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

she doesn’t want

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

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

on from downstairs. She's asking if you

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

decide if I’m the cause

*****

minutes, there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to

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

nods, winding her fingers

What now?

at this sort of

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

Nope…

Wrong…

across to the

I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at the

the rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I

thinks he's completely in charge and that I

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

know that, but Ryan... Could you

a Dom and his sub? That's quite

nods.

you tell me what he

squirming. “It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

again, tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

I met, there can't be

sweating, she says, “He gets off on

him.

elevators. Places we could be caught.

if he's taking you too far, you

her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

that can't be used isn't a safe

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