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.”

wait a little longer, but no more is

she

go home? I'll find

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make

Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

I’m the cause

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to

“Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’

she nods, winding her

What now?

fucking good at this sort

sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair

Nope…

Wrong…

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

opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

thing is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well,

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

at the

you know the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I

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

to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if

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

in the relationship between a Dom and

she nods.

you tell me what he is requiring that upsets

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie?

she starts crying again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets

just right for him. He can

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

he's taking you too

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

word that can't be used isn't

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.