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

my business if she

find a stand-in

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

less than five minutes, there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making the time

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

hanging, she nods,

What now?

at this sort

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

Nope…

Wrong…

myself, instead waving her across to the low seating

I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try

Should I call Charlotte?

but 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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

at

rules. How it

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

see where this

Ryan…

I

thinks he's completely in charge and

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 set

you know that, but Ryan... Could you

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

she nods. “I

he is

But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets off on

the clubs are just right for him. He can be as

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

if he's taking you too far, you simply

her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

that can't

know that, but he doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to