The morning light spilled gently through the curtains, warming the sheets around us. Richmond stirred first, shifting beside me. I didn’t move—I never did. But he always knew when I was awake.

“Still pretending to sleep?” he murmured, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “You always hold your breath when I kiss you there.”

I blushed instantly. My body gave me away, even when my voice stayed quiet.

He chuckled low, that rough morning sound that always made my chest flutter. “So shy. Even after last night?”

His hand slid up under the covers, fingertips tracing the edge of my ribs. “Your heart’s still racing,” he whispered. “Still just for me.”

I nodded faintly, cheeks hot. He leaned over me slowly, brushing his lips down my throat, taking his time like he always did. I melted beneath him, helpless in the way only he could make me feel.

“I had a dream,” he murmured, eyes dark and still half-lidded with sleep. “That you left me. I almost couldn’t breathe.”

My heart squeezed. I turned to face him, but before I could speak, he reached up and touched my cheek.

“You wouldn’t leave me… right?”

I shook my head. “No. I wouldn’t.”

He smiled—soft, but there was something intense behind it. “Good girl.”

Just then, the door creaked open. One of the wives peeked in. “Clingy already?” she teased.

“Worse,” the other whispered. “He’s in that mood again.”

Richmond didn’t even turn his head. “Get out. She’s not done spoiling me yet.”

They giggled and left, unfazed.

As the door clicked shut, his eyes flicked to the wall—where one of many large portraits hung. It was me and him, on our wedding day. Just the two of us. Every room in this house had one. He never hung any with the other wives. Just me.

“You look best on these walls,” he said quietly, watching me as if daring me to deny it. “Because you're mine.”

And then he leaned in again, voice low and dangerous.

“And I’m not done reminding you.”