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.”

longer,

if she doesn’t want to

to go home? I'll find a stand-in for you if

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

I have Kirstie on from

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make coffee

Francis fixes a gimlet eye

if I’m the

*****

a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making the

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

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

good at this sort

it is.” I gesture to the chair

Nope…

Wrong…

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

her, pour the coffee, try to make myself

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together.

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

at

rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

really

see where

Ryan…

I try a gentle

He thinks

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

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

the relationship between a Dom and his sub?

she nods. “I

he

“It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

how you and I met, there can't be

sweating, she says, “He gets off on having

right for him. He can be

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

taking you too far, you

eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

word that can't be used isn't a

and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question