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,

my business if she doesn’t

you like to go home? I'll find

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

now if she wants

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

to decide if I’m the

*****

at my door. I left it standing

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for making the time to see

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

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

at

beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the

Nope…

Wrong…

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

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

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at

you know the rules. How it

“Get it?”

you really understand

begin to see where this might

Ryan…

I try a gentle prompt.

thinks he's

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,

but Ryan... Could you

interfere in the relationship between a

nods. “I

he is requiring

But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets off on having sex

are just right for him. He

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we

he's taking you too far, you simply

her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

safe word that can't be used

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