Obsessive Little Fangirl.

You nearly dropped the phone you were so excited and relievedthat someone had found her. She had been missing for about three weeks and every single minute that she’d been gone had been agony for you.

Lady was your rescue pitbull. You’ve had her for about a year and a half, she was dark brown brindle, almost black, and white, and she was just the sweetest dog you’ve ever met. All she wanted was for people to pet her and rub her belly.

Her harness gave out while you were walking her in the park. A squirrel darted out in front of her and she started to pull, the hook on her harness broke and she started chasing after it. Calling out after her was useless, no one even offered to help you capture her and before you could call her name again, she was gone.

The walk back to your apartment was somber, your heart was broken, and you hated to think it but you weren’t sure you would ever see her again. The rest of that day was spent searching high and low for her until the sun had gone down. New York was a big city and it was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

“Her tag made me chuckle.” He had told you, referring to her name tag with the phrase “If found, please call my mom.” And on the other side, it said “Her name is y/n and she’s probably freaking out.” And on the bottom of the tag was your phone number.

“Is she ok?!” You asked.

His calm, soothing tone eased the tension throughout your body as he replied, “She’s fine, y/n. When I found her, I took her to the closest vet’s office to make sure and they said other than being a little hungry, she’s ok.”

“Thank you, so, so much Misterrrrrr?” You asked.

He replied, “Russo…Billy Russo. Please, call me Billy.”

“Well…Billy, thank you again. And just let me know when and where I can pick her up. I’ll meet you wherever and whenever you need me to. And if she’s given you any trouble, I apologize.” You said, eagerly.

You could tell he was smiling on the other side as he replied, “Ah no, she hasn’t been any trouble. Have you, girl?”

You thanked him again and suggested meeting him at a nearby coffee house where they had outside tables. He agreed to meet you after he was done with work.

That confused you a little so you asked him, “Oh, she’s with you? I could have sworn you said you were at work?”

Billy let out a little laugh.

“I own the company, y/n. I can do whatever I want. Everyone loves her, by the way. They’ll be disappointed that I had to give her back.” He said.

“Well, maybe she can visit you sometime. She is a very sweet dog. I’ll see you soon, Billy.” You said shyly.

You could not wait to get Lady back but you were also very curious as to what her rescuer looked like.

**********

The late afternoon sun warmed the high points of your face as you sat with your coffee and waited patiently for Billy to bring Lady to you. He described himself as tall with dark hair and dark brown eyes and that he would be wearing a suit but then he realized that you would recognize your own dog so it really didn’t matter what he looked like which made you laugh.

Suddenly, a little ball of muscle barreled into your ankles. You were thankful that you were sitting down, otherwise Lady would have knocked you off of your feet and she nearly made you spill your coffee.

Then you heard that voice again behind you.

“Sorry, she must have smelled you or something. I didn’t have a good grip on the leash and she took off on me.” Said Billy.

Lady gave you all the kisses, all the tail wags and she was so excited to see you.

“Yes…hello!! I missed you too! I’m so happy you’re safe! How’s my little house hippo?!! I hope you were a good girl.” You said excitedly as tears stung the back of your eyes.

Turning your head slightly, you immediately had butterflies in your stomach when you saw Billy. He had failed to mention how handsome he was with his tall slender build, well-groomed beard, and his onyx colored eyes that shined like two flat black marbles.

Billy extended his hand for you to shake.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you, y/n.” Billy said with a warm smile.

You had never seen a more perfect smile and you suddenly felt weak in the knees when you stood up to shake his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Billy. Please, sit. Lemme get you some coffee, let me guess…black with one sugar?” You asked.

“Seriously, how did you know that?” He asked.

You shrugged.

“I dunno, guessing people’s coffee orders is a gift I have. I’ll be right back. Lady, you stay with Billy.” You said.

After the excitement died down, Lady fell asleep at your feet while you and Billy chatted for a little while about how he ended up finding Lady or more like how she found him.

Billy said she must have been hiding because after he walked past an alley, he felt something against his pant leg. When he turned around, he saw her sniffing the bottom of his pants.

“I looked around for an owner, asked people walking by if she was their dog and when they said no, I looked at her tags. I didn’t even have to bribe her with any food, she just followed me all the way home.” He said with a warm smile.

The two of you talked for awhile…about everything. He told you about the kind of work he does and how he used to be in the marines which it sounded like he missed a little.

“Your parents must be proud.” You said.

Billy recoiled slightly and replied, “Ah, I grew up in the system. I’m…an orphan.”

Your heart suddenly sank into your stomach and you felt like a complete asshole.

“Oh, Billy. I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have just assumed…” You said, completely mortified.

Still with a smile on his face, he shook his head and said, “Ah, don’t worry about it. It’s ok, sweetheart. It was a long time ago.”

You did worry though. The slight bitterness in his voice and the tightness in his jaw told you that thinking and talking about itwas still painful for him. You wondered if that was the reason Lady attached herself to Billy.

She was an orphan too, abandoned twice by two different families before you adopted her and brought her to her forever home. Just from Billy’s tone, if you had to guess, it sounded like he remained in the group home until he aged out but it didn’t feel right asking about it.

Then you remembered that Billy had taken Lady to the vet and wanted to pay him for doing that because he didn’t have to.

“Billy, please let me pay you back for taking her the vet. That must have been a chore, she hates going there. You really didn’t have to do that.” You said.

He refused.

Shaking his head, he replied, “No, no, please y/n. I just wanted to make sure she was ok. I don’t want your money and besides, I’m having a nice time on this date.”

Your voice was dripping with sarcasm when you replied, “Wait…is this a date?”

Billy froze and didn’t really know how to respond. All he could manage was a slight smile but before he could say anything, you broke the awkward silence.

“I’m just messing with you, Billy. I’m having a nice time too.” You said with your lips curling up into a wide smile.

A confident yet devilish smile stretched across his lips as he leaned in a little closer. Clenching your thighs together, you couldn’t remember the last time you were THAT turned on by just a smile. You almost wanted to thank Lady for getting herself lost…almost.

“How ‘bout I take you out on a real date? Lady will have to stay home though.” He said.

Lady picked her head up off of the pavement as soon as she heard her name, her ears perked up, and her tail started to whip back and forth. She stood up and moved closer to Billy, gently pawing at his pant leg.

All the dogs you’ve had before, they always were a good judge of character, they knew if you were a good person or not, and you could tell she just adored Billy.

“She knows you’re talking about her.” You said. “She’ll take her payment in the form of a belly rub.”

“Your owner has to say yes first, then you can have a belly rub.” He said, scratching her ear but not taking his gaze away from you.

Billy was a very smooth talker, sexy, hard to resist, and you didn’t want to resist but you had to refrain from appearing too eager. The man was incredibly flirtatious and persuasive although you didn’t need a lot of convincing to let the most handsome man you’ve ever encountered take you out on a date plus he just seemed…nice.

Lady looked over at you like she understood every word that came out of Billy’s mouth, waiting for you to answer him so she could have her belly rub.

“Do you always catch what you chase after, Billy?” You asked, softly.

Billy leaned in so close that you were sharing the same air, you could feel his breath against your eyelashes, and your heart was beating rapidly inside your chest. You could practically hear the beating of your heart as his lips ghosted over yours and warmth spread across your chest.

“Usually. Luckily, I didn’t have to chase after this pretty girl. Her pretty owner is a little bit more challenging. You didn’t answer my question.” He purred in your ear just before Lady rested her paws on the table and licked Billy right on the nose.

You bit down on your lower lip to try and keep you from laughing but it didn’t work.

“La-dy! No ma’am, you’re not supposed to be on the table! Get down.” You scolded her, gently.

Gazing into his liquid brown eyes, you said, “Seems like she has a crush on you, Mr. Russo.”

“Is she the only one?” He whispered.

You shook your head.

“No…she’s not, I’d love to go out on a date with you, Billy.” You said.

Billy tucked a stray hair behind your ear and replied, “I’m really glad Lady chose me.”

You could feel yourself blushing as you said softly, “I am too.”

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