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.”

a little longer,

business if she doesn’t

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

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

her head around my office door. “James, I have Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you

Aaahhh…

now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

Francis fixes a

I’m the cause of

*****

a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

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

nods, winding her

What now?

fucking good at this

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

Nope…

Wrong…

across to the low seating by the coffee table, overlooking the

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

and there’s Michael of course. You always seem so happy

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

at

the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

mean, you really understand the

to see where this might be

Ryan…

dries up again. I try a

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

do anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If

that, but Ryan... Could you

in the relationship between a Dom and his sub? That's quite an ask,

she nods.

you tell me what he is requiring that upsets

But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we

starts crying again, tears running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

“He gets off on having sex in

him. He can be as exhibitionist as

public. Parking lots, elevators. Places

if he's taking you too

looks up and her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

safe word that can'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. “Sorry,” she mumbles. “I shouldn’t