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,

if she doesn’t

find a stand-in for you if

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

on from downstairs. She's

Aaahhh…

she wants

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

to decide if I’m

*****

less than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left it

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see

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

she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking the

then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

of course. You always

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

at the

know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

you really

where

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle prompt.

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

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 it distasteful… you’re the sub. You set

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

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

she nods. “I

tell me what he is

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or

again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

how you and I met, there

and sweating, she says, “He gets off on having

him.

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

you too far, you simply

and her eyes

Shit…

safe word that can't

have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe