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, but no more is

my business if she

home? I'll find a

I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few minutes sometime today? She sounds

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you make coffee for two,

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the time to see

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

nods, winding

What now?

no fucking good at

at the beginning, whatever it

Nope…

Wrong…

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

opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

thing is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing this for

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at

you know the rules. How

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

begin to see where

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle

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

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

but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him? Explain

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite

nods. “I

you tell me what he is

“It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

tears running furrows through what’s left of her

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets off on having

clubs are just right for him.

Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught. He's careful,

if he's taking you

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

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

Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe