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

business if she doesn’t

to go home? I'll find

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

hour later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few minutes sometime

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make coffee

Francis fixes a gimlet

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you for

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

nods, winding her

What now?

no fucking good at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee

gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

threesome at

know the rules. How

“Get it?”

really understand the

begin to see where

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle

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

the rules

that and you know that, but Ryan...

in the relationship between a Dom

she nods.

you tell me what he is

“It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

sweating, she says, “He gets off

clubs are just right for him. He can be as

mean really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

you

and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

word that can't be used

a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting