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, but no more

she

I'll find a stand-in for

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking

Aaahhh…

she wants to.

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

I’m the

*****

minutes, there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

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

nods,

What now?

fucking good at this sort of

down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over my

Nope…

Wrong…

across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking the

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

there’s Michael of course.

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

at the

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

really understand

where

Ryan…

up again. I try

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

not the rules of the game. If something

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

the relationship between a Dom and his sub?

nods. “I

me what he

squirming. “It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are

crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

elbows on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there

gets off on having sex in

him. He can be as exhibitionist

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

if he's taking you too far,

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

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

ever a time, maybe in