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

my business if she doesn’t

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

sir. I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make coffee

James.” Francis fixes a

I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making the

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

nods, winding

What now?

at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating by the coffee table,

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

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 happy together. And, well, you've been doing this for

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at

know the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

see where this might

Ryan…

up again. I

thinks he's completely

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

that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to

between a Dom and his sub? That's quite

nods.

tell me what he is requiring

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say

and sweating, she says, “He gets off

are just right for him.

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we

if he's taking you

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He gets

Shit…

a safe word that can't be

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