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

my business if she doesn’t want to

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

I'd rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

she wants to. Can you

Francis fixes

if I’m

*****

at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me,

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

hanging, she nods,

What now?

at this sort of

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

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low seating by the coffee table,

a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

course. You always seem so happy together.

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

at

you know the rules. How

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand

begin to see where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a gentle

new to this. He... He thinks he's completely in charge and

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 sub.

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

me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom

she nods.

what he is requiring that upsets

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or

crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say to each

gets off on having sex

for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be caught. He's

you

up and her eyes

Shit…

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

while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her