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,

business if she

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m the cause of

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open, but

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you

her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a ‘Mr

she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

at this sort

the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low

sits, sniffs and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her act

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

at

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this might be

Ryan…

I

He... He thinks he's completely in

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

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

between a

nods. “I

tell me what he is

squirming. “It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

sweating, she says, “He gets off on having

right for him. He

really in public. Parking lots, elevators.

you too far,

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

a safe word that can't

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