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,

if she

home? I'll find

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

on from downstairs. She's

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

if I’m the cause

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making

“Kirstie, we’re friends.

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

good at this sort

down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over

Nope…

Wrong…

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

opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at the

the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

you really

begin to see where this might be

Ryan…

up again. I try a

thinks

required 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, or if you find it distasteful… you’re

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

want me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom

she nods. “I

you tell me what he

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

how you and I met, there

she says, “He gets off

just right for him. He can be as

I mean really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

he's taking you too far, you

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

Shit…

that can't be

there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her