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

she doesn’t want to share

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

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee for

James.” Francis fixes

to decide if I’m the

*****

is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you for

she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends.

hanging, she nods,

What now?

no fucking good at this

the beginning, whatever it

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking

opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well,

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at

And you know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I

He's new to this. He... He thinks he's

required to 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 find it distasteful…

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

in the relationship between a Dom and

nods.

tell me what he

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are we in

tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

“Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there

she says, “He gets off on having sex

clubs are just right for him. He

public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

if he's taking you too far, you simply

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

that can't

you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?”