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

if she doesn’t want

you like to go home? I'll find a

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

I’m the

*****

at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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, not

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at this

the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking the

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And,

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at the

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

really understand the

to see where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I

He thinks he's completely in charge and

not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful…

Ryan... Could you maybe talk

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

nods.

what he is requiring that

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

“He gets

clubs are just right for him.

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

if he's taking you too far, you simply

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

Shit…

safe word that can't be used

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