A Strong Hand

words.
    "Extreme?"
    Nick nodded.
    Damian smiled. "You'll get used to it. The human animal is the most adaptable one on Earth. What shocks you today will be commonplace tomorrow. You'll see." He nodded encouragingly.
    48

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    "I wouldn't want my mum to see me in any of these," Nick blurted.
    "Somehow I doubt she's on Ashley's mailing list. And if she is, she probably won't mention it. But if it's any comfort I could show you the shots I took the other day. You'll see; no one will see enough of your face to recognize you," Damian said matter-of-factly, hoping it would calm the young man.
    "The allure of the unknown is always more powerful than dull reality."
    "I would like to see them," Nick said boldly. "I didn't think you'd show them to me."
    "You need to learn to ask for what you want," Damian scolded gently. "How will anyone know how to please you if you don't make your needs known?"
    Nick didn't know what to say to that, but luckily Damian had placed his hand on his back, guiding him into the darkroom.
    "Have a seat," Damian said, turning down the lights. "I haven't shown these to Ashley, in case you're wondering."
    Nick blinked as his image flashed up onto the large plasma screen. Damian must have scanned in all the images. He nearly jumped up and ran when he was confronted with his own naked body. It was one of the early shots; he was naked and only his hands were bound to the bar.
    He gulped quietly. He had no idea he could look like that, every curve and dip of his muscles taut under his skin, glowing like burnished gold under the artful lighting. His face was turned far enough away to be concealed in shadow, yet 49

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    enough light played over it to reveal the shape of his cheekbone and the defined line of his jaw.
    Damian started the slide show, watching Nicholas's reactions carefully as the photographs became progressively more graphic. Damian had been holding the cable release while he locked Nicholas's ankles into the spreaders, accidentally pressing the button while he worked. He heard an audible gasp when Nicholas saw the shot; the photographer, biceps bulging the short sleeves of his black T-shirt, bending to spread Nicholas's legs.
    Nervously Nick flicked a glance at Damian, flushing when he saw the older man looking straight at him. He returned his gaze to the screen, thankful for the darkness.
    "Fuuuuck," Nick let out on a slow breath when the last shot came up. The expression on his face, showing shock, submission, and hope, combined with the reddened print of a hand on his arse, made his cock hard in seconds. His arse started to throb again with the memory of it.
    He jumped when he felt hands press down on each of his shoulders, holding him still in his seat.
    A husky voice whispered in his ear. "Do you know how hot that photograph made me, Nick? I couldn't sleep that night, thinking about you. About your tight little ass, about you, naked, kneeling in front of me.
    "That's what you want, Nicky, isn't it? You want to be naked in my presence, on your knees. You'd like it if I just took my pleasure of you, used you any way I liked. Are you wondering what it will feel like when I kiss you, take your mouth, and fuck it with my tongue?"
    50

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Damian was pleased with the low moan that answered his words. Nick was facing away from him, so the tension in his shoulders and the quickened sound of his breathing were Damian's only clues as to how his verbal seduction was being received.
    "What if I found your nipples and pulled on them with my fingers, twisting and pinching until those dark circles were pointed, aching little peaks, 'til you thought you couldn't take it any longer? Do you like it when someone plays with your nipples? Do you like having them bitten?"
    Nick's entire body shuddered.
    "And if I told you I was going to take down your pants and warm your bottom for you, would that give you a thrill? Did it make you hard when I spanked you, kneeling there, tied and bound into a spreader, completely at my mercy? Only able to move if I moved you, only able to do what I gave you my permission to do? Does that excite you?"
    "Yes," Nick whispered. For a moment his body became malleable in Damian's hands, his rigid spine relaxing enough for him to lean back against the hard, solid body behind him.
    He felt Damian's arms move to circle him, and he panicked.
    He ran.
    Damian heard the outer door slam shut and closed his empty