Epilogue

Two years later…

Azure stepped back from the microphone for the last time, relishing the sound of the applause. It was bittersweet to hear them cheer for her, while knowing it was for the last time. Her contract with Voltage RPC had expired, and Jada was returning as female lead vocalist on their next tour.

There was another change in the band, and Azure hoped the fans could deal with it. Dante was leaving so they could spend their time together. Mathias was his replacement. Azure had been shocked to learn he could sing almost as well as Dante. It had taken a lot of persuasion, and Jada had been instrumental in getting him to agree to it.

Looking up, Azure caught Dante’s eyes and winked at him. She walked over to him, and he wrapped his arm around her waist as they bowed to the crowd. He grabbed the microphone and gave his last remarks. “I just want to thank you all for your love and support. I’ll miss every one of you.”

Azure took the mic and lowered it a bit so she could speak comfortably into it. “These last two years have been great,” she said with a smile, though she hadn’t really enjoyed much of the performance aspect. “They say all stars eventually fade away, and that’s all right with me. Jada is returning to you, and that’s how it should be. Thanks so much for everything, and I’ll miss you.”

The applause was deafening for a moment as Azure and Dante left the stage while Jada and Mathias came out, holding hands. Once again, the audience rose to their feet and started a loud chant for Jada.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” asked Azure once they were backstage. “You can give it all up to be with me?”

“Yes, I’m ready to leave Burning Starr.” He pulled her against him for a tight hug. “I want to be with you, wherever you go.” Dante kissed her on the neck, making her giggle.

“Well, the first place I want to go is Paris.”

“The City of Lights.” He kissed her again. “It’s a perfect place for a honeymoon.”

“Even a delayed one,” she said with a smile. They had gotten married three months ago in a lavish ceremony, but their scheduled tour had made it impossible to take a honeymoon right away. Though they’d traveled extensively on tour, Paris was one location she hadn’t been to yet, and it was the perfect one to celebrate their special occasion.

“Do you still want to throw away the birth control?” he asked as he put his arm around her waist and led her toward the exit. A limo should be waiting to ferry them to the airport.

She nodded. “Definitely, as long as you’re still okay with it. I want to have a houseful of kids, so they’ll never be alone or lonely.”

Dante grinned. “I’m going to get so much crap for settling down. Can you imagine the gossip mags?”

She shrugged. There had been a number of salacious stories over the past two years implicating Dante for infidelity. One of the most amusing had been the supposed orgy he’d had on her yacht with twelve women while Azure slept through it all because of her addiction to sleep medication. “They’ll have their fun, but who cares?”

He turned serious. “I really don’t. I’m not the bad boy playboy they claim I am. At least, not anymore, and I’m happy about that.”

She passed through the door he held for her, catching sight of their security and a long car right away. They hurried toward it and slipped inside. The flash of cameras was no surprise, and she barely noticed it. She hoped that unpleasant part of being a celebrity would soon fade away now that Jada and Mathias were taking their spots.

“Do you regret losing your partying reputation for me?” she asked as he put his arms around her.

“Hell, no.” He kissed her as passionately as he had the first time. Each kiss still felt like the first time, and the lovemaking was better than ever. “I love you, Mrs. Wilkins-Starr.”

“I love you too, Mr. Starr.” She kissed him deeply before glancing at her watch. “It’ll take twenty minutes to get to the airport…”

He chuckled. “Just long enough for an appetizer. The entrée will have to wait until we’re on the jet.”

A private jet had been part of her inheritance, and they had used it several times when they could get away, or when they were going on tour. It was nicer than the jet Voltage RPC provided for Burning Starr.

“And we’ll have dessert in Paris.” She giggled when his facial hair tickled her cleavage as he kissed his way down her body.

******