Chapter 1

One

Starla

Walking down the street to school, I hum to myself. Today is Halloween and the day that Mr. Michelop posts the performers for the All School Show. I hope my audition was enough to get me a part, even if it’s small.

It has been a dream of mine to be a leading lady, even if the thought of singing in front of so many people makes me ill.

Lost in the fantasy of dancing and acting on stage, I don’t notice the car coming for me from the side of the street, or hear the high pitched giggles of the mean girls from school, until their bumper is about an inch away from killing me.

Dropping my bag in a last ditch effort, I place my hands out in front of myself, praying that they stop in time. A whoosh of wind throws me to the ground as my vision darkens.

I don’t know how long I’ve been unconscious, but when I come to I find myself in the back of a luxury car. The seats are made of the softest leather and windows are tinted.

Groaning, I roll gently and freeze when a man's large hand settles on my forehead.

“Try not to move too fast. You may have a concussion. I’m waiting for my doctor to meet us.” Blinking a few times, I sigh and smile. Tousled hair and eyes so dark greet me. I don’t know who he is, but I feel unnervingly safe with him.

“What happened?” I croak, then cringe.

He has to be one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen and I’m sprawled out on him with mud and grass all over my clothes. Like some type of damsel in distress. I am no damsel thank you very much.

But it doesn’t help that I’m wearing a Halloween sundress that looks like it belongs in some kind of Disney movie.

“You were almost run down by some cackling girls in a blue mustang convertible. I managed to push you out of the way in time. They unfortunately didn’t have enough time to brake. Tragedy really but that's what karma will do to ya.”

“They died?” I gasp, lifting my hand to cover my mouth. I mean, yeah they tried to kill me and they were always such bitches, but damn…

“Yes, well seatbelts were made for a reason.” My eyes widen at how snarky he is and he smirks. “Now, since we are going to be here for a few more minutes, why don't you tell me about yourself.”

Gently I shift into a sitting position and slide away from this mesmerizing stranger.

“I think it should be the other way around. Don't ya think?” I raise an eyebrow and wait.

Shaking his head he chuckles and I'll admit the sound is going right through me. There is just something magnetic about him. I don't even know his name but I want to get on my knees for him and pray at his altar.

“Aren't you just a delicious temptation,” he mutters then sighs, turning and offering me his hand. “Kennedy Morningstar, but you can call me Ken, Sir, or Mine, whatever you wish, Angel.”

I take his hand, giggling at how forward he's being and don't fight the shocks that run through me at his touch.

“Starla, but you can call me Star,” I reply and he smiles, licking his bottom lip.

The chemistry between us, the way he pulls me in is exciting and also concerning. I don't know him. I was almost killed today by some psycho cheerleaders.

Shouldn't I be panicking?

I think maybe I need to thank him and get out of this car. The scent of amber and musk with a hint of cedar is clouding my thoughts.

Or maybe I have a concussion?

Yes, that's it. I hit my head hard.

Leaning closer to him, I stop myself before I embarrass us both and do something outrageous like straddle his thick thighs and lose my innocence in the back of a limo.

“What do you do Mr. Morningstar?” I ask, looking around at the opulence surrounding us.

The windows are heavily tinted, but I can make out a logo printed on them. A gold star and I think a sun? Or maybe it's a cliff.

He groans and releases my hand, running his fingers through his hair.

“I'm currently on a break, but I was on my way to look at an old warehouse a few blocks from where I found you. I'm in the mind to buy, renovate and turn it into a club of sorts.”

“Wow, that would be something. You do know you're in the deep south right? Patty Anne and Marcie will be knocking on your door in seconds with a petition to remove your filth and sin from our small town. I don't think the Bible Belt is the place for your club.”

Pursing his lips, I get nervous that I just offended him, but he surprises me by tipping his head back and laughing.

“Oh, Angel, you don't even know the kind of sin I can bring to this bigot town.” Raising his hand he trails his fingertips along the collar of my now stained sundress, dipping them into my collarbone and gripping the back of my neck, tugging gently until I'm tipped enough to almost kiss his lips.

I stare into his eyes and I swear they flash red for a second as he purrs. “Tell me, Star, what is it you desire most?”

Licking my lips, he hisses as the tip of my tongue brushes against his.

“Desires are just wishes, but I dream of being a star. To be able to sing without fear.”

He stares into my eyes as a deep growl vibrates his chest. “Done,” he grumbles before kissing me so hard I feel like he's breathing air into my lungs, keeping me alive.

The moment I open for him to tangle his tongue with mine, visions flash behind my eyelids.

Smoke, bright lights, wings, shadows, a throne and finally Kennedy on his knees, kissing my swollen stomach as I play with his hair. A gleaming gold band on my finger and a smile on my face.

Pulling away for a moment's breath, he gives me a huge grin and softly whispers, “mine,” before moving away to the other side of the car.

I'm sprawled out against the back door. My hair a tangled mess and lips swollen from his attack.

I place my hand on my chest, trying to catch my breath as he stares at me intently. I can see the wheels spinning in his head as he frowns.

Searching for my bag, I find it by my feet on the floor. I grab one strap and tug it carefully toward me.

“Thank you, for saving me and everything…” My cheeks are flushed and I still don't know what the hell just happened.

I feel energized, empowered, like I can do anything, be anything. I open the car door and the sunlight assaults my eyes.

“Ah, Miss, I was just about to knock,” a man in a white coat says, looking sheepish and a little uncomfortable.

I wonder if he saw that intense makeout and possible dry humping moment that just occurred.

“I'm Doctor Rowlins. Mr. Morningstar called me and told me about your accident. May I assess you?”

I glance back at Kennedy and he's still trapped in his thoughts.

“Umm, sure, but shouldn't we go to your office or something?”

Looking around, I now know that we are in my school's parking lot. Why didn't he just have the nurse come get me? Or an ambulance?

“Well you see, Miss, I'm a traveling doctor. Mr. Morningstar's personal, on-call physician. We can commandeer your school's office if you'd feel more comfortable, but really I'd just like to check your head, dear.”

Standing, I feel woozy and Kennedy snaps at the doctor. I swear he says something about too much power, but when I try to ask what he means the doctor is snapping his fingers and muttering some weird language.

My eyes fall closed and when they reopen I feel amazing. The headache is now gone and even my limbs aren't sore.

“Wow, are you a magician?” I mutter, then laugh as he shakes his head and takes my hand, patting it.

“You are going to be fine, Miss, but I recommend going home and resting.” Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulls out a card and hands it to me.

“If you should feel dizzy, nauseous, or break out in some weird rash, call me.”

I take the card, about to thank him but pause. “Wait, the car crash, did they really die? Where are the police?” I look around.

Doctor Rowlins eyes flicker up over my shoulder for a moment before coming back to me. “Yes, unfortunately. Very tragic, though everything has been cleaned up.” Oh, was I out that long?

I thank him, then turn back to the limo. Kennedy is now standing against the closed door.

“Thank you again,” I begin, but he cuts me off.

“Have dinner with me. Tomorrow night.”

Kennedy

“Boss, this is not a good idea,” Nash shouts at my back as I stride down the hall toward the front door.

“Kennedy! She's a high school student. You can't truly believe she's your mate?” he continues to berate me, but I ignore him.

Starla David is mine. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on her. Her soul, so bright and pure, called to me like a moth to a flame.

I didn't mean to release a cloud of wrath into the air, causing her classmates to try and hit her with their car.

There is just something about Starla's presence that shuts my mind off from logical thought and has my powers going chaotic.

I don't care that she's a senior in high school. According to her file she's eighteen, almost nineteen and plenty legal, not that that would have stopped me from pursuing her.

I would have waited forever, until she was ready of course before making an advance on her.

I may be the Devil, but I'm not a monster unless Nash keeps going on about how Star isn't mine.

I don't care if he's family. I will gut him and then choke him with his entrails.

“Enough,” I roar, adding some power into the vehemence of my tone. “Starla is mine. I'm taking her to dinner not the fucking bedroom. So calm the fuck down or I will be forced to punish you and I'm on vacation, Nash, I really don't want to torture right now.”

I watch as he audibly gulps, then nods his head.

“Yes, Boss, just… Be careful.”

Sighing, I shake my head and open the front door. Zax is waiting for me with the car running.

Inca, the butler, runs around me to open my door and I slip inside. The calla lilies and jewelry I requested are there waiting for me. Zax begins our drive to Starla’s residence and I relax into the leather breathing in her scent.

She smelt fucking delicious yesterday and it took all my willpower not to devour her. I can tell she’s innocent and that makes her even more appealing.

To be the only one between her milky thighs is a temptation all on its own.

Grabbing the slender velvet box, I open it and smirk. A delicate white gold bracelet lays on the satin with tiny blood-red diamonds encrusted into the band. It’s perfect.

I know I just met Starla, but she doesn't know the lengths I plan to go to pleasure and spoil her.

Afterall she's going to be the bride of the Devil.