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.”

wait a little longer, but no more is

my business if she

I'll find a stand-in

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

Kirstie on from downstairs. She's

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you

Francis fixes a gimlet eye

I’m

*****

tap at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for making the

the coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I

she nods, winding her

What now?

at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

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

sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

you know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

really

to see where this might

Ryan…

up again. I

He thinks he's

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

Ryan... Could you maybe talk

want me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an ask,

nods.

you tell me what he is requiring that

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie?

tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

you and I met, there can't be

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

clubs are just right for him. He

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

you too

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

Shit…

word that can't be used isn't a

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