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 doesn’t want to share

I'll find a

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

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 today? She sounds

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee for two,

James.” Francis fixes a

decide if I’m the

*****

is a timid tap at my door. I left

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the time to see

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

nods, winding her fingers

What now?

good at this sort

the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair opposite mine over my

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating

opposite her, pour the coffee, try

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

and there’s Michael of course. You always seem

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

at

rules. How it works. You really get

“Get it?”

really understand the Dom/sub

to see where this

Ryan…

again. I try

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

not the rules of the game. If something

Ryan... Could you maybe talk

want me to interfere in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite

nods.

you tell me what he

squirming. “It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

here, Kirstie? Or are we in

starts crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

“Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too

and sweating, she says, “He gets off on

clubs are just right for him. He can be as

in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be

taking you too

up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

that can't be used isn't

Was there ever a time, maybe in