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.”

wait a little longer, but no more

my business if she doesn’t

find a stand-in for

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make coffee

fixes a gimlet eye on

to decide if I’m

*****

timid tap at my door. I left it

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you for

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

she nods, winding

What now?

no fucking good at this sort of

down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by

I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing this for

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

at the

know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this might be

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle prompt.

He... He thinks

are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it

Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him?

a Dom and his sub? That's

nods.

he is requiring

“It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we

again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

forward, elbows on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met,

says, “He gets off

are just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

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

if he's taking you too far, you

her eyes

Shit…

can't

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