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

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

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

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can you

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

to decide if I’m

*****

is a timid tap at my door. I

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making the time to see

we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a ‘Mr

she nods, winding

What now?

at this sort

you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the

sit opposite her, pour the coffee,

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've been doing

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at

you know the rules. How

“Get it?”

really understand

where

Ryan…

I try

He's new to this. He... He thinks

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

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

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

nods.

what he is requiring that upsets

squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

and sweating, she says, “He gets off on

him.

lots, elevators. Places we could be

if he's taking you too

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

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

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