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

my business if she

you like to go home? I'll find a

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few

Aaahhh…

now if she wants

Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

to decide if I’m the

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you

close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

at this sort of

down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the

a handkerchief. I sit opposite her,

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at the

How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

see where this might

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle

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

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

but Ryan... Could you maybe talk

in the relationship between a Dom

nods.

what he is

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we

again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too

“He gets off on having

right for him. He can be as

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

if he's taking you too

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

safe word that can't

maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though