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, but no more

my business if she doesn’t want to

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m the

*****

at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

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

nods,

What now?

fucking good at this sort

down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to

Nope…

Wrong…

myself, instead waving her across to the low

her, pour

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

at the

the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this might be

Ryan…

I try a

He... He thinks he's completely

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

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

relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an

she nods. “I

he

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

again, tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what

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

right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

mean really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places

if he's taking you too far,

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

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

doesn't 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