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.”

wait a little longer,

business if she doesn’t

find a stand-in for

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

I’m

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for

I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’

she nods, winding her

What now?

no fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

across to the low seating by the coffee

sits, sniffs and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

there’s Michael of course.

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

at the

How it works.

“Get it?”

really understand

begin to see where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I try

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

rules

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

want me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his

nods. “I

me what he is requiring

But

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are we in

again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

and sweating, she says, “He gets off on having sex in

for him. He can

elevators. Places we could

taking you too far, you

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

Shit…

safe word that can't

a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her