Page 95 of Boss of Me
“I knew pretty early on.” A hint of a smile plays on his lips. “Once I decided to use my programming skills for good, I devoted my energies to developing an app to help businesses combat ransomware attacks. Given that my last name isRansom,” he adds wryly, “you can see why I chose not to name the company after myself.”
I grin. “Good call.”
“It seems to have worked out well,” he drawls.
“I’d say so.” I scoop up a mouthful of melting ice cream and lick the spoon, watching Gunner’s eyes darken. I can feel the coiled energy beneath his lazy posture. He reminds me of a hungry lion ready to pounce.
I smile coyly, sliding the spoon back and forth across my glistening lips. “What’s the best part about being a CEO?”
He blinks uncomprehendingly. “Huh?”
I giggle.
“Sorry. I was distracted by what you’re doing with that spoon. I’ve never been so jealous of a fucking piece of silverware.”
I burst out laughing.
With a low chuckle, he reaches over to stroke my knee. “Repeat your question, sweetheart.”
His touch, coupled with the endearment, almost make me forget what we were discussing. “What’s the best part about being a CEO? Besides the money and prestige, of course.”
He considers the question. “Honestly, I think the most rewarding aspect of my job is identifying and nurturing talent,” he says, sounding thoughtful. “Talented, creative employees are absolutely crucial to my company’s survival, so I make it a priority to bring out the best in them. Like Jack Welch famously said, ‘Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.’”
I smile, appreciating his response. “Apparently you don’t just talk the talk; you walk the walk. Your company’s turnover rate is almost nonexistent, and your assistant told me you’re the best boss she’s ever had.”
“Did she now?” He strokes his chin, his eyes gleaming with warm humor. “I’ll have to give her another raise.”
I laugh and eat more ice cream, waving the spoon around at the tiered shelves. “How many of these books have you read?”
“All of them.”
“Every last one?”
“Every last one.” He looks amused. “Does that surprise you?”
“Not really,” I say. “You’re obviously brilliant, cultured and intellectually curious. You speak Mandarin and Farsi, and I read somewhere that you have a genius IQ.”
He chuckles. “Don’t believe everything you read.”
“So youdon’thave a genius IQ?”
His eyes glimmer. “‘People who boast about their IQ are losers.’”
“I—wait. Did you just quote Stephen Hawking while evading a question about being a genius?”
A crooked half smile is all the answer he gives me.
With a deep sigh, I put the spoon down and say, “Well, tomorrow’s Wednesday and we both have to get up early. So I guess we’d better?—”
“How do you feel about children?”
The question catches me off guard. “Um, what?”
“Do you like them?” Gunner clarifies.
I smile. “I love children.”
“Do you?”
