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 is

my business if she doesn’t want to share

home? I'll find

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

office door. “James, I have Kirstie on

Aaahhh…

come up now if she wants

James.” Francis fixes a gimlet

I’m

*****

timid tap at my door. I

“Come in, Kirstie.”

with her face down. “Thank you

she leaves, I close the door behind her. “Kirstie, we’re friends. And I have the feeling this is a ‘James’

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

good at this sort of

at the beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to the chair

Nope…

Wrong…

then correct myself, instead waving her across to the low

I sit opposite her, pour the coffee,

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

slant

How we met…

threesome at the

you know the rules. How it works.

“Get it?”

really understand the

to see where

Ryan…

again. I

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

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

and you know that, but Ryan... Could you maybe talk to

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

nods. “I

he is requiring that

But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

everyday life here, Kirstie? Or are we in sexual

crying again, tears running furrows

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

gets off on having sex

are just right for him. He can be

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we could be

he's taking you too far, you

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

Shit…

that can't

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