With Karrueche Tran out of the picture - Rihanna feeling more confident, pal says.

Karrueche Tran and Chris Brown have split and he has re-united with his former girlfriend Rihanna.

While Karrueche is licking her wounds and is now single, Rihanna feels ''more confident and secure'' with Brown back in her life.

Brown was convicted of beating Rihanna to a pulp in 2009, but she has forgiven him and was trying to rekindle the romance on the down low due to heavy criticism.

But now Chris and Rihanna are out in the open and friends say Rihanna is happier and more focused on her work since they got back together.

A source told HollywoodLife.com: ''I know it's a lot easier for her to concentrate and work hard now that Chris is back in her life.

''She don't worry about the bulls**t no more. She don't wonder about what he's doing or who he's with. It's like she feels more secure and confident when he's in her life.''

While Rihanna is serious about her new album, she can't resist taking breaks from her late night studio sessions to send him steamy photos.

A source said: ''[Recently] she took a break between laying down some vocals and hit Chris up for about 30 minutes.

''She went in a booth and talked to him and was taking pics of herself on her Instagram and sending them to him.

''She was in the booth just laid back on the chaise and chatting him up. She was smiling and s**t and had this warm glow on her face. Whatever he was saying to her made her feel like a queen.''

© Bang Showbiz