Page 23 of The Damaged Billionaire's Obsession

Okay, this is mildly embarrassing. And annoying. She makes us look like the tech team that the company sent over to attend her training session.

Bonnie Russo.Who does this sassy woman think she is, waltzing in like she owns the place?

Jordan looks at me and inclines his head, lifting a single eyebrow. It’s a thing between us, and it means, 'Take that.'

Oh, I will, jackass.

“Thank you, Ms. Russo. That was quite interesting, if a bit ambitious. Any questions from the panel?”

Sajid pipes up. “Not a question, but a request.”

“Sure,” Bonnie says.

“Would you mind if we used this BUGfix as a VCS template for trainees?” Sajid looks at her with puppy eyes and I want to smack him.

“No, of course not. Consider it complementary for your trouble, moving things around for me despite my tardiness, which I apologize for. If you like I could attach some training prompts to it, just so it's fully adapted for it's intended use.”

So, she came late, too. She didn’t even have as much time as the others had to prepare.Wow.

That inexplicable need I had to speak to her the first time I set my eyes on her returns. Only it's more acute now.

Having seen what she's done here, what I know she has the capacity to do, that need has just morphed into something else. Something darker. Something that is too ludicrous to even be contemplating.

I want her by my side.

My cock twitches at the thought and I viciously yank it from my head. This is exactly why I need to get her as far away from me as possible before the thought takes root.

Bonnie looks at me, a soft, almost pleading look in her eyes.

Waiting for something.

For what? The rest of your interviewers are drowning in drool. What the fuck do you want from me. Applause?

Something squeezes in my chest but I’m not falling for that look. Especially with that almost permanent smirk still on her face.

Okay. Time to shut this down.

“I do have a question, Ms. Russo,” I begin. “We utilize a number of programming languages in Acercraft. Surely you must know that this prototype would infinitely make more sense if it were written in Xerif. Do you even know the language?”

Jordan and Mike look at me like I’ve gone mad, but I ignore them, motioning to her to answer the question.

And to my utmost surprise, she fumbles for a moment, and a flush steals over her exquisite cheeks.

The question is unfair and completely irrelevant to the interview. I just wanted to ask her what she wouldn't know the answer to because somehow I suspect that doesn't happen very often to her.

I wanted to see how she'd respond to being annoyed and put on the defensive. I fully expected her to lash out given what I've seen of her, but I just wanted to put that theory to the test.

And instead of handing my ass over to me in pure Bonnie fashion, she blushes furiously. Fuck, I love that color on her. Although, I do hate myself for getting her flustered.

She finally says almost meekly, “I’ll have to admit, I haven’t had much experience with Xerif, but I’m sure it’s something I can learn on the job.”

I'm taken aback by her response. That's all you have to say, Bonnie? I literally offered you a chopping block with my head on it, you went all acquiescent on me.

And I need to stop trying to figure her out and send her away.

“That depends on if you’re successful in your interview." I say, "But thanks for your time today, Ms. Russo, we’ll be in touch.”

She looks at me, and something flashes in her eyes before she averts her face. It’s fleeting, but I know it’s not anger. Possibly hurt pride. She leaves the room like a queen, and I feel like the heel that snatched her crown.