Page 61 of Magic in My Bones

He nodded, visibly relieved that I wasn’t upset, but he didn’t move, still watching me carefully, waiting for me to tell him what I needed.

I checked in with myself, taking a deep breath. The warmth in my chest had nothing to do with my fear, but everything to do with the fact that it was Dorian, the only person I truly felt safe with. It was him, and that made all the difference.

I reached for his hand, slowly guiding it to my chest, pressing his palm there as my heart beat in a quick, nervous rhythm. “It’s okay. You’re... you’re okay. Just be gentle,” I murmured, keeping my voice low, my fingers curling lightly around his.

Dorian’s eyes softened, and I saw the vulnerability in him as he let me guide him, a silent agreement that he would follow my lead. His hands were warm and solid against my skin, buthe moved carefully, his touch light at first, almost as if he were testing the waters.

I closed my eyes for a moment, breathing deeply, trusting Dorian to respect me in this space, to understand what I needed without pushing me. His hands slid over the scars on my chest, tracing their path. And it was different this time. His touch wasn’t tentative anymore. It was certain, full of tenderness and care.

Dorian's touch was reverent, his fingers tracing the contours of my chest with a gentleness that made my breath catch. His palm settled over my heart, warm and steady against my skin.

“You're beautiful, mo stóirín,” he murmured, his accent thickening with emotion. “Every part of you is precious to me. My magic has never sung so sweetly as it does with you.”

I opened my eyes to find him gazing at me with such tenderness it made my chest ache. There was desire there too, smoldering in the depths of his green eyes, but it was tempered by something deeper. Something that looked a lot like love.

Emboldened by his words, I reached for the hem of his shirt, my fingers brushing against the warm skin of his stomach. “Can I...?”

Dorian nodded, lifting his arms to help me pull the shirt over his head. As it fell away, I couldn't help but stare. I'd seen him shirtless before, of course, but this felt different. More charged. My hands shook slightly as I placed them on his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my palms. Dorian's breath hitched, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

His eyes opened, dark with desire. “Touch me however you like, mo stóirín,” he whispered, his accent thicker than usual.

I let my hands wander, tracing the lines of Dorian's shoulders, the subtle ridges of his collarbones. His skin was warm beneath my fingertips, scattered with freckles that I wanted to map withmy lips. As if reading my mind, Dorian tilted his head, exposing the long column of his neck.

“Go ahead,” he murmured, his voice rough. “I'm yours, Ren.”

Those words sent a shiver down my spine and made my cock throb with want. I leaned in, pressing a tentative kiss to the hollow of his throat. Dorian's breath caught, and I felt emboldened. I trailed kisses up his neck, relishing the rasp of stubble against my lips, the salt-sweet taste of his skin. When I reached the sensitive spot just below his ear, Dorian let out a soft groan that made heat pool in my belly.

His hands came to rest on my hips, thumbs tracing slow circles that sent sparks of pleasure through me. I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. The hunger I saw there made me dizzy with want.

“Dorian,” I breathed, hardly recognizing my own voice.

“Yes, love?” Dorian's voice was husky, his eyes dark with desire as they met mine.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. “I... I want more,” I whispered, heat rising to my cheeks. “But I've never...”

Understanding softened Dorian's gaze. He cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone. “We'll go as slow as you need, mo stóirín,” he murmured. “Just tell me what feels good, all right?”

I nodded, leaning into his touch. Dorian's lips met mine in a tender kiss that quickly deepened, igniting a fire in my veins. His hands roamed my back, tracing patterns that made me shiver with pleasure.

Slowly, giving me time to object, Dorian eased me onto my back. He hovered over me, his weight supported on his forearms. “Is this okay?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” I breathed, reaching up to tangle my fingers in his hair.

Dorian's lips trailed down my neck, pressing soft kisses along my collarbone. When he reached my chest, I blurted, “Wait.”

Dorian froze instantly, his eyes searching mine with concern. “Too much?” he asked softly.

I shook my head, feeling my cheeks flush. “No, it's just... after the surgery, my nipples don't have much sensation,” I explained, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I'd rather you focus elsewhere, if that's okay?”

“Of course, love,” Dorian murmured, his eyes warm with understanding. He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead, then to each of my cheeks, before capturing my lips once more. As we kissed, Dorian's hand trailed down my side, leaving goosebumps in its wake. His fingers danced along the waistband of the borrowed pajama pants, teasing. “Would you prefer,” he whispered against my lips, “I put my mouth here instead?” His hand dipped lower, cupping me through the soft fabric.

A jolt of pleasure shot through me, and I gasped, my hips bucking involuntarily into his touch. “Oh,” I breathed, my mind going fuzzy with want. “Oh, yes, please.”

“With pleasure,” he purred, his accent thicker than ever. “But first, a lesson in patience.” His hands pinned my hips firmly to the bed. “Stay still for me, love. Let me teach you how good it can feel when you surrender control.”

My heart raced as Dorian slowly kissed his way down my body, his stubble scraping deliciously against my skin. When he reached the waistband of the pajamas, he looked up at me, silently asking permission. I nodded, lifting my hips to help as he gently tugged the pants down.

Cool air hit my heated skin, and I resisted the urge to cover myself. I held my breath as Dorian's gaze traveled over my newly exposed skin. His eyes lingered on my cock, and I felt a flash of vulnerability. It wasn't large by any means, but the hormones had given me some growth. Still, I couldn't help but wonder if Dorian would be disappointed, if he'd change his mind now that he saw all of me.

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