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, but no more

if she doesn’t want to share

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

timid tap at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for

her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is

hanging, she nods,

What now?

fucking good at

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it

Nope…

Wrong…

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

a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

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…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

at the

How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this

Ryan…

I try a

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

are unwilling to; 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

know that, but Ryan... Could

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

she nods. “I

tell me what he is requiring that

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets off on having sex

just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

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

taking you too far, you

eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

can't be used

Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own