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.”

little longer, but

she

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

I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make coffee for

James.” Francis fixes

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my door.

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making the time

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

she nods, winding

What now?

at this sort

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

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating by the coffee

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at the

rules. How it works. You

“Get it?”

really understand

to see where this

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle prompt.

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

to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you,

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

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

she nods.

what he is requiring

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

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are

crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

I met,

says, “He gets off on having sex

the clubs are just right for him. He can be

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

if he's taking you too far, you

and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

can't be used

maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her