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,

business if she doesn’t want to share

you like to go home? I'll find a

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee for

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

I’m the

*****

timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you

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

nods,

What now?

fucking good at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking

a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together.

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

know the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

where this

Ryan…

up again. I try

He thinks he's completely in charge and that I

rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub. You set

know that, but Ryan... Could

in the relationship between a Dom and

she nods. “I

he is requiring

squirming. “It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are

she starts crying again, tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

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

him. He can

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

he's taking you too far, you simply

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

Shit…

a safe word that can't

and Charlotte have 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