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 more is

my business if she doesn’t want to share

I'll find a stand-in for you if you

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make

James.” Francis fixes

to decide if I’m the

*****

minutes, there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making the

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

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

at this

whatever it is.” I gesture to

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating by the

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

really

where this

Ryan…

I try a gentle

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

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 you find

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

between a Dom and his sub?

nods. “I

me what he is requiring that

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or

tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

says, “He gets off

just right for him. He

lots, elevators. Places we could be caught. He's careful,

he's taking you too far, you simply

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

can't be used

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