Harmony In The Harem

By Yvonne Sarah Lewis

Simon has loved and left many women, but in sultry Charlotte he meets his match. She poses a conundrum: "How can I take you as my lover and still keep faith with my husband?" A book on harem etiquette shows her how to solve the riddle. Has Simon considered the consequences of sharing her with her husband John? Has she? His contempt for John changes to pity and burgeons into something more. The result is something none of them could have foreseen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Torrid Books
• Release date: Jun 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781611607567

Book preview

HARMONY IN THE HAREM

by

Yvonne Sarah Lewis

TORRID BOOKS

www.torridbooks.com

Published by

TORRID BOOKS

www.torridbooks.com  

An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC

Whiskey Creek Press

PO Box 51052

Casper, WY 82605-1052

Copyright Ó 2014 by Yvonne Sarah Lewis

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-61160-756-0

Credits

Cover Artist: Gemini Judson

Editor: Dave Field

Printed in the United States of America

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT

VIRGINIA

Although there are many graphically presented sexual encounters, this is not a simple ‘jump in the bed’ book. It is a careful study of relationships.

It's a neat feat for an author to manage this many intimate encounters and still bring a story to life.

Other Books by Author Available at Torrid Books:

www.torridbooks.com

A Rose Without Thorns

In a French Country Vineyard

Laodameia

Torrid Teaser #56

         Everyone gets Frisky at Weddings.

         Dancing with Douglas.

In an English Country Dungeon

In the Japanese Knot Garden

Rhoda

In a Welsh Country Garden

Virginia

Hand in Glove

A Taste for Blood

Garden of Thorns

Gardens of Delight (Megabook)

Dedication

To Harry, for inspiration and advice, and because he’s one of the good guys.

Chapter 1

Simon pressed her to him and they kissed. Their tongues tangled and she moulded her ripe torso against his, parting her legs and grinding her mound on his thigh. His penis pressed her belly like an iron bar, and she withdrew, smiling.

Simon, darling, not here; not now. She glanced at the waiter standing against the wall, silent, attentive, open-mouthed.

In the room, then.

She shook her head.

Then where? When? he protested. Charlotte… He’d never tried to shorten her name to Lottie or something. He rather thought no one dared do that.

Charlotte sat in an armchair and gestured him to another. Simon, I love my husband deeply. Think: how can I betray him by making love to you in that room upstairs? She pointed at the key lying on the table.

But, you came here… I thought… You gave me to understand… He slumped; a picture of lust and dismay.

Darling, it was not a rhetorical question. She kicked off her shoes and curled up in the chair; the green silk of her skirt moulded itself to her limbs.

What wasn’t? Mystified, he watched her stroke her own thigh, like a cat, enjoying herself, the feel of her body, and the feel of her own fingers on it.

How can I take you as my lover and still keep faith with my husband?

He shook his head. The teasing gaze that had attracted him to her in the first place played on him. So you don’t want me after all.

Don’t sulk, she scolded. "I like you and I want to make love to you almost as much as you want to make love to me. Isn’t that enough?"

No, it isn’t.

I don’t understand.

The waiter appeared at her side. She must have made some sign, but Simon hadn’t seen it. He reflected that men always paid attention to Charlotte, yearning for the slightest indication that they could be of service to her.

Gin and tonic, ice, no lemon; and a whisky—double—for my friend. And can you ask my husband to join us, please?

The waiter nodded several times and left.

Your husband?

If I’m going to sleep with you without upsetting him, he has to know. He’s bound to find out, anyway. I’m not going to deceive him.

What?

Don’t sit there with your mouth open; it’s most unattractive. Listen: She leaned forward; Simon’s gaze automatically fell into her cleavage. He tore it away, to look into her dark eyes. He felt a kind of vertigo; the desire to lean forward and plunge into an abyss.

What I meant was that I’ve found the answer. It was in a book on Chinese harem etiquette.

Harem etiquette?

Western men have always had a fascination for the harem; they imagine all the delights and advantages of having a string of concubines without thinking of the disadvantages; how to treat the ladies of the harem so that one gets all the benefits without suffering constant arguments and discord. It’s not as easy as you’d think.

I can imagine.

Really? I doubt it. She pursed her lips. The passage that caught my eye was how to introduce a new concubine to the harem. The trick is not to treat her as the favourite.

"But surely, he’d want to sleep with her immediately, for a few nights, at least. I know I would."

Exactly. But if he does that she’ll give herself airs and the other concubines will be jealous.

Simon frowned. It’s a paradox. He wants to sleep with her, but can’t.

A dilemma. But there is a solution. Ah, here’s John now.

A man in a dark suit was striding towards them. He wasn’t the decrepit elderly gentleman Simon expected him to be. He was a little older than Simon, taller, toned, slim and very good-looking. Simon wondered what Charlotte could possibly see in him, when she’d got this handsome playmate. She stood to greet her husband. Simon stood too.

John, darling. She didn’t embrace him as a husband, but as a lover; as she’d embraced Simon, earlier. Their kiss went on for a long time. They parted and Charlotte led the man forward.

Simon, this is my husband John. The tall man’s grip was firm but friendly. Simon is my lover—or at least I hope he will be.

The waiter arrived with the drinks and was dispatched to bring John a double whisky.

Looks like he needs it.

They sat down. Simon tasted his whisky.

Charlotte held out her hands and each man took one. Simon, I love John very much and I have no intention of letting him go. I expect the two of you to share me between you, amicably. John, I’ve explained to Simon how I intend to proceed.

Simon felt his mouth drop open. No, you haven’t. You’ve told me some rigmarole about a chinaman—

Charlotte squeezed his hand then folded her arms. I’ll recap.

Simon shook his head and took a gulp of whisky. At least the burn in his throat made sense.

John, I want to make love to Simon, and he wants to make love to me.

Of course. John’s voice was deep. He glanced at Simon and looked down. Any man would, he muttered.

Thank you, dear. She patted her husband’s arm.

"But I don’t want to upset you."

"Then don’t."

She gripped his wrist and shook it. I’m sorry, darling; I’ve taken a fancy to Simon here, and I’m sure you’ll like him too, once you get to know him. I’ll still love you. She leaned forward and ran a hand along his cheek, lifting his face to hers. I love you, darling, but I’m going to have Simon, and that’s that. She chucked him under the chin, not gently. So suck it up.

The waiter brought John’s whisky. He snatched it and drank. Simon almost felt sorry for his unhappy rival. The woman was turning to him. She smiled, and reached out. He allowed her to take his hand. Her fingers were soft, but gripped his strongly. He could smell her perfume.

Simon, are you sure it’s me you want? I’m not a nice person. You see how I treat my husband. And I warn you, I’m very demanding. Fingernails cut into his palm. And not just in bed. His hand was released. She smiled. Though mostly there.

He wanted her. Not just with his penis, though it pressed eagerly against his pants, but to kiss and lick and caress and smell her, until she cried enough. And then he’d have her. Right here and now, if necessary, even with the husband watching, peering over her shoulder like an unhappy spaniel.

Loser.

She sat back, curled in her seat, sipping her cocktail and stroking her leg. When we’ve finished our drinks— Simon snatched his up. "When we’ve finished our drinks, we’ll go upstairs. He drained the glass and set it down. She smiled. But you, Simon, won’t be making love to me."

John looked up. Simon stared back at him. What’s going on?

Simon, have you ever watched a sex movie?

What?

Charlotte laughed. "Of course you have. We have, haven’t we, darling?"

John looked as if he hadn’t enjoyed it much.

Well, tonight, you’ll get to watch your very own sex movie. John will make love to me and you will watch.

"What?" Simon picked up his glass and tried to drain it again. It was empty.

I don’t understand, darling. John’s voice trembled. I thought you—

"I want you two to get on.