The air in the room was warm, scented with faint spices from the candles flickering in ornate sconces on the walls. It was a room designed for pleasure and power, but for Ashanti, it was a world of overwhelming, unseen sensations.
He guided her to stand beside the bed, the soft velvet of the bedspread brushing against the back of her legs.
He could feel the fine tremor running through her hand, a silent testament to the storm of emotions waging within her. Fear, hope, anticipation, and a deep-seated shyness all warred for dominance.
"Easy, Ashanti," Jax murmured, his voice a low, soothing rumble. He gently released her hand and moved to stand in front of her, his presence a warm, solid weight in the room, "Just breathe. I told you, I will handle everything. Your only job is to trust me and feel. Can you do that for me?"
She nodded, her raven hair shimmering as she tilted her head towards his voice. "I... I can try, Jax," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
