Jonathan

Nothing can wipe the grin from my face as I walk up the stairs to the new Bliss entrance with my arm wrapped around Izzy's waist. She practically melts into me and has been all smiles since I slipped the ring on her finger.

Taz catches my eye on the way in, raising a brow and nodding at Izzy. I lift up her hand, show off her new jewelry, and earn a giggle from her. He lets out a whoop that draws all eyes to us and makes Izzy glow scarlet.

Kesha is here a moment later, squealing and fawning with Becca and Natasha. Anne joins Mona behind the bar with Jack, unable to fully hand the reins over.

Before long they have a line of colourful drinks ready for us. Anne gives me and Izzy ours and hoists hers up. "To friends, and the brightest and happiest futures ahead!"

"Here here!" I cheer, lifting my glass. The round goes down smoothly and cheers break out once more.

Jack grabs the bottle to pour round two but Anne stops his hand. "Nice try pup, but if you want to play, you know the rules."

"But it's my last night!" He tries his best sad puppydog eyes but Anne doesn't budge. "Kill joy."

Anne arches her brow and holds up two fingers. "Two."

His eyes widen and he practically flinches away from the bar. The ghost of a triumphant smirk tugs at her lips as she turns her attention back to us.

"We have the corner booth on the far side of the play floor reserved, why don't you guys go ahead and we'll meet you there." Anne waves us off before turning back to her staff.

Being a workaholic, this may be the first night I've seen her take off, but she still can't let go fully. She has worked hard to select and properly train new staff, more than doubling the employees to allow for some well-deserved downtime for all.

"You heard the lady, up you go!" Viktor playfully slaps Natasha's ass and wiggles his brows. "Maybe a bit of playtime tonight too?"

"But I've been a good girl," Natasha whines. She sticks her bottom lip out and batts her lashes earning a snort from Becca.

"The fuck you have," he bellows. "But I wouldn't have you any other way." She rolls her eyes at him but a faint blush creeps on her cheeks.

We follow them down to the play floor and over to the corner with Becca and Tony in tow. The booth is arguably the best seat in the house, complete with front row access to the nearest stage.

Izzy gasps as we come up to it, her fingers dancing along the black and purple cloth panels that separate it from the other seating areas. A trio of flickering candles floats on the low table in the center, casting soft light around the leather couches that ring it on three sides.

Each couple takes a couch, leaving plenty of room for two or three times as many people. Even with so much space, I want Izzy closer so I pull her onto my lap. She lets out a small giggle and melts into me, laying her head on my chest.

"Too bad we were so late, I think Anne set that scene up just for you." I turn her so she can see the tail end of the rope scene on stage.

Instantly she sits up taller but the rigger is nearly done setting his submissive free. She sighs and relaxes against my chest once more.

"Next time, Angel." I chuckle and kiss the top of her head.

Viktor side-eyes me and nods to the stage. "Have you guys decided if you'll be taking part or not?"

With Izzy's history, I was in no rush to commit to anything, but after starting her on rope, her enthusiasm has grown exponentially. I have yet to find any ties that even come close to triggering her.

Izzy twists in my lap and turns her big blue, puppy-dog eyes on me. I can't help but laugh.

"Yes. My little bunny is itching for more rope time." I don't even finish my answer and she squeals and throws her arms around my neck.

"Sounds like a full house then," Tony adds. "Viktor was the first to sign his brat up, and we weren't far behind."

"Who am I to turn down a chance to beat this one's ass with an audience?" Viktor chuckles.

Tony side-eyes Becca, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. "We're still on the fence, endless orgasms or edging, just depends if she's a good girl or not."

"I've been good!" Becca huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.

"There's still plenty of time," Tony counters. He arches a brow, killing the retort before it can pass her lips.

Natasha lets out a throaty chuckle. "Personally, if I'm gonna get punished"--she leans in close and side-eyes her Dom--"I'm gonna earn every ounce of it."

Viktor sighs and palms his forehead. "This one..." Laughter breaks out making the night feel even lighter.

Anne and Jack go about their scene though Izzy watches very little, too occupied with her friends. Natasha and Becca on the other hand take turns cheering Anne on in her impact play. She has Jack strapped down, ass up, balls tied and stretched, getting tuned up on the verge of blowing. His taunts have long died and are replaced by begging.

The crowd is whipped into a frenzy. Both parties live for the energy that an interactive audience brings. Anne circles around Jack, giving him a moment to regain control as she waves a wide paddle above her head with a sadistic grin.

"Who wants to help give our smart-mouthed and oh-so-talented bartender a proper Bliss send-off?" She scans the crowd, passing up unfamiliar faces before crooking a finger at one of their regulars.

The man happily struts up on stage, paying respect to Anne before checking in with Jack. So began the lineup for people itching to get in on the action. By the time the crowd thins, Jack is trembling, his body screaming for the release he keeps getting denied and yet his sass is intact.

"And what about your fellow brats, hmm?" Anne asks, looking our way.

Natasha squeals and practically flies on stage, trying to snatch the paddle. Anne waits for the green light from Viktor before arming the woman. She winds up and spins, smacking his ass as hard as possible and barely fazes him.

"That the best you got, red?" he chides.

Nat growls and swings twice more, earning a groan.

"Harder baby." Jack grins as he looks over his shoulder and winks at her.

"Gimmie that!" Becca snatches the paddle and trials it down his exposed ass. Eventually, she reaches a spot that makes him flinch and she grins. "Bingo." She lands a perfect swat, making him hiss, earning more of a reaction than anyone else but Anne.

"Cheater," he groans.

"Getting my ass paddled this often has to have taught me something," Becca replies with a shrug. "Come on Iz, you're up."

Izzy's jaw drops as her impossibly wide sapphire gaze locks on mine. Normally I have a 'no play outside our relationship' stance, but this isn't quite the same thing. More specifically, if she wants to try, I'm tempted to let her.

"Well?" I tease.

Her lips flap comically as she struggles to form a sentence. Her friends however take the invitation to jump off the stage and pounce on her. Even Anne watches, arching a brow, clearly not having expected this.

"You have to give him a proper send-off!" Nat urges, hooking an arm around hers.

"What are friends for after all? Think about all the times he stuck you with a shitty table!" Becca presses.

"But he didn't," Izzy, protests. "He just did that to you for paybacks..."

"Relax ladies, if Izzy doesn't want to she doesn't have to," I cut in, not wanting her to feel forced into something she doesn't want to do. "If you want to, go for it, Angel, otherwise that's fine too."

"Aww muffin," Jack calls. "It's okay, I understand." He pouts, shoving his bottom lip out and tries to wiggle his ass but Anne did not slack when she strapped him down.

Izzy's face hardens and she stands, earning cheers from Nat and Becca. They flank her as she strides confidently onto the stage but that confidence begins to falter. She stands behind him, in full view of his tenderized ass and captive balls.

"Gimmie your best shot," Jack encourages.

The scene degrades to giggling fits as Anne gives Izzy an impromptu lesson on how to hold a paddle and proceeds to do practice swings. I can't hold back my chuckle as I watch her chew on her lip, focusing all of her attention on mastering this new task.

"I'm waiting," he drawls.

She winds up, squaring off and aims, going through the motions twice before putting her all into the third pass, connecting with his ass. The little thwap barely sounds and she drops the paddle throwing her hands over her mouth.

"Are you okay?!" she gasps.

I palm my face, trying to keep from breaking out laughing. Jack doesn't fair as well and just gapes at her.

"It'll be tough, but I'll soldier on," he manages to say as he regains his composure. "This was definitely something to remember!"

In the blink of an eye, Izzy scurries down and tucks up against me, hiding her face in my chest. I scoop her onto my lap and lift her chin, wanting to make sure she's okay.

"You good?"

She nods, relief flashing in her eyes. "I don't think I'm cut out for that..."

I chuckle, grinning as she turns scarlet. "Good, because I'm more interested in spanking your ass than having mine spanked."

She shifts her ass against my groin, making me groan, and bites her lip. The way she looks up at me through her dark lashes has me eager to go home.

"I prefer that too, Sir."