A/N: Takes place after Guy Talk chapter 5, Help Wanted
Mick had just arrived at Josef's office when Josef was called to a meeting. "Stay if you have time," Josef told Mick. "This will probably take half an hour."
Mick helped himself to blood from Josef's private reserve and wandered around. The office had been reconstructed for a couple of months but the final decorating had just been completed including the custom couch that Josef had spent a lot of time selecting. It was very nice, Mick thought, but he didn't really understand the appeal of fine furnishings on the scale that Josef liked.
"Hey, Mickey." Beth peeked around the door. "I was on my way home when Josef's assistant said you were here."
Beth had been working for Josef as his director of corporate relations for several weeks and it was going great. Beth was fascinated by corporate life in general and Kostan Industries in particular. She had all kinds of ideas and Josef was glad to have someone he could trust.
"Do you see much of Josef?" Mick asked.
"Not really. I work a regular business day so we only overlap an hour in the afternoon. We have an update meeting once a week. Sometimes I stay late or he comes in early but it's surprisingly ... normal."
Mick sat on the couch. "I was with him when he was looking at couches. He must have been an interior decorator at some point. You should have heard him talking about fabrics and textures and construction styles."
"He has a good eye and excellent taste and the money to indulge both," Beth agreed.
She was perched on the arm of the couch. Mick tumbled her into his lap. They kissed, laughing, and then suddenly it heated up. They looked at each other, both thinking the same thing.
"It is a great couch," Beth said, her hand stroking the cushion between Mick's legs. "Long and firm."
"Are you still talking about the couch?" Mick asked.
"Not remotely. Do we have time? Do we dare?"
"Risk of discovery is part of the adventure," Mick replied.
They hurried but it was no less satisfying for that. They were laughing again as they adjusted their clothes.
"Josef will burn the couch if he finds out," Mick said.
"He'll smell us." Beth was in a panic. "He'll know we had sex."
Mick glanced around. "Smoke will confuse the scents. I'll have a cigar."
"Me, too."
Mick got two of Josef's finest from the carved wooden humidor. They were puffing away, seated on the couch a decent space apart when Josef returned.
"Hope you don't mind," Mick waved his cigar at Josef. "Beth wanted to try a cigar."
"Not at all," Josef said. "What do you think?"
"I've always liked the smell of a good cigar but the taste doesn't match." Beth coughed a little. "I think I'll give up."
Josef took her cigar. "I'll finish it."
Beth kissed Mick goodbye. "See you at home later." And to Josef: "See you tomorrow, boss."
Josef sat down. Mick patted the couch. "Couch turned out nice."
Josef nodded. "I'm pleased with it."
"So am I," Mick couldn't resist saying.
Josef raised his brows inquiringly.
"I was with you when you picked it. I helped."
"With me and helped me are two different things." Josef mimicked a whiny child's voice: "Can we go now? Have you tried Sofa Mart?"
"You could have got a good deal there," Mick explained. "And they fold out into a queen size bed."
"If you helped pick it, you can help pay for it. I have the bill here."
"On second thought the couch is all yours," Mick replied promptly. "I wasn't sure about the color."
"Uh huh," Josef said knowingly. "You're blowing smoke and I'm blowing smoke rings." He released two perfect circles that rose gently and dissipated slowly.
"Nice technique," Mick complimented him. They took turns blowing rings until the cigars were finished.
"All this smoke and a new couch," Mick said casually. "Maybe you should get it cleaned."
A/N: Mick told Josef about this incident in Guy Talk chapter 18, Garden Party.
