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.”

little longer, but no more

business if she doesn’t want to

find a stand-in for you if you

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few minutes sometime today? She

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make coffee for two,

course, James.” Francis fixes a

I’m

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making the

the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is

she nods,

What now?

at this sort

it is.” I gesture to the chair

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the

and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her,

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

thing is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing this for

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

at the

know the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

really understand

begin to see where this might be

Ryan…

I try a gentle

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

do anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets

that and you know that, but Ryan... Could you

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

she nods.

me what he is requiring

squirming. “It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

again, tears running furrows through what’s left of her

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can

“He gets off on having

are just right for him. He can be

Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

he's taking you

up and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

can't be used isn't a safe

for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she mumbles.