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

my business if she

I'll find a stand-in for

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

decide if I’m the

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you

as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’

nods, winding her fingers

What now?

fucking good at

sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low seating by the coffee

and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at the

you know the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

you really

see where this

Ryan…

again. I try

He's new to this. He... He thinks he's

you are not required to do anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it

and you know that, but Ryan... Could

a Dom and his

she nods.

what he is requiring that upsets

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

you and I met, there can't be too

she says, “He gets off on having sex

for him.

public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be

you too far, you simply

up and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

safe word that can't be used

Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe