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,

my business if she doesn’t

home? I'll find a stand-in for you

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

if she wants to.

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

decide if I’m the cause

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for

coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

good at this sort

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

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating by the coffee

sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

of course. You

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

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

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

begin to see where

Ryan…

dries up again. I try

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

to. That's not the rules of the game.

know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him? Explain

in the relationship between a Dom and his sub?

she nods. “I

tell me what he is requiring that upsets

squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

sweating, she says, “He gets off on having

right for him. He

Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

you too far,

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

Shit…

can't be used isn't

Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her