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, but no more

my business if she doesn’t

you like to go home? I'll find a

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you make coffee

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

if I’m the cause

*****

tap at my

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making the

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

nods,

What now?

fucking good at this sort

the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over my

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating by the

hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets her

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

at

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

to see where this might be

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a

He... He thinks he's

not the rules of the

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

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

she nods.

tell me what he

squirming. “It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

again, tears running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met, there can't be too many taboos in

“He gets

for him. He can be as

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

taking you

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

word that can't

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 cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she mumbles. “I