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,

my business if she doesn’t

I'll find a stand-in for you if you

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

hour later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes

to decide if I’m

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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

nods,

What now?

no fucking good at this

it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating

her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

threesome at

the rules. How

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

see where this might

Ryan…

up again. I

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

not the rules of the game.

Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him? Explain

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

nods. “I

he is

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

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

crying again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

“He gets off on having sex in

just right for him. He can

elevators. Places we could be caught.

you too far,

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

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

that, but 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