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

she

to go home? I'll find

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. She's asking if you could

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m the cause of

*****

at my

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you

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

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at

it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

thing is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at

know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

really

see where this might

Ryan…

up again. I

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

not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re

that, but Ryan...

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

nods.

what he is requiring

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

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 many taboos in what we can say to

she says, “He gets off on having sex in

right for him. He can be

mean really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

taking you too

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

Shit…

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

he doesn't understand. He 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 her mouth as though cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she mumbles. “I