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.”

a little longer, but

she doesn’t want to share

you like to go home? I'll find a stand-in

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a

Aaahhh…

if she wants to.

Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m

*****

five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time

I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends.

she nods,

What now?

no fucking good at

at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by the coffee table,

hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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…

eyes slant

How we met…

at the

rules. How it

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

see where this might

Ryan…

I try a gentle prompt.

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

the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the

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

between a Dom and his sub? That's

nods. “I

you tell me what he is requiring that

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can

says, “He gets off on having

for him. He can be

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

taking you too far, you simply

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He gets

Shit…

can't be used isn't a

thinks… James, you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to