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, but no

she doesn’t want to

go home? I'll find a

sir. I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to.

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you

brings the coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I

she nods, winding her fingers

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…

instead waving her across to the low seating by the

then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee,

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at

rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

where

Ryan…

dries up again. I

this. He... He thinks

not 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

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

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub?

nods.

me what he is requiring

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are

running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

says, “He gets off

for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

I mean really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

if he's taking you too far, you simply

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

Shit…

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

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 her own question short. “Sorry,”