A Strong Hand

boots, pet. Wait for me here," he commanded and vanished.
    Nick sat down to pull on the boots. The leather was soft enough to fit over the ankle cuffs, hugging them so he could feel them when he took a step.
    He gasped in admiration when Damian reappeared in the doorway. He was wearing the black leather trousers and a black leather shirt, molded tightly to his body, cut in a deep V
    which showed off the hair on his chest. The dark leather enhanced his naturally commanding masculinity and Nick felt his cock swell with desire, trapped as it was in the tight confines of his pants. A strap dangled from Damian's belt and he held a leash in his gloved hands. Nick swallowed with fear and arousal; he wanted to feel those gloved hands on his body, sliding over his skin, bending him over, spanking him.... At the same time he was terrified that Damian was going to take him out in public at the end of a leash.
    He considered saying one of his safe words, but hesitated, wondering if he really wanted this to stop.
    Almost as if he'd read his mind, Damian approached Nick, letting the leash slide through his gloved fingers. "Your words, pet?"
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    "Yellow for slow down, London for stop," Nick repeated.
    Damian hooked the leash to the ring in Nick's collar.
    "Come along, pet."
    Nick hesitated, pulling back against the leash. "Wh—where are we going ... sir?" he remembered to add.
    "You will find out in good time, pet. I believe I gave you an order," Damian said with slight menace.
    Nick followed Damian, praying that the other tenants of the building wouldn't see this. He was relieved when no one got onto the elevator with them. Damian punched the button for the basement, leading Nick into the garage beneath the building.
    There were a few other cars parked there, but Nick couldn't see anyone as he peered around nervously.
    "Sir?"
    Damian didn't respond, merely leading Nick to his car.
    "Sir?"
    "Shh. No questions, pet."
    Damian pushed Nick forward, so he was bent over the hood of the car. Uneasily Nick shifted, all too aware of his arse presenting a too tempting target for the Top, hoping Damian wasn't planning to spank him in the garage. He shut his eyes, imagining the echo of each slap bouncing off the concrete walls. If the other owners of the cars happened to come down, they wouldn't be able to miss what was happening.
    He was very relieved when Damian opened the passenger door and tugged on his leash. "Up, pet. Get into the car."
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    Nick did as he was told, sedately buckling his seat belt with trembling hands. He realized that at night, through the tinted windows, even if people did look in, they would probably not realize he was wearing a collar and leash.
    Damian got in and started the car, pulling out of the garage. "We are going to Crispin's club tonight, pet, as his guests. I've decided that you should get a glimpse of how other people play as part of your education."
    Instantly Nick panicked, terrified that Damian would order him to undress or even punish him in front of other people.
    He panted, desperate for air, unable to even say his words.
    Damian pulled over and stopped the car, putting a comforting hand on Nick's thigh. "Deep breaths, babe.
    Breathe for me. And then tell me what brought this on."
    Nick gulped for air, trying to calm himself. This was Damian, he reminded himself, whom he'd been able to stop with his safe word. "You're not—not going to make me—
    spank me in front—of ... of...."
    Damian reached over and pulled Nick into a hug. "Of course not, baby. I'm not doing this to torture you. I want you to experience another aspect of this lifestyle and see if you enjoy it. You will remain fully dressed, and I won't spank you in front of anyone."
    "Thank you," Nick said faintly, going limp in Damian's arms.
    "Did you think I hadn't noticed that you don't enjoy that kind of display?" Damian murmured. "I want you to see what you're getting into, Nick, not make you miserable. Don't 291

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    worry. Remember, you're in control here. You can stop me with a word."
    Nick nodded, getting his breathing back under control.
    "Thank you, Damian."
    "Just let me know if you want to leave, and we'll go immediately," Damian promised. "Think you can live through this?"
    "Yeah," Nick said nodding. "Let's just get it over with."
    Damian laughed. "It won't be that bad, Nick. You'll see.
    You might enjoy going out to the club every now and