A Strong Hand

Derek peeked cautiously out of the kitchen to see a very fit and muscular man, clad in jeans and a tank top. He was good looking in a rough sort of way, with dark auburn hair that stuck up all over his head, thick eyebrows, and stubble on his chin.
    "Hey, you two little fairies, where the fuck is Crispin?"
    Nick frowned and stepped forward, clenching his fists.
    Derek hung onto his arm and answered, "In the back,"
    pointing the way.
    "Where does he get off—?" Nick started angrily.
    "Shut it. Let's go watch," Derek said soothingly. "Besides, you couldn't take him in a month of Sundays."
    "I'm just as tall as he is," Nick sputtered.
    "It's not the height, it's the bulk. Eddy's a construction worker," Derek explained in a whisper. "Wait'll you see how Crispin handles him. It's a treat."
    The two boys watched as Eddy swaggered into the back, ignoring the many implements and all the photos.
    "Crispin, how's it hanging?" Eddy asked and laughed at his own crudeness.
    Crispin kissed him lightly and said, "Hello, Eddy, love.
    That's one."
    "Oooh, scary. And who are these fucking poofters?" Eddy leered.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    "Eddy, behave," Crispin said sternly, slinging his arm over the shorter man's shoulders. "You know Ashley perfectly well, so don't pull that crap with me. This is Damian Wolfe, our photographer."
    "Heard of you," Eddy grumbled, but he shook the hand that Damian held out to him. He squirmed away from Crispin's hold and peered at the photos. "Fucking smut, this is, yeah?"
    Crispin rolled his eyes but ignored him for the moment.
    "Let's go over these from the start. Ashley, where's your layout plan?" He bent over to inspect one of the shots that featured Nick, and lifted his head to peer at him. "And is this the model?"
    Nick nodded, and smiled shyly.
    Damian said, "This is my assistant, Nick Sayers. Ashley and I decided he'd be a natural for this and asked him if he wouldn't mind stretching the job description a bit."
    Crispin straightened up and came to shake Nick's hand.
    "Good to meet you, Nick. I'm Crispin Merrick. I'm Ashley's silent partner. I make the goods and keep my mouth shut whilst he runs the dog and pony show."
    "Nice to meet you, sir," Nick responded.
    The sound of slow clapping made both of them turn around. A twisted smile on his face, Eddy sneered, "How very fucking polite. La di da, and oh, Mr. Merrick, I'm so fucking happy to kiss your fucking arse! May I bend over and lick your balls?"
    Nick flushed with anger and dropped his hands to his sides, clenching his fists, wondering what it was about this 245

    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    guy that had him fantasizing about beating him into the ground. Normally, he wasn't that aggressive.
    Crispin turned and crossed his arms, saying softly, "That's two, Eddy. Don't try my patience any further."
    Eddy gave him a cocky little smile, but didn't say anything more at the moment. Nick was startled to see Eddy giving him a wink with an apologetic shrug. He turned to Derek, who merely shook his head, whispering, "You'll see."
    Ashley reclaimed Crispin's attention by pointing at his favorite shot, the one of Nick kneeling in the red collar, his leash wrapped around a shadowy man's hand. "I was thinking of this for the cover, Crispin. What's your feeling on that?"
    "I do like it. I'd like to consider all these shots before we make a final decision, but you know I trust your instincts,"
    Crispin said, looking at the shot. "It's damned fine."
    Eddy edged closer to his boyfriend and started nudging his hip. "I'm hungry, I want to eat. And how come you didn't ask me to model?" He looked at Nick with hot, jealous eyes. "Why not put me on the fucking cover?"
    "Edward, shut up," Crispin muttered, shoving the younger man away gently.
    "NO!" Eddy yelled defiantly. "You've been working late all fucking week, you said we would have dinner out tonight, and I find you hanging out with these faggots pretending they're better than me. Make believe you're the great businessman all you want. I'm off!"
    Crispin rounded on Eddy, knocking him flat on his back on a table covered with crops. "That's three! You don't defy me, slave. On your knees!"
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Nick and Derek watched with wide eyes as Eddy scrambled off the table and hit the floor, with the crops he'd dislodged falling around him, his head bowed down and his hands clasped behind him.
    Crispin reached for the nearest collar, which happened to be a heavy one, studded with