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

my business if she doesn’t want to share

home? I'll find

rather

“As you wish.”

*****

office door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

Francis fixes a gimlet eye on

decide if I’m the cause

*****

a timid tap at my door. I left it standing open, but

“Come in, Kirstie.”

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

leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have

hanging, she nods,

What now?

fucking good at this sort

whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating by

sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up to

How we met…

threesome at

you know the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

you really understand the

begin to see where

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle

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

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

but Ryan... Could you

want me to interfere in the relationship between a

she nods.

he is requiring that

But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

you and I met, there can't be

gets off on having sex in

right for him.

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places

taking you

eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

word that can't be used isn't a

ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as though cutting her own question short.