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 no

business if she doesn’t

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

sir. 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

Aaahhh…

can come up now if she wants to. Can you

Francis fixes a gimlet eye

if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

there is a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open,

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making

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

she nods, winding her

What now?

good at this sort of

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

Nope…

Wrong…

myself, instead waving her across to the low

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

thing is... You're a Dom, Charlotte's Dom and... and there’s Michael of course. You

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

And you know the rules. How

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

see where

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a

He thinks he's completely in charge and that

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

know that, but Ryan...

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

nods.

what he is

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

tears running furrows through what’s left of her

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say

gets

right for him. He can

Parking lots, elevators. Places

you too

looks up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He gets

Shit…

can't be

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