Maison Plaisir (3 page)

“I thought I smelt human and I wasn’t wrong.” His voice was deep and pleasant. He had the same accent as Armand, too. He stuck out his hand. “My name is Hervé de Silvano, and you are…?”

Belle shook his hand before her mind realised what she was doing. “Isabelle Beaumont. But everybody calls me Belle.”

“The pretty name suits you well. Are you unattended?”

“Oh. I’m with somebody. Kinda.”

“Kinda?”

“She’s with me.” Armand’s voice cut sharp from behind her.

Belle turned around. Armand didn’t look happy with the newcomer. He gave the cup of tea to her, and then he placed a hand on her shoulder with possession.

“What are you doing here?” Armand asked Hervé.

“I should ask the same thing of you, cousin.” Hervé smiled at her. “I didn’t know you had a new plaything.”

Cousin? So the two of them were related?

“Now you know. If you don’t mind, we need our privacy.”

“Unfortunately, I do mind. I didn’t smell your scent on her. You haven’t claimed her.”

“Yet,” Armand replied brusquely.

“You know the rule of the house, cousin. The lady is still free to choose others until she’s properly claimed.” Hervé turned back to her. “What is your pleasure, Belle?”

“What’s your price?” Belle seized the opportunity. If Maison Plaisir’s associates would hesitate in dealing with her because they’d seen her with Armand, his cousin probably wouldn’t.

“What’s the engagement?”

“I need a fake boyfriend, for several weeks.”

“It won’t come cheap. I want you, for at least six months.”

Damn
. “Why can’t you just take money? I have fifty grand in my savings account. You can buy a new car.”

“Well, I don’t need money or a new car.”

Figures
.

Armand patted her shoulder. “And all I asked for was a night of pleasure.”

“Wait, that’s not fair. Let’s talk about it,” Hervé said.

“Your Highness.” Madame Chabert’s voice interrupted him. She stood at the entrance of the lounge. “You have
 
visitors.”

Belle blinked.
Your Highness? Hervé’s royalty?

Hervé waved his hand, dismissing the hostess. “They can wait. I’m busy.”

“It’s important,” Chabert insisted.

Hervé cursed. “I’ll be back, Belle. Stay put.” He gave Armand a cross look and stalked off towards the hostess.

Belle watched Hervé leaving with awe. She wasn’t surprised he was a blue-blood. Everything about him was so refined. She wondered which country he came from. Somewhere in Europe? She couldn’t identify his accent.

“Well?” Armand tugged her face up. “Would you rather make a pact with my cousin, or with me?”

“I…”

“I won’t disappoint you. I’ll be there for you every time you need me. Night and day. Hail or sunshine.”

Whoa.
Even a real boyfriend didn’t come with a weather-proof guarantee. “You sure you don’t want cash?”

“What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not good in bed.”

“I’ll teach you a few tricks.”

She bit her lower lip. The nervousness returned. Why couldn’t he be like a regular escort who’d be happy to take cash for the service he rendered? After Trent had dumped her she’d promised herself to never give her body to any man ever again. It took her a long time to get over the humiliation. Every now and then, when she thought about that jerk, she still couldn’t shed off the regret for being so stupid. Armand was an extremely good-looking man. She was afraid she might fall for him if she allowed him a night of intimacy. Heartache was something she didn’t want to go through ever again.

Being dumped sucked.

Armand furrowed his lush eyebrows. “Stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Biting your lip. You’re bleeding.”

“Really?” Belle wanted to wipe it.

Armand halted her. “Allow me.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers.

Belle stiffened.
What is he doing?
She tried to push him away but suddenly she felt his large hands firmly planted on the back of her head, anchoring her to stay still as he kissed her deeply. The salty, coppery taste of her own blood flooded her palate when Armand pried open her mouth with his tongue. She wanted to protest, but her attempt evaporated in her throat. Armand kissed like he meant it. Demanding. Passionate. “Armand…”

He muffled her with his kiss.

Heat surged through her veins. Heart pounded. Nipples hardened. Before long, she burned with arousal. It shocked her. She’d been frigid since the night Trent dumped her. But this man, a stranger she barely knew, swept her into a brimstone of lust with just a simple kiss. She felt lightheaded when he finally gave her the chance to catch a breath.

“There,” he murmured. His eyes fixed on her lips. “Don’t bite your lip.”

“O-okay,” she slurred like a drunk.

Armand held her face steadily. His thumbs brushed over her lips. “Will you make a pact with me?”

Her common sense urged her to think this over carefully, but her body demanded otherwise. Belle wanted to ask for more time to think, but the word that came from her mouth was, “Yes.”

“Good.” He beamed. “You won’t be disappointed, Belle.”

What the hell am I doing?

“Come.” Armand grabbed her hand. “Let’s find privacy.”

Is it too late to cancel this?
Belle unconsciously touched her lips. They still burned from Armand’s kiss. That scorching, hot, mind-numbing kiss that made her panties wet. How could this be possible? Her libido had been permanently on vacation ever since that fateful night. She hadn’t been called ‘Ice Queen’ all these years for nothing.

Armand took her out from the Eye of the Lounge through an unmarked door and into a dark corridor. She trudged beside him, battling the decision she’d made. The prospect of spending the night with a stranger scared her. It felt like treading into unfamiliar water. Who knew what would happen? If she backed out now, she knew she’d be safe in her own solitary fortress where no one could hurt her.

But that kiss…

God. A kiss that could melt bones and make her blood boil.

What else can he do besides giving someone a hot scorching kiss?

“Armand…”

He glanced over his shoulder. “You’ve said yes. A deal is a deal,” he told her, as if he could read her mind.

Crap.

“You’re mine tonight, Belle,” he reminded her. “Mine and mine alone.”

She released a slow breath.
Guess it’s too late to chicken out. But do I really want to?
She unconsciously touched where his kiss had branded her lips. A jolt of thrill surged through her.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want him.

They walked through a maze of dark, plush carpeted corridors until they reached another lounge area marked as ‘Private.’ Belle counted six doors in this lounge, each one facing across the small sitting area. The place was empty. Armand pushed open the last door from the left and motioned for her to go in.

Her heart pounded even harder as she stepped inside. She felt vulnerable. Yet, strangely excited at the same time.
What is wrong with me? I barely know him…

Armand closed the door and locked it. He spread his hands. “What do you think?”

Belle looked around. The bedroom wasn’t that big, but it felt very cosy and inviting. Beside a huge sleigh bed with crisp, white linen, the room was only furnished with a nightstand, a large mirror and a wingback chair near the door. The old-world charm theme carried to the décor. The walls were covered with
fleur-de-lis
wallpaper and white wainscoting. There was no lamp. The room was lit with dozens of white candles. Very romantic. “It’s nice.”

He opened a door next to the chair, which turned out to be a bathroom.

The heavy scent of roses mixed with burnt wax drifted out. A large bouquet of red roses was perched on the sink. Like the bedroom, the place was lit with dozens of flickering candles.

Armand plugged the drain in the claw-foot tub and turned on the taps, drawing water. “Come.”

“You want me to take a bath first?”

“I want to bathe you.”

Bathe me?
“I can clean myself, thank you.”

“Bathing a pretty woman is one of my pleasures.” Armand studied the choice of bubble baths in pretty bottles on the sink and picked up a pink one. “I love roses. How about you?”

“Roses are nice.”

He poured the bubble bath into the tub. White foam fluffed like clouds, and the thick scent of roses rose to the surface, filling the air around them with the scent of romance. Armand beckoned her. “Come here, beauty.”

She bit the inside of her lip.
I’m definitely not a beauty
… Belle started unbuttoning her blouse.

“No.”

She paused.

A wicked smile curled at the corner of his lips. His eyes sparkled. “That’s my job. I love undressing a beautiful woman.”

* * * *

She didn’t seem to believe him when he told her she was beautiful. Armand pulled her closer, pressing his body hard against her and letting her know how much he wanted her. He cleaned a stray lock of hair from her face and lowered his head. Belle tensed when he kissed her again. He took his time, kissing her leisurely, wanting her to relax and enjoy what he’d do to her. Belle sagged in his arms when he parted his lips.

“I…uhm, usually don’t do this…” she whispered.

“Kiss a man?”

Her cheeks reddened when she grasped the meaning of his tease. “Sleeping with strangers.”

“I doubt you’ve ever slept with a man at all.”

Her face turned magenta. “I’m not a virgin.”

“You surely act like one.”

“I…I’m just not good at this.”

Armand traced the curve of her lips with his fingers. “It doesn’t matter, sweetheart. Do you like the way I kiss you?”

Her face looked dreamy. “Y-yes.”

He caressed her cheek, the curve of her throat, and down to the swell of her chest. She stiffened when he palmed her breast and squeezed her gently. Armand pressed his lips on hers and breathed out. “Like the way I touch you?”

She swallowed hard. “Yes. Very much.”

He had to kiss her again. Long. Deeply. Unhurried. She trembled in his arms when he parted his lips. He unbuttoned her blouse and slipped it off. It landed by her shoes with a soft whisper. His heart thundered when he saw her cream-coloured lacy bra. Her breasts were quite ample despite her slender frame. His cock grew even harder underneath his pants; he couldn’t wait to discover all of her forbidden delights. He’d been aroused ever since he saw her enter the Common Hall with Madame Chabert.

Pretty little thing. Innocent, yet ravishing.

Armand kissed the side of her jaw, her neck and her shoulder while he unclasped the straps on her back. He took it off hastily.

Her breasts looked even prettier than what he’d imagined. Round, firm, topped with light caramel nipples. Just perfect. Armand couldn’t resist licking it to see if her nipple was as delicious as it looked. And it was. Her body jerked as he sucked her ravenously.

“Armand!” Her protest sounded like a breathless gasp. “I…”

He let her nipple go. “Yum.” She tasted delicious, so Armand had to sample her other one. A long keen filled the ceiling of the bathroom as he took his time sampling her sweetness. She clenched his hair. Her spine kinked as she stretched in pleasure. Belle staggered when he released her. He knelt down and trailed kisses down her belly.

She looked alarmed. “What are you doing?”

“Kissing you.” Armand unzipped her skirt and yanked it off.

“But not there…”

He blinked. “Have you forgotten? Tonight, you’re mine, and if I want to kiss every inch of your body, that’s my call.”

Her breath stalled in her throat when Armand slid her cream-coloured panties that matched her bra down to her ankles.

“Armand. I…”

“Shh.” He kissed her navel and stroked her dark curls. His cock stiffened to the point of pain after he caught a drift of her feminine scent. Armand hissed, stifling the urge to ravish her in an instant. No. He wanted to make tonight last. Make her his. Possibly forever.

Her clutch on his hair tightened as he felt her sex, rubbing her moist pussy lips. Her breath laboured. Her eyes widened in disbelief when he stole a glance at her. “Open a bit,” he ordered.

She shook her head.

Armand forced her legs apart so he could get better access to her pussy. She resisted at first, denying his demand. But when he flicked his tongue and slurped on her dewy cunt, Belle surrendered with a shout. Armand plunged his tongue inside her, plundering what was meant to be his. She writhed, begging him to stop—yet, a second later, she was pleading for more. Apparently, she didn’t know what she wanted. Armand deepened his tongue, tasting her intimately, marking her as his. Salty-flavoured cream filled his palate. He loved it and devoured her for more. Her cries sharpened and ended with a scream. She climaxed hard. Armand clawed her hips and lapped on her juice.

She’d have collapsed if he hadn’t held her. Belle swayed and Armand helped her sit by the edge of the tub. He turned the water off. The bathtub was almost full. She watched him like an obedient child as he took off her shoes and stockings. “How was it? Do you like my kiss?” he asked her, teasing.

Belle was flustered. “I…yes.”

“Good. I love kissing your pussy. You sound very sexy when you come.”

“I do?” Her voice was small. Unsure.

“If you ask me, I really want to fuck you now. But it can wait. You don’t seem to do this very often.”

“I don’t.”

“Why not?”

 
“I…I don’t date.”

“Why is that?”

Belle shook her head. “It’s complicated.”

He decided not to pressure her. A shy girl like her wouldn’t open easily. He’d bide his time until she felt comfortable with him. Gaining her trust would take time. Armand rose and motioned for her to get into the tub.

She obeyed.

“Is the water too hot for you?”

“No. It’s perfect.”

“Mmm.” Armand grabbed a loofah and washed her. He took his time getting intimately acquainted with every part of her body. She sighed and moaned each time he played with her erogenous zones. By the time he finished bathing her, Armand knew exactly how she liked to be touched and pleasured. He put the loofah on the bathroom floor and decided to join her in the tub.