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

she doesn’t want

like to go home? I'll find a

rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

hour 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 few

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can

course, James.” Francis fixes a

if I’m

*****

a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open, but she knocks

“Come in, Kirstie.”

her face down. “Thank you for

the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’ moment, not a

nods, winding her fingers

What now?

fucking good at this sort of

whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite

Nope…

Wrong…

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

sits, sniffs and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at the

you know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

mean, you really

to see where

Ryan…

up again. I

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

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,

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

relationship between a Dom

nods.

tell me what he is requiring that

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or

running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

“Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say to each

gets off

right for him.

Parking lots, elevators. Places

taking you too far, you simply

eyes

Shit…

word that can't be used isn't

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