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,

she doesn’t want

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

I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

have Kirstie on from

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you make coffee

fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m the cause

*****

minutes, there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is

she nods, winding her

What now?

no fucking good at this sort of

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

Nope…

Wrong…

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

her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

at the

you know the rules. How

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

where this might

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle

new to this. He... He thinks he's

rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you

but Ryan... Could

the relationship between a

nods.

tell me what he

But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie?

starts crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can

gets

the clubs are just right for him. He can be as

I mean really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

you too

eyes

Shit…

that can't be used isn't a

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