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.”

wait a little longer, but

business if she doesn’t want to

to go home? I'll find

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

“James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

if I’m the cause

*****

tap at my door. I left it standing open, but

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

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

she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at

beginning, whatever it

Nope…

Wrong…

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 her

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

at the

How it works. You

“Get it?”

really understand

see where this might be

Ryan…

up again. I try a

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

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…

that and you know that, but Ryan... Could you

to interfere in the relationship between a

nods. “I

what he

squirming. “It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

how you and I met,

she says, “He gets off on having

are just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

taking you too far, you

looks up and her eyes

Shit…

that can't be

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 short. “Sorry,” she mumbles.