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

if she doesn’t

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

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

Francis pops her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can

course, James.” Francis fixes a gimlet eye

decide if I’m the cause of Kirstie’s

*****

at my

“Come in, Kirstie.”

face down. “Thank you for making the time

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

nods, winding

What now?

good at this

Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I

Nope…

Wrong…

waving her across to the low seating by the coffee

then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

slant up

How we met…

threesome at

How

“Get it?”

mean, you really

to see where this

Ryan…

dries up again. I

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

you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets

you know that, but Ryan... Could

relationship between a

she nods.

he is requiring

“It's...” But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

says, “He gets off

just right for him. He can be as

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places

if he's taking you too far, you simply

up and her eyes red-rimmed,

Shit…

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

but he doesn't understand. He thinks… James, you 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.