Jonathan

Taz closes the front door as the last group leaves and joins us at the bar. Slowly the rest of the staff comes over and Anne is back after cashing out the till. Eye's light up and smiles abound as Anne passes out extra tips to everyone for digging deep and keeping everything running smoothly. I simply cock a brow at her as she tries to pass me a share, but she gives up easily. She may be a hard mistress and boss, but she is quick to reward when deserved.

"Ready to go Iz?" I ask, grabbing our jackets. She nods and bounds over slipping into it effortlessly as I hold it for her. "See you guys next weekend, send me your schedule and I'll fit you in," I say directly to Anne.

The ride home is quick at this time of night, with an easy silence. Izzy sits, there playing with her braid as she watches the scenery go by. By the time we pull in the driveway, she's fighting sleep. I make it to the door first and hold it open for her, locking it behind us.

"Thanks Jonathan," she says, pausing at the first step and looking over her shoulder at me.

"Any time," I reply smiling back at her. Hearing her say my name so easily leaves me grinning like a fool as I watch her walk up the stairs and disappear into her room.

Maybe things aren't as bad as I thought? Maybe I just saw her at her worst point.

This week will keep her on her toes and allow me to work much closer with her. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to having her closer by. Not having to grab a quick bite on the run is just an added bonus. Coming home to a home cooked meal every night has quickly become the highlight of my day.

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"Turner is at one and Malcolm at three," I explain to her as we go over the rest of the day. Everything is going perfectly, Izzy keeps the coffee flowing and snacks stocked, always producing the files and papers as I need them. She's even dressed the part today in a simply black skirt and classy white blouse. Her raven hair is clipped back from her porcelain face and light make up accentuates those sapphire eyes.

The first two days were a little bumpy as she adjusted to her new role. It took her some time to get the hang of what I would need and when to have it ready. When she was caught off guard she would get flustered and anxious, twice she got herself so worked up that I caught her cursing herself out.

Hearing Izzy call herself slow, stupid and lazy pissed me off on the spot. Even run down and out of her element, she's diligent and eager to learn. She has picked up the job in record time, far quicker then my previous assistants. The first time I heard her muttering to herself I cut her off on the spot and explained it was a simple mistake, not wanting to upset her further. The second time she was saying the same things, clearly she hadn't heard me the first time, so I made it clear that I don't like to repeat myself and that I will not tolerate her degrading herself like that. The next time there would be consequences.

The rest of the week she has been great. Now that she understands how I work and has access to my schedule, Izzy has no problem balancing my office needs and taking care of meals. She's even pulled off a couple dinners for close clients. I think the structure has done her a world of good, though I still hear the occasional nightmare that she won't acknowledge.

As my meeting with Malcolm wraps up I find myself in high spirits, not only was he the last one for the day, it's Friday night and I have the weekend wide open. After such a great week I want to take Izzy out to celebrate.

"Izzy, that's all for today," I say waving her off. She smiles and nods, grabbing the empty coffee cups and plates and brings them to the kitchen before coming back for the files. "Thank you for all your help this week, it made a huge difference."

She blushes under my praise, flashing me a genuine smile as she scurries about tidying up. I turn back to the computer, finish the email I was typing and hit send before shutting it down for the night. A crash draws my attention to Izzy as she drops to her knees, gathering up the knocked over cup of pens and files. She must have cut the corner too tight and taken it out and dropped the files in shock.

"What's wrong with you!?" She snaps under her breath. "Such a stupid, lazy, screw up!" her words are hushed but so bitter it boils my blood. This is the third time this week she's beaten herself up for nothing and I've had it!

"Enough!" I bite out, shocking her as her wide blue eyes snap to mine and her face drains of all colour as I order her to, "Stand up."

Izzy practically jumps straight up, clasping her hands in front of her nervously and dropping her gaze. My emotions battle against each other as I take in her reaction and state. She is so receptive to me, every command and need she is eager to obey like it's second nature, making me proud of her...and yet? A simple command to stop talking badly about herself she keeps failing at. If she had been any of my past submissives I would have tuned her ass up the first time.

But she's not my submissive... she's my assistant... and yet, every fiber in my being knows she needs this.

"Do you remember earlier this week when I caught you calling yourself names, what I said?" I ask, fighting hard to keep the anger out of my voice.

"Yes," Izzy whispers, fidgeting with her fingers and staring at the floor.

"What did I say?" I ask, managing to keep my voice hard and even as I glare at her.

"Not to," she whispers again.

"I don't like to repeat myself, yet I did when I caught you doing it again. They are lies Izzy, and I won't have you hurting yourself like that, do you understand?" I ask, letting my disapproval lace every word.

Her shoulders slump like my words hit with physical force. For a sensitive submissive like Izzy, they might as well have, every part of her wants to please others. To hear she has failed and more so upset someone just urges her to try harder.

"Yes Sir," she practically whimpers, unable to hide the hurt in her voice. Hearing the hurt in her voice just makes me want to gather her up in my arms and sooth her, but I know that she needs this more right now. I have to see it through for her sake.

"I warned you that there would be consequences if you did it again," I remind her, and her gaze flickers briefly to mine in surprise before she catches herself and snaps it back to the floor. "Come here," I order, eyes locked on her.

Without looking up she instantly obeys, rounding the desk but stopping some distance away. I can see the uncertainty written on her face but also the anticipation, her flushed cheeks and how her chest rises and falls in quick shallow breaths.

"Over my knee," I order, making her blue eyes snap to mine and go impossibly wide. 

"Now, Izabella."