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.”

wait a little longer,

she doesn’t

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you make coffee

Francis fixes a gimlet

to decide if I’m

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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 I have the feeling

she nods, winding her

What now?

fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by the

I sit opposite her, pour

Should I call Charlotte?

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 doing this

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at

How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

mean, you really

to see where this might

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle prompt.

He's new to this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge

rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you

but Ryan... Could

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his

nods.

what he is

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

tears running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets off on having sex

the clubs are just right for him. He can be as

public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

you too

her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

safe word that can't be

there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she mumbles.