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,

she doesn’t want to

I'll find

I'd 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

Aaahhh…

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

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

to decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table,

I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

Michael of course.

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

threesome at

you know the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

where this

Ryan…

I

this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge and that I

anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets

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

me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's

nods.

you tell me what he is

But

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are

crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

how you and I met, there can't

says, “He gets off on

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

in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be

you too far, you simply

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

can't be used

he doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you 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 short. “Sorry,” she