“I’m not Roche anymore. I’m Rock.”
She smiled faintly. “And I’m no longer Clotille. I’m Pet.” They stared at each other for a few seconds, and then she cleared her throat. “Are you married?”
“No.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Nah.”
“I can’t believe a handsome, rugged man like you isn’t taken.”
“Don’t wanna be.”
“Don’t you get lonely?”
“I said I wasn’t taken, not that I’m living like a monk. I got plenty of women. No worries there.”
She skimmed her eyes over his body. “I bet you do. You grew up to be quite a good-looking man.”
“Merci.”
She smiled, a touch of red kissing her cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re here. It’s so good to see you again,” she said in a low voice.
“Let’s go for lunch and catch up,” he said, his gaze lingering on her full lips.
“I don’t think I like you asking my pet out.” Frederick’s voice was sharp and steely.
Clotille’s hand flew to her mouth and she trembled.
“I don’t give a damn what you like,” Rock gritted, his six-foot-one frame looming over the other man.
Frederick ignored him and stared hard at Clotille. “Why were you talking to him without my permission?”
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
“You’re sorry, what?”
“I’m sorry, Sir.”
“You disobeyed me, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I disobeyed you, Sir.”
Before he could continue, Rock cut in. “Don’t blame her. I’m the one who came in bugging her. She told me to leave and not talk to her. I kept pushing it.”
“And she kept talking to you. My point exactly,” Frederick said matter-of-factly. He glared at Rock. “If you think for one minute that I’m going to let you paw and soil my pet, you’re dumber than you look.”
“You better fuckin’ watch your mouth ‘cause I won’t think twice ‘bout beating the shit outta you. I don’t give a fuck if you own the goddamned world. You show respect or your prick friends will be scraping you off your white marble floors.”
Frederick looked at Clotille. “Get upstairs. Now!”
“She’s not going anywhere. We’re not done talking.” He saw Clotille blanch, her lips quivering.
“I don’t want any of you bikers in the house. Just stay outside.”
“Fuck you. Come with me,” Rock said to her.
She looked at Frederick. He smiled. “Pet, you have permission to speak.”
