Dungeon Time (Play at Work) Read Online Free Page B

until finally the four glasses of wine and emotional upset wore her down and she fell asleep in the car full of all her worldly possessions.
     
    ***
     
    Edward waited in Randolph’s office, sleeves rolled up, hunched over spreadsheets, for over fifteen minutes before emerging to find out what delayed him. Frowning, he scooped up a woman’s handbag from the floor and straightened just as Randolph emerged from another office.
    “Everything okay?”
    The man rubbed his hand on his trousers and winced. “It is now.”
    “Uh oh . I take it that’s Mona’s office?”
    Randolph nodded. “It is.” He paused. “Would you mind if we rescheduled? Something suddenly came up.”
    Edward considered asking, but one look at the grim expression facing him and he decided not to intrude. “No problem. I have other things I can do this afternoon. Let me grab my jacket, and I’ll get out of your way.” What had Mona done? It couldn’t be too bad; she was crazy for his friend. He approved of her effect on the man, usually. “Just don’t be too hard on her.”
    Randolph’s eyes gleamed. “That’s half the fun.”
    “Hmm, true.” They paced back to the executive suite, and Edward buttoned his cuffs and pulled on his suit coat. “I want to stop by reception before I go.”
    Randolph sat down and rummaged through a drawer. “Oh, right. Good luck.”
    Surprised he didn’t offer any more words of caution, Edward left him holding a broad, flat paddle and headed for his own goal. Anna. His pulse sped as he neared the doorway to her area. He hadn’t realized how much he counted on her saying yes.
    Women generally did say yes to him. But they were ones who frequented the club scene. Those who’d heard of his reputation as a stern Dom and sought him for that. Anna knew him only as a stuffy businessman who came by for meetings with her boss. According to Randolph, Mona hadn’t shared any of the kinkier aspects of their life with her. She claimed Anna would be shocked—sweet, traditional girl that she was—although she had recently begun borrowing some of Mona’s erotic romance novels. At least she knew their world existed—if only in fiction.
    Even if she said yes, would Mona warn her “sweet, traditional” friend off? He slowed outside Mona’s office door, but soft sniffles from inside kept him moving. No need to embarrass her. He’d ask Edward to talk to her later, request she not do anything to blow his chances until he had a chance to show Anna his real interest.
    He’d have to tell her about his life as a Dom, or they’d run into someone from the club scene at the grocery store, and wouldn’t that be special. But he wanted a date or two first. Time to get to know one another.
    Step one: ask the girl for a date.
    When was the last time he’d done that?
    High school.
    Turning a corner, he moved with purpose through the archway into reception.
    “You’re not Anna.”
    The middle-aged black woman glanced up from her computer screen and smiled. “No, I’m Trudy, her supervisor. Can I help you?”
    “No, that’s fine,” he muttered, disappointed. “I just wanted to thank her for…for her courtesy earlier.”
    “She isn’t in, but I will let her know. Is there anything else?” He shook his head and the woman turned her attention back to her screen.
    Edward headed out the door, at a loss. He’d spent so much time gearing up to talk to Anna, the letdown left him adrift. He’d arranged to be away from the office all afternoon, in conference with Randolph. Although his plans had fallen through, he had no desire to return. Perhaps he’d go for a run or…well, he didn’t know what. But he couldn’t sit around and wait for her. He needed an excuse to return—to finish the project he and Randolph had begun that afternoon, of course.
    I’ll come back tomorrow. Shit , tomorrow’s Saturday. After all his preparation and nerves, he’d have to wait until Monday to see if she’d go with him to…dinner? Or a