Fated To Not Just One But Three novel Chapter 71

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."

He didn't argue. Neither did Louis.

One by one, we peeled off the last 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 behind her again, and Louis holding her legs carefully, his warm hands pressed to her thighs and calves.

The effect was almost instant.

Olivia let out a soft, breathy sigh—like her body finally surrendered to the warmth. She burrowed into my chest, curling tighter between us as if she belonged there. Her skin no longer felt ice-cold. Her trembling slowed.

"She's warming up…" Louis whispered, relief in his voice.

Levi leaned closer, pressing his face to the back of her head, breathing her in. "She smells like home."

I held her tighter, her soft breasts pressed against my chest, her breath fanning over my skin.

"I was so ready to claim her out of anger," I said quietly. "But right now… all I want to do is keep her alive. Safe."

No one replied—but I didn't need them to.

Their silence said it all.

We would stay like this the whole night if we had to.

•••••••

I didn't even realize when my eyes had shut.

One moment, I was watching Olivia's peaceful face—listening to her soft, 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 the curtains.

I blinked, momentarily disoriented.

When had we fallen asleep?