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.”

longer, but

she doesn’t want

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few minutes sometime today? She

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you make coffee for

fixes a

I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you

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

she nods, winding

What now?

good at this sort of

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

Nope…

Wrong…

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

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at

you know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

you really understand

see where this might

Ryan…

up again. I try a

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

required to do anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub. You

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

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and

she nods. “I

me what he is requiring

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or

crying again, tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos

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

the clubs are just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

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

taking you too far, you simply

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

Shit…

safe word that can't be used isn't

a time, maybe in your early