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

my business if she doesn’t want

I'll find a stand-in for you if you

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

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

fixes a gimlet eye on

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

there is a timid tap at my door. I left

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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

nods, winding her fingers

What now?

good at

you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at

you know the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

where this might be

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle prompt.

new to this. He... He thinks

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

that, but Ryan... Could

relationship between a Dom

she nods. “I

tell me what he is requiring that

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

I met,

sweating, she says, “He gets off on having sex in

just right for him.

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

you too far,

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

Shit…

word that can't be used

ever a time, maybe in your early