Rihanna arriving to Milk Studios in New York (10/19)

I seriously envy Rihanna's next boyfriend (possibly Usher). All he has to do is be careful not to beat the shit out of her (stick to the verbal abuse) and he'll be seen as Prince Charming. From the National Enquirer:

Usher has been secretly calling and texting the [Rihanna] for the past three weeks, and she's been very friendly, sources tell the Enquirer.

"Usher has been making moves on Rihanna and she seems to like him a lot," revealed an insider. "He calls her at least twice a day and they text all the time -- he tells her how beautiful she is and that he can't wait to show her how a woman is supposed to be treated. Usher even sends Rihanna flowers and includes a cute little quote or song-lyric message."

Despite the mutual attraction, Rihanna wants to take things slowly with Usher.

"Even though they are very interested in each other, Rihanna refuses to be seen in public with him in a romantic setting until his divorce is final because she doesn't want any drama with [his estranged wife] Tameka. Right now she's just enjoying the flirting." (Print Edition - 11/2)

Usher better be careful -- if he keeps flirting with Rihanna like this, Chris Brown might get angry and be forced to do something violent . . . to the nearest 90-pound woman he can find. What exactly does Usher want with a chick that's taken more shots to the face than Jenna Jameson? If he really wants to go after someone whose body has been ravaged by flying fists, he shouldn't pursue Rihanna -- he should pursue Lindsay.

[WENN]