THE HANDYMAN by Ruth D. Kerce (Copyright © 1999, all rights reserved)       Dana shuffled her feet and sighed in despair. The frigid air nipped at her face, freezing the tears streaming down her cheeks. Her butt was about to turn into an ice cube from the cold concrete step, but she didn't much care. What was she going to do?       The old house was falling apart around her. She couldn't hire anyone to fix it up. Where'd she get the money? The stupid bank had let her go last month after they'd downsized, and she hadn't been able to find another job since. She had just bought this property too, planning to turn it into a bed and breakfast. It was so dilapitated that she'd gotten it cheap. She doubted she'd be able to re-sell it, not in its current condition.       She crossed her arms over her knees and laid her head down. Yep. She was definitely suffering a severe case of feeling sorry for herself.       "Excuse me."       Dana's head snapped up at the unexpected sound of a man's voice. He loomed before her, medium-length blonde hair whipping in the wind, a leather jacket, and a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. Where had he come from, all of a sudden?       "Can you tell me where the Granfield's live?" he asked. "I had their address on a piece of paper, but this wind tore it right out of my hand."       Dana stood up. She didn't like feeling towered over. Even standing on the step, the man stood taller than her. "This was the Granfield's house right here. I bought it from them a couple of months ago. I'm sorry, but I don't have a forwarding address for them."       The man squinted his eyes as he examined the house. "It does need work," he muttered.       "Who are you?" Dana asked a little more harshly than she intended. But she didn't like this stranger insulting her house. It had potential.       "Oh, sorry. My name is Simon Braun. The Granfield's hired me to do some jobs around here--a handy man of sorts. I guess I got shafted." He stuck out his hand in greeting.       Dana automatically responded. "Dana Pickard." His fingers closed over hers, the warmth seeping into her skin. Her eyes met his and a spark of attraction flared. She quickly pulled her hand back. "Did you travel far?"       "A couple hundred miles. Work's hard to find these days."       "Yes, I know."       He studied her a moment, as if reluctant to leave. "I could do the work for you, Dana, if you're planning on fixing the place up that is."       The sound of her name, spoken in his deep voice, caused goosebumps on her skin. "I'm afraid I can't afford a handy man right now."       "We could work something out." His smile lit up his face. It wasn't exactly an innocent smile, but more one of intimate promises and a knowledge of sensual delights.       For a moment, a vision of him holding her in his arms flashed through Dana's mind. Then she came to her senses. "I'm not prone to working things out with stranger's, if that's what you choose to call it."       His deep chuckle wafted over her and warmed her insides. "I was thinking of maybe room and board. Nothing more."       Dana blushed. "I see. You're still a stranger."       "That I am." He nodded and turned away. "Thank you for your time, Dana."       At the sight of him leaving, Dana's stomach twisted painfully. "Wait!" She did need help. Maybe for once in her life she would throw caution to the wind and go with her gut feelings. "Stay. Please. Room and board will be fine."       Simon turned, a smile on his face. He walked back up to her. "Good. It's too damn cold to be walking the streets, trying to find a place to stay. I appreciate your kindness, Dana."       Geez! Why did he have to say her name like it was honey dripping off his tongue. It did funny things to her insides, and she couldn't think clearly. "Please, come inside."       He followed her in and set his duffle bag down in the corner next to the door. He rubbed his arms. "It's almost as cold in here as it is outside."       "I'm afraid the furnace isn't working. But at least we're out of the wind."       "Why don't I take a look at it. That's why I'm here, after all. Where's the door to the basement?"       "Just down the hall. Thanks. How about I make us some coffee? Then afterwards I'll show you to your room." This might just work out, Dana thought with renewed hope.       An arm snaked around Dana and grabbed the coffee cup next to her. She jumped and spun around to come face to face with Simon. "You scared me to death! Make some noise when you come into a room, will you."       He smiled that devastating smile of his. "Sorry." He didn't step out of her space, but crowded her further. "The heater-- "       "Oh, yes," she interrupted nervously. "Thank you for fixing it. I'm feeling warmer already." She was feeling downright hot with him standing so close. There was nowhere for her to go. He had her pushed up right against the counter.       "I haven't fixed it yet, Dana."       "Oh." She felt a blush creep up her cheeks, and she looked away. "Is it a lost cause?"       "I don't believe in lost causes." He took a sip of coffee, then set the cup down. "I just needed something warm to taste."       All thoughts of the cold vanished from Dana's mind. She gasped when Simon's lips brushed her cheek. Push him away! That's what she should do. So why wasn't she doing it?       Simon grabbed her around the waist and pulled her against his chest.       "Simon. This is crazy. We just met. I don't know you."       "You know me, Dana," he whispered into her ear, allowing his lips to skim her skin. His fingers tapped her heart. "You know me in here. You feel me."       She wanted to deny it, but couldn't. Her knees buckled when he turned her around and pushed her up against the kitchen table. She felt the hard wood come in contact with her back. The old table wobbled precariously from the weight, and she was sure they'd both find themselves crashing to the floor at any moment. This was crazy! Her mind knew it; her body wasn't listening.       Simon's lips closed over hers, and she was lost in a whirlwind of sensual feelings. Her mouth opened to accept his tongue, and she delighted in the taste of him--part coffee, part unrestrained male.       When his hands moved down her body and tugged at the buttons of her blouse, she tore her lips from his. "Wait!"       On a frustrated sigh, Simon froze. "What?"       "Do you have any ... protection?"       Bracing himself on one hand, he searched his pants pockets. "Damn! No." He stared into her eyes expectantly. "Do you have anything?"       "No." Well, that was pretty much that. This was totally out of the question anyway. A very bad idea. She'd never done anything so ... wild. And there was no reason to change that now.       Simon pulled her up by the waist and settled her on top of the counter. He stepped between her thighs and cupped her face in his hands. "There are ways," he murmured against her lips, before consuming her mouth in a kiss that left her limp with need.       He pulled at her blouse, popping buttons in his haste. Trailing wet kissed down her throat, his fingers worked the clasp on the front of her bra until it fell open and her breasts filled his hands.       Dana's head banged back against the cabinets as Simon's fingers squeezed her flesh.       With swift movements, his hands continued down her body and he pulled the pants and her pink, lacy underwear from her legs.       Dana hung onto the counter, certain she'd tumble off, but she didn't.       Simon discarded her clothes and stepped between her bare thighs. "Look at me."       Though a haze of desire, she focused on his face until her gaze locked with his.       His hand slid down her body and between her legs. Dana gasped when he touched her, and his fingers began to intimately massage her heated flesh.       She reached out to touch him, but he shook his head. "No," he whispered against her lips. "Don't touch, don't speak, just feel."       His slow, deep strokes soon brought her body to a shattering climax. If he hadn't been holding her, she would have slipped right off the counter.       Simon kissed her lightly on the lips. "So beautiful." He stepped back. "I think I better see to that heater now."       Too limp to move, Dana watched him retreat to the basement, hardly believing what had happened. He was good with his hands, that's for sure. She smiled. "Yes. This is going to work out just fine, having a handy man around ... in more ways than one." THE END