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

my business if she doesn’t want

home? I'll find a stand-in

rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make coffee for two,

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

decide if I’m the

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making

behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this

nods, winding her

What now?

at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

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

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

thing 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…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

you know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

really

to see where

Ryan…

I try a gentle

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

rules of the game. If

that, but Ryan... Could

me to interfere in the relationship between a

nods. “I

tell me what he

“It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in

sweating, she says, “He gets

clubs are just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

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

if he's taking you too far, you simply

up and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

word that can't

doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in