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.”

a little longer, but no

business if she doesn’t

find a

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you

Francis fixes a gimlet

if I’m the cause of

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you for

as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a ‘Mr

nods,

What now?

fucking good at

it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

at the

you know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

begin to see where this might be

Ryan…

again. I

this. He... He thinks

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

but Ryan...

relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an ask,

nods. “I

tell me what he is requiring that upsets

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets off on having sex in

are just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

elevators. Places

if he's taking you too

and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

that can't be

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 hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short.