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, but no more

she doesn’t

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

sir. I'd rather be at

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

wants to. Can you make coffee for

James.” Francis fixes a

if I’m

*****

tap at my door. I left it standing open, but she knocks

“Come in, Kirstie.”

“Thank you for making the time to see

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

she nods, winding

What now?

fucking good at this

don’t you sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it

Nope…

Wrong…

instead waving her across to the low seating

hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at

know the rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

you really understand

where this might

Ryan…

again. I

thinks he's

to do anything you are unwilling to; that you haven't agreed to. That's not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it distasteful… you’re the sub. You set the

know that, but Ryan... Could

relationship between a Dom

nods. “I

me what he is requiring that

But her words

Crucified with embarrassment.

Kirstie? Or are we in

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

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

“He gets off on having sex

just right for him. He

really in public. Parking lots, elevators. Places we

taking you too far,

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

Shit…

a safe word that can't

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.