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

she doesn’t want to

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

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 sometime today?

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

if I’m the cause

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open, but

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for making the time to see me,

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

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

good at

whatever it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low

sit opposite her,

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

and... and there’s Michael of course. You

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

really understand

see where this might be

Ryan…

I try a gentle

He's new to this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge

are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game.

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

interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's

she nods.

you tell me what he

But

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met, there

and sweating, she says, “He gets

the clubs are just right for him. He can be

lots, elevators.

he's taking you too

her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

word that can't be

time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she mumbles.