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 no more is

she doesn’t want to

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make

James.” Francis fixes

if I’m the

*****

at my door. I left it

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you for making the time to

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

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low seating by the coffee

handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing this

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

know the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this might be

Ryan…

dries up again. I try

He... He thinks he's completely

not the rules of the game. If something upsets you,

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

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

she nods. “I

tell me what he is requiring that

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

and I met, there can't be

gets off on having

right for him. He can be

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

if he's taking you too far, you

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

Shit…

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

doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you 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 question short. “Sorry,”