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

business if she doesn’t want to

I'll find a stand-in for you if

sir. I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

she wants

course, James.” Francis fixes a

if I’m

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you for making

behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And

she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by the

gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her,

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

at

the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

you really

where this might be

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle

this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge and that I

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

you know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him?

interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub?

nods.

what he is requiring that

“It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are

starts crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets off on having sex in

him. He

public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught. He's careful,

he's taking you too

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

that can't be used isn't a safe

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 question short. “Sorry,” she mumbles. “I shouldn’t