Upon entering her house, she promptly shut the door right in Ichabod's face knowing full well what a childish act it was, but, at the moment, being well beyond caring.
Not stopping her stride, she continued up the stairs, paying little mind to the door opening and closing behind her.
As she entered her room and moved to her dresser, she began the process of readying herself for bed and shuffling things about rather roughly.
"My love, I'm sorry."
The sorrow was most definitely there in his voice, but it was doing nothing to remove her annoyance.
"Katrina."
His voice was much closer now and she just knew he was going to touch her. Still refusing to acknowledge him, she began unlacing the front of her dress.
Sure enough, his hands slid about her waist, his body pressing flush into her back, his breath warm on her neck. The fact that his body felt so perfect against her was ruining her decision to stay angry.
"I am so sorry," he whispered, before reaching up and covering her fingers with his own, taking over her disrobement.
"Why did you agree to that?" she asked lowly.
Ichabod sighed against her skin. "He's my best friend, Katrina."
Dropping her gaze to his fingers as they brushed her breasts in their work, she shook her head, ignoring the shiver that went through her.
"He hasn't been your friend for a very long time. That was his choice."
His hand paused for a moment.
"What we did was wrong."
With a frown, she turned to face him to find his eyes bearing an unmistakable guilt in them.
"You can't be serious, Ichabod."
"Kat-"
"You regret our marriage?"
His eyes widened as his mouth hung slightly agape. "No! Of course not."
Gaze darting all about his face, she asked, "Then, what exactly did we do wrong?"
He sighed, bringing a hand to wipe over his face in clear frustration. "We just...went about it all wrong." Catching her eyes, he shook his head. "We hurt him, Katrina."
She held his guilt filled stare a moment longer before stepping around him to pull back the covers of their bed.
"Katrina..."
Thoroughly ignoring him, she sat on the bed and removed her boots before untying the final lace of her dress, allowing her article of clothing to fall from her.
She knew his eyes were on her. They always were. Seizing her nightgown, she slipped it over her head before climbing beneath the covers.
As she adjusted herself the best she could, she heard him sigh and begin to undress.
When he slid into his side of the bed, she turned on her side facing away from him.
Another sigh escaped him. "I'm not doing this, Katrina."
Unsure what he meant, she continued her stare with the wall, that is, until his hands slid around her waist, his breath hitting her ear. Infuriated, she attempted to remove herself from him, but he wouldn't release her, his hold tightening.
"We've not seen each other in four months. I refuse to spend our first night together apart."
"Perhaps you should have considered that before you began doubting our choices," she answered rather heatedly.
His body tensed against hers. "I'm not doubting anything. I'm simply admitting to the fact that we rushed into our marriage, forgetting-no...not caring, that we could hurt others by doing so."
Huffing, she bit out, "Well, Abraham didn't seem to care about my feelings when he called me a whore, now, did he?"
His response delayed a moment before he whispered, "I wanted to murder him for that."
"Then, why did you agree to this?" she asked utterly confused. "You can't honestly think this is a good idea."
"Because... I don't want to be the type of man who is unable to forgive." His hand slid to rest against their unborn child. "What sort of example would I be to our child?"
Our child.
Despite her anger, those words brought a warmth to her.
"Ichabod," she began softly. "We don't owe Abraham anything. We were in love for a very long time and we made a choice to accept that. I refuse to apologize for choosing to live a life of worth rather than be Abraham von Brunt's prize wife that he would have more than enjoyed flaunting in front of you."
For a moment, he was completely still. "I'm sorry," he finally whispered. "If you really don't want to go, I'll send word that we are unable to attend."
His words were so low and full of sorrow that she couldn't help but shake her head. She knew he missed his friend. Why he liked Abraham so, she couldn't fathom, but he did and she couldn't deny him this when he already had so little, had given up so much.
"We can go. So long as you promise to remain at my side the entire time. His mother positively hates me."
His lips brushed her ear. "Wild animals could not drag me from you."
Unable to contain her smile, she allowed it to grace her face. "I've missed you."
"And I, you, my love."
His words were followed by his fingers gripping the material of her nightgown, pulling it in an upward direction. As the hem of it reached her hip, she released a small gasp as his fingers found her already damp center.
"Ichabod..."
The slow ease with which he worked his way within her set her nerves on end. If there was one thing her husband was more than adept at, it was his skill at pleasing her in an unspeakable ways.
His lips found her shoulder, beginning a wet trail to her neck, as he added another finger into the mix.
"Oh..." Lifting a hand, she reached behind her to thread her fingers in his hair. "I love you."
His fingers picked up their pace, his thumb beginning a deep rub against her sensitive place, pulling yet another gasp from her as her body jerked against him.
"Tell me again."
At his gentle prodding, she whispered, "I love you...so much."
"Again."
By the time her body was finished spasming beneath his ministrations, she'd been reduced to a mumbling mess.
His fingers left her, his hand sliding further up her body, taking her nightgown with it. Once he had it over her head, he pulled her to him and shifted to hover over her, eyes raking her form before pausing at her swollen belly.
"You are so beautiful."
His eyes were shining in wonder as he bent to place a chaste kiss to the place their child resided.
Sliding a hand into his hair, she pulled him back up to her. "Make love to me."
A smile crept over his face as he leaned down, his lips finding hers.
Quite a bit of time of tongues dancing, hands roaming, and desires building passed.
Finally, he entered her, his manhood filling the void that had been absent from her for entirely too long.
Gentle movements and light kisses ensued before she slid the hand not caressing his neck along his back.
"Ichabod, please..."
His mouth left her neck, his gaze finding hers. "What is it, my love?"
Sucking in a breath, she dug her nails into his shoulder. "I need more of you."
He leaned his forehead to hers, his breath hitting her face in quick waves. "I can't."
With a frown, she paused her caress of his face. "Of course, you can."
"No, I-" His eyes darted down their bodies, seemingly resting on her belly. "I don't want to hurt our baby."
Hear skipping a beat, she smiled at her husband's protectiveness. "My love, you won't."
His eyes darted back to hers, his blue orbs full of concern. "But...I mean, what if I...?"
Eyebrows raising, she finished, "Thrust... too hard?"
Wide-eyed, his movements slowed. "Katrina-"
"Ichabod Crane," she interrupted quickly. "If you dare stop, I'll murder you in your sleep. I've had nothing but my own methods to tide me over these long months without you. So, when I say I am desperate for your touch to be completely within and surrounding me in the most fulfilling way possible, I'm being very, very truthful."
Mouth opening and closing in an amusing fashion, he stuttered out, "Are you sure...?"
She chuckled. "Yes, I'm more than sure."
At his lack of movement, she wrapped an ankle over his calf. "Harder...now."
He hesitated for another moment before his body began once more moving within hers, his pace growing with every thrust.
"More."
His eyes bore into hers, his hands now clutching the sheets beneath her as his efforts became more rough.
When the fingers of one of his hands brushed over her center, she threw her head back into the pillows, arching her body into his as he brought her over the edge again. Clutching at the sheets beneath her, she absorbed the sensations coursing through her body.
As his movements began to slow, she quickly attempted to regain her senses as she shoved at his shoulders until she had him beneath her.
"Katrina-"
Fingers on his mouth, she shook her head. "Shh...don't stop."
Eyes boring into hers, he slid his hands to her hips as she began rocking against him, attempting to draw his end from him.
"Katrina..."
Hips rotating quickly, she considered how much easier it was to be above him rather than beneath him for this act. It didn't take too long for his face to contort as his release left him in a gasping curse, his warmth finding a home deep within her.
As she waited for him to come down from his haze, she slowed her movements, waiting for his eyes to open. When they did, they found hers immediately as a smirk came to his face.
"I'm never leaving this bed again."
Chuckling, she eased herself to the bed beside him, snuggling into his warm embrace.
"Is that a fact?"
Lips finding her forehead, he breathily whispered, "Absolutely."
With a smile, she threaded her fingers through his. "That sounds wonderful to me."