It started when an older boy was picking on you in a group home. Billy stood up to him and got a black eye in the process. But the bully never touched you again. He walked away with more than a black eye.
Billy looked out for you after that. He was thirteen. You were ten. Together for about two years before you were sent off to a foster family. Billy did his best to stay in contact as you got older, but you were both moved so much it wasn't easy.
After the war, Billy found you. You were working as a secretary at a law firm, and he practically begged you to come work for the new company he was starting. You didn't know then how big that company would become, but you took the job, because it was Billy. The two of you worked closely to get Anvil off the ground, and Billy made sure it was a success.
You watched women come and go. Billy was gorgeous, after all, and he liked to have fun. It hurt a bit that his attention never swayed to you after all those years, but deep inside somewhere you thought maybe it was for the best. You'd hate to do something to make your friendship awkward… or destroy it.
After scoring a big contract, Billy took his inner circle out to celebrate. You and a few of his best men went to a dive bar nearby. You chose to limit yourself to one drink, and you noticed Billy didn't drink much, either. The rest of the guys showed no such restraint.
After a while, their rowdiness drew attention to your table, and the bartender came over to make sure they wouldn't get out of hand.
"You have my word," Billy said. "If they want to keep their jobs, they'll behave."
The attractive bartender smiled at you and winked.
"Can I freshen your drink, sweetheart?"
"I'm good. Thank you." You smiled.
Billy clenched his jaw across the table as the bartender leaned forward, hands on the table.
"Well, if I can't get you a drink, can I get your number?"
"How about you get me a drink instead?" Billy's voice was cold.
The bartender glanced at him, then stood straight.
"Yeah, sure. One of the same?"
"Yeah."
Billy glared at the man as he walked away.
"What the hell was that?"
The rest of the table got quiet at your question. Billy stood and grabbed your wrist.
"Come with me."
He pulled you into the small hallway that led to the restrooms and pushed you against the wall. You'd seen Billy mad before. It frightened some people, but you knew he'd never hurt you.
"You talk to me like that in front of my men?"
"You chase away someone I was interested in like it's your right?"
"Damn straight. That guy's not good enough for you. Piece of shit bartender."
"Excuse me, Mr. Russo. Have you forgotten your humble beginnings?
"That's not what I'm talking about. Hitting on you at a table full of guys?"
"So?"
"So… One of us could have been with you. He didn't even bother to ask."
"And if I were with anyone at that table, I would have let him know. But I'm not, thank God. Have you seen them tonight?"
"I don't give a shit about those guys."
"Then what the hell is your point?"
Billy let out a breath and shook his head. "Nothin'."
You grabbed his wrist as he walked away.
"No. Not nothin'. You dragged me over here. Why? Pride? You weren't the alpha at the table for two seconds?"
"It ain't about pride. And I'm always the alpha, babe. Just drop it."
"No. You blew up over this. Why?"
He smacked the wall beside your head. "You wanna know why?"
"Yeah, wh—"
His lips were on yours. The shock of it made you gasp and try to pull away, but Billy put his hand to the back of your neck and held you in place. After a moment, you relaxed, and Billy slipped his hand to your jaw. His other hand pulled your hips forward.
You opened your mouth to breathe, and his tongue slid over yours. Your moan made him pull away.
"That's why. Got any smart-ass comments now?"
You could only shake your head.
Billy brushed his thumbs over your face.
"Come home with me."
"I don't want to be just another one of your women, Billy."
"Forget those other women. They were space fillers. You're the only woman I care about."
You nodded and leaned in for another kiss. That made him smile.
"Cocky bastard," you whispered before his lips were on yours.
"Are you mine?" He pulled your hips against his.
"Yeah."
"Then let's get out of here before I kill a bartender."