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,

if she doesn’t want

I'll find a stand-in

sir. I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make coffee for

James.” Francis fixes a

if I’m

*****

five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open, but she knocks

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you for making the

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

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

good at this sort of

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

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating

handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

course. You always seem so happy together.

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

threesome at

know the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

to see where

Ryan…

I try a

new to this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge

not required to do anything you are unwilling 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

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom

she nods. “I

what he is requiring that upsets

But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or

again, tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't

gets off on having sex

clubs are just right for him. He

in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places

he's taking you too far, you

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

Shit…

a safe word that can't be used

he doesn't 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