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

my business if she

to go home? I'll find a

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make coffee for two,

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m

*****

there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making

leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the

hanging, she nods,

What now?

no fucking good at this sort

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

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the

gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

And you know the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this might be

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle

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

That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub. You set the

know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk

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

she nods.

he is requiring

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie?

crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

“Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met,

“He gets off on having sex

just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

taking you too far,

and her eyes

Shit…

that can't be

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 her