Sometime later Lauren awakened to find her head on his shoulder and her arm curled tightly over his chest. He lay on his back, watching her.

“This is a surprise,” he said, his voice husky... or maybe just dry. If only they had some water.

“You were shivering. Body warmth was all I had to help you.”

He looked down at the petticoat wrapping his shoulders and belly. 

“I see you managed to take your clothes off again.”

“Only one petticoat. And in a good cause.”

“Saving me is a good cause?”

“In the present circumstances.” She gazed into his eyes and felt a strange arousal in her deepest core. It probably wasn’t wise to continue this conversation in such close proximity, but the sensation was too interesting not to explore. “I called again and again for that Fosse fellow, hoping to get blankets and some water, but he didn’t come and you were so cold... I... had to do something.”

“Most charitable of you. Perhaps I can repay you someday.”

“You already have,” she said, her voice now oddly resonant. “I was cold and miserable, too. I shared my warmth, you shared yours.”

“You didn’t find such contact objectionable?” He glanced at her arm, which was still wrapped around his ribs.

“The chill may have affected my judgment.”

His smile, at such close range, was mesmerizing. Her gaze slid to his lips as she wondered... 

Apparently he was wondering the same thing.