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.”

a little longer, but

business if she doesn’t

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

I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

“James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make coffee for

course, James.” Francis fixes a

I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

minutes, there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

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

she nods,

What now?

good at this sort

whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by

sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

thing is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well,

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

at

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

where this might

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle prompt.

He thinks he's completely in charge and that I

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

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

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

nods.

what he is

But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we

crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

sweating, she says, “He gets off on

clubs are just right for him. He can

elevators. Places we

you

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

word that can't be

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.