The Handyman's Harem Girl

By Jamie DeBree

Head Harem Girl at The Sultan's Palace, Veronica Rowan isn't interested in a relationship with any man - especially not hunky Fantasy Ranch handyman Chance Emery. When he finds out about her personal security experience, she can't refuse his plea for help. Drawn into a twisted past marked by a trail of decapitated dolls, she struggles to protect her heart as they fight to keep from losing their heads.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brazen Snake Books
• Release date: Sep 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781937477325

Jamie DeBree

A full-time webmistress by day, Jamie DeBree writes steamy, action-packed romantic suspense late into the night. Her goal is to create the perfect blend of sensual attraction, emotional tension and fast-paced adventure, similar to the television crime dramas she’s hopelessly addicted to.Born in Billings Montana, she resides there with her husband and two over-sized lap dogs. She reads in a wide variety of genres including romance, erotica, action/adventure, thriller, & horror.

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The Handyman’s Harem Girl

by

Jamie DeBree

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

Copyright 2013 by Jamie M. DeBree

Edited by Carol R. Ward

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author's imagination, and used fictitiously.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Chapter 1

Veronica Rowan reclined on the posh velvet chaise, waiting for her five-thirty appointment to arrive. One more hour of belly dancing, hand-feeding and fanning some random guy in a toga, and then her shift would be over for the day. Exotic Eastern music floated softly through the room as her girls worked, showing the Fantasy Ranch clients a good time before sending them on their way.

It was all a big tease, of course - sex with the clients was forbidden, though a blind eye was turned to the occasional off-the-clock indiscretion. The same rule applied to the whole ranch, no matter what fantasy clients were trying on for a little excitement, and private rooms were available for client couples or groups on request. Harley Majors and his wife, Monica, ran a tight community, and Veronica appreciated that. Compared to other places she'd worked, the ranch was a dream.

Quite literally, for those who paid for the pleasure.

She stretched lazily, rising as Eleanor Richards, the new hostess, appeared in the doorway with a rather substantial Adonis-wannabe. Substantial in the middle, anyways. Barely stifling a yawn, Veronica forced her lips into a welcoming smile as the pair approached, turning her head to give him that cat-eyed look she had a reputation for.

Good evening Sir, she said, keeping her voice low and breathy. You must be Mr. Green. At his nod, she put her hands together and made a small genie-style bow to Eleanor, who clumsily followed her lead. After the other woman left, Veronica turned back to her client, extending a hand toward the chaise. Please, make yourself comfortable. Let me dance for you.

She held the pillows while he situated himself, adjusting them under his back. When he was comfortable, she began to move with the music, keeping the gyrations slow and sensual. Tiny bells tinkled around her ankle with each step, and the gold coins that made up her belt shimmered with every hip thrust. The sheer harem pants flowed easily with her movements, and Green appeared fascinated by the skimpy satin boy shorts she wore underneath.

As most men were.

The hair on the back of her neck prickled, and she knew he was watching. Not Mr. Green, though his eyes never left her undulating body. No, this feeling was more intense, almost primal. Only one man could make her feel like that, and she executed a lazy turn to meet his hungry gaze for a long moment before turning back to her client.

Chance Emery, handyman for the ranch, was one hundred percent prime beefcake from his six-foot-three height and broad, muscular torso to that mass of curly brown hair that rode low on his neck. Unfortunately, he was well aware of the fact, and there never seemed to be a shortage of women vying to take advantage of his appetite for female flesh.

She didn't blame them.

Letting the dance wind down, she caught a glimpse of Eleanor heading in Chance's direction and barely suppressed a frown. The woman hadn't been on payroll for a week and already she was honing in on the resident playboy. Apparently Veronica was going to have to go back over the staff fraternization rules with her again. Soon.

Smiling at Mr. Green, she picked up a large silk palm frond and asked him about his day. Giving him her full attention, she listened, commiserated, and alternately fanned him and fed him grapes, dates and other finger foods for the remainder of the hour. Guests of The Sultan's Palace came for two seemingly opposite reasons - to both relax and be excited. At the end of the session, she led Mr. Green back to the dressing rooms confident that he was happy with her service and accepted the tip he pressed into her hand. Once he was safely inside, she went back to the main entertainment hall and scanned the room for Eleanor.

Looking for me?

Veronica jumped at the warm breath across her shoulder as the handyman himself spoke low in her ear. Willing her heart to slow down, she resisted the urge to cover it with one hand.

Actually, no, she said, managing to sound more or less normal. I’m looking for Eleanor, the new hostess. You were talking to her a little while back - short, dark brown hair, big eyes. Have you seen her recently?

* * * *

Chance braced himself as Veronica turn to face him. It was pathetic, really, that the only woman he was attracted to in the whole joint was this one - the one most likely to push him out a window if he so much as looked at her wrong. He’d tried to be friendly in the beginning, but she was ice cold, to him at least.

He’d quickly learned to give her a wide berth, but when she danced he had a hard time keeping his eyes off her. She hired some very competent help, but none of them compared to her. The way her body moved was magic, and it called to some primal instinct that urged him to carry her off and rip the filmy fabric right off that lithe little body of hers.

He was sure she felt it too - the vibe between them was so thick it was nearly tangible. Yet she held him at arm’s length, all because of some stupid policy the bosses didn’t even follow themselves. Three years they’d been tip-toeing around this thing between them, and he was getting tired of it.

Maybe it was time to shake things up a bit. Or her, at least.

I haven’t seen her since you were entertaining Jabba earlier, he said, grinning when her eyes narrowed in disapproval. She said something about paperwork she still had to fill out, I think. I wasn’t listening all that closely, to be honest.

I suppose it would be hard to pay attention with all the women jabbering in your ear every day. And you shouldn’t talk about the clients that way. It’s unprofessional. She crossed her arms over her chest, and Chance silently mourned the loss of the view. The harem was kept on the cool side, and the costume material didn’t hide much.

What’s the matter, Princess? Jealous? He stepped closer, forcing her to look up at him with those sultry green eyes. He knew she wanted to back away, but she couldn’t. Her pride wouldn’t let her, and he had no issue with taking full advantage of the fact.

She conceded one step back, and arched an eyebrow. Of course not. And there are no princesses in the harem, which I’m sure you’re well aware of. But I do trust that you’ll follow policy and keep your dealings with my girls strictly professional.

He shrugged, breaking eye contact to see the new hostess approaching from behind. The girl winked at him, and he couldn’t help winking back, earning an exasperated look from his current prey.

I always do, though I can’t say they make it easy. He leaned in, somehow resisting the urge to touch her in any way before he whispered in her ear. I’d make an exception for you though, Princess. Just say the word.

Straightening, he didn’t look at Veronica again as he brushed past her, nodding to Eleanor as he passed by. The center of his back tingled as he went out the door, and he smiled. Apparently his cool harem girl couldn’t resist another look. Maybe there was hope for her yet.

* * * *

Veronica turned to watch Chance go, her whole body humming from the up-close encounter. The man affected her far more than he should, and she wasn’t quite sure what to do about it. As Eleanor approached, Veronica straightened her shoulders and crossed her arms over her chest, reminding herself that it was the girl’s first day, so there was no need to overreact.

Eleanor glanced over her shoulder as Chance disappeared through the doorway, and there was a definite predatory twinkle in her eye when she turned back to address Veronica, fanning her face with one hand.

Whew! Is it hot in here, or is it just him? She giggled, the sound grating on Veronica’s nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I might have a few things he could work on under the hood, if you know what I mean...

Veronica raised one eyebrow, and the giggling stopped.

Do I need to remind you about the policy about fraternization with co-workers Ms. Wilson?

The woman’s smile fell, and her eyes grew hard. The transformation was a little disconcerting, and Veronica made a mental note to go over her background check again. An ex-cop turned personal security coach, she was normally very careful to make sure anyone she hired at the ranch had a spotless record, but the cold anger in Eleanor’s eyes seemed like an overreaction, especially on the first day of a new job.

Finally she replied, her frame relaxing as if she’d flipped a switch. "I’m familiar with the policy, Ms. Rowan.