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.”

little longer, but

she doesn’t want

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

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make coffee for two,

course, James.” Francis fixes

I’m the cause of

*****

there is a timid tap at my

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for

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

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

no fucking good at this sort

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

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low

a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at

And you know the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

really understand

where this might be

Ryan…

dries up again. I try

thinks he's

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

and you know that, but Ryan...

between a

she nods.

he is requiring

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or

tears running furrows through what’s left of her

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

Considering how you and I met, there can't be

she says, “He gets off on having sex

right for him. He can

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could

you too far, you

eyes

Shit…

word that can't be

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.