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

if she doesn’t

I'll find

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

Aaahhh…

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

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

I’m the cause

*****

at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making

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

hanging, she nods,

What now?

good at

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by the coffee

sit opposite her,

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at the

know the rules. How

“Get it?”

you really

where this

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle prompt.

thinks he's completely in charge

That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or

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

in the relationship between a Dom and his sub?

nods. “I

he is requiring

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

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

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets off on having

are just right for him. He can

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

you too far, you simply

and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine.

Shit…

can't

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