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

business if she doesn’t want to share

find a

rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

can come up now if she wants to.

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

to decide if I’m the cause

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me,

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

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

no fucking good at this sort

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it

Nope…

Wrong…

myself, instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

threesome at

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

“Get it?”

mean, you really

to see where this might be

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a

thinks he's completely in charge and

are 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 you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub.

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

want me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his

she nods. “I

what he is requiring

But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are

starts crying again, tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

says, “He gets off on having sex in

clubs are just right for him. He can be as

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

if he's taking you too far,

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

word that can't be used

a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand