Choosing Her Lover

“I spoke with Kirstie a few days ago. She didn’t want to talk to me, gave me a real piece of her mind.…” James side-glances me then returns his attention to Ben. “She told me that, well, all of you are volunteers in what you’re doing and that’s it’s really none of my business and…. that I should apologise to you.”

James pauses, digesting his words. “It’s not me who needs the apology, Ben. I can understand why you felt the need to defend your brother. But Charlotte is a different matter.”

“I know, I know. Is she here? I’ll talk to her while you’re present if you would prefer that. I’m guessing that you don’t want to leave me alone in her company…”

“You are quite correct there,” says James. “Kirstie, can you call Charlotte, please. I believe you will find she is in her own office, extension 4528.”

Back at my desk, I tap the number, “Um, Charlotte, it’s Kirstie here from the front desk.”

“Yes, Kirstie. What is it?”

“I’m in the small conference room by the lobby with James and Ben Summerford. James is asking if you could join them.”

There is a long pause, then, “I’ll be there shortly.”

Five minutes later, Charlotte walks in, her expression unreadable.… no….

What is that expression?

Certainly, she’s not afraid of Ben. Quite the contrary, I think she would launch herself at him given the freedom to do so, but James points her to a chair, backing it up with a brusque nod.

Definitely an order, not a request….

Dom and Sub?

She looks rebellious but obeys.

James, very noticeably, moves to stand, not exactly between Ben and Charlotte, but very close to it. Then he simply waits, arms folded, looking at first at Ben, then at the floor.

Ben is all but stammering. “I wanted to apologise, Charlotte. I didn’t understand. I’ll admit that really, I still don’t. I thought you were.… betraying my brother. It’s obvious that you’re not. If Mike’s happy, then it’s not for me to interfere.”

staccato movement. “Apology accepted, Ben,” she says, then she stands and stalks out

“Anything else?” asks James.

to me. “I hope that when tempers have cooled, we might be

“Ben….” I start.

alright, Kirstie. I mean just that; friends. It would never work with you

My jaw drops. “Erin?”

grins and rises to

opens the door, “Ben.…” I

“Yes?”

to Erin, I’ll

falls. He nods

to face my Director. “So, how

amused. “None. I appreciate your telling Ben your mind. That can’t

“No, it wasn’t.”

to bite, and I really am grateful

“You’re welcome, Sir.”

an appropriate way

“Sir?”

wicked, “I’m just exercising my appreciation of subs who

really say

“Sorry?”

not exactly a part of Charlotte’s repertoire either. The only

*****

buzzes. “Kirstie. If you have a minute, could you come up,

the desk right now,

down. You just come

I