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

my business if she

like to go home? I'll find a

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to.

Francis fixes

decide if I’m

*****

tap at my door. I left it standing open, but

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the

Nope…

Wrong…

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

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

and... and there’s Michael of course.

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

at

How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

see where this

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle

He's new to this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge and

That's not the rules of the game. If

that, but Ryan...

relationship between a Dom and his

nods. “I

what he is requiring that

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are we in

crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in

sweating, she says, “He gets off on having sex in

for him.

in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

if he's taking you

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

can't be

a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises