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

if she doesn’t want to share

to go home? I'll find

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

“James, I have Kirstie on from

Aaahhh…

wants to.

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

if I’m the cause of

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the time to see

“Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling

nods, winding her fingers

What now?

no fucking good at this sort

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

Nope…

Wrong…

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

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

at the

the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

really understand

to see where this

Ryan…

up again. I

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

you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you

and you know that, but Ryan... Could you

between a Dom and his sub?

nods. “I

me what he is

“It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we in

crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets off on having sex in

him.

in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught. He's careful,

you

and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

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

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