A Strong Hand

comfortable for you with a woman."
    "I don't know if I'm gay," Nick agreed, "but I do know that I really enjoy when you ... spank me and ... other stuff, sir. I don't want anyone but you to do that stuff to me."
    "Then I will keep spanking you and showing you pleasure, pet, because that gives me pleasure," Damian said with satisfaction.
    Damian picked up the red collar he'd taken off the boy the previous day. "I'm going to put this on you, but you haven't earned it yet. However, once I have placed any collar around your neck, I shall expect you to do exactly as I say. In effect, we are in a scene once this is on, although no one out there will be aware of it. Are you ready for that, pet?"
    Nick's mind was spinning out of control. Did this mean that he would be required to kneel at Damian's command? Would Damian call him pet in front of the others? Despite his confusion, there was just something about the older man that compelled his compliance. He nodded slowly. "I'm ready, sir."
    Damian's fingers were very gentle as he fastened the collar and smoothed it into place. Nick arched into the tender caress 138

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    like a cat, rubbing his face unconsciously against Damian's wrist.
    Damian suppressed a shiver; the boy was really getting to him. The wine red collar against the burnished golden skin made him aware that he wished that he really were collaring Nick. He controlled the urge to stake his claim and pushed it away. They were too different. Hell, they were ten years apart in age. Nick would get his jollies for a while and then he'd leave. Damian was not prepared to hand his heart to the boy so easily.
    He pulled his hands away and crossed his arms in front of his body. "Go to Gabe. Have him use some of that shiny stuff on your body. I want your skin to glow in this shot."
    "Yes, sir," Nick said softly and got to his feet. He opened the door and paused, looking back, touching the collar with one finger. "Thank you, sir."
    "You're welcome."
    Damian stared at the closed door and wondered what he was doing. Playing with fire, that's what, he decided.

    * * * *
    "Did you know one of the male models is ... heterosexual? "
    Ashley demanded.
    Damian smirked at Ashley's outraged face. "You can't ask their sexual orientation before you hire them, Ash. You know that. And it's not a dirty word."
    "I know, but I'd been having the most delicious fantasy about him," Ashley mourned. "Now it's all ruined."
    "Which one?" Damian asked, curious despite himself.
    139

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    "Ruben, the black guy with the shaved head and the long—
    "
    "I know the one," Damian interrupted hastily, seeing the model in question emerge from the makeup room, escorting Mistress Bettie. They appeared to be having a good time with each other, laughing and even holding hands, which instantly aroused his suspicions. "Playing Cupid again?"
    "I merely asked if anyone was straight," Ashley asked smugly. "He volunteered that he was so I put him on to keep Bettie entertained."
    "Thanks, Ash, but I think we've got it worked out now,"
    Damian said, touched by his friend's good intentions.
    "I'm sure you do, but a little extra insurance policy never hurts."
    "You look good in wings, Ashley."
    "Wings!" Ashley cried out. "Brilliant! I must get that into development for next year!" He took out his BlackBerry and started punching buttons furiously.

    * * * *
    Nick was on his knees, wearing only tight leather pants and the red collar. Markie stood beside him, further back obscured in the shadow, where just a gleam reflecting off his leather pants revealed his presence. Nick had his hands clasped behind his back. A glittering silver leash was swaying between his collar and Markie's gloved hand.
    Nick looked at the floor, his lashes veiling his eyes, wondering exactly how this looked. He could sort of picture it, and he now knew enough to realize that his aching knees and 140

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    the twinge in his hip didn't show up on film. Instead, quite surprising things, secret revealing things showed up, a testament to Damian's mastery of his medium and his models. Nick was incredibly relieved that the female models had been sent home, especially Bettie. He could only imagine her avid interest in this pose.
    Markie shifted slightly in response to Damian's orders and Nick was relieved that the photographer spoke to each of them in exactly the same tone. Of course, he didn't realize that Damian automatically