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

she doesn’t want

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

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you

course, James.” Francis fixes a

if I’m the

*****

a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open, but she

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is

she nods,

What now?

fucking good at

whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite

Nope…

Wrong…

across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

course. You always seem so happy together.

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

And you know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

really

see where

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle

thinks he's completely in charge

you are 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

Ryan... Could

want me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an ask,

nods.

tell me what he is requiring

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we

running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

says, “He gets off on having sex

the clubs are just right for him. He

in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

you

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

safe word that can't be used isn't

a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting