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

she doesn’t want

like to go home? I'll find

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

I’m the cause of

*****

less than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you

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

nods, winding her

What now?

at this sort of

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

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by

I sit opposite her, pour the

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

there’s Michael of course. You always seem

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

you know the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

where this

Ryan…

I try

thinks he's

agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or

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

the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an

she nods.

you tell me what he is requiring that upsets

“It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

lean forward, elbows on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos

and sweating, she says, “He gets off

are just right for him. He

elevators.

if he's taking you too far, you simply

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

that can't be used isn't

he doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe