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.”

wait a little longer, but no

my business if she

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

sir. I'd rather

“As you wish.”

*****

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

Aaahhh…

wants to.

Francis fixes a

I’m the cause

*****

than five minutes, there is a timid tap at my

“Come in, Kirstie.”

down. “Thank you for making the time to see me, Mr

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

hanging, she nods, winding her

What now?

at

sit down. Start at the beginning, whatever it is.” I

Nope…

Wrong…

the low seating by the coffee

and gulps, then hoots into a handkerchief. I sit opposite her, pour the coffee, try to make myself busy while she gets

Should I call Charlotte?

but Kirstie

Dom and... and there’s Michael of course.

As she knows…

slant up to

How we met…

threesome at the

the rules. How it

“Get it?”

you really understand the

to see where this might be

Ryan…

again. I try a gentle

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

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

know that, but Ryan... Could

between a Dom and his sub? That's

she nods.

what he is

“It's...” But her words dry

Crucified with embarrassment.

life here, Kirstie? Or are

she starts crying again, tears running furrows through

Ah, fuck….

Weeping women…

Francis?

No…

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

and sweating, she says, “He gets

just right for him. He can be as

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

you

her eyes red-rimmed, meet

Shit…

a safe word that can't be used

time, maybe in your early days when…?” Her hand rises to her mouth as