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 is

she doesn’t want to

to go home? I'll find a

sir. I'd rather be at

“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 you

Aaahhh…

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

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m the cause of

*****

there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

her. “Kirstie, we’re friends.

she nods, winding

What now?

no fucking good at

the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over

Nope…

Wrong…

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

hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

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…

threesome at

know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

where

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle

He thinks he's

the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the

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

in the relationship between a

nods. “I

you tell me what he is requiring

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie?

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say to each

gets off on having sex in

clubs are just right for him. He can

elevators. Places we

taking you too far,

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

that can't be used isn't

time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her