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,

if she doesn’t want

I'll find

I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

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

Francis fixes

to decide if I’m the

*****

tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you

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

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

good at

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

there’s Michael of course. You always

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

know the rules. How

“Get it?”

really

where

Ryan…

up again. I try

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

you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub.

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

me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom

she nods. “I

he is

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we

running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

lean forward, elbows on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos

says, “He gets off on

for him. He

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

if he's taking you too far, you

looks up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

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

Was there ever a time, maybe in