A Strong Hand

Damian's control?
    Nick decided to be safe rather than sorry later, so he went with yes.
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    144

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford

Chapter Eight
    The restaurant that Ashley chose was expensive and good.
    The food was excellent and the two older men spent time over the wine list, choosing a different one to go with each course.
    Even if he hadn't been wearing the collar, Nick would have been on his best behavior, subdued by the elegance of his surroundings. And yet the restaurant was comfortable, just noisy enough to not feel conspicuous if one laughed out loud and the wait staff were friendly and prompt. It was a relief for once, to have someone waiting on him. Unbeknownst to him, the restaurant was part of the club that Ashley belonged to, explaining the high quality of service.
    The atmosphere was soothing and luxurious. Even Derek and Ashley seemed to relax a little with each other, speaking civilly and taking part in the conversation.
    Ashley, however, noticed that the dangerous glint in Damian's eyes had increased, rather than diminished. He was wondering if the other two had had a squabble, but Nick seemed to be most attentive, watching the photographer for approval.
    Then Ashley realized that in spite of the baggy pants and incredibly ugly shirt, Nick's beauty was attracting no little attention from the other guests. Men and women alike were watching Nick, recognizing him as an inexperienced sub, and Damian didn't like it one bit. Ashley was wondering what 145

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Damian was going to do about that, because he wasn't the kind of man to let that kind of threat go.
    In fact, Damian was fuming. Everything seemed to be rubbing him the wrong way that day: first Ashley offering Nick the collar, the misunderstanding over Mistress Bettie, and now the older man at another table who had met his eyes more than once, staring insolently at him in a clear challenge.
    The older dominant emanated a subtle aura of power and he made it obvious that he wanted Nick. A young man of Nick's age, impressionable, just starting to take a few tentative steps into this lifestyle, could be blind to the real dangers that lurked out there, and Damian wanted to keep him from that.
    But most of all, Damian meant to show that man and anyone else that they were not going to simply take his boy away from him.
    When Nick went to the restroom, he went alone, declining Derek's offer to accompany him; he never had been able to pee when people were watching him. He was amazed by the elegance of the restroom. It was lined with gleaming marble, dark and masculine. There were mini halogen lights suspended over each trendy vessel sink, making the glass sparkle, and real linen towels. Nick was washing his hands when Damian came in, catching his reflection in the glass. His smile faded when he saw Damian lock the outer door behind him.
    Damian's eyes glittered dangerously at Nick's questioning look. He stepped up behind him and slid his hands under the boy's shirt, stroking his supple skin.
    146

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    "I don't like how people are looking you, pet. I'm going to put my mark on you," Damian growled.
    "Huh?" was Nick's highly intelligent reply. He was completely unprepared for the other man's possessive attitude. "No one was looking at me."
    "Shut up. Take down your pants. I'm going to mark you as mine."
    Nick squeaked and held onto his belt, fighting Damian for possession of it. "Here? Everyone will hear. They'll know!"
    "I want them to know," Damian said, winning the wrestling match for the belt as was inevitable that he would.
    "London!" Nick gasped. "London!"
    Damian stopped, his eyes clearing as he noticed how terrified Nick looked. After a long minute, he pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to scare you. I thought you'd like it." He rubbed his hand ruefully over Nick's back, feeling the boy's heart pounding against his chest. "You're trembling. It's okay. I'm not going to do it."
    Nick laughed weakly and pushed himself away to look into Damian's eyes. "I guess I can trust you."
    Damian cupped his chin. "You can. That wasn't brilliant of me, but if you found out for sure you can trust me, it wasn't totally in vain."
    Nick smiled and asked in a small voice, "Were people really looking at me?"
    "They weren't just looking; they want you," Damian growled, his ire rising again at the thought of someone taking his boy.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    "And you want