All language subtitles for 5_6131987777014734997

Spur was the most exclusive Western
lingerie house in America.

Every cowgirl I knew wanted its black
lace sets, leather-trimmed corsets, or

limited-edition rodeo collection.

I wanted something different. I wanted
to design for Black Spur and earn enough

to pay Sadie's $300 surgery bill.

The receptionist sent me across
Crossrate to the second-floor design

wing.

Halfway across the ranch, a young mare
slipped free from a ranch hand and cut

across my path.

I caught the reins, swung into the
saddle, and brought her back under

control before she reached the fence.

You ride?

Since I was six. I handed him the reins
and kept moving. I had an interview to

make. I took the wrong turn behind the
fitting atelier and opened a dark red

private room tilled with a velvet bed,
leather restraints, whips, and products

I definitely had not expected to see at
a lingerie interview.

Then Blair Cross walked in. She was the
billionaire ranch owner behind every

Black Spire campaign, a former rodeo
champion, and the brilliant CEO I had

admired for years.

I nearly fell trying to leave, and she
caught me around the waist.

So, you're the new girl?

I didn't expect you to interview me
personally.

Name, age, height.

Blair asked my name, age, and height,
then measured my waist to us like this

was completely normal.

Arms up. Before I could question it, she
pointed to a red leather chair. Take off

your clothes.

What? Is this some special to the
Western lingerie designer interview?

When I refused, she cuffed my wrists to
the back of the chair, then held up a

pink leather whip.

This is our newest design.

You're the first to experience it.

Wait.

Stop. I didn't agree to any of this.

Miss Cross, the new product tester is
here.

If that's the product tester...

Who are you?

I finally understood exactly what what
Blair had mistaken me for.

Sorry.

Pervert! If you think I'll let you do
whatever you want just to get a job,

you're wrong. Blair wrote me a $10,000
check as compensation, then added

another offer.

There's something special about you.

Become my sub.

I'll pay you $300,000. I tore the check
in half and threw the pieces at her. I

want nothing to do with your perverted
games. I never want to see you again.

I had barely reached the hallway when
the hospital called.

Miss Reed, your sister is getting worse.
If you can't pay the $300,000 by next

Monday, there's very little more we can
do.

$300,000.

Exactly what Blair had offered.

I went back.

Blair had found the portfolio I dropped
and was already studying my sketches of

lace bras, corsets, bodysuits, and
western-inspired lingerie with

embroidered seams and leather trim.

I came back because I want to design for
Black Spur and pay Sadie's surgery bill.

Then let's talk about your work. She
took me through Black Spur's sample

gallery, lace lingerie, structured
corsetry, leather-trimmed bodysuits,

silk robes, cowboy beets used in panes,
and the after-dark line. Black Spur

doesn't just sell lingerie. We sell
desire, passion, and the fantasy of the

West. Your designs don't deliver any of
it.

I tried to take my portfolio back. She
pulled me against her instead.

Blair reopened my portfolio.

You have talent.

Start as my design assistant. Fix our
failed frontier lace sample by tomorrow.

I will.

I see potential.

Sign an agreement.

Become my sub. And I'll teach you
everything about desire. Show me the

agreement.

Back in Blair's office, the contract lay
beside the frontier lace sample she'd

just assigned me. The design job was
mine to earn through my work. The $300

,000 was for the private agreement. You
can't design great western lingerie

until you understand wanting and being
wanted. If I sign, you'll really pay me

$300,000? A month.

That was enough to cover Sadie's
surgery.

I opened the contract.

The title read Dominant Slaves Admit Me
Agreement.

The rules covered absolute obedience,
punishment by whip, sexual rewards,

restraints, even riding together, more
than I wanted to imagine.

Rules come first.

If we both agree, we both follow them.

I signed because the money could save
Sadie.

Keeping the design job would depend on
whether I could deliver.

Blair tapped the sample catch.

Bring me your revision tomorrow.

I will.

Then she handed me a small black box.

Wear this tomorrow.

Inside was a pink remote-controlled toy.

The next morning, I showed up without
it. I still had the revised sketch under

my arm.

Why angle the waist seam? It moves with
the body instead of cutting across it.

Are you wearing your homework?

No. It's too much for me.

Bad girl.

You disobeyed me.

On your knees.

She made it clear I could leave and end
the deal if I wanted.

I thought of Sadie and stayed.

I want to continue.

I'm just not used to this. Blair struck
my open palm once with the whip, then

asked for the toy again. Put it in.
Here?

Would you prefer outside? A few minutes
later, I followed her into the glass

elevator inside Black Spurnt's main
ranch lodge with the toy in place, and

watched her unlock the control app on
her phone.

The elevator doors closed, and Blair
Cross tapped power on her phone.

My knees snapped together.

What are you doing?

helping you explore your desires, your
preferences, and your limits.

If you can't handle it, you can beg. I
refused to give her the satisfaction.

This is nothing.

I could do better myself.

Blair smiled and moved the setting
higher just as the elevator opened and a

crowd of Black Spick designers, ranch
managers, and event staff stepped

inside. Good morning, Miss Cross.

Morning.

She looked perfectly professional while
I stood behind everyone, fighting not to

make a sound.

Then she pushed the control to level
three.

I grabbed the wall. Blair leaned close
enough that only I could hear her. If

you've had enough, ask me to stop. Turn
it off, you pervert.

Wrong title. I hated how much she
enjoyed this.

Please, help me, Master.

Blair finally switched it off after the
other passengers left. I lend against

the elevator wall, furious, embarrassed,
and breathless.

I hate you.

I know.

Then she grabbed my waist and kissed me.
I should have pushed her away.

Instead, I kissed her back just as hard.
Her hand pulled me closer until I forgot

the ranch offices and lingerie studios
waiting on the other side of those

doors. The elevator chimed.

We were still kissing when the doors
opened.

A redhead woman stood outside with
another employee, staring directly at

us.

Well, who knew the ice-cold ranch queen
kissed like that?

Blair introduced the redhead as Ciela,
Black Spur's head of western lingerie

design and the woman who ran its major
ranch events.

She introduced me as her ran its new
assistants.

I offered Sienna my hand.

Hi, I'm Avery.

Sienna looked at my hand and did not
take it.

If you last more than two weeks, I'll
bother remembering your name.

Blair led me into the sample room, where
every wall was lined with Black Spur

lingerie, black lace, western cut sets,
silk robes, leather-trimmed body suits,

and campaign boots.

The moment Blair stepped away, Sienna
found me again.

So you're Bland's new toy?

I'm her assistant.

Right. The kind of assistant who makes
out with her boss in the elevator.

She picked up a peacock feather and ran
it lightly across my chest.

Girls like you never last. You don't
even know what Blair really wants. You

might be the only thing in this room
with no sex appeal.

I snapped the feather in half.

Funny. Blair still asked me to sign with
her. Maybe you don't know her as well as

you think.

Sienna stepped so close our noses almost
touched.

I was Blair's sub longer than anyone.

So everything she's doing with me, she
already did with you? Blair doesn't do

girlfriends. People line up to get into
her bed, and she's picky about

everything. I was the best match she
ever had.

You were so perfect for her, and that's
why you're her ex?

Watch yourself, bitch!

I'm here to work. If we're done, I need
to change.

I turned back to the lingerie rack and
pulled out the boldest black lace and

leather trim set I could find.

No sex appels?

Fine. Then watch me.

A few days later, I saw a sealed
invitation on Blurk's desk.

Is that the Frontier Lace Gala?

The biggest Western lingerie competition
in the country?

You know it? Of course I did.

Only a handful of Western lingerie
houses were invited every year.

Blackspear always had a place.

Can I see it?

Blair slid the invitation inside the
edge of the black lace corset beneath

her western blazer. Use your lips.

I stared at her.

I leaned down, caught the card between
my teeth, and pulled it free without

looking away from her.

Nicely done.

Can I compete?

Each company gets one designer.

You're not ready.

Then you pick Sienna.

Jealous? I swallowed the disappointment.

She was right. One good sample did not
make me ready for the biggest

competition in the country.

Then tell me what I still need to learn.

Then prove you understand desire.

I let my hair down, opened a few buttons
on my white western shirt, and showed

her the black lace set I had chosen from
the sample room.

Can you see it, Miss Cross?

The view isn't very good from here.

So I stepped closer, let my denim skirt
fall, and moved around her desk in my

black cowboy boots until I could hook a
finger beneath her chin.

Better?

Blair watched me without blinking.

Sexy isn't about showing skin. The
lingerie is perfect. You're wearing it

wrong. She moved behind me and fixed the
garner strap herself.

I smiled because I had left it undone on
purpose.

Maybe I knew exactly how to wear it.
Blair caught my wrist before I could

step away. Careful, Miss Reed. If you're
going to play with fire, be ready to

burn.

Blair knew I had left the garter undone
for her.

Instead of being annoyed, she pulled me
against her.

What do you want to do to me?

Blair picked up a short black leather
riding whip and led us against her palm.

You teased me on purpose, then
challenged my lesson. That earns a

punishment. If anything is too much, say
lace. I stop immediately.

No argument.

No punishment for using it.

She guided me toward the edge of her
desk, but waited until I put my hands

down myself.

Last chance, cowgirl.

Do it, master.

The first crack landed across the back
of my thigh. The sting made me suck in a

breath. But what unsettled me more was
how close she stayed, watching my face

instead of the mark.

Her mouth brushed my ear and her free
hand settled at my waist.

Careful. Keep provoking me and you might
get exactly what you're asking for.

Blair hooked the riding blip beneath my
chin and tilted my face up. The whip

slid slowly down my neck before hooking
around my waist and pulling me against

her. Her mouth crashed into mine. I
grabbed her collar and kissed her back.

Blair pressed me against the desk. The
whip trapped between our bodies as her

lips moved to my neck.

Beside the desk, my phone suddenly rang.

Hospital emergency department flashed
across the screen. Sorry, I have to

leave the meeting.

The doctor told me they could no longer
perform Sadie's surgery.

I ran to the hospital with Blair behind
me. I paid the full $300,000.

What do you mean they can't do it?

Dr. Bennett was in an accident this
morning. His right hand was crushed.

Your sister's surgery has to be
canceled.

I grabbed his coat.

You can't just let her die!

He explained there were only two
surgeons qualified for Sadie's

procedure. Dr. Bennett was injured.

Dr. Lawson was in Canada treating a
billionaire's wife and would not be

available for at least a month.

Sadie doesn't have a month. She's 16.
She's all I have.

After my parents died during my senior
year, I promised my mother I would take

care of her.

I had paid the money, I had signed
Blair's contract, I had done everything

I could think of, and none of it was
enough.

Blair quietly stepped away and made a
call.

Cole, I'm afraid I need to use that
favor.

Later, while I stood outside Sadie's
room, Blair rested a hand on my

shoulder. Sometimes miracles really do
happen.

A doctor suddenly ran down the corridor.

Miss Reed, Dr. Lawson just landed on the
roof in the Cross Ranch helicopter.

She's preparing for surgery now.

How? She said a billionaire ranch owner
called in a personal favor. The name was

Cross, I think.

I slowly turned to Blair.

That was you, wasn't it?

I told you.

Miracles happen.

I threw my arms around Blair before I
could stop myself.

Thank you.

You saved my sister. How can I ever
repay you?

I did it so you could give me your full
attention.

Your time belongs to me now.

I should have rolled my eyes.

Instead, my heart started pounding.

That night, I went back to the private
training room Blair had built out of an

old tack room beneath the Cross Ranch
house. You have my full attention.

Train me.

Are you ready?

Yes, Master.

She blindfolded me and guided me inside
with one hand at my waist.

I could smell clean saddle leather and
the red wine she had opened.

Can I take this off?

No. Follow my instructions.

She touched an ice cube to my arm, then
slowly moved it over my collarbone. She

poured a little red wine over the skin
below it, traced the cold cube through

the wine, then bent down and lipped the
wine away.

When you lose one sense...

The others become sharper.

I could feel the cold, the warmth of her
fingers, and then the taste of wine on

her mouth when she kissed me.

I want to see you.

Be patient.

You'll get your reward.

When she kissed me again, I forgot the
rule. I reached up and wrapped my arms

around her neck. Blair immediately
caught my wrists and pushed my hands

away. Stop.

What did I do?

You don't touch me unless I allow it.

But I want to touch you.

I want you to touch me. This isn't about
what you want.

You obey instructions.

Angry? I ripped off the blindfold.

I'm not your slave.

Blair did not argue when I said I was
not her slave.

No. You're my sub, and you keep breaking
the rules. Bad girls get punished. She

ordered me to bend over the black table.

I obeyed, because punishment was part of
the rules we'd already tested in her

office. But this time, the first stroke
landed much harder than her careful

warning had.

That really hurts! Stop!

Lace!

Blair stopped immediately, dropped the
whip, and came closer to check me. My

mistake. I forgot you're new to this.

Let me see. I was furious.

Don't act like a caring master now.

I've followed the rules, but you
haven't.

Do you actually get turned on by
watching me hurt?

No.

I'm a dominant, and right now you're
being very disobedient. I touched the

front of her leather outfit, trying to
change the energy between us.

Maybe I can make you happy another way.

She caught my wrist.

I don't do romance.

Don't expect it from me. So this is just
a game to you?

You're confusing the game with feelings.

Love is not part of the contract.

I asked what she wanted anyway.

I want to tear your clothes off, tie you
up, and fuck you hard until you cry.

You know I mean it.

If you're not ready, don't provoke me.
Then she ordered me to leave. Fine.

You've made yourself clear. I turned
toward the door, and the room tilted.

The last thing I felt was Biller Cross
catching me before I hit the floor.

I woke in her bed.

You passed out.

The doctor said it was emotional
overload.

She set a shopping bag beside me.

Inside was a sapphire blue western cut
evening dress, a pearl boro necklace,

and black heeled cowboy boots.

Get dressed.

We're going to Maradi Ranch.

We have work to do tonight.

That night, I wore the sapphire
western-cut dress Blair had given me and

drove with her to Nico Morody's private
hill country ranch.

Sienna was waiting on the main lodge
terrace and immediately questioned why

Blair had brought me.

Inside a converted arena barn was the
Midnight Rodeo, a members-only club

filled with real dops and subs, leather
tack, ropes, collars, black lace, and

people who clearly understood this world
better than I did.

I thought we were here for business.

We are.

Then Nico Moretti arrived.

His company controlled much of the
premium lace, silk, performance mesh,

leather trim, and specialty hardware
Black Spur depended on.

Nico took my hand and held it too long.

And what do we call this gorgeous
creature?

Avery Reed. Nice to meet you, Mr.
Moretti.

Is she your sub tonight, Blair?

Actually, Miss Reed is my assistant.

He kissed my hand and looked me over
openly.

How about this?

We swap dates.

Let her stay with me tonight, and I'll
renew the contract right away.

My stomach dropped.

Mr. Moretti, you sure love joking.

I'm not joking.

She is not part of your BDST
arrangement, and I don't let my

employees trade sex for business.

After he left, I asked why she still
worked with him.

Blair leaned in close to me. His family
controls too much of the premium lace

and specialty trim market.

Until I build another supply line, I'm
stuck with him. Stay away from him.

Are you actually worried about me?

I'm a Don.

I'm not a monster.

We almost kissed, but Sienna rushed over
before our lips met.

Blair, we have a problem.

The head performer had injured her ankle
during rehearsal.

Without the show, Nico might refuse to
renew Black Spring's supply contract.

We're miles from town. No replacement
can get here in time.

What happens if the deal fails?

Our supply chain collapses.

Production stops.

Five years of work could fall apart.

Sienna looked straight at me.

Actually, there is one candidate.

Me? Absolutely not.

I knew almost nothing about performing
as a dominant in front of a room full of

people. The basics were simple and Blair
could teach you. Blair Cross's face

hardened. I didn't bring her here for
this.

Cancel the show.

You're willing to destroy Black Spurk
for her?

I've made my decision.

Wait. If I agree, can you guarantee my
safety? You don't have to get involved.

I'm part of Black Spur, too.

I plan to be your head lingerie designer
someday.

Keep this ranch alive, boss.

Blair studied me for a long moment.

I'll keep you safe.

I promise.

In the dressing room, I changed into a
tight black leather cowgirl outfit over

Black Spur lace, pulled on high-heeled
western boots, fastened a red lace

chaker, and picked up a short riding
whip. How do I look?

Better than I imagined.

I can't take my eyes off you.

I smiled at our reflection.

So?

You want to be disciplined by me?

Just before I headed for the stage,
Sienna appeared with a black boot box

and pushed it into my hands.

Your stage boots.

Try not to embarrass Black Spur.

Sienna opened the show like nothing was
wrong.

Ladies and gentlemen, Dobbs, Subs,
Cowboys, and Queens, the Midnight Rodeo

is about to begin. Enjoy.

I stepped into the spotlight wearing the
black leather cowgirl outfit over black

spur lace, surrounded by three male
dancers in leather chaps who dropped

into submissive poses around me. For the
first time since meeting Blair, I was

the one holding the whip. I moved across
the stage, sat in a tooled leather

throne like a queen, and let one dancer
kiss the toe of my black western boot.

The audience cheered.

Nico could not take his eyes off me.

God, I've got to have her.

Blair was staring at me like she had
forgotten everyone else existed.

I stood.

placed one boot against a dancer's
chest, and raised the whip.

Then the heel of my right western boot
snapped.

I lost my balance and fell backward.

Blair reached the stage before I hit the
floor and caught me around the waist.

The crowd erupted as we stared at each
other under the spotlight.

My ankle was already swelling, so Blair
carried me backstage.

Fucking bitch.

In the dressing room, Blair knelt to
remove my damaged boot and pressed an

ice pack against the bruise. You
kneeling here looks just like the show.

I'm your loyal ranch hand, my queen.

Her hand moved slowly up my leg.

You were absolutely incredible up there.

I kissed her before she could pull away.

She kissed me back and climbed onto my
lap.

Then the door opened.

Sienna stood there, staring at us.
Blair, Nico wants to see you.

Wait here, I'll be right back.

As Blair left, Sienna looked at me and
smiled.

Don't worry, I'll take care of her.

The second Blair disappeared down the
hall, I saw Sienna's expression change.

I underestimated you.

What are you doing?

She came behind me with a cloth.

I fought her, but the room blurred and
went black.

When I woke, my wrists and ankles were
strapped to a black restraint frame in a

private tax cellar beneath the guest
lodge.

Nico walked in holding a red bullwhip
fitted with sharp metal features.

Why am I here? Let me go!

Don't you see?

Blair sent you as a gift for the
renewal.

I refuse to believe him.

No, Blair wouldn't do that.

Don't forget, she's a businesswoman.

With the right price, everything is for
sale, including you. I told him I had

already completed the show.

He smiled like that had never been the
point.

That was the appetizer. You're the
feast.

I watched him raise the whip.

Your pain turns me on.

The double doors crashed open. I looked
toward the doorway.

Blair stood there in a black western
jacket and boots, both hands around a

handgun aimed directly at Nico.

Drop it.

Blair made Nico drop the whip, then saw
the marks on my arms.

You fucking monster.

Nico tried to attack Blair. She threw
him to the floor, hit him, then picked

up the same whip he had used on me.

You used this on her?

Stop, or you can forget the contract.

Fuck the contract.

She struck him again, then came straight
to me and released the restraints.

Hey, are you okay?

I'm sorry I'm late.

I knew you'd come for me. My legs would
not hold me, so she carried me out of

the tax cellar and across the guest
lodge.

Later, I sat in a warm bath in one of
Moretti Ranch's guest suites, staring at

the marks on my skin.

I'm going to get something for your
wounds. Please don't go. Stay with me.

She hesitated.

What happened was disgusting.

Help me wash it off.

Blair finally joined me.

She cleaned the injuries carefully,
nothing like the woman who had once

enjoyed making me nervous with a whip.

I took her hand and kissed it.

What are you doing?

That bastard made me realize something.

I want you, Blair.

I always wanted you. I kissed her.

For a second, she did not respond.

You don't want me at all?

I started to pull away. Then she grabbed
me and kissed me back.

You have no idea how much I want you.

Are you sure?

Yes. I want you to tie me up. I want you
to take me.

Later in the bedroom, I knelt on the bed
and held out my wrists.

Blair wrapped black rope around them.

Then looked at me one last time. Ready?

Take me, Blair.

Breaking news. Morelli Textiles and
Leather has terminated its exclusive

partnership with Black Spur and will
sign with rival brand Silverbell

Intudis. Nearly 95% of Black Spur's
premium lace, silk, performance mesh,

and specialty trims currently come from
Morelli. My smile disappeared.

Blair needs me.

I dressed and drove back to Cross Ranch.

From outside Blair's design office, I
heard Sienna arguing with her.

Production comes to a halt in a week. No
lace, no silk, no specialty trims, no

deliveries. Black Spur's name is trashed
and the payouts will be insane.

Then we find new suppliers.

Impossible!

We've tried before.

No supplier comes close to Morelli's
consistency.

Then Sienna said my name. I talked to
Nico.

If you hand Avery over and apologize,
he'll reconsider.

I froze outside the door.

You and Nico seem pretty close.

You drugged Avery last night, didn't
you?

You almost got her raped.

My hand flew over my mouth.

Sienna did not even deny it. Fine.

I did it. So what?

You were too soft, so I did it for you.
For Black Spur. For us.

When this blows over, can we get back
together?

I miss you, Master.

You're fired.

Doorway, I heard Sienna explode after
Blair fired her. I've stood by you since

day one of Black Spur, and you're
throwing me out for some bitch you

barely know? Watch your mouth. You're
lucky I haven't sued you.

You're going to regret this.

I regret not firing you sooner.

Do you want me to call security?

A moment later, Sienna stormed out and
nearly walked into me. She looked me up

and down with pure hatred before
leaving.

I went inside.

I thought you'd be home by now.

That's the downside of sleeping with
your colleagues.

We still run into each other outside the
bedroom.

She almost smiled.

I took her hands.

I want to help.

I didn't want to worry you, but I could
use some help.

For once, there was no command in her
voice.

Where do we start? We went through
design sketches, lace swatches, silk

samples, performance mesh, Texas leather
trims, alternative maramils.

and custom hardware where Blackspar had
quietly tested before Morelli cut us

off. Among the sketches was the first
Frontier Lace sample Blair had trusted

me to revise.

Blair decided to move the annual
Frontier Lace collection launch forward.

Next Monday, we switched the line to the
new lace, mesh, linings, and western

trims. The launch was six months away.
Do we have enough time?

I've been testing for months.

I kept it quiet, especially from Sienna.
She pointed at several unfinished

designs. These aren't ready.

I looked at the piles of work.

Guess we're pulling an all-nighter, Miss
Cross.

Looks that way.

Blair looked at the unfinished designs,
then at me.

One week.

We relaunch Black Spur, or we lose it.

We worked through the night.

I sorted lace, silk, performance mesh,
soft linings, and leather trim while

Blair corrected construction details.

We redrew cups, straps, closures,
embroidered western-end seams, and

silver condo de-catches. What about this
American lace with the Texas-turned

-leather trim? Better against the skin,
but the design still needs something.

I suddenly remembered my first morning
at Cross Ranch. The tooled saddle

leather, silver hardware, and the
confidence that came with sitting tall

in the saddle. I know what's missing. It
needs to feel like a cowgirl, not just

look like one.

We fell asleep against each other on the
red sofa, woke up, drank coffee, and

started again.

By the second night, I was too tired to
be intimidated by her standards anymore.

You told me my original designs were
boring. Be useful and tell me exactly

what's missing.

We finally learned to talk back without
panicking.

Maybe I had a good teacher.

I took one of the new white lace sets,
with a narrow-tooled leather waist

detail and tiny silver canos into the
changing area.

Blair, take a look. She raised her eyes
from the sketchbook and stopped

speaking. I walked toward her, adjusting
the ivory ribbon and the small silver

concho at my waist.

Better like this? More alluring?

What? You're staring.

She stood and came closer, studying the
fit like a designer and looking at me

like something else entirely.

Turn around.

I did.

She adjusted one strap and then stepped
back.

That may be it.

The final sample?

The lead piece.

Later that night, Blair clipped my face,
kissed me, then lifted me into her arms

and carried me to bed without breaking
the kiss. Before dawn, I woke and found

her sitting beside me with a sketchbook
on her knees.

She had drawn the white lace and leather
western set I had just modeled.

This could be our hero product.

One week later, Black Spur launched the
frontier lace collection inside Cross

Ranch's renovated event barn. The room
was packed with reporters.

American-made lace, softer performance
mesh, and Texas-tin leather trim had

replaced Moretti's materials across the
line. And everyone wanted to know

whether we had done it out of revenge.

Miss Cross, some people say the material
changes retaliation against Moretti.

What do you say? Creating the perfect
intimate experience has always been

Black Spur's goal.

We've been testing better lace, mesh,
and western trim for months.

Moretti simply made us launch them
sooner.

Another reporter pointed to the campaign
image behind us. What inspired the lead

piece?

Blair smiled and looked at me.

Good design comes from good designers.

Everyone, meet Avery Reid.

She created our lead product.

For a second, I forgot to breathe.

Months earlier, she had called my
portfolio boring.

Now cameras were turning towards me
while she publicly attached my name to

the piece carrying Black Spur through
its biggest crisis.

The new collection is about comfort
without losing desire.

I wanted the lace to feel geminin, but
the leather, silver hardware, and fit to

carry the confidence of a cowgirl.

The questions kept coming.

This time, I did not hide behind Blair.

Afterward, she found me near the side of
the stage.

You handled yourself well.

Was that a compliment?

Don't get used to it.

Too late.

I looked across the crowded room and
caught a flash of red hair behind one of

the columnums.

Sienna was watching us. The expression
on her face had nothing left in it but

hatred.

Sienna met my eyes across the room.

Before she disappeared behind the
columnum, she mouthed three words. This

isn't over.

The celebration continued with one more
announcement.

Blair brought me back in front of the
press.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to
announce that Aubrey Reid will be

Blackspear's new head of western
lingerie design.

The cameras exploded around us. I stood
beside Blair, smiling into the flashes.

I had come to Cross Ranch with a
portfolio, a dream, and no real industry

experience. Now I had the title I had
wanted from the beginning, and Blair had

made me ermine. It wasn't payment for
being Blair's sub. She had trusted me

with real work, and I had delivered.

Later, I walked toward my pickup in the
Ranch parking area and called her.

I still can't believe you did that. What
happened to not lowering your standards?

I didn't. You earned it. I smiled. So do
I get a reward?

Wait for me at home.

And behave.

Yes, Master.

I reached for the pickup door.

Cold metal pressed against my temple.

My smile disappeared.

Sienna?

She stood beside me in a black shirt,
red hair loose around her face, holding

the gun with both hands.