A Strong Hand

smiled politely and tugged on the leash, watching Nick rise gracefully to his feet as he had taught himself. "Are you sure?" he whispered.
    "Yes, please, sir," Nick answered, the urgency of his voice telling Damian that he was almost in tears.
    Nick tried to school his face to remain impassive and he looked at the floor, afraid to meet anyone's eyes. He bumped into Damian as someone's hand brushed his arse, and he jumped away from the touch.
    Ordinarily that would have earned him at least a reproof, if not a swat, but Damian merely walked faster, opening the outer door and leading Nick out onto the deserted sidewalk.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    Nick drooped miserably, following behind Damian, not realizing he'd stopped until he bumped into him again. "Sorry, sir," he mumbled.
    "Nicky. Look at me. Scene ended."
    Nick looked up, trying to blink back his tears. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know you wanted to ... you enjoyed it in there ...
    I ruined it..." he stammered.
    Damian raised his hand and thumbed away the tears on Nick's cheek. "The whole point of this is to enjoy what we're doing. I'm not going to have fun if I know you're miserable."
    He felt almost helpless. "I want you to be happy."
    Nick sniffled, hoping snot wasn't running out of his nose.
    "Here. Blow," Damian said, handing his handkerchief to the boy.
    Nick blew and then shrank into the shadows as a couple passed by, their attention drawn by the glittering leash that was still in Damian's hand.
    "I guess you really aren't an exhibitionist," Damian said, unhooking the leash and rolling it up to stash it in his pocket.
    He reached to unbuckle the collar, but Nick stopped him with a hesitant hand.
    "Please, sir, please leave that on," he begged.
    "You don't have to, you know. It's no disgrace not to like something. We tried, and now we know you don't care for the club," Damian said reassuringly. "You don't need the collar out here."
    "I like it, sir. It makes me feel like I belong to you," Nick said shyly.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    "You belong to me whether you're wearing my collar or not, Nicky," Damian said, sweeping his boy into a ferocious hug, unable to withstand the sight of Nick's distress any longer.
    "Thank you," Nick said, his arms coming up to circle Damian hesitantly.
    Damian turned his head and kissed Nick, the sweetest, most tender kiss he had yet bestowed on him. "You're trembling, baby. Do you want me to take you home?"
    Nick shook his head no, but his eyes were shadowed and Damian couldn't read his desires as he had so often before.
    "No, I want you to ... to take me ... take me to your bed
    ... and ... and.... "Nick gasped, as if frightened by his own boldness. "Make love to me. Sir," he added hopefully.
    Damian crushed Nick close to his heart. He was frighteningly happy; Nick wanted more than his dominance; he wanted his love.
    "Do you love me, Nick?" he demanded harshly.
    "Yes, oh yes," Nick answered breathlessly.
    Damian drew him under the street lamp and searched his face. "Look at me carefully, Nick. I'm older than you, and you are just starting your life. I have wrinkles, and aches that plague me. Sometimes I'm only able to come once a night. I may not be able to fulfill you sexually forever. And I'm a kinky old buzzard. I will always thrill to the sight of you bent over my knee getting your ass warmed up. I can't promise that I'll ever want to stop spanking you."
    "You're not old!" Nick cried indignantly. "And I'm not that young. You are beautiful to me, and my hip aches sometimes.
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    A Strong Hand
    by Catt Ford
    You may be able to come only once a night, but you know how to last and I don't. You take care of me. And I like it when you warm my arse. I don't want you to stop."
    "You know what you're agreeing to, don't you, baby?"
    Damian asked anxiously. "I'm fine just playing, but when I pledge my heart, it's forever. You're agreeing that you'll be mine 'til death do us part. No one else gets to see this ass but me."
    "I know what I'm agreeing to, Damian," Nick answered, his eyes shining. "I don't want anyone else to see my arse. And you belong to me as much as I belong to you," he ended proudly.
    "I do," Damian admitted. "I'm a sad shell of a man, Nicky.
    This is what you've done to me. Beaten me at my own game.
    I'm afraid I can't do without you any longer."
    "I love you, Ian," Nick said bravely.
    Damian shook his head ruefully. "Ashley was right. It's the Top who's the slave."
    Nick laughed confidently. "Right