A Strong Hand

shots,"
    Damian said casually.
    The carefully noncommittal note in his voice alerted Ashley that something was up. He decided to tease Damian. "I don't 32

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    know, my dear Damian, you can't just pitchfork an innocent into something like this," he said, stroking his chin. "He would be shocked. Very shocked."
    Damian grinned, remembering how easily Nicholas had stripped for him. "I wasn't thinking of the out-and-out kink shots. I was just thinking he might do well for some of the leather clothing."
    Ashley considered. "All right, he is a pretty boy, if annoying. We'll ask him. Pay him the base model rate?"
    "If he does well. I'll need to do a test shot first, of course."
    "Of course," Ashley agreed, amusement twisting his lips.
    The door opened, and Nick came in, carefully balancing a box containing a selection of pastries and three coffees. He set everything out on the small table in the kitchen, bringing napkins and paper plates. He retrieved the cream from the refrigerator and placed spoons for the sugar.
    "Sit down with us, Nicholas," Damian said.
    Nick glanced up through his lashes, without raising his head, startled into silence. He wondered if he was about to be fired or propositioned as Damian pushed one of the coffees across to him.
    "Ashley has a proposal for you."
    Nick blushed furiously, wondering if Damian had told the attractive blond man what had happened the night before. He started to get up, but a hand clamped around his wrist, holding him in place.
    Damian pitched his voice soothingly, to calm the boy down. "It's not that scary, Nicholas. He just wants to know if you'd be willing to show off some of these clothes."
    33

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Ashley pushed an older catalog across the table, and Nick could see ordinary leather trousers, such as he might wear to go dancing in a club if he had the money for either the pants or the club.
    He looked up to find Damian smiling reassuringly at him.
    "I'd want to take some test shots, to see if you're suited.
    After all, Ashley will need to see you on film before he comes to a decision."
    Nick nodded slightly and sighed in relief. He understood that Damian was telling him that Ashley hadn't seen the shots from yesterday. "Okay, I guess ... I could do that." Very faint stress on the "that."
    Damian smiled broadly in satisfaction. If he got Nicholas to agree to that much, he had no doubt he would soon be able to convince him to model some of the more outré oddments.
    Considering that he had photographic evidence of how much Nicholas had enjoyed himself, he figured it was a sure thing if handled delicately.
    Ashley licked the whipped cream off his straw, watching the byplay between the two of them. Damian was up to something; Ashley was sure of it. He'd enjoy watching this play out, because yesterday, Nicholas had been defiant and rude. But today, he was polite and wary. Something must have happened between them.
    "Nicholas, call the agency for these boys and arrange a cattle call for tomorrow. When you've done that, join us in the back. We'll find a pair of those leather trousers to fit you and snap a couple of shots," Damian directed.
    34

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    He got up and strolled into the studio with Ashley, without checking to see whether Nicholas was following orders.
    "Come on; you can tell me," Ashley said persuasively.
    "Tell you what?" Damian asked.
    "What happened between you and the boy? You didn't really spank him ... did you?" Ashley unconsciously adjusted himself in his shrinking pants.
    "If I did, would I be likely to tell you?" Damian teased.
    "And if I didn't, maybe I'd lie to impress you."
    Ashley guffawed at that, bending over so far, he slid off his stool. Damian stretched out a hand to steady him, smiling to see his friend so amused.
    "As if you give a damn about impressing anyone," Ashley gasped.
    Nick came in, watching silently until Damian had nudged Ashley into good behavior, and asked, "All set?"
    "Yeah, the agency has most of them set up for nine to twelve, but a few models can only come in from one to five.
    Is that okay?"
    "Yeah, sure," Damian said. "What size waist and inseam?"
    Nick mumbled his size, and Ashley quickly sorted through the stacks he'd brought, pulling out all the trousers in Nick's size.
    Nick reached out to stroke a pair of dark, wine-red trousers, made of the softest leather. "I like these."
    "They'll go with your coloring, kid," Damian said, remembering the smooth,