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.”

longer, but no

she doesn’t want to

find a stand-in for you

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

office door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make coffee for

course, James.” Francis fixes a

I’m the cause of

*****

less than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making

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

she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

fucking good at this

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 by the coffee table,

her, pour the coffee, try

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together.

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

at

you know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

where this might be

Ryan…

I try a gentle prompt.

He... He thinks he's completely in charge and that I

rules of the game. If something upsets you,

but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him?

between a Dom and his sub? That's quite

nods.

what he is

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets off on having sex

are just right for him.

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

if he's taking you

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

Shit…

word that can't be used

have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early