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,

my business if she doesn’t want

I'll find a stand-in for you if

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

wants

fixes a gimlet eye on

I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

tap at my door. I left it standing open, but

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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

nods, winding

What now?

good at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

the

I sit opposite her, pour the coffee,

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

at

How it works.

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

begin to see where this might

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle

thinks he's completely in charge

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

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

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an

nods. “I

tell me what he is

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

she starts crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't

gets off on having sex in

just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

Parking lots, elevators. Places

if he's taking you too far, you

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

a safe word that can't be used

a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in