*Author's Note: Thank you for the feedback given on the first chapter of this story, I'm glad to know it's not utter garbage. As I said before this is new territory for me so I am not as confident in it as I am with my other writings. I had looked for an editor but none have responded, so I'm doing it all on my own.
As before, if you are here because of The Contract, please know that this is a different Jonathan than the one you already know. This Jonathan is still learning and we'll be on that journey with him. Things may be get darker in this story. Trigger warning for this chapter, there is mention of rape.
I will gladly accept your constructive criticism and would be grateful of your advice.
I do hope you enjoy.*
*****
For Jonathan those first few weeks were awkward. He thought he knew it all but Garret taught him many things. Discipline was a big factor. Jonathan was used to not waiting, to be the one receiving pleasure when he wanted it, and doing as he pleased. He couldn't do that now. Garret was keeping physical contact brief, he didn't want to overwhelm Jonathan with too much too soon. Jonathan was starting to enjoy those moments of touch. He found it comforting and, at times, arousing. Having his hair stroked caused him to lean into it now, like a cat being pet. Garret's gentleness also astounded Jonathan. At first he had viewed this arrangement as a type of punishment for failing as a Dom. Garret's demeanor soon reassured him that while this was happening because he had failed, it was also to be a pleasant learning experience.
Jonathan's movements had started to get smoother as he practiced. He had perfected kneeling, and could practically flow from standing to on his knees. Present still gave him difficulties, but he was working on it and he knew Garret was proud.
After that first day he noticed what Garret had seen when he removed his clothes. The gauntness to his figure, and overall lack of care that he had been giving himself. He was grateful to Garret that he had not mentioned these things, but instead mandated the schedule that would help him take better care of himself now. He started to see his friend in a new light.
Dom, actually. He had started to think of Garret more as his Dom than his friend. The friendship was still there, as Garret had promised, but the relationship was evolving and Jonathan was no longer afraid of that. Now that he knew it was ok, he started noticing Garret more physically. He was indeed a handsome man. Physically fit, tall and lean. Looked damn good in a well tailored suit.
Jonathan shuddered at his thoughts during his morning shower. He wanted to blame the tightness in his groin to the fact that Garret had forbid him to orgasm without permission, but the truth was that he was attracted to the man. Jonathan started to daydream more often now about getting into bed with the other man.
He was surprised to find Garret waiting for him in his room after he stepped out of the bathroom, only a towel around his waist. Garret was perched at the end of the bed, long legs stretched out in front of him. He rose as Jonathan approached.
"I have something for you," he said with that devilish grin. "Do you remember Madame Cecille's party?"
Jonathan froze, surely he didn't mean to...?
"I do remember, but I won't be going now, I made sure to let her know what had happened."
"Oh you'll still be going, we both are."
Ah, he did mean to.
Garret held out a thin, black band and let Jonathan take it. It was a simple, supple, black leather collar with a delicate D ring in the front. The smooth leather would be comfortable to wear for long periods and was meant more for show than for play.
"You mean to show me off?" Jonathan asked flatly.
"I certainly don't intend to hide you from everyone while you're here with me. This isn't a secret, Jonathan. The whole community knows by now. They don't know why, but they know we've agreed to this arrangement. This is part of the deal, another level of this role you are exploring."
Jonathan saw the sense in those words, but he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
"Tell me how you feel."
Crap, of course he always knows.
"I know I shouldn't, but I feel embarrassed," Jonathan admitted. "I know this is not a shameful thing but...all of these people, some I call friends, know me as a Dom. I'm afraid of how they will treat me now."
"Do we ever talk down to submissives? Treat them as if they were less than a dominant simply because they gave us control? No. We treat them with the utmost respect and only humiliate when it is asked for and agreed upon." He stepped forward and put his hands on Jonathan's shoulders. "Remember, I'll be there with you the whole time. This is just one more step."
He brushed the knuckles of his right hand against Jonathan's left cheek. As Jonathan leaned into the touch and closed his eyes, Garret pulled him into a lingering kiss. He gave him a heated look as he pulled away.
"I'm very proud of what you are doing," he murmured as he held Jonathan. "Take the day for yourself, we won't do any training today. I'll be in my study if you need to talk and I'll fetch you before six for the party. Wear black, it looks very good on you. No suit jacket though, just the dress shirt and slacks. And leave the collar off, I'll take care of that."
With a smile, he left Jonathan alone.
Jonathan sank onto the bed, still holding the collar. Everyone he knew in this community would be at this party tonight. Madame Cecille's parties were extravagant and almost everyone attended. She usually held a big party a couple of months after the charity auction to let everyone show off their new companions for the year.
"There's no shame," he told himself quietly.
...
Jonathan had been ready since five. Now he was fussing with his hair, making sure his clothes were right, and checking his jawline for any hair he may have missed while shaving. He dabbed on a bit of cologne, then paced about his room.
Luckily Garret didn't keep him waiting long, and knocked on his door after Jonathan had done just a couple rounds of pacing.
Garret gave him a once over as he entered.
"Very good. You're sure to turn heads tonight, as usual," he grinned and fetched the collar from the nightstand where Jonathan had laid it. "I know we're in your room and I've told you there is no play here but, if you would please kneel for me, Jonathan."
Jonathan gracefully settled to his knees and waited in anticipation as Garret stepped behind him. He felt the collar settle around his throat, tighten for a moment as Garret adjusted it, then it relaxed into a comfortable position. It settled just below his Adam's apple, and high enough above his shirt collar so it was visible. Garret had him stand and unbuttoned the first two buttons on his shirt.
"Slightly more relaxed would be more appropriate, I think," he said as he adjusted the shirt. "This will help show that collar off just a bit more. Are you ready?"
Jonathan nodded and followed Garret down the stairs, out of the house, and into the waiting car. Charles was driving tonight so they both settled into the backseat. They remained quiet through the drive, watching the world fly by. Jonathan was lost in his own thoughts and Garret let him be for now.
"I've never spoken to others as a submissive," he said quietly, breaking the silence.
"It's not much different than how you've addressed others before," Garret explained. "In front of our submissives we usually refer to each other as Master or Mistress so-and-so, you will just continue that formalness throughout the night unless instructed otherwise. This is usually considered the 'newbie' party anyway, so no one is expecting perfection from everyone. You will be gently corrected if you slip up. I do have a few rules for tonight. Stay close to me, you can mingle about but don't go too far. I know this can get overwhelming. Also, keep it to only a couple drinks tonight, I don't want you inebriated. You tend to make a fool out of yourself if you have to much and I won't tolerate that while you're with me. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. Here we are. Remember, I want to know how you feel. If you get too uncomfortable I want to know." He took Jonathan's hand. "Let's go."
Another new experience. Jonathan had never held another man's hand in public. He had always been told it was wrong, even by his former partner those years ago. Garret's hand was warm and comforting wrapped around his. He took a firmer hold on his dominant's hand and was rewarded with a quick smile and a comforting squeeze as they headed up the stairs of Cecille's grand house. They were lead through the foyer and into a grand ballroom. Most of the guests were already there, talking and laughing together over glasses of champagne. A string quartet was softly playing on the opposite side of the room where the floor would be cleared for dancing later.
"Garret!" a melodious voice called out.
The duo turned to see an older woman, Madam Cecille, come over to greet them. She embraced Garret first and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"It's so lovely that you were able to come," she crooned. "You know, one of these days you simply must do another rope demonstration at one of my parties. The last one you did was the talk of the group for months after!"
"Perhaps one of these days I shall," he said with a grin.
"Jonathan, dear," she turned and greeted him warmly. Cecille pulled him into an embrace and lingered there for a few moments to whisper in his ear. "Garret has told me the whole story, don't you worry it's only me that knows. I'm so proud of you, dear. This is a big thing for you to do, and I do hope you two have a good time." She pulled back and cupped his face in both of her hands. "And if anyone gives you shit for it they'll answer to me. You must come visit me sometime. I make the best damn cup of tea this side of the pond." As she turned away she gestured toward the room. "Go have fun, kids!"
Jonathan took a deep breath. "She is a wonderful woman."
"She has a good heart," Garret agreed. "Come along."
Jonathan followed a half a step behind Garret, hands clasped behind his back. He caught a few curious looks his way but he kept his head slightly bent and followed his dominant. His heart was pounding and he was trying his best to not appear nervous. Garret stopped at a group of lounge chairs and greeted someone. Jonathan recognized the man and almost greeted him with a big smile, a firm handshake, and a friendly pat on the shoulder like he normally would one of his friends. He remembered just in time.
He stepped beside Garret and slightly bowed his head. "Good evening, Master Richard."
"Good to see you, Jonathan. We were starting to think Garret was going to keep you all to himself," Richard laughed kindly.
Jonathan relaxed. He knew everything would be fine, but having that confirmed took some of the stress away. Garret moved to sit in one of the chairs, and Jonathan almost sat in one himself. Garret took hold of his arm and leaned in close to his ear.
"Kneel," he said patiently.
