38. Carina
THIRTY-EIGHT
CARINA
Recovery from a double ear infection isn’t that bad since I have an incredibly sexy caretaker seeing to all my needs.
I’d seen a glimpse of his tender side on the boat, but he kicks it up a notch when we’re behind closed doors.
When I’m sleepy, he’ll lie in bed with me, wearing only low-hanging pajama pants.
He holds me close and plays with my hair.
At first, I struggle to rest with all his delicious muscles on display, tempting me to touch them, but I always eventually succumb to the pull of sleep.
On day two, I wake up feeling better than I have for days.
Sitting up, I notice I’m not dizzy. Henrik’s spot is empty, and placing my hand atop it, I feel it’s still warm.
He must have gotten up to make some coffee.
I sniff the air and catch hints of vanilla.
“Mmm,” I moan. My stomach gurgles. A big, steaming mug of coffee sounds perfect.
Slowly, I climb out of bed, testing how I feel. Overall, I don’t feel too bad. Standing still for a moment, I wait to see if anything changes. When nothing does, I go in search of my tender-hearted crabber… and coffee.
Henrik has his back to me when I step into the kitchen.
I take more than a moment to admire the tight curves of his well-muscled back.
Moving in behind him, I wrap my arms around his waist and nuzzle my nose into his spine.
“Good morning,” I say before placing a kiss on his perfectly smooth skin.
One of his large hands settles on my interlocked fingers where they rest against his abs, and he squeezes.
“Good morning, gorgeous.” I can feel the vibrations of his deep voice reverberating through his body.
I can hear him! “Finally,” I squeak. He laughs and then turns around in my arms, an enormous smile on his face.
His eyes are dark with concern. “How do you feel?”
Touching his pecs, I fan out my hand before dragging it through the light dusting of curly hair across his exceptional chest. “I’m feeling better than I was, but my ears still ache, and I’m tired even though I slept all night and just got up.”
“Well, last night when I texted George, he assumed you’d be out for another few days, so let’s not push it and rush you back to work before you’re better. Okay?”
Nodding, I ask, “But don’t you have to work?”
He hangs his head. “I need to take care of a few boat chores, but I figured I could do those when you take your naps.”
Fake pouting, I say, “You’ll be gone during my naps? How will I fall asleep without you next to me?”
Henrik grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. “You’ve been able to sleep without me for most of your life.” My chest tightens and my pulse climbs. But, I don’t want to anymore.
I scoff. “That’s because I didn’t know what I was missing.
And now that I’ve had a taste, I’m not letting go.
” When my words register, I realize how they sound.
I’m claiming Henrik. That feels good to say, but it’s even more amazing to see his reaction.
His face lights up like he just won a lottery jackpot.
He pulls me into his arms and places a kiss on my forehead.
“I promise to be gone only when you’re napping, and I’ll only be out for a few hours. Then I’m all yours.”
I can’t wait to feel one hundred percent so I can fully cash in on that promise. My lady bits whine, and I squeeze my thighs together. It’s been so long. “I can’t wait.” I sigh.
Day three starts with my alarm going off. Other than a dull ache in my ear, I feel fantastic. Last night when I’d spoken to George, we agreed on my working a half day today, as I’ve been getting exhausted by lunchtime.
I stretch my arms above my head and yawn. The sun is already shining into the bedroom, and I smile. It’s a new day, and I’m ready for it.
Turning my head, I see Henrik sitting up against the headboard, reading on his iPad.
At some point he’d kicked away the blankets, and seeing he’s preoccupied, I take my time admiring his body.
My gaze moves over his muscular legs, to his powerful thighs.
I lick my lips when I notice he’s in boxer briefs instead of the flannel pajama pants of the day before.
Moving on to his crotch, I note a nice bulge that, after an almost two-month hiatus, I’m eager to familiarize myself with again.
Focusing in on it, I swear I see it twitch.
Startled, I suck in air, bite my lower lip, and concentrate harder.
It twitches again. And did it grow? I lean closer to investigate.
“See something you like?” Henrik teases, his voice deep and gravelly.
Scrambling to sit up, I sputter, “Wh-what?” The room wobbles. I’m going to be sick. Panicked, I hold my stomach, pinch my lips together tightly, and launch myself off the bed.
Kneeling in front of the toilet, my forehead is dotted with sweat as I wait for the impending doom to hit.
“Carina, are you okay?” Henrik asks with concern. I don’t know, so I don’t respond. Then I feel his hands in my hair. He’s pulling it into a ponytail for me. So thoughtful. If I weren’t convinced I’m moments away from puking, I would fling myself into his arms.
“Maybe you need another day to recover.” Moving to lie down on the bathroom floor, the cool tile feels good against my heated skin. “If you’re okay for a minute, I’ll call George and tell him what’s going on.”
Closing my eyes, I rasp, “Thanks.”
Henrik returns to the bathroom a few minutes later. I hear the water running, but don’t open my eyes. A moment later, a cool washcloth is set on my temple. “Ahhh.”
“George had no problem with you taking another day. If you’re up for it, you can try a half day tomorrow.” I hear his knees crack as he lowers himself next to me and strokes my arm. “Let me know when you’re ready to move back to the bed.”
Still feeling nauseous, I focus on my breathing.
In one, two, three. Out one, two, three.
At some point, I fall asleep. Opening my eyes, I see the room I’m in is dark.
I can feel a cool washcloth on my forehead.
The space behind me where Henrik had been is empty.
Rolling onto my back, I note I’m still in the bathroom.
I hear someone approaching. Looking up, my eyes land on my handsome boyfriend.
He smiles. “How are you feeling?”
I sit up. After a quick self-assessment, I answer, “Much better than I was. Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Let me help you to the bed.”
Once I’m settled, I spend the rest of the day there. Dr. Samson at the ER said it would take three to five days before I start to feel better. He wasn’t wrong.