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.”

longer,

she doesn’t want

home? I'll find a

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

an hour later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you

Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see

we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a ‘Mr

she nods, winding

What now?

at this

whatever it is.”

Nope…

Wrong…

then correct myself, instead waving her across to the low seating by

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at the

And you know the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

really understand the

where this might be

Ryan…

I try a

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

rules of the game. If something upsets you,

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

in the relationship between a Dom and his sub?

she nods.

tell me what he

squirming. “It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we in

starts crying again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

and sweating, she says, “He gets

him.

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

you

her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

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

doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you and 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