For the first time, there was a presence greater than the fans during a concert. Even across the stage, I could feel the heat of her gaze. I lived for the screaming worship of the crowd, but during my long months of rehab, I realized I needed to separate myself from their often overwhelming need to have a piece of me. The withdrawal from my drug-induced coma brought back the need for pure music that I threw away in my fanatical need for stardom. Now, I performed for the fans, but I sang for me.While traveling from one end of the stage to the other, every fiber of my being focused on her. It didn't hurt the music; in my mind's ear, it improved it. I could feel the guys pump up higher with my intensity. In a few weeks, we would begin laying tracks for our next album. It would be better than the last. With our next world tour locked in, nothing could stop us. Best of all, Angela would be next to me, finally making my life complete. I wasn't sure exactly what it was about her that drew

Club El Diablo was turned into a flower-filled chamber of love with all of our closest friends present. I waited with Matt and Stephon, my best men, as the carousel took a last turn and Damian helped my bride, dressed in yards of white silk, step down from the shiny black wooden horse. Lydia handed her a bouquet of flowers, but I couldn't even tell you what kind. My eyes were on my bride.I learned what true beauty was and I learned it from her. She may never understand the hold she has on me or the one I have on her but neither of us care. The universe is working in my favor for once and I plan to take this, our marriage, to the end of time and beyond if possible.A minister spoke until it was our turn. We wrote our vows ourselves and recited them while looking into the other's eyes. It was sappy, completely over the top, and absolutely perfect.I, Krispin Dougen Right, promise to laugh and cry with you, share your dreams, show compassion, and understanding. To remain faithful. T

Taking a deep breath, Jewel knew pink washed across her cheeks. She was used to the open perusal from men until they saw her "bad" side, but she wasn't accustomed to anyone calling her beautiful afterward. This man was almost convincing, and his close appraisal made her feel even more uncomfortable. Wrapping her stand-offish armor tightly around herself, she looked the behemoth in the eye. "You're a talented liar."His dark brown eyes flashed in mild irritation before softening. "Yes, I was rude, but you took me by surprise and I reverted to the age of twelve." His velvet voice traveled across her skin. The timbre dripped sexual desire, if that was possible.She straightened her spine. "When you were twelve, you told girls with facial scars that they were beautiful?" She couldn't keep the derision from her voice.His lips tilted in a crooked smile. "No. I missed every opportunity due to being a foot taller, awkward, and having the beginnings of an acne problem. I swore when I grew u

Her feet and back ached. She needed new shoes, but didn't have the funds for at least another month. The air conditioning bill was fifty dollars higher than she expected due to an early heat spell, and now the thermostat was set at eighty. The old squeaky ceiling fan did little more than move the hot air around, but it was better than nothing.Pulling bills and change from the pockets of her waitress dress, she smiled over the thought of number eight leaving her more than ten dollars in tip. The rest of her day wasn't bad either. Separating the bills, she hid them in two locations around the apartment. She didn't live in a good neighborhood, and she learned the hard way that with her waitress dress giving away her employment even the three locks on the door couldn't keep the thugs out. Waitress equaled cash and cash equaled a little drug money, or at least she figured that's why they ripped her off six months before.After a cold shower, she made herself dinner, un-packaging one of her

She cleaned her small efficiency apartment in record time. It wasn't much, but she tried her best. They both knew tonight wasn't about dinner or dating. A woman didn't invite a man to her apartment without an agenda. This was about sex. Matt's constant flirting and the way he watched her over the past four days had her libido on high alert. She was a grown woman and men like Matt wanted sex. It just rarely happened that anyone worthwhile wanted it from her. Matt was different and saw past her scar; he actually desired her, and she wanted a night of un-adulterated lust. Her last sexual encounter was over a year ago and the creep lied to her. And, like the stupid woman she was, she believed him. After his wife called the diner and the two women had a heart to heart, Jewel left a not-so-nice message on his cell phone. He never came back or called again, and Jewel hoped his wife kicked his ass to the curb.She looked through her closet, but didn't really have anything sexy to wear. The li