Chapter 71: Awake

Lennox's POV

Minutes passed, and though her breathing had steadied, her body was still trembling slightly between us. I could feel the cold radiating off her skin, and I knew something wasn't right. She should've been warmer by now. I glanced at Levi, who was gently rubbing her arm, and then at Louis, who had stopped massaging her thighs, his brows furrowed in concern.

"She's still cold," Levi murmured. "Why?"

And then I realized it.

"She's still dressed…" I whispered, brushing my hand along her side, feeling the thin, damp fabric clinging to her skin. "Her clothes are wet."

Louis sat up slightly. "We need to undress her. It's holding in the chill."

I looked at Olivia's pale face, her lips slightly parted as she breathed, her eyebrows twitching faintly like she was still fighting, even in her sleep.

"Olivia," I said softly, brushing her cheek again. "We're going to undress you now, alright? Just to keep you warm."

She didn't respond, didn't resist—just trembled again.

That was all the permission I needed.

I moved slowly, carefully, as if any sudden movement might hurt her. I unbuttoned her thin nightgown and slid it down her shoulders, pulling the damp fabric away from her burning skin. Her body was beautiful, sexy, but right now, all I saw was how sick she looked—how in need of care she was.

Her panties were damp too. Without hesitation, I removed them and dropped the last of the fabric to the floor.

She was naked. Exposed. But I didn't look at her like I had in the past—with hunger or lust. I looked at her with something deeper. Something I hadn't felt in years.

She shivered again, and I knew what had to be done.

"We're not warm enough," I said quietly.

Levi looked at me, eyes narrowed. "You mean—?"

"We're still dressed. That heat barrier matters."

argue.

pieces of clothing, discarding our boxers until nothing separated us from her anymore. We lay back down around her—my arms wrapping around her from the front, Levi curling

effect was

her body finally surrendered to the warmth. She burrowed into my chest, curling tighter

up…" Louis whispered, relief

his face to the back of her head,

against my chest, her breath

her out of anger," I said quietly.

I didn't need them

silence said it

like this the whole night if

•••••••

didn't even realize when

even breaths, feeling the warmth of her skin slowly return… and the next, I was waking up, the dim golden light of dawn creeping in through

I blinked, momentarily disoriented.

had we

her… soft, warm, nestled perfectly against

we'd

Olivia felt like home.

But lying there, with her in my arms, Levi's breath steady against her back, and Louis still gently cradling her legs, everything

at my

completely out—Levi's hand still curled protectively around her waist, Louis's head resting near her

And then Olivia moved.

Her breath hitched.

to her face—her eyes fluttered open, hazy and confused at first,

Then something shifted.

her

realize my fingers had moved—brushed against the soft curve of her

straight through me like

I froze.

But not from guilt.

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