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.”

little longer,

she doesn’t want

you like to go home? I'll find

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make coffee for

fixes a gimlet

I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

is a timid tap at my door. I left it

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you for making

door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re

nods, winding her

What now?

fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating by

sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try

Should I call Charlotte?

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…

slant up

How we met…

at

you know the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

you really understand the

begin to see where this might be

Ryan…

I

thinks he's completely

agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub. You set the

Ryan... Could you maybe

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

she nods. “I

what he is requiring that upsets

But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie?

again, tears running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say to each

“He gets off on

just right for him. He can be

elevators. Places

taking you too far, you simply

eyes

Shit…

a safe word that can't be used isn't a safe

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