4. Henrik
FOUR
HENRIK
After all the pots are offloaded, and while my crew eats, I move the FV Brina outside the path of the storm into some calmer waters. Exhausted, we all need some decent sleep before we head to where our first strings lay.
Before Kai and Edgar head below deck, I get on the intercom and ask them to come see me.
Despite their quality rain gear, both are drenched from hours on the deck, being hit by wave after wave.
Kai, who despises wet clothes, shows up with his always-present smile, while my brother arrives with a tight scowl.
Tightening my lips, I refuse to laugh because I’m in the same boat. Not wet, but grumpy.
Edgar isn’t angry with anyone. He just needs a moment to reset.
Clean, dry clothes, food, and a nap will help his mood.
My brother and I are alike in that way. But despite our similarities, we respond differently when exhausted.
We both get grumpy and scowl, but the longer it takes for us to get rest, he becomes reserved and withdrawn, while I become cranky and pout.
Crossing my arms over my wide chest, I huff. “I’m going to need you two to cover the helm while I log some sleep. I know I don’t need as much as you, because your job is more physical than mine, but I’m exhausted. And if we’re heading back into the storm to collect pots, I want to be on my game.”
“How many hours do you need?” Edgar asks.
“I’d kill for six but can manage with four,” I reply, and they both nod.
Kai steps forward. “Let me change into dry clothes and grab something to eat and then I can cover the first three hours.” He looks at me and Edgar. “Does that work?” My brother nods his agreement.
“Dinner,” Derrik hollers up the stairs. The smell of bacon cooking fills the wheelhouse. Like a symphony, our stomachs growl in sync.
“Is it too much to hope we’re having Italian sub sandwiches tonight?” Edgar laughs, letting go of the scowl he’s been wearing like it’s his uniform. I smile because that does sound amazing.
“Go eat,” I order, and they waste no time moving down to the galley.
Half an hour later, Kai returns with a grin. He’s holding a plate loaded with a hefty sub sandwich and a couple of cookies. The cookies look familiar and definitely not store-bought.
Stepping closer, I lick my lips as I point to them. “Where’d those come from?”
Kai tucks his plate to his chest protectively. “Edgar pulled them out. I don’t know where they came from, but they look and smell amazing.”
“They should. They’re Mia’s monster cookies.” I need them in my belly now. “You got this covered?” I ask as I shuffle over to the stairs.
Taking a seat in the captain’s chair, he says, “No worries. Go get some food and rest, Cap.”
“Edgar,” I say as I enter the galley. His blond head shoots up from the table where he’s resting.
“Yeah?” he slowly drawls. His blue eyes have dark circles under them, making them appear almost black.
“Did Mia give you cookies before we left Kodiak?” He smirks before laying his head back on the table.
Sandwiched in age between us Berg boys, Mia has always doted on Edgar like he was her baby.
My sister didn’t play with dolls; she had a real baby to cuddle, feed, and diaper.
And Mom let her. By the time the third child came around, and with being a busy crabber wife, she was happy to encourage my sister’s mothering tendencies.
Mia and Edgar have a closer relationship than I do with either of them.
Of course, she gave him cookies. Growing up, I tried not to be jealous about their closeness, but when she did sweet things like dropping off dozens of cookies to our boat before we set sail, it was tough.
I push down that uncomfortable feeling, knowing I’m still benefiting from her kindness.
Reaching across the table, I pluck a cookie from the plastic plate and take an aggressive bite. “Mmm. These are so fucking good.”
With his head buried in his arms, Edgar makes a deep noise in his throat. Then his head pops up and he says, “Makes me miss home.”
I nudge him. “Go get some rest. You’ll feel better afterward.”
He stumbles out of the galley to the bunks, and I hear him wrestle with his blankets before he finally settles.
Minutes later, his snores float down the hallway.
I shake my head as I move over to the counter.
I assemble my sandwich before settling at the table with a groan.
I’m so tired I barely taste my dinner before I head to my bunk.
As captain, I have more space, which I appreciate because of my size.
Before this year, squeezing my large body in a small bunk was challenging.
At 6’2” and one-hundred and eighty pounds, I’m solid.
Lying on my queen-sized bed, trying to turn off my brain, I munch on another of Mia’s cookies.
The sweetness on my tongue makes me wonder about how the delectable, curvy blonde I’d seen at the docks would taste. Would she be sweet?
Reliving my recollections of her, my mind focuses on how her jeans clung to every luscious curve.
It was impossible to miss the tight fit of her fleece coat across her full breasts.
Her blonde hair had been pulled up in a high ponytail, accentuating her neck, and her rosy cheeks were like the cherry on top of the sundae.
I couldn’t see her eyes, but I imagined they were the same color as the ocean.
My favorite place. She was absolutely stunning.
The draw I feel to her is unexplainable.
What I’m feeling is completely unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
The fact she could be a marine biologist studying crabs makes her even more intriguing and alluring.
We’re passionate about the same thing. That thought captivates me. What else do we have in common?
It didn’t take me long to decide she was an anomaly. Even though we haven’t met, I can sense it. She’s a rare woman; a perfect, unmined gemstone. Treasured and invaluable.
Over the years, I had dated… some. But during that time, I’d never found a woman who matched my interests.
There were those who, when they found out how much money crab fishermen make, initially appeared interested, but my interest in them waned when I realized they wanted to get close to me to benefit from my big payouts.
The joke was on them. I work my ass off crabbing on the Brina.
It’s dangerous as fuck, and I’m not about to blow all the profits I make on someone who doesn’t know me well enough to like me. She wouldn’t be like that, would she?
The more I think of this unknown siren, the harder my cock grows.
I palm myself through my jeans and groan at how good it feels.
Needing relief, or I’ll never fall asleep, I push out of my bed, grab clean clothes, and make my way to the shower.
As far as I know, Kai is the only crewman awake, and he’s up manning the helm.
Turning on the water, I remind myself to keep quiet.
I don’t need one of the guys pounding on the door after I shoot my load.
Stripping out of my clothes, I drop them on the floor and step under the hot water.
Standing with my back to the spray, I let the water massage my tight shoulders.
“Ahh,” I groan as I feel myself relax. Even with a plain, standard showerhead, it still feels incredible.
I reach for the soap and wash my body. As I get to my cock, I run my hand up and down it several times, and my heart rate picks up.
I remind myself to finish washing up. My heavy cock throbs, prompting me it needs more attention.
I rush through the rest of scrubbing myself, and as soon as I’m done, I return to my aching member.
Palming myself, I squeeze. Fuck, that feels amazing.
A moan escapes my lips, and my hand shoots forward, bracing against the wall as my knees tremble.
Closing my eyes, I imagine her as I stroke myself up and down.
Each time my fist nudges against my base, my toes curl.
Pumping hard, I feel a burst of energy race up my spine.
My release surges, and I paint the wall with my desire.
I’ve never come that hard and fast. With blurry vision and panting breaths, I switch the water to cool and let go of my still weeping cock.
Leaning both arms against the wall, I try to regulate my breathing.
Even more exhausted and worn out now, I debate wrapping my towel around my waist and going to bed like that.
But I remind myself of the unspoken rule of always remaining dressed while on board.
Why? You never know when you’ll have to be ready to spring into action, so it’s best to be prepared all the time.
Dressing quickly, I head back to my bed.
And as soon as my head hits the pillow, I’m out.