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.”

little longer, but

business if she doesn’t want

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

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

hour later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

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

fixes

I’m the

*****

timid tap at my door. I

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the

the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re

nods, winding her

What now?

at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

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

sits, sniffs and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing this for

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at the

you know the rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

see where this

Ryan…

again. I try a

He thinks he's completely in charge and that I

to do anything you 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…

but Ryan... Could you

relationship between a

she nods. “I

me what he is requiring that upsets

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or

running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets off on having sex in

just right for him. He can be

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

if he's taking you too far, you

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He gets

Shit…

a safe word that can't be used isn't a

a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your