Free Housebroken by The Behrg Page B

one of his competitors. Lying to his boss on the first day was not the way he wanted to start with this organization, but he had to remember all he was really doing was buying time.
    Joje had performed unbelievably well, his nuances accentuating the fact that this “partnership” was real. And somewhat frighteningly enough, it actually felt like a partnership—the give and take, the playing off each other; Blake had to admit he was impressed. He never would have guessed Joje had that kind of potential. To sell someone at JT’s level on any amount of bullshit was difficult at best. To get him to purchase the whole dung pile? Next to impossible. Joje had truly done well.
    As they marched down the hall, Blake couldn’t help but feel the elation that always came after closing a deal—a high that would carry him for days. Usually, this would mark a night when he would take his wife to bed, one conquest followed quickly by another. That feeling of near invincibility always translated well in the bedroom.
    But not tonight. Whether Joje and friends were staying or not.
    Joje’s hand almost hit Blake in the head—not in an attack, but in what was meant to be a high five. So much for the class he had shown earlier.
    “That was amazing,” Joje said as they followed the brunette, his smile pure jubilation. “This is so right, I can tell already, I’m gonna learn a lot from you.”
    “We’ll be learning from each other. Especially if the trial period’s a success and both parties decide to make the partnership official.” Blake nodded toward the assistant, hoping Joje would understand. He hoped she had been hired for her looks, not her cognizant abilities.
    “You want us sticking around longer than seven days?”
    Blake’s reaction must have been horrific, because Joje laughed, punching him in the shoulder. “Just messin’ with you. Even if you asked, I couldn’t possibly fit it in my schedule.”
    He laughed again, then skipped down the hall. Actually skipped. They were attracting more than passing glances from the offices and associates they passed.
    Joje cleared his throat, staring at the assistant leading them, her tight rear end swishing back and forth like a metronome. He reached out, pretending to grab her ass, but instead tapped her on the shoulder. To her credit, she didn’t jump.
    “Uh, miss? I’m sorry, what was your name?”
    The assistant lowered the digital clipboard she was holding in front of her chest and smiled. “Lucy.”
    “I wove Wucy,” Joje said, trying out each word as if sipping at champagne.
    “Like the TV show.” She was good. Blake barely noticed the scowl on her face as she turned around and continued forward. They arrived at the door to Blake’s office.
    “JT asked me to apologize. Your actual office, Mr. Crochet, is in renovations. He hoped this would suffice until your—little partnership—is cleared up.”
    Apparently she had been paying attention.
    “I’m sure this will be fine. Thank you,” Blake said.
    “JT also asked for an update each day, keeping him abreast of the situation.”
    “A breast?” Joje asked, his impediment making the inference even more idiotic.
    “Two, actually,” Lucy said, anger like a passing cloud flashing across her face as she stared at Joje, whose eyes still had not risen from her cleavage.
    “You’re stunning,” he said with his lisp. “Forgive me for taking notice.”
    Lucy paused as if unsure whether to thank him or slap him. Probably the latter.
    “I would love to get coffee with you sometime.”
    “I don’t drink coffee. As of right now. Have a good day.” She left them there, walking briskly back down the long hallway.
    “You can’t tell me you wouldn’t sleep with her, given the chance?” Joje asked. “She’s gorgeous!”
    “I’m married.”
    “And how’s that working out?”
    Blake refused to rise to the bait.
    “Seriously, if she threw herself at you, what would you do? These are the kind of things I need to