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.”

wait a little longer, but no

if she doesn’t want to

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

sir. I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

on from downstairs. She's asking

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can you make

course, James.” Francis fixes a

if I’m the cause of

*****

there is a timid tap at my door. I left it

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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

she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at

whatever it

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating

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

Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well,

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

at

How

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

to see where this might

Ryan…

again. I

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

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

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

a Dom and his sub? That's quite an ask,

she nods.

he is

But

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

tears running

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

“He gets off on having

for him. He

lots, elevators. Places we could be caught. He's

taking you too far, you simply

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

word that can't be

there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she