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

business if she doesn’t want to share

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few minutes sometime today? She sounds

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m the cause of

*****

five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the

brings the coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I

she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

no fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the low seating

I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her act

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

threesome at

rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

see where this might be

Ryan…

dries up again. I try

He thinks he's

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

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

relationship between a Dom and his

she nods.

he is

But

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

again, tears running furrows through what’s left of her

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in

says, “He gets off

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

Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

if he's taking you too

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

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

for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?”