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

my business if she

I'll find a stand-in for

I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

Kirstie on from

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can you

James.” Francis fixes

if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making the

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

nods, winding her

What now?

fucking good at

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

then correct myself, instead waving her across to the low

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

you know the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

where

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle

thinks he's completely in charge and that

you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If

that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him? Explain

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

nods. “I

you tell me what he is requiring that

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

lean forward, elbows on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say to

gets off on having sex in

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

lots, elevators. Places we could

taking you too far,

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

can't be used isn't a

but he doesn't understand. He thinks… James, 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 own question short.