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

if she doesn’t want

find a

sir. I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make

Francis fixes a

if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

a timid tap at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

no fucking good at this sort of

it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over my

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating by the

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

of course. You always

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

you really

see where this might

Ryan…

I try a gentle prompt.

He... He thinks he's completely in charge and that

to do anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you,

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

a Dom and his sub?

nods.

me what he is requiring that

“It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we

and sweating, she says, “He gets off on having

for him. He can be as

elevators. Places we

if he's taking you too far, you simply

her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

that can't be used isn't a safe

know that, but he doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days