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.”

wait a little longer, but no more is

business if she doesn’t want

home? I'll find a stand-in for

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

an 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 minutes sometime

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for making the

“Kirstie, we’re

hanging, she nods, winding her fingers

What now?

good at this sort

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

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the

sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at the

How it works. You

“Get it?”

really

to see where

Ryan…

up again. I try a gentle prompt.

He thinks

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 set the

know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him? Explain

the relationship between a Dom and his

she nods.

me what he

squirming. “It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

again, tears running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

forward, elbows on knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't

she says, “He gets off on

clubs are just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

lots, elevators. Places we could be caught.

if he's taking you too far, you

eyes

Shit…

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

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