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 no more

my business if she doesn’t want to

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

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

an hour 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

Aaahhh…

she wants

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

if I’m the cause of

*****

a timid tap at my

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making

“Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a

she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

good at

the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table,

her, pour the coffee,

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

course. You always seem so happy

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

rules. How it

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle prompt.

thinks he's

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...

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

she nods. “I

me what he is requiring that upsets

squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

starts crying again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say

“He gets off on having sex

are just right for him.

elevators. Places we could be caught.

if he's taking you

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

that can't

understand. He thinks… James, 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