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,

if she

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

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

tap at my door. I left it

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making the time to see

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

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at this sort

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over my

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking

opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

you really understand

where this

Ryan…

up again. I try

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

That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you,

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

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

nods. “I

me what he is

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

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

she starts crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we

says, “He gets off

right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be

you

looks up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

can't be used isn't a safe

maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short. “Sorry,”