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, but no

if she doesn’t

to go home? I'll find a stand-in

sir. I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you make coffee for

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

to decide if I’m the cause

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you

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

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

fucking good at this sort

at the beginning, whatever it is.”

Nope…

Wrong…

then correct myself, instead waving her across to the low

opposite her,

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

there’s Michael of course. You

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at

How it

“Get it?”

really

begin to see where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle prompt.

He thinks he's

the rules of the game. If something upsets you,

you know that, but Ryan... Could

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

nods. “I

you tell me what he is requiring that upsets

“It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie?

she starts crying again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

“Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what

sweating, she says, “He gets off on having sex

are just right for him.

elevators. Places we could be caught.

he's taking you too far,

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

Shit…

a safe word that can't

ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth