A Strong Hand

addressed Markie the same way, seeing as he was also submissive, but at least he didn't feel as if his secret had been revealed.
    When he was satisfied with his shots, Damian released the two models. Markie dropped the leash and took Nick's arm, hauling him groaning to his feet. "People always think modeling is so glamorous," he commented wryly. "They should try holding a pose for a long stretch sometime."
    Nick laughed, allowing Markie to hang onto his arm as he worked the kinks out of his knees, unaware of jealous eyes watching them. "Thanks," Nick said, before going to the monitor to see the shot.
    Ashley was struck dumb. "That is fuckin' brilliant, Ian. That shot alone, shit, this has got to be the cover."
    "I thought you liked that group shot," Damian teased.
    "Back cover. This wins the front, hands down," Ashley said, in a voice that sounded as if he was falling in love. Or at least in the grips of a deep crush. It made Nick giggle.
    Damian looked pleased with it himself, and Nick could see why as soon he glanced at the screen. His face was in 141

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    shadow, except for a triangle of light that gleamed over his parted lips, widening to reveal the new collar on his throat.
    His skin shimmered with the luminous oil that Gabe had smoothed onto him (taking entirely too much pleasure in it, to Nick's discomfort), highlighting the muscles in his shoulders, pectorals, and abdomen. Fuck, his nipples looked wet as if someone had just licked them.
    The other model was barely visible, emerging from the shadows just enough to personify menace, towering over the slim boy, the leash wrapped around his black gloved hand, making Nick's submissive pose all the more palpable.
    Therefore Nick was unprepared for the frown that Damian turned on him. The photographer unhooked the leash from his collar and tersely commanded, "Go get cleaned up."
    The two models walked to the makeup room together, while Ashley, Derek, and Damian examined the shot.
    "Damian, this is a masterpiece. I want to buy a print,"
    Ashley said soberly.
    "I'll think about it," Damian said in a surly voice.
    Ashley studied his friend's troubled face. "Look, let's go out to dinner. Someplace nice, my treat. We've been pushing to get this finished, and you're tired. I want to show you how much I appreciate your artistry and care. We'll make it an early night, we'll take Sunday off, and you'll feel better by Monday."
    Privately wondering if Sunday without Nick might not drive him crazy, Damian agreed with a strained smile. "Sorry, Ash.
    I guess I am bushed. Dinner sounds good."
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    A Strong Hand
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    "We'll have Nick and Markie along as well," Ashley said hospitably. When he followed them to the makeup room to extend the invitation, Damian noticed how Derek's shoulders slumped in defeat.
    "Ask him if you can come along. He'll invite you too. I'm sure he just wasn't thinking," Damian said.
    "I couldn't," Derek said, in an uncharacteristically quiet voice.
    Ashley emerged from the makeup room, saying "Nick said yes, if you're okay with it, Ian, and Markie can't come, so it'll be just us three."
    "Four," Damian said. "I invited Derek."
    "Oh. All right then," Ashley said nervously.
    "Excuse me. I need to speak to Nick," Damian said, basely abandoning the other two to work things out for themselves.
    Nick came out of the makeup room, considerably less shiny and buttoning up one of his atrocious shirts, still wearing the collar.
    Damian grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him into the office, locking the door behind them. "You're still wearing it."
    "I didn't think you'd like it if you put it on and I let Gabe take it off," Nick responded nervously.
    "Good instincts, pet." Damian's fingers stroked over the leather. "I think we'll leave it on for a while."
    "You mean, I'm to go to a restaurant wearing a collar?"
    Nick's voice rose uncertainly.
    "Yes, that's precisely what I mean. I will enjoy knowing that you're wearing it under your shirt, where no one else can 143

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    by Catt Ford
    see it. A sign of my ownership." Damian slowly buttoned the boy's shirt all the way to the top, patting his chest when he was finished. "Let's go."
    Nick wanted to check to see if the collar was showing, but Damian didn't allow him any time for that. He simply unlocked the door and pushed Nick out ahead of him. Ashley and Derek were waiting by the outer door, so the young man had no chance to ask any questions, like, was he still under