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.”

little longer, but no more is

if she doesn’t want to

go home? I'll find a stand-in

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

if I’m the cause of

*****

there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for making the

“Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this

nods, winding her

What now?

at this sort of

beginning, whatever it is.”

Nope…

Wrong…

then correct myself, instead waving her across to the low seating

her, pour the coffee, try to make

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

at the

And you know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

you really

to see where this might

Ryan…

again. I

He thinks he's completely in charge and that I

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

in the relationship between a Dom and

nods.

tell me what he is requiring that

“It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

and I met, there can't be too many taboos in

gets

just right for him. He can be as

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

you too far, you simply

eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

that can't be used

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