A Strong Hand

swept a plastic cape around Nick's neck and patted his shoulder gently. "Don't mind me, honey. I just like to tease a bit. Your virtue is safe with me," he said quietly, so the other model couldn't hear.
    Nick was surprised at the sincerity in the other man's voice. "Thanks, Gabe. I'm just ... a bit nervous. I've never done anything like this before."
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    "Don't worry, sweetie. I've shot with Ashley before. If you don't play, he won't use any of his toys on you. And I doubt Damian would allow you to be hurt anyway."
    "Why?" Nick asked, hoping that maybe Gabe knew how Damian felt about him, because he certainly didn't have a clue.
    "Lawsuits, honey. Can't let the models get hurt on the job," Gabe simpered. He nudged the other model with his hip, raising his voice. "Unless they beg for it, of course."
    "Did someone mention begging?" the blond asked, smiling.
    Nick recognized him as the one that Ashley had given a play spanking to at the cattle call. "It's my specialty."
    Gabe bent to whisper in Nick's ear. "Markie will be going home with Ashley tonight, if I know Ashley, and he'll show up tomorrow with some lovely stripes on his arse. Fancies the cane, and Ashley's an expert with it. Probably ride him screaming 'til dawn."
    Suddenly Nick wondered if he were making a terrible mistake.

    * * * *
    Modeling was made up of long boring stretches of time, Nick decided, except for the exciting bits. And the terrifying bits. After starting the week out positive that he was straight and never even having heard of some of the devices he'd seen modeled today, Nick had been held in another man's arms for the first time.
    And enjoyed it.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    But perhaps it was more because of the fiercely possessive look that ignited in Damian's eyes as he watched the two models twine themselves together. Ashley had been right; Nick's dark beauty was positively exotic next to the larger blond, whose tawny good looks and pale skin made a perfect foil.
    Markie was taller and more muscular than Nick, who looked almost delicate in his arms. Both wore black leather chaps over a black thong to cover their genitals. Nick had been turned away from the camera while the blond man held him in position, gripping his upper arms, so that his face was mostly hidden, but his arse fully exposed except for the single strand of silk emerging from between the curved spheres.
    Usually Damian had no trouble with these kinds of shoots—he'd done so many; but seeing Nick in various revealing outfits with other men's hands on his body was a horrible tease for him. He was careful to isolate Nick from the female models, and at least he managed to ensure that none of the males touched Nick's ass; that belonged to him .
    He caught himself short, thinking furiously. Where had that come from? Was he really ready to make himself emotionally vulnerable again, let alone to someone ten years younger, and a boy who had never been part of the scene and didn't know the first thing about playing?
    It was probably just passing curiosity on Nick's part, he reminded himself. Even if something did develop, he would not get emotionally involved with the younger man. The inevitable parting would be so much easier that way.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Ashley walked onto the set to make some slight adjustment and called ready to Damian when he finished and skipped out.
    Damian looked up and growled; the blond had dug his fingers into Nick's luscious ass, pulling the slighter man against him so their crotches were ground together. Nick was twisting slightly, leaning his upper body away, his hands pushing at the other man's bare chest, as if he were an unwilling participant.
    It was a great picture, so Damian shot it, his mind clearing as he worked. Nick was unwilling, with anyone but him. As if to provide confirmation, when Nick was released by the blond model, he staggered slightly in his haste to get away, and for the first time he wasn't filling out the soft cup that covered him.
    Damian strode over to Nicholas and grabbed his arm to steady him, handing him a towel to cover himself for modesty. "Last shot for the day. Go get dressed."
    Nick nodded in relief and whispered, "Sorry. I didn't know he was going to do that."
    Damian nodded and gave him a little push in the direction of the changing room. "Get dressed. We'll talk later."
    When Nick and Markie had left the room, Damian turned on his mischievous client, eyes blazing.