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

you like to go home? I'll find

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 her a few minutes sometime today?

Aaahhh…

if she wants to. Can you make

fixes a gimlet

to decide if I’m the

*****

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

“Come in, Kirstie.”

you for making the time to see me,

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

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

at this

beginning, whatever it is.” I gesture to

Nope…

Wrong…

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

handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie starts

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

As she knows…

eyes slant up

How we met…

threesome at the

rules. How

“Get it?”

you really understand

where

Ryan…

I

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

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

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

between a Dom

she nods. “I

me what he

But her

Crucified with embarrassment.

we discussing everyday life here, Kirstie?

crying again, tears running furrows through what’s

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

I met, there can't be too many taboos in what

sweating, she says, “He gets

clubs are just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist as

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

he's taking you

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

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.