice do I have? Janie said out loud. The tops of her breasts stared at her in the mirror. They were pink, a reaction to the ice water. They matched her cheeks, still flushed from the comment made by the dark grey suit. He’s nuts! she said. No way in hell did anyone think she was hot! Forty-two years old, mother of two twenty year old boys and chubby; not fat, but not the size six she remembered before her boys were born. Yes, she might have been considered hot then, but definitely not now. Janie smirked into the mirror and shook her head. Yeah, he’s nuts, or blind!

Making her way to the gate, Janie felt incredibly self-conscious about her sweater and cleavage exposure. Just keep your head down and get on the plane, she told herself. Again feeling grateful for her first class ticket, she boarded the plane first and sat down in her comfortably wide leather window seat and shoved her purse under her leg. Locating the seatbelt under the pillow and blanket, the metal ends clinked as she clasped them together and she pulled the belt tight and leaned back closing her eyes and took a deep breath. She could hear the other passengers around her, finding their seats and stowing luggage in the overhead bins. The pleasant voice of the flight attendant that welcomed her aboard filled the small cabin, offering help and drinks. Yes, first class is indeed worth it, she thought. Taking deep breaths she felt herself calming and the tension in her shoulders beginning to relax. Another deep breath and… that smell! Janie’s eyes flashed open and she was looking at a silver belt buckle, attached to a black belt, threaded through dark grey pants hanging on slim hips right in front of her eyes. Her mouth opened and her eyes were transfixed on that belt buckle. It moved! It was turning and the body it was attached to stepped closer and twisted to sit in the vacant seat next to her.

Well, um, this is, well, hello.

Janie looked up to see dark blue eyes. He was grinning, almost laughing, well, trying not to laugh. How awkward!

Hello, Janie squeaked and turned to look out of the window at the myriad of activity going on outside the aircraft.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Janie was mortified, wishing a giant hole would appear so that she could just crawl in and disappear. How on earth can this be happening to me?

The flight attendant’s voice came over the speaker. The door was closing, cell phones needed to be turned off and seats and trays needed to be in their upright position. Done, done and done. There wasn’t anything for Janie to do except avoid eye contact at all costs with dark grey suit! The flight attendant appeared and asked for his glass. The dark grey suit handed it to her and Janie’s eyes were drawn sideways to his hand - long strong fingers with manicured nails. No ring. Hmmmm. No ring.

Janie looked back out of the window and felt the jolt of the aircraft backing away from the terminal gate. Why do I care if he has a ring or not? I don’t. Stop being ridiculous.

I want to apologize again for back there, in the lounge, the water catastrophe.

Janie slowly turned her head to see a serious expression on the dark grey suit’s face. It’s fine, only water. No harm done, Janie managed a weak smile.

Dark grey suit seemed to visibly relax after her words were spoken. I’m Matt. Matt Lathem. He smiled, and it went all the way