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,

business if she doesn’t

I'll find a stand-in for

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can

Francis fixes

if I’m the

*****

there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the time to see

the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends.

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

no fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

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

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at

the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

you really understand the

see where

Ryan…

up again. I try a

to this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge

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 it distasteful… you’re the sub. You set

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

relationship between a Dom

she nods.

you tell me what he

But

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

“Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many

she says, “He gets

right for him. He can be

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

you

eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

can't be used isn't

a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she mumbles.