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,

my business if she

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

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

if I’m the cause of

*****

tap at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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

she nods, winding her

What now?

fucking good at this sort

it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite

Nope…

Wrong…

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

gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee,

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well,

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

really understand the

begin to see where this

Ryan…

I try a gentle prompt.

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

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

but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him?

relationship between a Dom and

nods. “I

what he is requiring that

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or

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 many taboos

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

the clubs are just right for him. He can be

mean really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught. He's

taking you

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

word that can't

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 when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting