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

she

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

decide if I’m the cause of

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making the time

brings the coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

good at this sort

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

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

begin to see where this might

Ryan…

again. I try a

to this. He... He thinks he's completely

That's not the rules of the game. If something

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

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

nods. “I

what he is requiring

“It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

tears running furrows through what’s left of her

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

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

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

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places

he's taking you

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

safe word that can't be used isn't a

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 own