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

business if she

find a stand-in for

rather be

“As you wish.”

*****

Kirstie on from downstairs. She's asking if you could spare her a few minutes sometime today? She sounds

Aaahhh…

can come up now if she wants to. Can you make coffee

James.” Francis fixes

if I’m the cause of

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at

“Come in, Kirstie.”

enters, still with her face down. “Thank you

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

nods, winding

What now?

no fucking good at this sort of

sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it

Nope…

Wrong…

to the low seating by the coffee

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

Should I call Charlotte?

Kirstie

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

As she knows…

eyes slant

How we met…

at the

rules. How it works. You really

“Get it?”

you really understand the Dom/sub

see where

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle

thinks

not the rules of the game. If something upsets you, or if you find it

that, but Ryan... Could you maybe

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

nods. “I

me what he is

“It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are we in

crying again, tears running furrows through what’s left

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

you and I met, there can't be too many taboos in what we can say to

says, “He gets off

just right for him. He can be as exhibitionist

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

taking you too far,

her eyes red-rimmed, meet mine. “He

Shit…

word that can't

a while. Was there ever a time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand