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.”

longer, but no

business if she doesn’t

you like to go home? I'll find a

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee for two,

Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you

the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

good at this sort

it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low seating

gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the

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,

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

at

And you know the rules. How

“Get it?”

you really understand

to see where

Ryan…

again. I try a

He thinks he's completely in charge and that I

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 set the

Ryan... Could

the relationship between a

she nods.

you tell me what he is requiring that upsets

“It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or

crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets off on having

for him. He

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

if he's taking you

looks up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

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

and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth