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

The entire shop could burn down and Adom wouldn't notice.
    Emet reached up and brushed one of Adom's thick locks from his brow. "Speaking of your little distraction, do you need any supplies; paints, brushes, or canvases. I can pick up some before I return home tonight.”
    Adom jerked back from Emet's caress. "It's not a little distraction. And I can buy my own supplies."
    Emet's hand fell to his side. "I'm sorry, Adom. That was thoughtless of me. I know painting is your passion, and I support you in it."
    Adom turned towards the shop’s entry. The dress shop was Adom's play at making money with his creations. But in the two years the storefront had been open for business, he'd sold exactly six dresses. All of them to former clients from their days as Pleasure Hounds. And they were former clients of Emet's, not his.
    Emet, who stood half a foot taller than Adom and twice as broad, bent down to kiss Adom between his pinched brows. "Will you forgive me?"
    Adom tilted his head to the side. The movement put his nose into the crook of Emet's neck. He inhaled the earthy scent of basil, an herb Emet always added to his eggs in the morning and his cutlets at night. Adom had fallen into the habit of adding the herb to his water jug, as though he could drink in the taste of his lover throughout the day. The truth was, without Emet's love and support, Adom would not be able to hold a brush in his hand, or stand on the stoop of his own storefront, or kiss the man he loved.  
    In answer to Emet's plea for forgiveness for an offhand remark, Adom reached his hand up and he kissed the man he loved. The kiss started light, an exoneration for a minor offense. But the scales quickly tipped into a major assault.
    Emet pulled away first, breathing heavy. "I have to go or I'll be late. And I will be home late."
    Adom leaned in and licked Emet's plump lower lip, then let his tongue caress the brown skin of Emet's chin. "You sure about that?"
    Emet grinned. "Okay, only a little late."
    Adom captured the juncture where Emet's chin and throat met, a spot which reliably brought the bigger man to his knees.  
    Emet let out a strangled breath, but held firm. "Fine, fifteen minutes at the most."
    Adom pulled away and regarded the dark face he treasured most in this world. "I'll make it worth your while," he promised.
    "I don't doubt it." Emet took a step to the side, his right leg a bit wobbly.
    Adom smiled at the shake Emet had to give himself as he went down the steps and hopped into his conveyance. Emet gave his bondmate one final glance, a glance that told Adom it would be more like ten minutes of lateness, and then he took off.
    Adom went inside and shut the door to the shop without locking it. Adom's creations hung lonely in the windows. There were rarely any customers. Women preferred other female clothing designers. They weren't interested in what a male thought looked good on their bodies.
    He went down to his studio. All around him were pictures of his muse, mostly her body, not truly her face. In many of the depictions her arms were pulled taut over her head or behind her back. Her brown breasts stood exposed and erect, her thighs parted to reveal pink flesh. Such a lovely contrast, that pink to the brown flesh. Such a shame that none of these paintings would ever see the light of day.
    He pushed these canvases aside and began to sketch out his lady, fully clothed, lips pressed together in a chaste smile, as she stood beside a baby doe.

Chapter Three

    "Merlyn you have to help me."
    Alyss sat across from her sister in a cafe. Merlyn was no longer welcome in their Grand Mother's home, but she lived outside of the city in a dusty farmhouse where Alyss couldn't walk without getting mud on her shoes.
    "Alyss, if you ever needed my help, I hope you know you can come to me."
    "I'm coming to you now."   Alyss was welcome in Merlyn's home but she took advantage of her sister's stop in to the city.
    Merlyn shook her head. "This isn't for you,