Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

I’m crossing the floor of the lobby, thinking about the ongoing groundworks of D-site and trying to decide whether to tackle the east or the west side first. I’m not truly paying attention to my surroundings.

“Morning, Kirstie.”

“Good morning Mr Alexanders.”

*Jab elevator panel*

Lay land drains first to the east side?

Enable access via the west?

Or wait for the circular route to connect from the bridge?

Where’s that damn lift?

…

…

Reverse mental gears….

Kirstie…

Too much make-up…

Swollen eyes…

Trying not to be too obvious about it, I turn to take a better look at her. Even from the rear…

… slumping in her seat…

Not like her…

The elevator bings, but I ignore it, strolling back to the desk.

“Kirstie, is everything alright?”

“I'm fine, Mr Alexanders. Thank you for asking.”

She's painted on her business face, but as she speaks, she doesn’t look at me, keeping her eyes turned down. One thing I like about Kirstie is that she looks you in the eye…

Usually…

I take her chin in thumb and forefinger. “I expect you to look at me when I speak, Ms Jamieson...” But I cut myself short. Under the makeup she's caked on, her eyes are puffy.

“I’m sorry, sir. I’m fine.”

“No, you're not. You look terrible. Is it something I can help with?”

“No sir, it's... personal…”

I wait, giving her a silence to fill.

A flush rises up her neck, vanishing under the makeup line before it hits her face. “My sister, Erin is falling out with Ben....”

Not Ben again….

He really doesn't have the hang of people…

Why would that upset Kirstie so much?

“... so I have her crying on my shoulder and Ryan...” She stalls.

“Yes? Ryan…?”

Staring down at her desktop, “Nothing.”

wait a little longer, but no more

business if she doesn’t want

home? I'll find a

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

an hour later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs.

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

to decide if I’m the cause of

*****

at my door. I left it standing open, but she

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me,

brings the coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the

she nods, winding

What now?

at this sort

you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.”

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking the

then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee,

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at

know the rules. How

“Get it?”

you really

where

Ryan…

again. I try a

He's new to this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge and that

anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the

you know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him? Explain

interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite

nods. “I

you tell me what he is

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we in

she starts crying again, tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met, there can't be

says, “He gets off on having sex

right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

elevators. Places we could be

you too

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

a safe word that can't be used isn't a safe

but he doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your