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.”

longer, but no more

if she doesn’t want

go home? I'll find a

rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

an hour later, Francis 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? She sounds

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you

fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you

coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I

nods, winding

What now?

at this sort of

you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low seating

sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing this for

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at the

rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle

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

you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it

know that, but Ryan... Could

relationship between a Dom

nods. “I

you tell me what he is requiring

swallows, squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we

tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met,

“He gets off on having sex

are just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

lots, elevators. Places we could be

you too

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

word that can't be used

a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question