The Clever Fox: Part One (The Pleasure Hound Series) Read Free Page A

their work shown in respectable galleries. And by respectable, he meant galleries in which women frequented without masks and hoods to hide their identities while gazing at banned erotic works of art.
    "The new exhibit opens in one week. You're lucky there was a cancellation. We won't have another such opening for months. You must have at least two more paintings to have a wall."
    A wall? Adom had to bend his knees to keep his feet from bouncing like a little boy's. A wall in a respectable gallery. A place to show his paintings and get the recognition he deserved. He knew it was a chance of a lifetime, especially for a discard with no patroness. He also knew creativity of this kind, the Goddess in pastoral or sacral settings, eluded him. Even now his fingers itched to change the purple gown to reflect the tone of the lady's skin color. To erase the lace covering her chest and expose two breasts he imagined to have dark, brown nipples. To take the red blood seeping into the earth and attach it to her untamed hair.
    It was difficult for his mind to render respectable pictures. His mind always veered toward the lascivious. He had no thoughts of his Muse in respectable positions. When he saw her in his mind's eye, she was carnally displayed. Lips parted, breasts erect, thighs open.
    "Either you have two more paintings to make a series, or you cannot show. Be sure they are respectable." Geoffri had seen some of Adom's earlier work popularized in those underground galleries only frequented by men.
    Adom couldn't refuse. He'd have to find a way through. He nodded and took his leave of the gallery.
    The moment he stepped outside, the brisk air assaulted him. That painting had taken him weeks to refine. He'd had to take out so many carnal indications. There was no way he could come up with other sacral depictions of the Goddess in a week's time. At least not without the model herself posing in a respectable fashion. Which would never happen. His muse was a lady and a friend of his Brother's wife. He couldn't bring any shame onto Jian and his family. Even if the lady miraculously agreed, there was another, more secret reason he could never allow her to pose for him.
    Adom's fingers twitched. He knotted them into a fist until the feeling abated. He stood on the front stoop of the gallery. His gaze fell into the gallery window and saw the Goddess in a field of pastel flowers. The Goddess shining her light on baby girls. The most risqué painting depicted the Goddess on her throne with men bowed down in prostration. The pedestrian pictures had never interested him before, but if he wanted to move forward and be a legitimate artist he'd have to play the game.
    Adom left the gallery and walked back home. Up in the sky, traces of the deep purple from the night hung in the horizon. The vibrant yellow-orange ray overshadowed the purple. The green of tree tops rose up to greet the rays. Blue birds flew by to complete the palette. Adom stood still for a moment and stared at nature's symphony of technicolor.
    Arriving home, Adom grabbed for the door to his shop, Adom's Leaf. It was a modest establishment in a descent part of town. Before he could turn the knob, the door opened. Inside the frame stood a dark god of justice.
    Emet was breathtaking in his crisp linens and tie. A legal brief slung over his shoulder, a tablet in his hand. His square jaw set firm as he stared down at the device.
    Emet's face lit up when he saw Adom. "Where have you been?"
    "Out for a walk." Adom wasn't ready to share his big news with his bondmate until it was cemented. "You're headed to the Voice's offices?"
    "Yes," Emet said. "I'm helping to prepare for a debate on the new Insemination Bill."
    "Insemination?"
    "Yes, the Male Voice just might let me take lead on this. It's a great show of his trust in me. We talked about this the other night, Adom.”
    "Did I have a paint brush in my hand?"
    Emet sighed. They both knew well that Adom went into a zone when he painted.