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,

if she doesn’t want to share

you like to go home? I'll find

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 today?

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can

Francis fixes

if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

minutes, there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you for

coffee, but as she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is

hanging, she nods, winding

What now?

no fucking good at this sort

Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by the coffee

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

at the

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

where this might be

Ryan…

I try a

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

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 the sub.

Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him? Explain

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

she nods. “I

what he

“It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

I met, there can't

gets off on having sex

right for him. He can

in public. Parking lots, elevators.

he's taking you too

looks up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

that can't be used

that, but he doesn't 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 as though