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

if she doesn’t want to

you like to go home? I'll find a

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

can come up now if she wants

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

decide if I’m

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And

nods, winding her fingers

What now?

fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating by the coffee table,

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

course. You always seem so happy

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at the

rules. How it

“Get it?”

you really understand the

begin to see where this

Ryan…

I try a

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

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

that and you know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to

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

nods. “I

me what he is

But

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

lean forward, elbows on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met,

“He gets off

the clubs are just right for him. He can

public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we

you too far, you

eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

that can't be used isn't a

Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises