Dungeon Time (Play at Work) Read Free Page B

of her own choice. Her parents had died when she was in her late teens, and she’d had to get a job and a home or beg on the streets. She took great pride in her achievements, in having come to America all on her own.
    When Anna’s father put his foot down and insisted she stay, Nonna had stepped in and ended the matter. Papa never could say no to his mother.
    Sharing her experience with Mona, the topic of lunch with the men never came up again, although it danced at the back of Anna’s mind.
    “I’m so sorry I can’t help you get settled this evening. I’m free tomorrow if you need help.” Mona checked her calendar in her phone. “We are going out tonight, but Randolph has a meeting of some sort in the morning. Give me your new address.”
    “Really, I don’t have much to move. I stuffed my car, and I plan to start fresh on furniture. The heavy antiques in my room depress me. They can stay behind.”
    Mona nodded. “I’ve never really liked them, but I thought they were special to you.”
    “My mother’s mother’s mother brought them over by ship in the early 1900s. But, no, I don’t like them either. They loom over me, like disapproving relatives.”
    “I suppose you’d never be able to have sex in that bed.”
    “Mona!” Her cheeks heated, again. “It was hard enough to read those books you turned me on to in that room.”
    “They are pretty good, aren’t they?” Her friend giggled.
    “That’s beside the point.”
    “It’s about time you met someone nice, Anna.” Mona grabbed her phone again. “I know a guy you might like. Let me call him.”
    A day before, she’d have jumped on it. But at the moment…. Anna rested her hand on Mona’s. “Let me get settled before you find me a boyfriend, okay? One big change at a time.”
    “Whatever you say, but I highly recommend a sex life.” She brightened. “I guess we need to go furniture shopping, anyway. You can’t sleep with anyone until you have a bed.”
    “That’s the one thing I do have—it’s built in.” Anna’s cheeks heated again.
    Mona eyed her. “Are you keeping something from me? Is there someone already?”
    “Yes…no. Not really.” Someone so mature and successful couldn’t possibly be interested in me. He treated Mona with the same friendliness. I can’t read anything into it. “Nobody in particular.”
     
    ***
     
    “Not hungry?”
    Edward dropped his fork with a sigh. “I thought so, but I guess not.”
    Randolph frowned. “Last time I saw you pass on food, you had a parasite from your trip to South America on that merger deal. Since I doubt you’ve been drinking contaminated water, what’s up?”
    “I didn’t drink the water. It was the ice in my Scotch.” His annoyance carried into his voice, but he couldn’t stop it.
    “Same difference.” Randolph leaned back and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “Talk to me.”
    “About what?”
    “Talk!”
    Edward laughed. “Don’t try your Dom voice on me. It won’t work.” Morose again, he continued. “We are getting old.
    The waitress came and cleared away their plates, one empty and one nearly full. “Would you like a box for this, sir?”
    “No,” he said. “Just take it.” When she left them alone again, he went on. “How long can I keep playing like I’m in my twenties? I’ll be forty next year, and what do I have to show for it?
    “A thriving law practice, a palace of a home, three classic Jaguars, and a dungeon full of eager subs vying for your attention.”
    He waved the words away. “What do those things really mean? When I get home at night, who is there waiting for me?”
    “You could get a dog , if you want company.”
    “That’s not the point, and you know it.” We both know it. “No, since you and Mona found one another, I’ve come to the conclusion I need someone in my life who makes me as happy as she makes you.”
    “How about the brunette you played a couple of weeks ago?” The server returned, and Randolph handed her his