A Strong Hand

fallen into place and he knew what he'd been yearning for, without ever 166

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    realizing it. He sighed and relaxed even further as the brush of Damian's cock over his prostate sent shivers of bliss throughout his body, his consciousness centered on that point of contact. Heat blossomed within him with each thrust as Damian drove deep inside him. Nick felt claimed, valued, as if he was precious in Damian's eyes.
    Unconsciously he ground his own erection into the pillow beneath his hips, raising his arse to meet each thrust. With every stroke, Damian brought him nearer to release until at last he cried out, his orgasm rolling through him, curling his toes and fingers with ecstasy.
    Damian smiled as he felt Nick clench around him. He gripped the slender hips and hauled the boy to his knees, holding him there as he pounded into him, chasing his own release. He uttered a wild cry as he spasmed into the condom, wishing that he could plant his seed deep within the boy, but even without that, he owned Nick now. He thrust one last time, freezing in place as the last ripple of pleasure rolled through him.
    He sank down, pushing Nick flat beneath him, taking pleasure in covering the slender, pliant body with his own.
    "Mine," he growled softly and bit the velvet shoulder, but not hard enough to leave a mark. He had claimed the boy as his own; his mark was indelible now. He was satisfied.
    Both men drifted off to sleep, Damian still buried deep within his boy.

    * * * *
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Nick woke and felt around the cold sheets before his eyes were open. He wondered if he'd dreamt it, but he thought he remembered that Damian had fucked him. He flexed his arse and the soreness told him it was no dream.
    He shifted in bed, wanting to just lie there and let his mind drift. He stretched on the luxuriously soft bed, wondering if Damian expected him to get up.
    "Hey, Nicky," Damian said, calling him again by the diminutive that only his mother and sister ever used. He came in bearing a tray, which he set on the bedside table.
    "How are you feeling?" he asked, feeling Nick's forehead as if he'd had a fever.
    "I'm fine," Nick answered nervously, unsure as to how things stood between them now.
    Damian went to the closet and retrieved an old plaid flannel shirt. "Slip this on, so you don't get chilled. I brought you breakfast."
    Obediently, Nick pulled the shirt over his shoulders.
    Damian fluffed pillows, placing them against the headboard for the boy to lean against.
    "What did you bring me?" Nick asked expectantly.
    Damian chuckled. "Only coffee and toast. I'm afraid I don't eat here very often and there isn't much in the house."
    "That's okay," Nick said, sniffing deeply at the steaming cup that Damian handed him. He was surprised at the first sip to see that Damian had remembered how he took his coffee.
    He raised glowing eyes to the older man and accepted a slice of buttered toast.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    They ate the simple meal in silence and Nick yawned when he was done. Damian took the empty cup from his lax fingers.
    "How's your hip?"
    "It's fine, Damian, really," Nick said with a smile.
    "Tell me why you only wanted one pill."
    "Two knock me out forever. One doesn't work on the pain quite as fast, but it doesn't leave me so groggy," Nick explained. "And you rubbing my back so quick helped me relax, so it didn't get as bad as sometimes."
    "Why don't you go back to sleep and take it easy today?"
    Damian asked.
    Nick yawned but shook his head. "I don't want to be in your way. You must have things to do."
    There was no way that Damian could tell Nick how empty it made him feel to think of taking him home. He couldn't admit that he would miss the boy, even to himself. "No, I plan to take it easy myself. Can I get you anything from your apartment?"
    Nick blushed deeply, remembering the state he'd left it in.
    He'd been so anxious to see Damian lately that he hadn't bothered to put anything away at all. "Uh, that's okay."
    Damian laughed. "I've already seen the worst. If you wanted your laptop and a change of underwear...."
    Nick turned redder. "I don't think there is any clean underwear. But I could use my laptop."
    Damian kissed the silky curls. "Lie down and get some rest. I'll be back soon."
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Nick slid down in the bed and snuggled against his pillow, feeling cared for. It was a nice feeling after being away from home for four years. He