Love in the Desert

By Livia Lang

Billionaire Oren Moore doesn't know how to relinquish control. The last thing he wants to do is be away from his office, but his friends and family have forced him to take a vacation. A trip to the Sahara seems like the perfect way to get everyone off his back, especially if it includes a gorgeous, strong-willed pilot! 

Mary Kubar flies spoiled tourists around for a living, but it's a price she's willing to pay to stay in the skies. Quiet, calm and endlessly professional, Mary isn't looking for love. Especially from her blonde, workaholic passenger! 

When a plane crash leaves the two stranded alone, they have to work together quickly to survive. Will they learn to trust each other as they race across the sand towards rescue? And can that trust turn into something more serious...or will it evaporate under the brutal desert sun?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Livia Lang
• Release date: Sep 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393032236

Book preview

1

Oren Moore walked up to the waiting airplane, his lightweight backpack slung easily over his shoulder and the sweeping African sky above him. It was unbelievably hot and not even ten a.m. yet; he tried not to tug at his tight white shirt uncomfortably, but sweat was already covering his body.

He had two bodyguards, one walking on each side, and he didn't like to appear weak in front of them. It was difficult to remain stoic, though; the surface of the sun might have been cooler than where he currently stood and his company's new heat repellent shirt was not fulfilling its promise to 'keep the burn away all day'. He made a mental note to call the shirt's team leader and give her a stern talking to as soon as he made it back to New York. What was the point of running the biggest sportswear company in the U.S. if he couldn’t even get a comfortable shirt for his own vacation?

Well, it was almost a vacation. It was as close as he got these days. His sister, Georgette, had raised hell about him never leaving the office, and his executive team had all dropped similar hints. They seemed to think he was at risk for burnout if he didn’t slow down. Eventually he had relented to the annoying pleas, but not without threatening to Skype as much as possible to make sure the executive team didn’t burn the building to the ground while he was away.

I'm still not convinced they'll be able to launch the new hiking boot line without me. This is the first release day I've not been at headquarters for, he thought, annoyed that he had been practically forced out of the office during such a crucial time.

He consoled himself with the fact that he'd be gone only five days; it was just a quick trip to Northern Africa to appear at one of the extreme marathons his company was sponsoring. He'd smile, take some photos with the runners, cut a big check, and be back home in time for his sister's birthday party.

And then he’d not leave his office again for ten years, if he could help it.

But first, I'm going to strike an item off the bucket list. At Georgette’s insistence, he murmured, looking up at the plane. It was supposed to take him out to the Sahara for an overnight trip so he could go boarding on the dunes and take some nature photography. His sister had made him pick just one thing to do that wasn’t work related, so this was it.

His assistant had arranged everything for him: she found the tour company – Royalty Tour Plus – and checked its references. She claimed it was the ultimate provider of luxurious and private tours in the Sahara. Planning the excursion was one detail he had gladly handed over to her as he had been very busy with a company merger in the weeks leading up to the trip. And his assistant was excellent; she hadn’t made a misjudgment yet with her arrangements.

Seeing the plane for the first time, however, Oren was beginning to have his doubts in his decision to delegate. He had been promised a ride on a brand new plane, complete with leather seats, top-shelf liquor and fresh food. However, from the outside, the plane looked far from new. The paint on the tail end was faded and chipped, and he thought he saw some dents along the wing.

The booze better be damn good, he thought to himself. Because this trip is not starting out promisingly. This is what I get for trusting someone else with important details. I should have taken care of everything myself.

Hello, Mr. Moore, called a tall, lissome woman leaning on the cockpit's door. I'm Mary, your guide and pilot for this trip. Her native accent danced among the words, creating a pleasant, unexpected cadence to her speech.

Mary cast a quick glance at the bodyguards, Steve and Doug, and gave them a short nod in greeting as well. They each nodded once in return, but kept their faces neutral. They were no doubt sizing her up quietly.

Oren put out his hand and firmly shook the pilot's. Mary was lean, with light brown skin and chestnut hair. Her eyes were a rich carob color, and they flashed with friendliness. She was very attractive, with angular features and an easy smile. Oren almost hummed in approval - his assistant had finally made one right decision by picking such a sexy pilot.

Mary smoothly slid open a side door leading to the passenger area. After you, sir. We must hurry to get to the dunes before it gets too hot.

Oren snorted and looked up at the vengeful sun. Hotter than the current oven? I can't wait to see your definition of what qualifies as 'too hot', Mary. He then ducked inside the plane.

His seat was surprisingly comfortable, with a plush design and lots of legroom. Steve and Doug had separate seats of their own behind him, and he could hear the large men rustling around as they got comfortable. Even private planes often had seats too small for men shaped like mountains.

Mary shut the side door behind them and quickly ran around the plane. She threw open the pilot's door and slid in gracefully, flipping switches as she went. Please help yourself to snacks while I get the plane ready to go. We've got many locally made delicacies for you. The sugared dates are the best you'll ever taste.

Oren looked at the small bar next to his seat which was stocked with tiny bottles of liquor and a few snacks in baggies. Picking up the bottle of Highland Park Scotch, Oren held it up to the light. The color was all wrong; it looked flat and dull instead of the vivid brown he expected. He opened the cap and sniffed.

It was definitely not Highland Park. In fact, he wasn't entirely sure if it was even scotch. Annoyed by the obvious deception, Oren took a final look at the food and shifted back into his seat, not touching anything.

This is not starting out promising at all, he thought grimly. As soon as I get back I'm going to have my assistant request a substantial refund. Can't believe she'd send me out with such a shady company.

How long to the dunes? he grunted, taking his iPod and headphones out of his bag.

"It'll be a couple hours. And