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, but no more is

she doesn’t

you like to go home? I'll find a

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Francis fixes a gimlet

decide if I’m

*****

a timid tap at my door. I left it

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for making

door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a ‘Mr

she nods,

What now?

fucking good at this sort

the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the

then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

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

How we met…

at the

How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

begin to see where this might

Ryan…

I try a gentle

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

rules of the

but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to

between a Dom

she nods.

me what he

But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

again, tears running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

I met, there can't be too many taboos in

says, “He gets off on having sex in

for him. He can be as exhibitionist

in public. Parking lots, elevators.

taking you too far, you

looks up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

can't be used isn't a

maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand