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 no

if she

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

sir. I'd rather

“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 to. Can you make coffee for two,

course, James.” Francis fixes a

decide if I’m the cause

*****

five minutes, there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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

she nods, winding her

What now?

at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table,

opposite her, pour

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

is... 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 doing

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

at

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

“Get it?”

you really understand

see where this might

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle

thinks he's completely in charge and 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 set the

that, but Ryan... Could

me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his

nods.

me what he is requiring

squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

lean forward, elbows on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say

sweating, she says, “He gets off on having sex in

are just right for him. He can

lots, elevators. Places we could

taking you too far,

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

Shit…

safe word that can't be used isn't

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