Doren was born with a powerful gift -- a gift he's managed to use to put him well on his way to becoming a star. But there is more to that gift than just musical talent, and as careful as Doren is to hide that fact, there are some who know of the power behind the sound, and all the ways they could abuse it.<br><br>August's goal in life is simple: make an impact in the music industry. An opportunity to work as the personal assistant to Doren seems to be exactly the kind of break he needs to accomplish that goal.<br><br>But all too often in life, simple becomes just another complication, especially when there are people whose goal is even simpler: destroy and dominate.

The Gift

“I like you,” he repeated. “A lot.”


The sigh that August breathed against his skin wasn’t just acquiescence. It was a white flag. A surrender. “Don’t you fucking hurt me.”


Doren stared, waiting for the rest of it.


“And I don’t mean my body, Doren. I know what it feels like to get fucked even if I haven’t actually done it. I’m not worried about that. I mean, don’t you fucking hurtme. I’m a good person. I don’t deserve to get fucked over, and I won’t forgive you if you do.”


It took longer for the light to go off in Doren’s head than it should have. When it did, he couldn’t keep the surprise off his face. “You’ve never…”


Okay, Doren told himself. That wasn’t a big deal. It wasn’t even a complication. It was almost hot, even. New territory. Fresh. Unspoiled. All his, and his aloneHe reached around August’s waist and pulled August tight against him. “You’re not just with a person,” he said. “You’re with me.”


Chapter 37