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 more

she

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make coffee for

course, James.” Francis fixes

decide if I’m

*****

tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

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

nods,

What now?

fucking good at this sort of

Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I

Nope…

Wrong…

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

I sit opposite her, pour the

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course.

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at the

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really

begin to see where this might be

Ryan…

I try a

He thinks he's completely

do anything 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. You

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

relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an

she nods. “I

he is requiring

But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

tears running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets off on

the clubs are just right for him. He can be as

public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

taking you too

her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

safe word that can't be

a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early