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 no more is

business if she doesn’t

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

rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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…

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

Francis fixes a gimlet

decide if I’m the cause of

*****

at my door. I left it standing open, but she knocks

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making the

coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment,

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

across to the low seating

then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy

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 up to

How we met…

threesome at

And you know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this might

Ryan…

up again. I try a

new to this. He... He thinks

are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of

know that, but Ryan...

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his

nods.

what he is

squirming. “It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are we in

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets

right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

in public. Parking lots, elevators.

he's taking you too far, you

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

word that can't be used isn't

ever a time, maybe in your early days