"Now Bella. Six!" Jonathan warns, eyes locked on mine, his expression unreadable.

Not wanting to earn a seventh I quickly make my way to the spot he pointed at. His directions were limited but given that this is a punishment, I bend at the waist, bracing myself against the wall with my forearms.

"More," he orders, slapping my ass and pushing my lower back down. I do as he commands, arching my back and sticking out my ass further. The position pulls on the harness, pressing it against my skin harder. My core clenches as I hear him rustling through a bag somewhere behind me.

"Why am I punishing you Bella?" He asks.

"Because I broke my word and wasn't paying attention, Sir," I quickly reply.

"And how many?" He presses on, satisfied with my answer.

"S-Six," I stammer. In this position I'm so exposed, and yet, totally turned on. My heart races in my throat and core clenches in anticipation while my panties soak through.

Something cold and hard is pressed against my butt making me jump in surprise. Jonathan swats my ass for breaking position, putting me back in place and forcing my back to arch even more. His control has my core throbbing with need as I wait desperate for what's next.

I tense, straining to hold my pose yet dying to know what he got. Jonathan doesn't keep me waiting long, swatting me across both cheeks with a dull thud. The sudden impact makes me gasp but I'm surprised it doesn't hurt more.

"One!" I quickly squawk out.

Another thud, slightly lower makes me groan as the impact radiates to my sensitive sex. My whole body heats as it strains under my 'punishment.'

"Two," I call, feeling my throat instantly parch.

I hear Jonathan circle beside me and pause. "Turn to face me and cross your wrists," he commands. Without hesitation I comply, resting my temple against my forearms. "Good girl, this is how I want you in this position."

"Understood Sir," I breathe out. He tenderly runs the back of his knuckles down my cheeks and smiles before going back behind me. From this position I can see what he's doing and the imposing, large padded wooden paddle he holds.

His third strike hurts the most because I can see it coming and tense up. Between the clothes covering my ass and his choice in paddles there is no real pain but it still stings.

"Three," I hiss out, pressing my thighs together.

"Naughty girl," he scolds, tapping my inner thigh with the paddle, signaling to spread them apart. I whimper and comply, torn between wanting to get this over with and keep going.

His next strike is a glancing one on my right cheek in a way that makes it bounce and press against the harness. The sensation has me clenching down as I struggle to catch my breath.

"Four-"

My count is lost in a breathy moan as Jonathan catches me off guard with the same treatment on my left cheek. The sensations leave my legs trembling and my breathing shallow as I struggle to concentrate.

"Five," I whimper, looking back at him.

His final paddle strike is across both sides, lessening the force, but it still steals my breath. Jonathan doesn't move a muscle as he watches my reaction.

"Six," I call out, feeling my body tremble with exhaustion. Slowly a satisfied smile spreads across his lips as pride shines in his eyes.

Jonathan drops the paddle back where he grabbed it from and makes his way back to my side, never taking his eyes off of me. He lifts my chin and locks his warm brown eyes on mine, searching for something.

"When I ask a direct question, I expect a direct answer, understood?" His tone is no nonsense but there's a tenderness to it that makes me snap to attention.

"Yes Sir," I whimper.

"Good girl," he praises, caressing my cheek. "I need you to be open and honest with me Bella, that's the only way this will work."

The intensity in his gaze as his eyes search mine leaves me speechless, and chest tight. I know I need to open up and be more honest, but it's hard sometimes, and other times I just don't know.

"Come on," he says, guiding me up and to face him. Jonathan slides his hands down my back to lightly grip my butt. "I held back this time because I was just making a point... next time I won't."

His warning makes me swallow hard knowing he's not lying. After the first swipe of the paddle I knew he was holding back. The noise was more than the sting and even now the throbbing on my backside is already fading.

As my senses come back I realize we are alone; Viktor and Natasha are gone as are the spectators. The club in general has started to empty out signaling the late hour as closing time approaches.

"So tell me Bella, how wet are you right now?" He asks, eyes locked and voice husky.

His question only heats me further. The way his eyes are devouring me he knows exactly the effect he's had on me, but I don't dare leave his question unanswered.

"Very, Sir," I say in a small voice, struggling to look at him. My admission feeds the hunger in his eyes, making his pupils even larger.

"Good." He grins, wrapping me tighter. "I could see us coming here to unwind regularly," he muses.

A breathy moan slips past my parted lips as I think about doing this again, and frequently. I was cautiously optimistic tonight, but having had such a good night the idea of more excites me. The club is a perfect place to see what Jonathan likes and expose me to more, not to mention that he works too much and needs to destress.

"Would you like that Bella?" Jonathan whispers, caressing my cheek.

"Very much Sir," I murmur, leaning into his palm.

As is, my body aches for more tonight. Jonathan has my core humming, itching for more, but already I feel how heavy my eyelids are snuggled safely in his arms. After my attack, I never thought I'd be able to find anything like this again, yet here I am, butt rosy, in the arms of my Dom, eager for the next step.

"Before we can move forward, you need a new safe word... One that is special for just us," he clarifies. "Think about it, no rush, but I need one before we go any further."

"Understood Sir," I murmur, exhaustion starting to seep into me.

"Good girl," he praises, bringing his lips down to mine. His kiss is anything but soft as he devours my lips, backing me against a table. The moment my tender ass touches the cold hard surface I moan and Jonathan doesn't miss the opportunity to dominate my mouth too. Under his attention my entire body heats and melts against him.

After what feels like both eternity and nowhere near long enough he pulls back, breathing heavily as his eyes swim with desire, taking me in. I feel like putty in his strong arms, my legs Jell-O, threatening to drop me if he lets go.

But I don't want him to let go.

"Let's go home Bella," he says seductively.