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,

if she doesn’t want to

find

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

hour later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you for making the

but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

fucking good at this sort of

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

Nope…

Wrong…

then correct myself, instead waving her across to the low seating by

opposite her, pour the

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at the

And you know the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

to see where this

Ryan…

I try a gentle prompt.

this. He... He thinks he's completely in

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

but Ryan... Could

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

nods. “I

he is requiring that upsets

squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

“Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we

she says, “He gets off on having sex

just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we

if he's taking you too

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

Shit…

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

a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth