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 no

my business if she doesn’t

home? I'll find a stand-in for

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few minutes

Aaahhh…

now if she wants

Francis fixes a

if I’m

*****

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 the time to see me, Mr

the coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a ‘Mr

hanging, she nods,

What now?

no fucking good at

you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.”

Nope…

Wrong…

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

her, pour the coffee, try

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at the

the rules. How

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

see where this might

Ryan…

I try a gentle prompt.

He thinks he's completely

to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you,

but Ryan...

in the relationship between a Dom and

she nods.

he is

squirming. “It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

starts crying again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

and I met,

sweating, she says, “He gets

are just right for him. He can be

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

taking you too far,

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

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

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