Page 3 of Pierre (Voodoo Guardians #40)

Twenty-four hours wasn’t nearly enough time. Pierre spoke to Ham and Sadie together, politely asking for permission to date their daughter. Ham said nothing at first, waiting for Sadie’s response.

“You still have time left on your contract, right?” she asked him.

“Yes, ma’am. About four months. I’m hoping to be done after that and return here. But if Ambry is still serving on the hospital ship, I may sign up for another four.”

“Do me a favor, Pierre,” said Sadie with a sad expression. “Get my daughter to come home. I can’t describe it, I can’t explain it, but something feels wrong, and I’m not sure if it’s her or Cole, or both of them.” Pierre nodded.

“I can try to find out where Cole is if you want,” he said, staring at her pain.

“We’d appreciate that,” said Ham. “Hiro and AJ have kept up with his tracking, but we just want to know that someone has seen him, talked to him. We need to know that he’s alright.”

“Of course. Um, so. I’d like to date Ambry, whatever that looks like right now, and then, one day, marry her and have a family. I know that she’s against children out of fear of triplets, but that doesn’t matter to me. If she doesn’t want children, it won’t change how I feel about her.”

Ham and Sadie nodded at him, staring at his handsome face.

“If you’re concerned about it being me…”

“You? Pierre, why would we be concerned about that?” asked Ham.

“I was just an orphan from Haiti,” he said, shrugging. “I’ve been lucky to have the life that Mom and Dad gave me, but I understand if you would prefer someone-someone else for your daughter.”

“Pierre, there is no man finer for our daughter,” said Sadie, gripping his hand. “You were not ‘just’ an orphan. You belong to Lane and Frank. You are their son, and we love you as family.”

“You’re a good man, Pierre. The best. I’ve heard that you’re one of the best of the legendary Robicheaux Rangers. That’s saying a lot in my book. Ambry could do no better than you, and I know that you would protect our daughter with your life,” said Ham.

“Thank you. Thank you, both. I was worried about how you would feel about me.”

“Pierre, is this about you being black?” asked Sadie, staring at him.

“I guess a little,” he said. “I’m not just black, Sadie. I’m really black. Even the guys joke about it. No need for face paint on the nighttime missions, just cover those eyes. I’ve gotten used to it.”

“Well, they’re idiots! Your skin color isn’t within your control, Pierre, and we don’t give a damn.

You’re black. Ambry is about as white as a girl can be without being transparent.

” He chuckled, and Ham smiled at the young man.

“Skin color doesn’t determine the measure of a man, the depth of his soul, his heart.

We already know all the important things about you. ”

“Thank you,” he said, standing. He hugged Sadie and reached to shake Ham’s hand.

“Pierre, have you and my daughter been intimate?” he asked. Sadie raised her brows at her husband. This wasn’t something he would normally discuss.

“Uh, no, sir. I wanted to wait until I spoke to you and until we got to know one another as adults.”

“Good man. But just so you know, I’m okay with it if you two decide to move forward with your relationship. Just be sure, Pierre. You know as well as I do that you can’t go back from that.”

“Yes, sir.”

Pierre knew what he meant. Once they made love, he would be of the mindset that Ambry belonged to him. He would move heaven and earth to keep her safe and keep her home.

The rest of their day and evening was spent walking, talking, holding hands, and kissing. They kissed more than any two couples should legally be allowed. But Pierre always pulled back, knowing that if he continued, it would go too far, too soon.

“I leave at 0400 tomorrow,” he said, holding her.

“I know. I leave the day after tomorrow. I meet the ship in Jacksonville, and I’m not sure where we go from there.”

“I’ll use our VG comms to stay in touch with you. If I don’t answer right away, don’t worry.”

“Same,” she smiled up at him. “Pierre? I think I love you. I mean, I know I love you.”

“I know, baby. I love you, too. I wouldn’t have taken this step with us if I weren’t sure. I just felt it and knew it was real.”

“And Bailey has a big mouth,” she grinned. Pierre laughed, shaking his head.

“Yes. Bailey has a big mouth, but I’m really glad for it. I wasn’t going to make a move unless I was sure. What about Bailey and Joey?”

“She likes him. A lot. But he doesn’t seem to be in any big hurry.”

“He’s worried about the age difference as well. Remember, Joey wasn’t born into all of this either.”

“I know, but we don’t think like that.”

“Another reason I love you,” he said, kissing her. They were stretched out on the bench of their favorite boat, staring up at the stars. Ambry reached over, sliding her hand up his thigh, feeling the stiff cock beneath his shorts.

“Babe,” he mumbled.

“It’s just my hand, Pierre. Let me give you something to remember,” she whispered.

He couldn’t have said no even if he wanted to. Her soft, long fingers unzipped his shorts, pulling the long, stiff cock from his briefs. Gently at first, she stroked him, kissing him, licking along his jaw to his earlobes.

“Shit,” he muttered.

“You’re so big,” she whispered, shaking as she said it. He was much bigger than she thought. She could feel the hot liquid at his tip and used it to lubricate her fingers, stroking up and down, circling his head as he writhed against her hand.

“Ambry…” he moaned, gripping her hand, holding it in place over his cock. Their fingers were coated with his thick, hot cum, and she smiled up at him. She was ready to turn and release him, but he shook his head.

Instead, he moved to kneel between her knees, pushing her small skirt higher on her thighs. The tiny thong was pushed to the side, and he could smell her sex.

Lifting her legs, he placed her feet flat on the bench, wide apart. As his lips caressed her inner thigh, she gripped his head as he neared her opening. It was a shock when she discovered that his tongue was nearly as thick and long as his cock.

In and out, he licked her lips, tasting her. With one large thumb, he rubbed the hard nub as she writhed against him, her hips moving up and down.

“Pierre, Pierre,” she cried out.

“Fuck, yeah, baby girl,” he moaned. Holding his head with both hands, she forced him to stay where he was until her body shook with a violent need.

Leaning back on the seat, she smiled at his face, leaning forward to kiss him.

“I think we need to wash up before we go back,” she grinned.

“You gave me a beautiful gift, Ambry. One I’ll carry with me when I leave tomorrow.”

“Same, Pierre.”

They stayed in the bayou for a few more hours, just talking and laughing. When he walked her to her door, he held her for a long time, kissing her.

“I love you,” he said. “I’ll text you when I can.”

“Same,” she smiled. “And I love you too.”

He walked back down the steps, turning to make sure she got inside. It was silly. Where else would she go, and who would touch her? But she stared at him and smiled.

“Pierre? I might want to rethink the whole children thing.”

Before he could respond, she was inside locking the door. All he could do was grin. With any luck, they’d have three very adorable, very identical, latte colored, blue-eyed babies.