"Bella," Jonathan whispers, brushing his lips against my temple. "We're home..."

My eyes flutter against the darkness and the familiar scenery of home comes into view, the lit porch and garage lights and moonlight garden path. I stretch, feeling a stiff ache in my muscles that wasn't there when we left the club.

"If you didn't wake up soon I was going to carry you," Jonathan chuckles, crouched beside me in the open passenger side door.

"Sorry," I mumble sleepily. "I'm good." I undo my seatbelt and take his hand slipping out of my seat and melt into his embrace as he guides us up to the house. As always, he opens the door for me then takes my coat and drops down to a knee to take my shoes off.

The sight of such a powerful man on his knee, taking care of me pulls my chest tight. Thinking back, Jonathan has taken care of me in his own way from day one, first with giving me a place to stay, moving and a job, and now more personal touches like helping me with my shoes and coat... or keeping my nightmares at bay.

"You look like you could fall asleep on me in an instant," Jonathan says, standing up and gathering me in his arms. Without the heals my head only comes up to his chest, and makes the moment feel that much more intimate.

"I'm okay," I murmur, fighting my heavy eyelids. He arches an eyebrow in warning and I quickly amend my statement. "Sorry Sir, it's just been a busy day."

"You don't have to call me Sir all the time... I like to hear my name on your lips too," he whispers, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. "Did you have a good time tonight?"

I smile and drop my gaze feeling my cheeks heat. "I did... Thank you Jonathan." My eyes flicker up to his and he positively beams when I say his name.

Over the few months I had been a member at Bliss, even when I was with someone, it was nothing like tonight with Jonathan. I was his tonight, everyone saw it and I felt it, bringing me a sense of peace. Even when I got anxious about things, he was always there to squash my fears and quiet my mind.

Being 'punished' like he did at the end of the night was something else completely. I was already turned on from the show earlier and I could tell after the first paddle hit that this was more for me than a real punishment. He had a point to get across, and he did that before we even started.

Jonathan leaves nothing to chance. It wouldn't surprise me if he didn't use his influence to choose the acts taking place tonight. Even the smallest details of which paddle he used, what position I was in and where he used it all screamed control and restraint.

"Come on, let's get you to bed," he says with a giant grin. "We can talk more in the morning."

In my exhausted state I'm only too happy to comply, heading upstairs with him to get changed for bed. At the top of the stairs he pauses, holding my hand and looks me over from head to toe one last time. Slowly he unbuttons his shirt, giving me my own private show before passing it to me.

"Wear this to bed," he commands and I'm only too happy to take it. My eyes are glued to his retreating bare back as he heads to his room, leaving me standing in the hall incapable of moving until he's out of sight.

I sigh, taking in a deep breath and the scent of his cologne on the shirt he gave me. Quickly I head to my room and get to work taking off all my makeup, cleaning up and changing. In the end I opt to wear just his shirt and the red lace thong that Jonathan picked out for me. I have to roll the sleeves up several times to make it fit and leave the first three buttons open, but thankfully it hangs mid thigh on me.

Jonathan pauses as I slip into his room, his warm brown eyes darken by the second as he takes me in from head to toe, making my whole body heat. Ever so slowly he closes the gap between us, hooking a hand on my waist and bringing the other to tuck a stray hair behind my ear.

"I think you wear it better," he teases, placing a chaste kiss on my lips before pulling back. His eyes rake over me one last time before releasing me towards the bed, when I hesitate he pats my ass, quirking a brow. "Bed time."

Not wanting to push my luck I take the hint and head to my side with a giggle, slipping under the covers. The moment my tender bottom hits the blankets I'm reminded of our earlier events and a smile spreads across my lips as Jonathan slips in beside me.

"What's going on in there?" He murmurs, brushing his fingertips across my temple. The way the soft lamp light highlights his features as he props himself up on his elbow steels all of my attention.

"I'm just...happy," I say, chewing on my bottom lip. His intense gaze and silence tells me that he's waiting for more. "A few weeks ago feels like a completely different life. I was leaving to go to my grans, trying to put all of this behind me... I didn't think I'd ever get to go back where I was, but with you..."

I sigh, struggling to put my thoughts and feelings into words. Everything has gotten so easy with Jonathan, part of me is afraid to say or do the wrong thing to upset him or mess up what we already have, and yet the other part of me knows I need to open up to get more with him.

"Tonight was perfect," I finally mumble, looking up at him through my dark lashes. "I didn't think I'd ever get that part of myself back... You said you could help me, and you did."

"You know I would do anything to help you, right Izzy?" He asks, swiping his thumb across my cheek. "I know I don't say this often enough, but you have been the best thing to happen to me in years."

"I have?!" I blurt out, dumbfounded. I'm barely a functioning submissive, how could this be the case?

"You don't give yourself enough credit," he sighs, the corner of his mouth tugging into a small frown. "I didn't realize how empty and routine my life had become until you fell into my lap. Everything else is just a bonus, but to have someone to come home to and share my day with, have a conversation or just sit and watch movies together... I wouldn't trade that for anything!"

His honesty makes me smile as I see nothing but sincerity in his eyes. I hadn't really thought about what it must have been like for him before. Jonathan looks perfectly put together and successful but everything has a price. He told me he's been moving around for many years, never staying anywhere more than a year, sometimes just a matter of months.

Hard to set down roots when you're always leaving.

"Me too," I whisper, smiling at him. Jonathan brushes his lips against mine one last time before reaching for the lamp.

"Sleep well Angel. I've got those out of the office meetings tomorrow, so won't likely be here when you wake up. I want you to sleep in and take it easy... Think about what I said tonight, ok?" He asks, locking his warm brown eyes on mine.

"Okay," I say, snuggling into his side. With a final kiss on the top of my head I'm at peace and out.