Chain of Lust (8 page)

His uneasiness turned into full-blown worry.

How did Lilith find out about Maddie?

It pissed him off that Lilith had had someone follow him and he wasn’t aware of it. Adrian had said Jezebel was after him. The bitch was very sly.

Jean-Luc paused as he trod towards the gate of the Central Office’s yard. He could ask Adrian to confirm his theory. Or he could go right to the source, making the
andras
squeal out who had hired it. Jean-Luc decided to go with the latter. He turned on his heels and whirled towards the Death Attic, where the lesser race was contained.

He felt like beating somebody up today.

* * * *

“Your destination?” Hugo asked attentively.

Maddie fished a piece of paper containing the address from her coat pocket. She smoothed it and read it aloud. “Genevieve’s Fine Outfitters. 15
th
La Rue Avenue, Central Market. First Realm.”

“Ah. First Realm.” Hugo nodded and spread a hand. “This way, Miss Cartwright.” The concierge led her into the first door near the reception desk. He turned the dial on the door knob until the needle stopped at number one. The door whispered open. “Here we go. La Rue Central Market. First Realm.”

Maddie’s mouth fell open. “Whoa.”

A busy, traditional market lay just beyond the doorstep. Cobblestone sidewalks. Rustic buildings and shops. People in old-fashioned clothes bustled in the street, shopping and bargaining with the vendors.

“Would you like an escort? We’d be happy to provide you with one.”

Maddie shook her head. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry. But how do I get back?”

Hugo handed her a card. “This is our address in the First Realm. And our name plaque is outside the door. It’s very easy to find. And here’s your key.” He gave her an old-fashioned key. “This will bring you back here.”

“Amazing.” Maddie examined the key. This whole business with the otherworldly realm became more fascinating every day.

“You sure you won’t need an escort?” The concierge looked concerned.

“I’ll be fine. I like to explore new places.”

“Very well. If you have trouble finding the address, call us and we’ll send someone to assist you. My direct extension is listed on the card. I believe you have the special phone Madame Chabert procured for you?”

“Yes.” Chabert had given her a small cell that worked in the Unseen calling area. With it, Jean-Luc and the staff of Maison Plaisir were just within her reach, in case she was in trouble. Like a bat phone, only cooler. “Thank you.” Maddie pocketed the card and the key. “I hope I won’t need to bother you at all.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s my pleasure.” Hugo inclined his head.

Maddie returned the bow and stepped outside.

She grinned childishly. It felt like she’d stepped into a dream world. She padded along the sidewalk, studying the shops along the street. Bookstore. Café. Butcher’s shop. Bakery. Some people did a double take when they walked past her. “
Human
,” she caught them whispering behind her. Maddie felt a bit weird being stared at. But as they did nothing to bug her, she moved along.

First Realm was more fascinating than she’d originally thought. She’d never been interested in the world of the Unseen before, given her bad experiences. But strolling among them in their world, without worrying about being molested, was a nice change of scenery. Jean-Luc’s protection worked like a charm.

After she’d settled down in her new pad, Jean-Luc suggested she’d get a part-time job to kill the time. He knew she’d got bored when she had nothing to do after she’d finished unpacking. Jean-Luc said a friend of his would love to have her as an employee. Maddie wasn’t sure at first, because Jean-Luc’s friend’s shop wasn’t in the human world. Jean-Luc assured her she would be safer in First Realm. It was his turf.

Maddie stopped at intersections, looking for directions. The streets were oddly numbered, and 15
th
La Rue Avenue seemed to be beyond the traffic signal. She crossed with dozens of pedestrians at the red light.

Genevieve’s Fine Outfitters was surprisingly easy to find—it was the biggest clothing store on 15
th
La Rue Avenue. The shop window displayed fancy dresses and fur coats. The style was vintage clothes from the twenties and thirties. Apparently, First Realm residents didn’t follow fashion trends like in the human world.

A matronly woman greeted her when she stepped inside. “You must be Madeline. Welcome, welcome.”

“Are you Genevieve Marle?”

“That’s me. Goodness, you’re prettier in person. Jean-Luc told me all about you.”

“I hope good things.”

“You’re kidding? That boy is head over heels with you.” Genevieve laughed. Her voice was melodious, like an opera singer. Her accent was thicker than Jean-Luc’s.

Maddie blushed. “Really?”

“Darling, I’ve never seen Jean-Luc so taken with somebody before. Come. Let me show you around.”

Her new boss introduced her to her other employees and gave her a tour of the shop. Genevieve’s Fine Outfitters catered to men and women of high taste. Genevieve had hired her as a personal shopper for her clients. On top of a standard salary, Maddie would receive commission for every sale she made. Maddie thought it was a good deal, not that she was desperate for money now. Jean-Luc had given her a big allowance to spend. However, it was nice to earn her own bucks. Or gold. First Realm currency was strictly rendered in gold, silver, and copper coins. Dollars and paper money were unknown.

“When would you be ready for work?” Genevieve asked her.

“Today?”

“That’s wonderful. Let’s get you started, then.” Genevieve gave her the rundown of her job. Since the day was still early and not many customers were in the shop, Genevieve put her on window dressing duty.

It was fun, actually. Genevieve came with a box of merchandise to be put on this week’s display and left Maddie to her own devices. She was in the middle of undressing the fifth mannequin when her boss came in with a new client.

It was Jean-Luc.

“I thought I’d come by to see how your new employee is doing,” Jean-Luc told Genevieve. “It seems she’s a dedicated one.”

“She is.” Her boss turned to her. “Jean-Luc needs a new wardrobe. Perhaps you can assist him? Don’t worry about that. I’ll have Sonya finish the job.”

“Of course,” Maddie answered.

Jean-Luc winked at her.

Heat burned her cheeks. She still couldn’t help acting like a schoolgirl with a crush each time he was near her. Something about him always made her heart beat faster and her pulse race. Her libido went haywire. It was like he had bound her with a chain of lust, all he needed to do was stare at her and she burned uncontrollably from the inside. That man had messed up her brain.

Use him, but never fall for him,
she reminded herself.

Maddie blinked.

Impossible,
she thought.

“I trust you’re in good hands,” Genevieve said to Jean-Luc, patting his hand. Then she greeted another customer who came into the store, leaving the two of them alone.

“C
hérie
,” Jean-Luc whispered teasingly.

A shiver of ache spiralled in her sex. The way he talked always made her horny.
Damn it.
She gulped hard. “What kind of clothes do you need?” Jean-Luc had two pairs of black leather pants, two black shirts, a vest, and a long overcoat hanging in the closet of their suite. He was a man with simple tastes.

“I don’t know. Something nice to wear when we’re going out?”

But he looked nice with whatever he chose to wear. Especially the black ensemble he seemed to be fond of. “Formal trousers and shirts?”

“What do you think?”

“Admit it. You came here to spy on me.”

His grin widened. “Guilty as charged.”

“You’re hopeless.” Maddie sighed. She took him to the men’s section and picked several pants and shirts that seemed to be his size. “Try them on. We have our own seamstresses here, so we can alter everything to your perfect fit. The fitting booth is over there.”

“Oh, I will need assistance trying on these clothes.”

Maddie gave him a hard stare. She caught a drift of his wicked intention.

“Yes?” Jean-Luc acted all innocent.

“I know what you’re trying to do. This is my first day of work. Are you trying to get me fired?”

“Madeline, you have a dirty mind. I’m just asking for your help.”

She punched him.

“Ouch. And you’re assaulting your customer. Outrageous. Wait until Genevieve hears about this.”

“Cut it out.” Maddie pushed him into a fitting room. She hung the pants and shirts on the rack. “There. Try them on.”

Jean-Luc sat on the bench. He spread his arms. “Well? I do need assistance.”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Gimme a break.” She helped him out of his coat. He was dressed in his signature black clothes and boots. She was about to unbutton his shirt when he teased her again.

“If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you love undressing me.”

She was going to punch him again, but thought it would be no use. Jean-Luc was a big teaser. He loved making her beg when they were intimate. It seemed he got a kick out of hearing her plead for him to give her sexual fulfilment. Maddie jabbed a finger on his chest. “You know, I can play your game too.”

“Oh?” His eyes rounded.

“Yeah.” Maddie closed the booth door and locked it. “Where were we?”

“Ahem. You’re about to undress me?”

“Right.” Maddie ran her hands over his chest and down to his belly. She groped his cock. It twitched. He hardened instantaneously.

Jean-Luc purred. “I love it when you’re like this.”

“You don’t say.” Maddie squeezed his hard flesh.

A strangled moan escaped his throat.

Maddie unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants. Jean-Luc was a commando type of man. His cock sprang free. He sighed happily when she squeezed his erection.

Maddie knelt and gave it a curious lick. He groaned. She tightened her grip, asserting her power over him. He was at her mercy. She lowered her head and licked him again. This time, she licked across his huge tip. His body jerked as if he’d been singed with fire. A drop of pearly cream blossomed from his tip.

“Maddie…” he whispered.

When she looked straight into his eyes, they were blazing.

He arched his hips forward, as if he yearned for more. No more teasing. His arrogance vanished. She was truly in control.

She sucked his cock. Jean-Luc made a choking sound. He fisted her hair. His cock quivered, as if it loved what she did. His crown nudged at the roof of her mouth. His fingers dug at her scalp. His breathing laboured.

Jean-Luc swallowed. “I…”

Maddie sucked him and popped him out of her mouth. She pumped his shaft. “Yes?”

He trembled. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Fuck.”

“Hmm. I thought this was called giving head,” she said mockingly.

He snorted. His laugh turned into a groan when she returned her attention to his cock. She caressed him with her tongue, licking him from balls to tip. She nipped his veined shaft, bestowing him with dozens of butterfly kisses. She swirled her tongue on the ridge of his cock-head, tracing his shapely crown. Jean-Luc fidgeted. He leaked again. She noticed and swept it clean with her tongue.

“Maddie, you’re killing me.”

A jolt of triumph coursed through her. Usually, he put her in this position, but now he had melted in her hands. She stroked him slowly. He halted his breath when she squeezed his balls and licked them as if they were coated with honey.

“Oh fuck,” he whimpered.

Maddie arranged her breath and tried to take his whole length into her mouth. She couldn’t. She gagged. She quickly recovered and sucked as much of him as she could. His whimpers turned into a string of incoherent mumbles. His eyes widened when she released him from her mouth. “There. Nice and hard. Just the way I like it.” She gave him a few more strokes and stood up. She went to the rack and contemplated which shirt Jean-Luc should try first. “I think this one would look good on formal occasions.”

Jean-Luc’s expression changed. “You didn’t…”

“I beg your pardon?” Maddie enjoyed her taunt.

“You’re not going to leave me like this.”

“I’m sorry. I’m what? Leaving you unfulfilled? Didn’t I just tell you, I can play your game too?”

“This is bullshit.” Jean-Luc snatched her wrist and yanked her into his arms. “You can’t just dangle a piece of meat in front of a dog and then deny him the treat.”

“Oh? What you going to do about it?”

“What a dog usually does—take the treat anyway.” Jean-Luc slipped his hands under her skirt and ripped off her panties.

“Hey? Are you crazy? How am I supposed to get home without them?”

“This is a clothing store, isn’t it?”

“Jean-Luc!”

He silenced her protest with his mouth, kissing her deeply until her thoughts muddled and jumbled. Jean-Luc broke the kiss and positioned her on the bench. He made her brace against the cushions as he lifted her skirt to her waist.

Jean-Luc drew a sharp inhalation. He caressed her naked ass. He pushed her legs wide open.

“Jean-Luc!”

He ignored her. She felt his heat on her cunt. His cock rested against her pussy lips. She became very wet in a matter of seconds. Maddie looked down, watching the tip of his cock peeking under her clitoris. She could feel his glorious length and his granite-hard shaft pulsed. Jean-Luc seized her hips, anchoring her l while he pulled and pushed, rubbing his whole magnificent length against her pussy lips. Without a word, Jean-Luc thrust into her dripping heat.

“Oh,” Maddie cried.

His cock speared her until he was sheathed balls-deep inside her. She clawed the bench’s floral upholstery, trying to get a better grip. The initial penetration had knocked the breath out of her lungs. Jean-Luc dug his fingers into the soft flesh of her hips and pulled his cock all the way out. Then he slammed back in with brutality. He pulled out. Rammed in. Faster. Harder. He rocked her, battering her with lash upon lash of vicious fucks. She couldn’t breathe. Her body swayed. Her knees wobbled.