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.”

a little longer, but no more is

my business if she doesn’t want to

you like to go home? I'll find a

rather be

“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 today? She

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

I’m the cause of

*****

at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

“Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the

nods, winding

What now?

at this

Start at the beginning, whatever it is.”

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating

her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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 up

How we met…

threesome at

know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

you really understand the

where this might

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle

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

not required to do anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the

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

interfere in the relationship between a

she nods. “I

tell me what he is requiring that

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

she starts crying again, tears running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

you and I met, there can't

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

him. He can be as exhibitionist

elevators. Places we could

he's taking you too far, you simply

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

Shit…

safe word that can't be

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