A Strong Hand

now as he watched the Bettie Paige girl flirt her way over to Damian, chatting with him and laughing, her eyes wide and 125

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    innocent. Damian seemed to find her amusing, looking down at her and speaking with animation, gesturing with both arms.
    Nick turned away abruptly; he had no right to object to Damian doing whatever he liked. He went into the little kitchen, trying to find some task to distract himself. There were several used mugs left sitting in the sink and Nick began to run hot water so he could wash them.
    "Well, well, so you're the little elf that keeps this place clean," the Bettie Paige girl said, standing in the doorway with both hands on her hips, clutching a crop in one of them. "Or should I say fairy?"
    "I work here," Nick said, feeling inane and ineffective.
    The girl strolled toward him, her sleek hips rolling lusciously in her tight leather outfit. As she drew closer Nick could see it wasn't trousers after all; she was wearing a bustier with boots that reached to her thigh, with heels so high and pointy that her slow deliberate walk was more of necessity than for effect. "With your looks, I thought you were a model."
    "I model part time," Nick muttered. Her perfume seemed to take him into a conspiracy of closeness with her and he wrinkled his nose with distaste.
    "So are you a homo like all those other pretty boys?" she inquired impertinently. "Or are you only a queer part time as well?" She raised the crop and tickled his chin with it.
    Nick lifted his chin to disengage from the crop. "None of your business."
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    "What if I make it my business?" she said with a slow smile. "I like to play and you might learn something. Even if you are gay."
    "Thanks, but no thanks," Nick said, scowling at her and crossing his arms defiantly.
    "You can't say no to me. How can you resist me when I'm dressed like this? I give the orders, you follow them." The girl raised the crop playfully, as if to give him a swat.
    Nick stepped forward and grabbed the crop, staring down into her eyes, for even with her six-inch heels, he was still the taller. The tone of command that in Damian's throaty voice melted him into submission had no effect coming from this girl. They froze in place for a moment, struggling for possession.
    "Rawrrrr," Gabe purred from the doorway.
    Mistress Bettie looked up, startled, and let go of the crop, which sent Nick staggering back a step, but in triumphant possession of what had almost become a weapon between them.
    "Look at your bad self, bebe, disarming the big, bad dominatrix."
    The girl giggled and Nick suddenly saw the humor in the situation, his lips starting to twitch. "Yeah, that's me, brave as a lion."
    Mistress Bettie put her hand out. "May I have my whip back? Pretty please?"
    Ashley and Damian came up behind Gabe, crowding the doorway, and Nick felt a little foolish to be caught this way.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Ashley smirked when he took in the scene, but Damian's eyes lit up with creative fervor.
    "Technically that's a crop, but hold that thought. Gabe, get Nick ready, would you?" Damian directed. He didn't enjoy watching Nick laughing with Mistress Bettie, but he was torn; once he'd seen them struggling for possession of the crop, he had to capture the dynamic image. He would deal with his own feelings later.
    "Pretty please with a cherry on top?" Bettie pouted prettily at Nick.
    "I don't know. I might feel better hanging onto this myself." Nick grinned. "I might need protection."
    "We're waiting for you for the next shot, Bettie," Ashley said deliberately.
    Bettie pouted prettily for the two men. "Nick and I were just getting acquainted. Where have you been hiding him?
    He's a very cute boy and I haven't noticed him in any shots."
    "With you?" Ashley laughed.
    "Yes, with me. We're the best two models you've got. I think we belong together." Bettie gave Nick a sidelong, appraising look, as if she was still trying to figure out his sexuality.
    "That can be arranged," Ashley agreed silkily. He seemed amused, glancing between Nick's face to Bettie's flirtatious one. "It could be very interesting."
    "Nicky sweetie, come give mama some sugar," Gabe said, grabbing Nick's wrist and dragging him bodily into the makeup room. "Sorry, bebe, it took me a minute to get in there. What was that bitch saying to you?"
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Nick stared at him in disbelief. "What are you? The cavalry, coming to