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 no more

she

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

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

hour later, Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants

course, James.” Francis fixes

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

is a timid tap at my

“Come in, Kirstie.”

still with her face down. “Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re

hanging, she nods,

What now?

at this sort

it is.” I

Nope…

Wrong…

her across to the low seating by the

her, pour the coffee, try to make myself

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

Michael of course. You always seem so happy together. And, well, you've

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

threesome at the

you know the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the Dom/sub

where this might be

Ryan…

I try a gentle

He... He thinks he's completely in charge and that

the rules of the game.

Ryan... Could you maybe talk to him?

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

nods. “I

me what he is requiring that upsets

“It's...” But

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or

again, tears running furrows through what’s left of

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

knees. “Come on Kirstie. Considering how you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say

she says, “He gets off on

for him.

elevators. Places we could

if he's taking you

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

Shit…

safe word that can't

He thinks… James, you and Charlotte have been together for a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her