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

business if she doesn’t

I'll find a stand-in for you if

I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

on from downstairs. She's asking if you could

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

Francis fixes a gimlet eye

to decide if I’m the cause of

*****

tap at my door. I left

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me,

she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

good at this sort

beginning, whatever it is.” I

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee

hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite 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 this for

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

at

the rules. How

“Get it?”

you really understand the

see where this might

Ryan…

I try a

thinks he's completely in charge and that I

the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub. You set

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

to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his

she nods.

he is requiring that

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

“He gets off on

just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

mean really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught. He's

if he's taking you too

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

safe word that can't be used isn't

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