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

business if she doesn’t want to

go home? I'll find a

rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes a

to decide if I’m

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for

door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a ‘Mr Alexanders’

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

no fucking good at

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

myself, instead waving her across to the low

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

at

How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

see where this might be

Ryan…

I try a

new to this. He... He thinks

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 set

that, but Ryan... Could

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an

she nods.

you tell me what he is requiring

But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

starts crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets off on having sex

right for him. He can be

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

you too far, you

up and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

that can't be used isn't a

Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?”