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

if she

home? I'll find

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

if she wants to.

James.” Francis fixes

if I’m the cause of

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“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 I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment,

she nods,

What now?

no fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating by the coffee table,

and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her act

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

threesome at

the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

you really understand the

where this might

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle prompt.

to this. He... He thinks he's completely

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

that and you know that, but Ryan... Could you

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

nods.

me what he is

“It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't

gets off

just right for him. He can be as

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

he's taking you

looks up and her eyes

Shit…

word that can't be used isn't a

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 mouth