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

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

I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

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

fixes

if I’m the cause of

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see

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

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

fucking good at this sort of

beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over my

Nope…

Wrong…

across to the low seating by the coffee table,

sniffs and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

thing is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at

the rules. How

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

to see where

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle

thinks

to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if

and you know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him? Explain

interfere in the relationship between a Dom

she nods. “I

what he is requiring that upsets

squirming. “It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie?

running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met, there can't

gets off

clubs are just right for him. He can be as

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

taking you too far,

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

safe word that can't

have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short.