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would be spinning in his grave if he knew that the leather
harness company he founded had branched out into this
stuff."
"But he'd probably enjoy the profits," Ashley interjected
slyly.
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"No doubt," Crispin agreed. "This earns far more money
than the horse division."
The three men started as the outer door swung open
violently, the knob crashing into the wall.
Nick and 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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"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
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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?"
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