30. Carina
THIRTY
CARINA
It’s time for Kodiak’s annual crab festival, and I’m so excited. When I was younger, I loved attending it. And it’s grown a lot since I was a kid.
I haven’t gone since I moved back because I had no one to go with. But this year is different. I’m going with my boyfriend and best friend.
The festival is five days long, and we plan to attend events on several days. It isn’t huge like the State Fair in Palmer, but it’s still a good time. With over twenty food booths, you’re sure to find something to please your tastebuds.
Because of work, I miss the pardoning of the crab on Thursday, but Henrik and Eirik see it before they take part in the mile run at Baranof Park.
On Friday, I head over to watch them in the Cannery Row fun mile run.
Like true competitors, they wear their rain gear and rain boots.
A day later, my sides still hurt from my inability to stop laughing as they’d clopped down the street like Clydesdales cantering.
No records were set, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Mia couldn’t make it, so I recorded it for her, and now it can be enjoyed repeatedly.
My Saturday starts with me hugged tightly against a massive, chiseled chest. “Good morning, beautiful,” Henrik growls against my ear. His warm breath tickles me, sending a shiver racing down my spine. Snuggling deeper into his warmth, I pray for a few more hours before I need to get up.
Henrik chuckles. “You look so relaxed and comfortable. Did you still want to watch the parade?”
Groaning, I remain still. His deep laugh shakes me. He trails his fingers down my sides, circling the Cousteau quote. “I love your tattoo.” He squeezes my hip tenderly. “If we’re going, you have to actually move. Here, I’ll turn on the shower and warm it up for you. Deal?”
“Deal,” I mumble. When he tosses back the covers, the air chills me to the bone. Gasping, I try to survive the freezing conditions by pulling the covers back over me.
Henrik playfully growls, and my core tightens. “I don’t think so, gorgeous. We had a deal.”
He reaches under the covers and grabs an ankle.
His fingers stroke over my skin. What is it about his touch?
It makes me needy. A second later, he’s tugging me to the edge.
Before I can fall, he dips down and picks me up.
Securing me tightly to his chest, he marches off to the bathroom like a man on a mission.
In the bathroom mirror, I see his lips pulled tight and his deep-blue eyes are bright, full of determination.
“We have twenty minutes to shower, dress, make coffee, and leave. You in for this?”
I nod, and he slides me down his body and gives me a tender kiss. Turning, I bend to grab the shampoo, and Henrik slaps my ass. “Oh.” My body’s overwhelmed by a mix of surprise and enjoyment. I’d like him to do that again. Glancing at him over my shoulder, I smile like the Cheshire cat.
“Behave.” His voice is a gravelly rumble. I go to point out that he started it when he step past me, positioning himself under the warm spray, hogging it completely. I quickly soap up my hair and body and then move toward the water to rinse off.
“That’s my girl,” he mutters, then smirks.
As we stand along the parade route, different groups and floats in varying in sizes and shapes pass us.
My favorite is a young boy of about three, who rides his balance bike in front of a pair of four-wheelers and side-by-sides.
Anyone is welcome to join the parade, from the person walking their dog to a city fire truck.
Participants throw candy to those in attendance, which the kids excitedly pick up.
It’s a high-energy town event that packs the sides of Mill Bay Road.
When it’s over, Henrik, Eirik, Mia, and I head to the St. Paul Harbor Boat ramp to watch the Norm Holm Memorial Survival Suit Race. I’ve never seen it before. Knowing the suits are for fishermen, for at-sea emergencies, I look at the guys and ask, “Why didn’t you guys sign up for the race?”
Eirik laughs. “We did several years ago with a few of our deckhands, and it wasn’t pretty. For those of us who are supposed to be experienced with these suits, we looked like a bunch of uncoordinated apes. It was embarrassing and a definite blow to our egos.”
Images fill my mind, and I snicker. “I wish I could have seen that. Are they tough to put on?”
Henrik smirks at me. “Well, the suits aren’t the easiest to get on.
They’re made of neoprene and fit close to your body.
To be effective, they seal tightly around your neck and wrists, and that isn’t the most comfortable.
But if I’m ever in a situation when I need to use one, I’ll be the last person complaining. ”
Lifting on my toes, I kiss his cheek. “I hope you never have to use one, but I’m glad you have them on board the Brina, just in case.”
I’m amazed as I watch the teams compete. First, there’s a fifty-yard race to the water. Next, they put on their survival suit, swim another fifty yards to a lift raft, and get in. The fastest time for the team of four wins.
“Wow. Look at them go,” I say as I cling to my fisherman’s arm.
Memories of my uncle Jakob’s death, and the deep-seated fears I’ve held since I was ten, flood my brain.
Thoughts that the same thing could happen to Henrik have me spiraling.
My chest tightens, and I struggle to pull in a full breath.
What I manage is short, stunted gulps of air.
My heart races while unease swirls in my gut.
To calm myself, I lean forward and try several cleansing breaths.
My anxiety continues to spike, and I squeeze Henrik’s arm tight.
Please, never let him be in a circumstance that he’ll need one of those suits. But if he is, please protect him.
Stepping in front of me, blocking the race, Mia touches my arm. “Carina, you don’t look so good. Are you okay? You’re as white as a ghost.”
I feel Henrik shift next to me. He tips my chin up, studying my face. “What’s wrong?”
Uncomfortable with all the attention, I shake my head and mutter, “It’s nothing.”
His expression fills with worry as he considers my answer. Not convinced, his head whips up. It’s on a swivel as he looks around to see what’s causing me distress. I can tell the moment he figures it out. His posture tightens, and he grits out, “It’s the race, isn’t it?”
If I answer yes, he’ll insist we leave, and I’ll ruin everyone’s fun. Dropping my head, I close my eyes and whisper, “No, it’s fine.” Henrik’s low growl resonates in my bones, and he pulls me close.
“Henrik, what’s going on? You two are worrying me,” Mia whispers.
Holding me tight, he answers, “When she was ten, her father’s brother, who was a crabber, was lost to the ocean when he washed overboard during a storm.”
Mia gasps, and Eirik curses under his breath. “Fuck. Let’s get out of here. If you’ve seen one survival suit race, you’ve seen them all.” I look up and see everyone’s concerned eyes focused on me.
Trying to offer support, Mia squeezes my arm. “Yeah, let’s go ride some rides. I bet I can last on the bucking salmon the longest.”
Eirik scoffs. “You wish, Amelia. I bet you’re the first bucked off.” Mia glares daggers at him, and he smiles, unaffected by her wrath.
I look at Henrik. “It’s okay. I’m okay. Sometimes my grief and worry hit me out of nowhere.”
He hugs me to his side protectively and says, “I’ve got you.
Let’s get away from here.” He smiles, and the panic strangling my chest loosens its hold.
“I bet we can beat both those idiots on the bucking salmon ride. Come on.” His attempt at lightening the situation washes away even more of my anxiety.
Lifting on my toes, I press my lips to his. “Lead the way, cowboy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We fill the rest of the afternoon with fun as we enjoy the rides and games.
Lots of laughter and being silly help to ease the tension the survival suit race caused.
Around dinner time, we head back to the food tents to feast on the reason for the festival—crab.
We order enough Dungeness to share. It isn’t king crab, which is my favorite, but it’s still delicious.
After we’re finished, both Mia and Eirik make excuses to leave.
“Let’s get you home,” Henrik says as he takes my hand. A simple nod from me is all he needs before he leads me to his truck.
Later, when we’re snuggled together on the couch, he pulls my feet onto his lap and starts massaging them. I roll my shoulders and notice they’re still tight and achy. I wish his hands were on my shoulders. “Babe, that feels fantastic, but can I ask for a back rub instead?”
“Come sit between my legs, gorgeous,” he commands in a deep, sultry voice.
I don’t know what it is, but him giving me an order does wicked things to my mind and body.
He’s direct and powerful. Heat travels through me as my core throbs.
Settling between his masculine thighs, I’m surrounded by enough pheromones to turn me feral.
I scoot back so I’m pressed up against his hard cock, and I give my backside a little wiggle.
Henrik groans. “I’ve got a better idea. On the floor, gorgeous. ”
“Here?” I tease as I move between his legs, resting my back against the couch.
When he digs his thumbs into my shoulder muscles, my eyes close and I moan my relief. He lets out a low growl. Lowering his head to my ear, he says, “Keep that up, baby, and you’ll be getting a naked, full-body massage in no time.”
I open my eyes and respond with a sassy tone. “Promise?”
Henrik says nothing as he stands up. Towering over me, he grins before he reaches down and picks me up. He tosses me over his shoulder and heads for the stairs. “I’m getting you naked, my little sassy pants.” His large hand swats my ass. “I can’t wait to have you squirming in front of me.”
An hour later, I’m lying relaxed and sated in the middle of the bed. There is no longer any tension left in my body, thanks to Henrik’s magical hands, tongue, and cock. When he finished massaging every inch of me, he moved to my inner muscles, working them out by giving me multiple orgasms.
I moan as he shifts me over, climbs into bed, and pulls me to him.
He’s on his back with his arm propped behind his head.
With the limited energy I have left, I lazily trace the lines of the tattoo he has on his right pectoral muscle.
I take in the intricacies of the compass, hook, crab, heart, and brain that are interwoven together in a breathtaking masterpiece.
“I’ve never told you before, but this is beautiful.
Why did you decide to have it placed here? ”
“For me, to be a successful crab fisherman, I need five things: a compass to guide me, a hook for fishing, the crab to be plentiful, a brain to hold my focus and keep me steady, and a heart to hold my passion.”
“Why do I feel most people don’t know what an amazing man you are?”
He laughs. “That’s because most people don’t truly know me. And I prefer it that way. I’m happy everyone thinks I’m a grump. Mostly, it keeps drama out of my life.”
Lifting my hand from his chest, I place a kiss on the beautiful artwork. “I’m glad I’ve gotten to know you. I love you, Henrik,” I tell him, staring into his eyes.
“I love you too,” he says before he pulls me in for a soft, tender kiss. He runs his fingers through my hair as I lay my head on his chest. Closing my eyes, I concentrate on the strong, steady beat of his heart. It’s a hypnotizing rhythm, luring me to sleep.