19. Carina
NINETEEN
CARINA
Ican’t believe it’s already February. The past month flew by. Between work, dating Henrik, and spending time with Mia and Jen, I’ve had little free time. But as I sit and have a leisurely breakfast this morning, I replay the night from two weeks ago when I went to Henrik’s house for a date.
I’ve barely pressed the doorbell when the door swings open.
Greeting me is my handsome crabber, looking sexier than should be allowed.
He’s dressed in an untucked, form-fitting white button-up shirt and a pair of well-worn, ripped jeans that highlight his impressive thighs.
As if that isn’t enough, he’s also barefoot, which does strange things to me.
I don’t understand it, but it seems both vulnerable and powerful.
“Hi, gorgeous,” he says, pulling me closer.
In a breathy tone, I answer back, “Hi, handsome.”
He laughs, and I can feel the vibration of it roll through my body.
He lowers his lips to mine and kisses me soundly, leaving me panting.
Running his hand down my arm, he intertwines his fingers with mine and leads me into his darkened living room.
He stops by the coffee table, which is covered with a white tablecloth and two place settings.
Unopened food containers and a vase filled with a beautiful bouquet complete the setup.
With our hands still joined, I can feel the tension in his body. He seems nervous, but he shouldn’t be.
“Henrik, this is so nice.”
He laughs. “I wanted to take you out, but I wanted to make sure you enjoyed yourself.”
“This is perfect,” I say against his lips before giving him a quick kiss.
He squeezes my hand as he opens the first container. “It’s Chinese takeout, some of your favorites.”
Henrik is so thoughtful and kind. I’m willing to bet he only shows that side of himself to me and a few others. Just knowing that makes me feel incredibly special. My heart floods with warmth.
“This looks delicious,” I say as I lower onto the pillows he’s set up.
“There’s more,” he says. He grabs a remote and then switches off the light before pointing the remote at something across the room.
Because it’s February in Alaska, it’s already dark outside, and with no lights on in the house, it’s almost pitch black until he hits the remote. Soon, the room is covered in stars. It looks like we’re dining in outer space.
Gazing around the room, I’m in awe at the beauty of the scene he’s created. It’s magical. “Wow, Henrik. This is so incredible.”
“I’m glad you like it. I felt silly ordering a galaxy projector off Amazon because it was marketed for kids’ rooms, but I hoped it would do this,” he says while staring at the stars above.
Moving closer, I turn his head to mine and say, “I more than like it. It’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.
Between this and the sea glass notes, I think you’re a closet romantic.
” He pulls me closer and kisses me with an intensity that’s off the charts.
His hands cradle my face as he devours me.
As he pulls away, he nips my lower lip, and I moan.
Lowering his forehead to mine, our breaths labor together. “Careful. If you keep treating me like this, I’ll think you like me,” I tease.
In his usual gruff tone, he growls, “Carina. Gorgeous. I definitely like you. In fact, I want to call you mine.”
My heart thumps in my chest as my mind whirls with chaotic thoughts. I need clarification. “So would that make me your girlfriend?”
Henrik pauses for a moment, his face devoid of emotion, and I tense. Worried I jumped the gun, my stomach somersaults. Did he mean something else? I stutter as I rush to fix my mistake, “I-I m-mean?—”
He places a finger against my lips to stop me. “Carina, you are definitely my girlfriend.” Relief washes over me, and I smile at him as he pulls me into his lap and hugs me to his chest. I feel his elevated heartbeat. I guess he was nervous too.
I sigh happily at the memory before getting ready for the day.
Later than night, Mia, Eirik, and I are at Henrik’s house for pizza and game night.
Henrik suggests Scrabble, which he, Mia, and Eirik played growing up.
From stories I’ve heard, it often got intense.
To avoid that, I suggest Boggle, boys versus girls.
Eirik pouts and complains, saying it wouldn’t be fair because he and Henrik didn’t go to college, and we’ll have an unfair advantage.
“Is that so?” I challenge Eirik as Henrik moves closer.
He drags his hand along my waist and settles it on my hip possessively.
My heart gallops and my mouth goes dry. Licking my lips, it’s tough to remember what I was protesting when my mind is focused on one thing—his touch.
My core heats and tightens. I love it when he touches me.
I’ve craved more since our first kiss, but he’s remained a perfect gentleman.
I wish he wouldn’t. The desire to be ravaged by my strong, sexy-as-hell fishing captain is overwhelming.
Focus, Carina.
Even in my lust-filled haze, out of the corner of my eye, I see Eirik nod. It’s the reminder I need.
Crossing my arms definitely highlights my cleavage, and Henrik lets out a near-silent growl.
The tremor of it travels through me, igniting a blaze that lands straight in my core.
His growl acts like it’s an invisible vibrator applied to my clit.
Ohhh. Squeezing my thighs together, I reach out and use his forearm for stability.
I’m incredibly turned on. In a breathy voice, I ask. “Well then, what do you suggest?”
Unaware of the reaction I’m having to his best friend, Eirik turns and looks at Mia. He smirks, then says, “Twister?”
Mia glares at him and scoffs. “No way. Not on your life. I’m not allowing you to wrap your muscled body all around me.
” Their interaction snaps me to attention.
Hmmm. That’s interesting. Hiding my smile, I school my reaction.
If Henrik hasn’t figured out that sexual tension motivates their constant bickering, I’m not helping him draw that conclusion.
Henrik leans closer to me, his soft beard rubbing against my exposed neck.
A shiver runs down my spine, and my nipples harden as I sigh and lean my head back against his wide chest. He places a tender kiss beneath my ear and whispers, “I wouldn’t mind wrapping my body around yours.
” Shocked at his admission, I gasp. Holy shit, that’s hot.
Wanting what he said, I spin, slapping his chest. Looking up, my eyes meet his, and I see they’re ablaze with desire.
I nod, giving him my agreement, and the panty-dropping smile he gives me is blinding.
The question of when and where flood my mind.
Noticing I’m distracted and not thinking about board games, Henrik clears his throat. “So, what’s it going to be? Are we going to play a game or do something else?”
“Tonight’s a bust. Let’s eat pizza and call it,” Eirik says, his voice flooded with frustration.
Still facing Henrik, I mouth, “Is he okay?” He just shrugs.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mia head for the door, her shoulders slumped. “Mia, where are you going?” I ask.
Turning around, she locks eyes with me. Her usual sparkling, happy blue eyes are dull and sad. What is going on between them? “I’m not feeling pizza, and I have some lesson plans to work on. I’m just going to go home.”
I rush over to her and quietly ask, “Are you okay?” She nods, quickly dabbing at her eyes. I wrap her in my arms. “Let’s meet for coffee later this week.”
“Sounds great,” she says before she leaves without a goodbye to her brother or Eirik.
Henrik steps into his open-concept kitchen and pulls plates from the cupboard.
We share a silent dinner. Several times, I notice Eirik pick at his pizza.
But he never once takes a bite. Looking over at Henrik, I see he, too, has noticed his best friend’s odd behavior.
He forces a smile. Once I’ve finished my second piece, I take my plate to the kitchen.
After tidying up some, I move to Henrik and give him a soft kiss.
“I’m going to go. Thank you for dinner.”
“Okay. I’ll call you later,” he says before stealing another quick kiss.
Eirik is having a stare-off with his pepperoni, and I’m not sure who’s winning. “Goodnight, Eirik.”
His grunt and slight head raise are all I get before I leave.
When I’m home and settled in bed, I think over the evening. What happened? But instead of focusing on and trying to figure out the dynamic between Mia and Eirik, my mind wanders to Henrik. His comments about wrapping his body around me were everything.
Closing my eyes, I picture all the delicious things I want him to do to me, and my body flushes with heat.
We haven’t been too physical yet, though we’ve had some incredibly intense make out sessions.
But the clothes, much to my dismay, have remained on.
With my limited dating experience, I’m not confident enough to approach the topic and push for more.
Even though I’m desperate for it. For him.
Lying there in the dark, I toss and turn, trying to get comfortable. But by midnight, I’ve still had no luck. I try television and reading, but no matter what, the constant buzz tearing through my body continues. My phone dings.
Henrik
I’m sorry I haven’t called. Eirik is still here. He won’t tell me what’s going on, so we’ve been playing video games.
Me
It’s no problem. I hope he’s okay. When he’s ready, I’m sure he’ll talk.
Henrik
Not Eirik. Instead of talking, he grunts. Once he’s figured it out on his own, his mood will improve.
Me
Is that a guy thing? Are you all taught to think emotions and feelings are bad and aren’t to be shared?
Henrik
Maybe? For me, I struggle with identifying them. Except for anger and frustration. Those I know well and can recognize easily.
Me
I’ll do my best to help you identify them. I better go to bed, and you need to get back to your game. Goodnight, Henrik.
Henrik
Goodnight. Sweet dreams, gorgeous. I can’t wait to get you alone. The next date is just us.
Heat blooms in my core once again. Closing my eyes, I fantasize about what I hope that means.
The next morning, I trudge into work, sleep-deprived because when I’d tried to go to bed last night, my libido felt like it had slammed a dozen energy drinks. It was primed and ready to go, and no matter what I did, I couldn’t fall asleep.
“Carina.” The panicked voice of my boss stops me in my tracks.
My heart flips. Am I in trouble? “Can you cover the field trip at noon?” George asks in a rushed tone as he hurriedly fills his coffee cup.
A frown pulls at his lips as he tugs his free hand through his thinning brown hair.
George is in his mid-forties, although he looks much older because he doesn’t handle stress well.
His rounded waistline is evidence of that too.
He has a sugar addiction that’s insane. Frustrated for him, I watch as he adds too much creamer, making his coffee light tan, before grabbing a stack of grocery store-baked cookies.
He turns to me. “I know it was Cassie’s day today, but she has a last-minute doctor’s appointment.”
“It’s really no problem,” I answer as I remove my coat and boots and put them in my locker. “I love field trip visits. But are you okay? You seem stressed out.”
He takes a seat at the closest round table in our breakroom. “NOAA just contacted me, and they need another fishery biologist for their annual bottom trawl survey this summer.” My ears perk up and my heart skips a beat. Pick me!
Sitting down next to him, I fidget. “George, I’m a marine and fishery biologist, remember?”
His gray eyes go comically wide. “That’s right, you are.”
I nod my head.
“How did I forget that?” He scrunches his nose and his glasses slide down a bit.
The confusion on his face makes me laugh.
“Then why did you apply for an education job?” he asks.
I force a smile. “It was the only thing available when I came back to Kodiak. The ocean is my passion. I love it. I had to work with it, so I applied for whichever job would allow me to do that. I’m waiting for another marine biologist position to open up.
Until then, I’m happy doing field trip visits and educating people on our local fisheries and what we can do to protect them. ”
His frown morphs into a smile. “Looks like I’ve found the final NOAA-assisted fishery biologist. If you’re interested, that is.”
Stopping myself from leaping at him and hugging him, I settle for excitedly shaking my head and answering, “I’m very interested.”
After work, I’m still buzzing from the excitement of being offered a position on the NOAA survey. I know I have long days in front of me, preparing for what’s ahead. No one else understands that as well as Stacy.
Me
Hey!
Stacy
Hi! I’m so slammed at work and school. It feels like forever since we talked last.
Me
It’s been a minute. You’re busy. I can text you later.
Stacy
No, no, no. This is the perfect time. It will force me to take a break.
Me
Are you sure?
Stacy
Definitely. Now, I never heard how your date went with Henrik.
Me
It was amazing. He’s amazing.
Stacy
What does he do?
Me
He’s a captain of a crab fishing boat.
Stacy
Oh damn. I guess those crabs you were so worried about have had an impact on his life too?
Me
As a third-generation fisherman, it has had an impact on their family’s business.
Stacy
What is being done about it?
Me
NOAA and the state have conducted a survey each summer to study several species including the crab. That’s actually why I’m texting. I was selected to participate this summer.
Stacy
That’s fantastic news. I’m so happy for you. This is exactly the kind of experience you need for your resume to get the job you want.
Even though we’re the same age, Stacy has been working in our field since graduating, and she’s built an impressive resume. I gathered some experience before I came home, but with my current position, I’m just waiting for an opportunity.
Stacy
I hate to do this, but my break timer just went off, and I need to get back to the grind. It’s been fun catching up. I miss you, and I’m so happy so many good things are happening for you.
Me
I miss you too. Don’t work too hard.
Although I wish I were working in the field and doing what I love, I don’t envy how busy and exhausted she sounds. Hopefully things will slow down for her in the future. Until then, I know she’ll be doing amazing things. One day, I’ll make her sit down and tell me all about them.