Page 35 of The Irish Rogue

“It’s time for his bath,” she announced, trying to hide her grin. “Do you want me to take over?”

Sean instantly stood up, cradling Declan in his arms. “I’d rather know everything, if you don’t mind.” He said, then hesitated, his eyes narrowing suspiciously when he noticed her expression. “What aren’t you telling me?”

She wiped the mischievous anticipation from her face. “Nothing!” she lied. “Declan loves bath time. He adores the water.” She turned, pointing towards the hallway. “I’ll just go get his bath ready.”

“Can I watch?” he asked. “Just so that I know what to do next time.”

She shrugged, pressing her lips together. “Sure. Follow me.”

She walked into the bathroom, aware that he was looking at her figure. She’d changed over the past year. It was impossible to remain the same after the trauma her body had gone through carrying and delivering Declan. But she refused to be ashamed of those changes. Her body had created a freaking human being!

Not that he would ever see the real changes, she silently asserted. They were just friends. He’d never see the silver lines of her stretch marks on her stomach and thighs. Nope, those would always be carefully hidden from view!

Friendship, she reminded herself. She and Sean had to form a friendship. A co-parenting agreement that would allow them to raise their son together.

Something occurred to her. “Where do you live?” she asked.

“My company headquarters is in Philadelphia,” he told her, curiously staring into the small bathroom.

Sean stared at the tiny space, hovering in the doorway since there wasn’t enough room for all three of them. Kennedi worked efficiently, waiting for the water to warm up, then filling up the smaller, blue “bathtub” used for infants so that they reclined. He guessed that was so they didn’t drown and made a silent vow to start researching baby care. And toddler care! Hell, he was behind the curve and needed to get up to speed. Fast!

“Okay, here’s the baby shampoo, a small towel, and the bath water is perfect.” She bent over the tub and it took all of his concentration not to stare at her ass. She had a beautiful ass, he remembered. The heart-shaped butt was the perfect size for his hands.

He was distracted from his fantasies about cupping those perfect globes with his hands when she stood up, holding a small laundry basket filled with bath toys. “I’ll put this here, and the toys he prefers are on top.”

He paused, still holding a now-squirming Declan in his arms. “He won’t drown?”

She smiled and shook her head. “He won’t drown,” she told him, then wiggled her fingers, silently demanding that he back up so that they could switch positions.

“You’re not leaving me alone with him, are you?” he demanded as he stepped to the side, but not enough that she could get by him without touching. Yeah, it was petty and juvenile, but being around Kennedi now made him realize how hungry he was for her.

And he suddenly realized that he hadn’t had sex in a year. Not since that weekend with her! Holy hell, he’d just thrown himself into work, pushing himself harder than ever so he couldn’t think about anything other than work.

“Are you okay?” she asked, laying a delicate hand on the arm that was also holding Declan.

He glanced over at the bathtub, then nodded. “I think so. Just…don’t go very far, okay?”

Sean realized that he was asking her to stay close for reassurance, even though she’d probably had to learn all of this on her own. She hadn’t had anyone to help her, to reassure her, or just stand close as backup.

He began a mental list of ways he could make up for his absence during such a critical time. He had a lot of making up to do for her. And his son!

Damn, just thinking that word humbled him. He was awed by the fact that he could now say that he was a father. A daddy to this tiny human being!

“So, what do I do?”

“Just put him into the bath. The reclining seat will hold his head above the water line. Then take the washcloth and, with a tiny drop of the baby shampoo, rub it all over his body, including his hair. Then fill the cup with warm water to rinse him off.” She instructed him calmly, as if the little man’s life wasn’t in the balance. “He’ll do the rest while you’re washing him.”

That was his only warning.

Sean lowered Declan into the warm water and, immediately, the little guy started splashing and giggling, dousing Sean thoroughly. “How do such tiny hands cause that much of a splash?” he demanded, staring down at his wet chest, then at the tiny hands that were gleefully churning the water. He glanced over at Kennedi, who was laughing her head off.

“Thanks for the warning,” he grumbled. He took the small cloth and, as carefully as possible, scrubbed every inch of Declan’s body. He heard a snort when he gingerly lifted Declan’s arm to scrub his armpit, but wasn’t sure why that was funny. He scrubbed everywhere, even his toes, but that was mostly because Sean just wanted to count them again, still amazed that he had toes. And arms, legs, eyelashes, and all of the appropriate parts.

He started forming a future speech about how Declan needed to be responsible when having sex. And respectful! Women weren’t objects. They needed to be treated politely and with consideration.

Splash! His face took a direct hit, bringing him back to the present. Another splash got his chest again, but this time, there was enough water displacement that the water dripped down to his hips.

“Okay, this isn’t working,” he grumbled and pulled back, keeping one hand on Declan’s chest, he reached behind him and pulled the cotton shirt off over his head. “Would you put this in the dryer?” he asked, extending his hand to Kennedi.

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