A Strong Hand

knees, naked, wearing my collar and cuffs, pet?"
    Nick opened his mouth and paused, thinking before he spoke. "Pleasing you, sir?"
    " Very good, pet." With a final caress to the shining curls, Damian returned to his desk and appeared to forget Nick's presence entirely, applying himself to his paperwork.

    * * * *
    Nick's mind churned, racing between anger, discomfort, embarrassment, and finally acceptance. He realized when he stopped fighting his desire to submit, he felt much more at ease. He achieved an almost Zen-like state of mind when he focused his attention on Damian, studying the ruggedly handsome face and fine physique.
    The look of proud admiration in the deep blue eyes helped reconcile him to his position. And the office was warm enough that he was comfortable.
    The photographer spotted the release of tension from Nick's body the moment that he accepted that he was Damian's for the day. He was breathing more easily, and his muscles relaxed.
    Damian got up and patted Nick's head, feeling the boy lean against his leg. "Very good, pet. You begin to understand. Let go of all your considerations and give it all up to me."
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    He bent to stroke gently up the inside surface of Nick's thigh, watching the boy's cock stir with the caress. "You may take the pillow and sit on that chair."
    Nick stood up shakily, grateful for Damian's hand on his arm, helping him to his feet. His knees were creaky and his arse was stiff from maintaining his position. He sank onto the chair, grateful for the pillow, and crossed his legs.
    "No, pet. Open your legs. I want to see everything."
    A flush spread over Nick's face. It wasn't as if Damian hadn't seen him naked before and in much more embarrassing positions, but being told to splay himself open, so that all his bits were exposed to Damian's glance, simply reinforced his submission.
    It dawned on him that this was exactly what Damian wanted. It was difficult for him, but he managed to do it.
    "Very pretty, pet," Damian praised him, and Nick arched imperceptibly, proud that he'd pleased the older man.
    Nevertheless, it was shaping up to be a long day for Nick.

    * * * *
    After a delicious afternoon of teasing his pet with random touches and an occasional swat, Damian wrapped up his work and was surprised to discover that he'd actually accomplished more than he'd hoped to.
    "Well, pet," he drawled. "Today was quite a treat for me.
    And tonight I have a treat for you. Please put these on. Leave the collar and cuffs on."
    Nick was instantly quivering with apprehension, wondering what Damian was going to require of him next.
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    "Yes, sir," he said softly. He rose to pick up the pile of clothing Damian had set on the desk. His eyes flew to Damian's questioningly. "I'm supposed to wear this out?"
    "Sir," Damian suggested firmly.
    "Sir, I'm supposed to wear these out?" Nick repeated. He really didn't want to go anywhere public dressed like this. And in the collar and cuffs!
    "Yes, pet. And why do you suppose that is?"
    "Because you say so, sir," Nick said with anxious resignation.
    "Get dressed."
    Nick pulled on the dark red leather pants he had modeled in the catalog. He'd forgotten just how low they sat on his hips and how tight they were. He buttoned the thin, white silk shirt to his throat, remembering when Damian had made him wear the collar under his shirt to the restaurant. He started to tuck the shirt into the tight trousers when Damian came over to him.
    "No, pet," he scolded. "Not like that."
    Damian pulled the shirt free, so that it hung loose over the trousers, and unbuttoned most of the buttons, exposing the collar and the smooth, golden chest. He left two buttons intact, just at Nick's waist. Nick didn't want to look down, afraid that when he moved, the dark trail that led down to his pants would show. Damian rolled each sleeve twice, exposing the cuffs encircling Nick's wrists.
    "You look beautiful," Damian purred, stroking Nick's bare chest with the flat of his hand. He slid his hand under the shirt, finding a nipple easily and pinching it hard. Then he did 288

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    the same to the other, smoothing the silk against the erect peaks. "Lovely. I'm almost tempted to add jewelry, but not tonight, I think."
    Nick let out the breath he'd been holding with a huff.
    Damian chuckled. He turned Nick around and ran his hand over the tight leather stretched over the taut curves of his ass.
    "The