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 for you

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

hour later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make coffee for

fixes a gimlet eye on

if I’m

*****

tap at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you for making the

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

nods, winding her

What now?

no fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

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 her

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing this for

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at

And you know the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

begin to see where this

Ryan…

I try a gentle

this. He... He thinks

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

Ryan... Could

me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom

she nods.

what he is

“It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are

again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met, there can't be

“He gets off

the clubs are just right for him.

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

he's taking you too

her eyes

Shit…

can't be used isn't a

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