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 no more is

she doesn’t want to share

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

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

can come up now if she wants to. Can you make

Francis fixes a gimlet eye

if I’m the

*****

timid tap at my door. I left it standing open, but she

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the time to see me,

we’re friends. And I have

she nods,

What now?

no fucking good at this

it is.” I

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

course. You always seem

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

How it

“Get it?”

you really understand the

see where this

Ryan…

again. I

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

That's not the rules

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

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

nods. “I

you tell me what he is requiring that

But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

starts crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

says, “He gets off on having

are just right for him. He can

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we

you too far, you

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

Shit…

safe word that can't be

while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own