Page 18 of Mine To Break
“We do have to be smart and careful, though.” Shiloh set up three story boards: last season’s silhouette of her at Victor’s feet, another with an obviously male-male pair, and the last with two women. “We don’t want to advertise only one or the other, while making it clear at the same time that we are inclusive and there are heterosexual and homosexual couples involved. What I’m thinking is that we start with last season’s for recognition, but then flash through all three.”
“Maybe with a large question mark and our tag line,” Mal said. “’Who will be this year’s top sub?’”
“Exactly. That way we’re making it clear before anyone turns on the show that anything’s game.”
“Sounds good.” Victor leaned back in his chair. “So. Two new shows. We need two producers. Mal, which do you want?”
With that simple question, he reiterated all over again why she loved working for and with him. It would have been easy for a take-charge boss to simply assign roles to each show as he saw fit. The second season was definitely going to need a confident, strong leader with a clear vision. Someone not afraid to take risks, but also open to others’ advice and sensitive to issues and the needs of people used to being portrayed badly by media. He could have demanded his second-in-charge take the show to be sure it was handled correctly. Or he could have assumed his fiancée was the best choice, because the show was her idea in the first place. Instead, he made no assumptions and fully trusted both of the women employed by him to make the smart, best decisions for their shows.
Mal deliberately didn’t answer right away. She looked at the three story boards and let ideas for the show bubble up in her mind. It’d be a fun show, for sure. She could participate again if she wanted—though it’d probably be better just to produce the show and concentrate on making sure everyone was well protected and heard as the show progressed. The show had already set records and this season could easily break those viewing records again. There’d be interviews and plenty of opportunities to be in the spotlight and build her career, both on and off the set.
Pony Games, on the other hand, was brand new and untried. It had difficulties to work through but was an unknown. Lots of opportunities for new games and exploration of new issues. Many of which would be uncomfortable for her personally. She didn’t fully understand the kink and would really need to push herself and widen her boundaries to make sure the show received the best opportunity to succeed. Which was exactly why she answered, “I’ll takePony Games.”
Victor nodded. “Good. I’ll take lead onTop subwith Shiloh as assistant producer. Ryan and Patrick, if you could get us the list of candidates for each show, we’ll start interviewing and prepare contracts. Any questions?”
Everyone stood and made small talk as they headed out. Shiloh was beaming with excitement and for good reason. Assistant producer was a huge opportunity for her. Some people might snip that she’d only gotten the chance because she was in the boss’s bed, but she’d easily prove them all wrong. She’d done a fantastic job last season and Mal didn’t have any doubts she’d be able to handle the new show. Shiloh paused at the door, unconsciously checking with her dominant to see if he had a command before leaving.
“That might be her only difficulty,” Mal said softly as the door shut.
“Yeah. Most of the time it’s not an issue for us, but it does take work to separate out boss/employee from dominant/submissive sometimes.”
“It’s good work though.”
She’d tried to keep the wistful tone out of her voice, but by the way his intent gaze settled on her, she hadn’t been successful. “You were supposed to see the cop last night, right? How’d that go?”
“Good. Great, actually.”
She knew him well enough to know that he wouldn’t push for details. Though he’d open the door and invite her in if she wanted to go there. “No problems?”
“Oh he has plenty of problems. That’s why he’s interested. Nothing I can’t handle, though.”
“Former soldier, now cop. I can imagine he has a lot of baggage.”
“He’s had a good family life, which helps. I mean he wasn’t abandoned, doesn’t have mommy or daddy issues. But leaving the military has definitely left a void that he hasn’t figured out how to fill yet.”
“PTSD?”
She nodded. “Not as bad as it could be, but it’s definitely affecting him.”
“Don’t try to fix all that shit by yourself. He needs to be seeing a therapist. I don’t have to tell you that those issues can seep out during a scene and turn something sexy into something scary in a hurry.”
Of course Victor would be protective of her. “He’s been seeing someone and I’ll be careful. Nothing too heavy. Like Shiloh said, he doesn’t seem to be fully submissive.”
“That’s exactly my worry. At some point, you’re going to tell him to do something and he’s not going to want to do it. If his head’s not right, you could get hurt.”
“He’d never hurt me or any woman for that matter. I don’t think it’s in him.”
Grim lines deepened around Victor’s mouth. “You can’t really know one way or the other until it’s too late. If he feels trapped, he might strike out. His training will take over and he’ll lose himself in the battle. He might feel terrible later, but that doesn’t change you hurt, in the hospital, or worse, with his kind of training. I’m pretty sure Elias said he was some kind of Special Forces.”
“Marines, but I’m really not worried.” That didn’t change the tight, grim lines on Victor’s mouth, so she softly replied, “he needs help, V. He’s desperate for help.”
“And you were able to help him last night?”
She let her eyes simmer, her voice going husky. “Oh yeah.”
Some of the tightness in his shoulders eased and he huffed out a laugh. “The Mistress of Dallas strikes again.”
“Let’s see if the Mistress of Dallas can get into pony shit now.”
Victor laughed again as she stood and they moved toward the door. “I was hoping you’d pickPony Gamesfor that very reason. Maybe you’ll get the cop into one of those tails.”
She laughed too but his words lingered long after they split ways and headed to their individual offices. For all she knew, Colby might be into pony play. He wouldn’t know either until he saw it. Or he might like humiliation play. Or punishment. Or puppy play. Who the hell knew? That was part of the fun playing with a new-to-the-scene submissive.
Exploration was the name of the game. As long as he trusted her to lead the way.
