A Bird in the Oven - Kata Cuic Page 0,41

good. For not having any insider knowledge of my preferred clitoral stimulation, he’s clearly done his research about this, too. I’m sure he thought that helped his chances to win the love of all the women who left. Still, he’s not going to get me there. I’m too emotionally and physically exhausted.

I startle when his mouth warms the chilled skin at my breast. He makes a soothing noise in the back of his throat and continues to stimulate a completely overstimulated part of my body.

I tunnel my fingers in his hair. Tears choke my voice. “I’m sorry, Ollie. I just can’t. I’m too sore.”

I feel like such an utter failure today.

He sighs against my breast then pulls away. His expression holds no clue as to the emotions he might be feeling. “Do not apologize. It is my fault that you are sore to begin with. Perhaps this will simply be an off day. It is okay to have those, provided they are isolated incidents.” He pulls me up again then situates us in the far corner of the tub, pulling my back to rest against his chest. He wraps his arms around me and dips his hand in the water before trailing more warmth over me. His lips press against my temple. “We may not be happy together today, but we can rest and recover together. How much longer should we remain in the bath to experience the full pain-relieving effects?”

“We can get out now if you want.” The water is cooling as fast as my body temperature. Even another five minutes of enjoying him wrapped around me will become uncomfortable for the both of us.

He whispers against my hair. “We can continue recovering in bed together. It will be warmer and softer and cleaner there.”

I huff out a laugh. There’s so much soap in this water, I might not need to shower for a week. “You don’t enjoy lying in bed all day.”

“I enjoy being with you.” He kisses me again. “You have voiced your concerns about my ability to handle unfamiliar situations, but humans are highly adaptable creatures. I will learn to compromise with our schedules if you will give me the chance. We have forty-five days until Thanksgiving and our requisite announcement of a true pregnancy. I can make the necessary adjustments in that amount of time.”

I’m not sure my body can withstand forty-five days of keeping up with Ollie’s definition of love.

14

Oliver

Visiting my mother’s house to learn how to prepare our family’s traditional Thanksgiving fare was not on my weekly schedule. I accompany Olivia anyway because it is the right thing to do. I feel immense guilt that she is still walking with a strange gait even after our bath and lying in bed together for most of the day yesterday.

“You’re here!” Mom smiles with her teeth showing when we enter the kitchen. She throws her arms out for the requisite hug and kiss on the cheek.

I oblige the unspoken demand. “Of course, we are here. Did you not make plans with Liv to teach us how to cook Thanksgiving dinner?”

“Well, yes.” Mom frowns as she rubs a patronizingly soothing circle on my back. “But, it wasn’t on your schedule for the week. I expected her to come alone.”

I am barely able to stop myself from making my tone too harsh. The anger I am currently experiencing makes me feel better about lying. “She is carrying my baby. Why would she go anywhere alone?”

Mom continues fussing over me in ways that do not improve my mood. “Well, you can’t go to work with her, Oliver. She’ll have to go to the library, to doctor’s appointments that you can’t miss work to attend…”

Why does everyone suddenly assume I am so incapable?

“I’m well aware I cannot accompany her to work at the library since I have my own job at Google, which pays me very well. To be clear, I made two-hundred twenty-four thousand, seven-hundred and thirty-six dollars and ninety-eight cents last year before taxes.” I throw that in just to make my point that I am a successful adult. It is not as subtle as I would like, but it will suffice. “I will not, however, miss any doctor’s appointments. If Liv has to take time off work for them, then I can, too.”

Mom shakes her head. “You make all that money and yet you live in a condo in the south hills. When are you two buying a house? A condo with practically no yard is