The brisk air woke Conrad from his slumber. He forgot that they were still inside a tent along the beach. The world around them was dark and silent. His wife still had her face turned into his chest. Her body was curled into a ball, the only exception being her broken foot, which stuck straight out. He carefully woke her to go back to the house.
She was groggy, but she offered Conrad the blanket, noticing the was he slightly shivered. Instead he wrapped it around her, keeping her warm. She had barely taken one step out of the cabin when he noticed the way she lifted one leg and drug the other. He was certain that the cold had made her tender foot stiff. He didn't bother asking her about it because he knew that she'd pretend it wasn't excruciating. Instead, he scooped her into his arms. He felt a little selfish, enjoying the closeness of his wife but also the warmth from her and her blanket. He would never admit it to her, but he was chilled to the bone.
"What are you doing?" She shrieked.
"We both know your foot is bothering you. Plus, it's too cold to wait for you to walk back. I'm saving us both from hypothermia." Victoria pushed the blanket over his shoulders before settling into his embrace. Conrad didn't mention the gesture, but he knew he would remember it for the rest of his life. His wife had her flaws, but she could make you feel like the most important person in the world with the simplest acts.
After carrying her up the stairs and into her room, Conrad laid her under the covers.
"This should warm you up, my dear." He said as he kissed her forehead.
"Conrad?" She spoke quietly, forcing him to lower himself closer to her. "They say the best way to increase body heat..."
"I think you're trying to seduce me, Victoria."
"I'm simply trying to help you warm up, Conrad. If you're not interested..." Before she could finish her sentence Conrad was under the covers next to her. She reached over to him but immediately recoiled.
"You're like ice, Conrad!"
"I thought you were going to warm me up?"
"I'm not a miracle worker. Come, let's get you a hot shower." She said, dragging him out of bed. Enjoying the idea of being nursed back to health, Conrad agreed and followed Victoria. She started the water first, letting it heat up as she took each layer of clothing off of him. Her eyes never left his, making the moment even more intimate.