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,

if she doesn’t

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

I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare

Aaahhh…

can come up now if she wants

fixes a gimlet

if I’m the cause of

*****

tap at my door. I left it

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me,

behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have

nods, winding

What now?

no fucking good at

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

Nope…

Wrong…

correct myself, instead waving her across to the low seating by

opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at the

And you know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this

Ryan…

again. I try a

thinks

you 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 something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the

that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk

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

she nods. “I

me what he is requiring that upsets

squirming. “It's...” But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie?

running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

she says, “He gets off on having sex in

are just right for him. He can be as

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

taking you too far, you simply

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

safe word that can't

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 cutting her own question short. “Sorry,” she mumbles. “I shouldn’t