Page 44 of The Irish Rogue

And every day, she felt more pressure to give in and just marry the man. Yes, she’d love to come home to this kind of affection every day. But she didn’t believe it would last. What Sean didn’t understand, what hecouldn’tunderstand, was that she’d gone through this type of treatment before.

It was time to tell him to stop, she thought as she drove slowly down the street on Friday during the second week of his visit. And yes, she knew that his presence in their lives was merely a visit. There was no way that Sean would want to live in this sleepy little town. Newnan was gorgeous and sweet, but it wasn’t enough for a man like Sean. He would eventually want to head on back to Philadelphia where he belonged and where his friends were.

But this…this onslaught…was truly wearing down her defenses. Every time he did something sweet for her, she wanted to throw herself into his arms and thank him in a physical way.

Talk, she thought with determination as soon as she stepped out of her car.

She’d talk to him and she wouldn’t let him kiss her. Yep, those small, casual kisses were really getting to her as well.

However, as soon as she stepped into the house, Kennedi knew something was different. She could sense it in the stiff way Sean held himself, glaring angrily out the window, then glanced at her when she stepped into the house.

“Yep. I got it.”

He’d been talking on his phone, but ended the call a soon as he saw her.

“Everything okay?” she asked, genuinely concerned for him.

“No,” he sighed. “I need to head back to Philly tonight,” he told her. Walking towards her, he took her hands in his. “Will you be okay for a couple of days without me?”

She tried to pull her hands away, but he tightened his grip. “We’ll be fine,” she told him, trying to hide how disappointed she was to see him leave. She’d truly enjoyed his company over the past two weeks.

“I’ll be back,” he told her, the intensity in his eyes willing her to believe him.

She smiled and nodded her head. “That would be nice,” she said, not believing him at all. “Go,” she added with a pat to his arm. “Go do your thing.”

Sean sighed with frustration. “Kennedi, I’m coming back. I just need to fly up to Philadelphia and resolve some issues in person. But I’ll be back. Monday, at the latest.”

A whole weekend without Sean? Kennedi lowered her lashes, blinking back sudden tears. “I’ll see you on Monday, then.” She turned away, hoping that he hadn’t noticed. But the damn man was too observant!

“Kennedi,” he groaned, pulling her into his arms. “I will be back. I promise!” And then he kissed her. This wasn’t one of those soft, brushing kisses that had stirred her over the past two weeks. Nope, this was a full assault on her senses, making her head spin with the memories of their one night together a year ago.

A squawk from Declan made Kennedi jump and she stared up at Sean, startled by the need that had been simmering for too long.

He must have seen the need in her eyes, because he touched her chin gently. “I feel it too, Kennedi,” he murmured, his voice roughened with what she suspected was desire. “It’s more intense now, isn’t it?”

She didn’t answer. She couldn’t!

He must have seen something in her eyes because Sean chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I know. You’re scared.” They both glanced down at Declan. “I think we need to talk about where our relationship is going.” When she pulled back, he shook his head. “Don’t.” Sean touched her neck and felt the trembling reaction. “Don’t pull away from me, Kennedi. I’m coming back as soon as I can. And I’m going to call you every day, just to check in. Would that be okay?”

“Yes,” she replied, but he heard the reluctance in her tone and saw the wariness in her eyes. “What will we talk about?”

“The same stuff we talk about when you come home from work. Life. Your thoughts. How your day went.” He pulled her into his arms. “I don’t want to lose this, Kennedi.”

“I would never keep Declan away from you.”

He pulled back, staring down at her with surprise. “You think this is only about Declan?”

She squirmed out of his arms, then moved to the other side of the room. “Isn’t it?” she challenged. “Isn’t this all because you want to see your son?”

“Hell no, Kennedi.” He fisted his hands on his hips. “This is because I wantyou!” He stared at her, willing her to understand. “I know you won’t use Declan as a weapon against me. I know that you’re a good, honest person, so you’d never keep Declan away from me unless I do something to abuse that trust.”

She bit her lip, hoping to hide her trembling. “You’re right.”

“However, I also wantyou.” He glanced at his watch and sighed with frustration. “I really have to get back to Philly, but we’re going to talk, Kennedi. I’m going to call you when we are both free this weekend and we’ll talk. Maybe, with a bit of space, this sexual tension that has been simmering between us will ease up and we can discuss the important issues.”

He could see the wheels turning in her head, and Sean was relieved when she nodded. “Okay. We’ll talk.”

“Good.” He then bent down and scooped Declan into his arms. “Don’t barf on your mother!” he said with a stern voice. He heard Kennedi’s soft laughter as he brought the little guy in for a kiss and a tummy nuzzle. “I’ll be back and, if I hear of any barfing incidents, then we’re going to have a stern lecture on the proper way to treat a lady.”

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