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

if she doesn’t want to

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

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

can come up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

fixes

decide if I’m

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see

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

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at this sort of

sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over my

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating by the

sit opposite her,

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

at the

know the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

begin to see where this might

Ryan…

again. I try

He's new to this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge and that

are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub.

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

a Dom and his sub? That's quite

she nods.

tell me what he

But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

tears running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

how you and I met, there can't be too many

“He gets off on having

clubs are just right for him.

public. Parking lots, elevators.

he's taking you too far,

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

Shit…

that can't be used

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