Maison Plaisir

by Lizzie Lynn Lee

  A Total-E-Bound Publication

  www.total-e-bound.com

  Maison Plaisir

  ISBN # 978-0-85715-522-1

  ©Copyright Lizzie Lynn Lee 2011

  Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright April 2011

  Edited by Lisa Cox

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2011 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

  Spirit World

  MAISON PLAISIR

  Lizzie Lynn Lee

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  The Matrix: Warner Bros.

  NASCAR: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing

  Incredible Hulk: Marvel Comics

  Bugatti Veyron: Bugatti Automobiles SAS

  Chapter One

  “Oh, you’re a human.”

  The elegant, mature hostess who introduced herself as Madame Chabert eyed her with sheer curiosity. Isabelle Beaumont stiffened, feeling uncomfortable from being scrutinised like a rare artefact by some nosy curator. And what the hell did she mean by ‘you’re a human’? Of course she was a human. Who did Chabert think she was?

  The hostess chortled when she saw the expression on her face. Her mellifluous voice echoed through the deserted lobby of Maison Plaisir. “No need to frown. I’m just surprised you’ve made it here at all.”

  “I’ve been here before.” Belle shifted from foot to foot while anxiety knifed her gut-deep. “A few months ago. But everything looks different now.”

  “Oh?” Madame Chabert’s expression changed as if she’d just realised something. “I forgot tonight is a waning moon. But I still can’t figure out how you were able to walk past the barrier.”

  Waning moon? Barrier? Belle shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Never mind, dearie.” Madame Chabert dismissed her lightly. “It’s fate that you’re here. Now, what can I do for you?” She motioned Belle to follow her into a private sitting area.

  Belle sat on one of the fancy chairs, studying her surroundings. Mason Plaisir had gone through some drastic changes. The last time her best friend Lisa had dragged her here, this lobby looked like something that came from The Matrix movie set. Chromed walls plastered everywhere. LCD screens with flashing binary codes had graced every available space while deafening industrial music pounded from the speakers.

  At that time, Belle had only stayed in the lobby for a few minutes before she’d decided to ditch Lisa. Belle had thought they were going to a nightclub or something, and she certainly hadn’t thought Maison Plaisir would turn out to be a sex club. Actually, it was more than just a sex club. Maison Plaisir was the best-kept secret S&M club in town, hosting the most beautiful and talented pro dommes and doms. At least, that was what Lisa had told her. Belle didn’t stick around long enough to find out if the rumours were true. The moment she found out what Maison Plaisir was all about Belle had chickened out and ran.

  It felt like irony that months later she’d decided to come back here. She was desperate. She needed to rent a date and Maison Plaisir was the only risqué establishment she knew. She was green in the naughty department and couldn’t gather her courage to call a local escort agency. Especially when her situation demanded secrecy. If her date couldn’t keep his mouth shut, the charade she was about to perpetrate would doom her to a lifetime of hell.

  Belle examined her surroundings with wonder. From the fancy wallpapers and painted ceilings, to the elaborate woodworks and trims that festooned all the walls, Maison Plaisir resembled a museum rather than an S&M club. Even the hostess herself looked like somebody from the cast of Pride and Prejudice. Madame Chabert was dressed in a black silk ruffle shirt adorned with a big ruby cameo on her neck. Her black hair was swept upward in a tight bun. Her tight bodice accentuated her impressive hourglass figure and her long skirt swept the floor when she walked. Elegant. Refined. Classy. Belle remembered Maison Plaisir’s last hostess wore a red latex catsuit and five-inch stilettos.

  Madame Chabert settled herself in a wingback chair across from the coffee table. “What do you wish for pleasure tonight, Miss…?”

  “Isabelle Beaumont. I need a date. Probably for several weeks. I heard you can help me with that kind of service.”

  Chabert’s eyebrows shot up. “A semi-permanent engagement. That can certainly be arranged. What is your preference?”

  “A man, of course.” Belle said it a little too quickly. A nervous laugh followed. “I don’t really care about the overall appearance. Actually, I need a fake boyfriend. Someone I can show to my family for a few weeks to get them off my back.”

  “I see.” Madame Chabert didn’t look surprised that Belle wasn’t looking for a whipping master. “We can arrange that as well.”

  “How much do you charge for that?”

  “Now, now, dearie.” Chabert twirled a finger. “Since you’re interested in a long-term engagement, you should discuss the payment directly with your choice of associate. We’re only facilitating the matchmaking in this matter.”

  “Oh?” Funny, the last time Lisa dragged her here Maison Plaisir had charged two hundred dollars just to enter the establishment. The domme or dom’s fee wasn’t included. Since when did they become a charity place? “Uhm, do you take plastics as well? I didn’t bring my cheque book.”

  “The associate will let you know his payment preference as well. Now, shall I show you to the Common Hall? You may approach them there.”

  “Okay.”

  “Splendid. Please follow me.” Chabert rose from her seat and led her back to the grand lobby into the main entrance behind the reception desk. The hostess tapped her fingers on to the heavy double doors and murmured something. The doors opened by themselves where the sight of ultimate luxury greeted them.

  Belle shadowed Madame Chabert, gawking around in awe. It was hard to believe this kind of place existed in the heart of the business district in downtown Chicago. Maison Plaisir occupied the entire fourth and fifth floor in the Folsom Building. Two floors above them housed exclusively financial firms. Three floors below housed a famous dot com company, law firms and a day spa. Belle wondered how Maison Plaisir could even pass the city zoning law in the first place. Whoever owned this place must have connections with very important people who ran the city.

  The Common Hall, as Chabert had called it, was such an understatement. This room looked more like a ballroom. The place was two stories tall and surrounded by balconies with ornate railings. A grand staircase leading up to the second floor was perched in the heart of the hall, flanked with two angel statues carved in white marble stone. Everythin
g in this place reflected high taste. And so did the patrons of Maison Plaisir. The Common Hall was filled with people dressed in period costumes, just like Madame Chabert. Some of them were wearing Venetian masks. They lounged in the chairs and sofas that sprawled across the Common Hall, chatting in soft-sounding foreign accents. Belle was the only one dressed in normal clothes, and judging from the way everyone was dressed, she assumed tonight must be costume night or something similar.

  Chabert took her hand and ushered her to one corner of the hall. She leant over and whispered, “As you can see, all guests in here are masked. Our associates are not. Feel free to approach them if you see someone you like.”

  A sliver of panic crept through her. Approach? She’d never approached a man in her entire life, especially for this kind of nefarious purpose. She’d always been a shy, introverted person, mostly due to her mother and her older twin sisters, who always loved reminding her of how ugly she was. Growing up, Belle had been an awkward, fat, pimply kid with thick glasses and unsightly braces. Fifteen years later, she still hadn’t regained her self-confidence even after she’d shed many pounds, lost her braces, and now wore contacts. When she looked in the mirror, she thought she appeared normal like any twenty-six year-old career girl would. But somehow, the mental bullying she’d suffered under her demanding mother and her perfect twin sisters remained.

  “W-wait, what if no one wants to be my date?”

  “You’re jesting. A pretty thing like you?” Chabert patted Belle’s hand. “You’ll be fine, dearie. Our associates are trained to never leave a patron unattended. You should have nothing to worry about.”

  “O-okay.”

  “How about I fetch you a glass of bourbon to calm you down?”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t drink.”

  “A cup of tea, then?”

  “That would be great. I really appreciate it.”

  “No trouble at all. I’ll be back.”

  Belle felt lost again when Chabert left her. She gulped hard and found her way to a nearby sofa. She sank into it and observed the surroundings. She started wondering if she was doing the right thing. Renting a date. Straying into an S/M club. Her mother would have a fit if she ever found out she went to this kind of place. Charlatan, her mother would say. Even though she was brought up with a respectable upbringing, her mother had always insisted Belle was different from her sisters. She was a bad seed in the family. Belle didn’t really understand why her mother hated her. Mother had always blamed all the misfortunes in the family on Belle. Because of Belle, her father had committed suicide. Because of Belle, the family fortune had been squandered away and they could barely afford their lavish lifestyle, making their family outcasts among their wealthy socialites.

  Belle this. Belle that.

  On her eighteenth birthday, Belle had had enough and decided to move out. She had worked various full-and part-time jobs to support herself and put herself into college. After she graduated, she’d got herself a nice job in an advertising company as a graphic designer, where she could afford a better apartment and a better future. Belle thought severing her ties with her family years ago would keep them away from her life. She was wrong. About two weeks ago, her mother had showed up in her apartment and demanded she find a future son-in-law. If she didn’t have anybody, her mother would choose one for her.

  Having to work hard to make ends meet and studying hard all the time, her love life was practically non-existent. Besides, one bad incident when she was a teenager had made her wary of man. Belle was mortified when her mother announced she was going to arrange her engagement with Trent Curtis, a childhood acquaintance and family close friend.

  Trent was a walking, talking nightmare.

  He was actually her twin sisters’ classmate, a popular boy at school who Belle had a secret crush on. When Trent suddenly showed interest in her, Belle innocently believed that sometimes, dreams did come true. Trent was everything a teenage girl could ever want in a boyfriend. They dated for a week before Trent convinced her to surrender her virginity to him. Belle gave up her innocence. But to her dismay, Trent dumped her without a second glance. Belle found out Trent had taken her as his girlfriend because he’d lost a bet with Belle’s twin sisters, Clara and Sarah and after years of putting up with the twins’ crap and pranks, she’d decided she’d had enough. The next day, Belle left everything behind and never looked back.

  Knowing her mother wanted to play matchmaking with the man she loathed to the bones, Belle made up an excuse that she was seeing somebody seriously. Her mother didn’t believe her and demanded to meet him at a family dinner. Belle couldn’t find a way out of it and half-heartedly agreed. Now, the only thing she could do was get a fake boyfriend.

  The very reason she had wandered in to Maison Plaisir.

  Belle drew a deep breath and clutched the edge of her skirt. Her gaze drifted around the Common Hall, observing the festivities.

  “Well, well, what do we have here?”

  A warm, buttery sound startled Belle from her reverie. She quickly turned to the source of that voice. A gasp stifled in her throat. The owner of the voice was the most striking looking man she’d ever met in person.

  He was tall, well built, and dressed all in black. Unlike the others, he wasn’t wearing any costume. The man was wrapped in a black sport jacket with matching pants, and from the look of it, they were definitely designer pieces. His hair looked like burnished copper, cut short, complimenting his tanned skin deliciously. But one thing that captivated her the most was his eyes. He had such gorgeous eyes—eyes she could lose herself in if she stared at them too long.

  He stuck his hand out, beaming. “Name is Armand Shah. Are you unattended?”

  Dreamily, Belle shook his hand. “Unattended?” she echoed.

  “Is someone with you? I don’t think so. I saw you coming with Madame Chabert earlier.”

  “Y-yes.” Belle wanted to pull her hand away but he didn’t let her go. Her heart pounded; her pulse was racing. There was something unsettling about him. Belle couldn’t find the right word to describe him. Armand was handsome and glimmering.

  Regular men just don’t glimmer.

  She gulped. After a few moments of awkwardness, Belle forced herself to yank her hand from his grip. He released it half-heartedly.

  “I take it this is your first visit to Maison Plaisir?” Armand settled himself next to her. His knees brushed hers.

  Her heart beat faster. “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. You are…?”

  “Belle. Isabelle Beaumont. Nice to make your acquaintance, Mr Shah.”

  “Acquaintance? I was thinking we could be more intimate than just acquaintances, ma belle Belle. So. What is your pleasure?”

  “I a-actually…”

  “My lord Shah.” Madame Chabert’s voice interrupted her stammers. “I see you already met Miss Beaumont. She’s new. And very special.” Chabert put the teacup on the coffee table.

  Armand winked. “I can see that. It’s a rare treat for someone like her to wander into here.”

  “I called it fate. Everything happens for a reason,” Chabert agreed.

  “Indeed.” Armand lifted the teacup and offered it to Belle. “Try it. It’s Maison Plaisir’s special brew. A special blend between Darjeeling and Tieguanyin tea, and also some secret herbs. Perfect to soothe even the most stubborn anxiety.”

  How did he know she was nervous? Was she that easy to read? Belle took the cup and sipped it. Wow. Armand wasn’t kidding. It was the best tea she’d ever tasted. She’d never come across anything like it and she was a tea snob.

  “Excellent, isn’t it?” Armand turned to Chabert. “I’ll take it from here, Madame.”

  Chabert patted Belle’s hand dotingly. “Enjoy the night, dearie.”

  “Thank you,” Belle replied.

  Armand spread a hand. “Shall I show you around? What are you in the mood for tonight?”

  She put the teacup back on the coffee table.
“I actually wasn’t looking for something like that.”

  “Oh?”

  “I want to hire an escort, probably for several weeks.” Belle paused for a moment before telling Armand the purpose of her visit. He listened attentively.

  “A fake boyfriend. Interesting.”

  “Can you do it?”

  “Can I? I’d be happy to.”

  “How much do you charge?”

  Armand’s smile widened. “An arm and a leg.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Make a pact with me and I’ll grant your wish.”

  “I…I don’t understand what you mean.”

  He rose from the sofa, offering his hand. “Come with me. I’ll show you what I want.”

  Armand Shah, the Duke of Seventh Realm, couldn’t believe what he saw when Madame Chabert came to the Common Hall with a human woman. He didn’t know how Belle could wander past the barrier between the human world and the spirits. Especially in a place like Maison Plaisir, where the perimeter had been tightly warded with spells and protections against unwanted pests. Some gifted humans like witches and mediums were able to see his kind. But Belle didn’t fall into the latter category. She was just an ordinary human woman.

  Pretty little thing, too.

  A very pretty little thing. She was slim and delicate, but her body curved in all the right places. Her green eyes looked like precious jade, large and oval shaped, shielded with long, lush lashes. She had a pert nose and soft pink lips he couldn’t wait to kiss. Her dark, reddish hair was long and straight, and it looked so soft to touch. She didn’t wear makeup. Didn’t need to. Belle was a natural beauty.

  Just his type.

  His uncle, who owned this pleasure house, was also fronting a mirror establishment in the human world, but it catered exclusively to those with appetites for unorthodox pleasure. Uncle Isaac had taken a human consort who refused to live in Seventh Realm. To make things easier for her to travel between worlds, Uncle Isaac had started this establishment several years ago as a doorway to the Unseen. Unlike the otherworldly beings, humans couldn’t see the other worlds, let alone pass back and forth between them. Only a human who had been claimed by the otherworldly beings was able to sieve through the barrier. Belle had just wandered in.