St. Clement's was bustling with energy despite it being a Monday morning. Amara always thought students were weird in this school. She reached for the car's door when Primo wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Not so fast," he said, his teeth nipping at the skin on the side of her neck.

Amara faced him, a sermon ready at the tip of her tongue. But all that disintegrated as he captured her lips with his. He nibbled at her bottom lip before his tongue flicked out and traced the seams of her lips.

"You taste so sweet," he whispered against her lips before resuming the heated kiss.

Amara wanted to complain but she couldn't deny how nice his kisses felt. After they got home from Italy, Primo had been all over her. She indulged him, loving his desperation every time he asked for her attention. It was damn addicting.

Primo gave her a brief kiss before brushing the hair off her face. "I have practice later. Will you wait for me?"

"Yeah. I'll be in the music room," she replied and smoothened her hair and uniform. They got out of the car, acting as if nothing happened.

Everyone knew of their engagement but Amara didn't want to cause a fuss over their time-limited relationship. She'd rather not be seen kissing her best friend. Besides, Primo didn't even argue so they did end up being friends with benefits behind closed doors. Or was it engaged with benefits?

Whatever.

Amara stopped by her locker. "See you."

"Yeah." Primo walked away, his sports bag swinging on his shoulder before he halted. He swiveled and returned to Amara's spot.

"What? Forget something?"

Primo cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead. He smiled. "Later, princess."

Amara's heart fluttered. It was an innocent kiss and yet, it felt far more intimate than what they did in the car. She placed a hand against her chest. It was nothing. "It's okay."

She shook her head, waving the remnants of their shared passion. She grabbed the Shakespeare book and trudged to her first class when Natasha stepped in her path.

The girl's pale face was set with a determined expression. "Amara, can I talk to you?"

"Sure." She trailed after her, noticing how her curves were more prominent than before. They entered the restroom. Amara faced the mirror, checking her appearance for any traces of her transgressions.

"Did Primo break up with me because of you?" she began, taking the spot next to her. Natasha set her bag down and got her lip gloss out.

"Probably." Amara straightened her collar as the other girl applied the lip cosmetic. "Why? Did you get hurt?"

Natasha's fingers froze. She set her palms flat on the sink. "Did you do it because you hate me?"

Amara stared at her, raising an eyebrow. "Nat, you give yourself too much credit. I don't care about you that much to hate you."

"But why?" Her shimmery lips trembled. "I... You know we are together!"

The nerve!

"So, what are you gonna do about it?"

Natasha's eyes widened. "It can't be... that you like Primo? So you took him away from me?"

Amara clicked her tongue at the same time her patience snapped like a wafer stick. "He's not yours."

"That's not right." The girl frowned. Her light blue eyes darkened in time with her burgeoning anger. "Primo told me he'd come back to me after your engagement is over."

Amara crossed her arms. "You're not done using him then?"

"W-what?"

"I did not want it to come to this but..." She leaned forward, meeting Natasha's bewildered stare. Amara's stormy eyes glowed with a flash of rage and lightning. "If he comes back to you and you accept him... I'll tell your mother what you have been doing."

She smirked as Natasha blanched. "Or rather... who you have been doing?"

"No!" Terror flooded her face as she stumbled backward.

"You don't want me as an enemy Natasha," she declared with a frigid tone. "As for your problems... solve that together with Elijah. Not with my best friend."

Amara walked out, feeling better about the whole situation. Her relationship with Primo would be short-lived but at least, she had successfully kept him away from people who were bound to hurt him.

As far as she was concerned, this was a successful plan.

The day passed with Amara spending time with her friends. Isla and Maine had asked about Primo but she shut them down and focused on their studies. Natasha had joined them, acting like everything was alright.

Amara was sincere in wishing that Natasha could solve her problem. Seeing her in misery wouldn't make her happy. She wasn't that bad.

"I'll go ahead." Amara stood up and gathered her books. She headed to the music room she had reserved and began to practice with the violin.

Hours were spent until Amara felt the fatigue on her neck. The state competition was two months from now. Her pieces were ready but the last thing she wanted was to grow complacent. If she didn't have music, if she didn't win this... her future would go dark.

Amara blew out a tired sigh and sat in front of the piano. She stretched her arms and rubbed at her neck. The sky had turned orange. Where the hell was Primo?

She grabbed her phone to text him when the door burst open. Primo entered. His hair was brushed back, drops of water falling on his dark fitted tee. His green varsity jacket hung on his duffel bag, swaying with his every step as he walked coolly towards her.

Primo hid his hands on the pockets of his grey joggers as he reached her. He shot her a smile. "Sorry, I'm late. Should we grab dinner now?"

Amara barely heard his question, too immersed in Primo's distracting arrival. Why the fuck does he look hotter? He was usually an egocentric boy in her eyes.

"Amara?" he repeated, sitting next to her. Primo dropped his bag on the floor and dug something from it as she tried to regain her composure. "Here. You can eat that before we get dinner. Where do you want to go?"

Amara stared at the big box of Belgian chocolate truffle he had laid on her lap. She squealed in delight and tore the ribbon off. "Where did you have time to buy this?"

Primo chuckled, his fingers caressing the piano keys in front of them. "Van went out to eat so I asked him to buy some. You know I like it when you're happy."

"Oh, why?"

"Good things happen when you're happy," he said with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.

Amara laughed, knowing exactly what he wanted from her. She grabbed a white chocolate truffle and attempted to feed it to him. "Here. I share when I'm in a good mood."

Primo shook his head, smirking. "I'll taste it in a much more enjoyable way later."

She slapped his arm that he chortled loudly.

A comfortable silence bathed the pair. Amara ate her sweets, leaning languidly against Primo's side as he began pressing random piano keys.

"Play something," she demanded, nudging his shoulder.

"What do you want?"

"Anything."

He nodded and 'Always be my baby' swirled in the air.

Amara giggled as he chuckled.

"Oh my god! I knew you loved Mariah Carey!" she blurted when it was over. Primo had always vehemently denied his love for the queen of Christmas.

"I don't."

"You do!"

Amara yelped when Primo yanked her upwards, placing her on top of the grand piano. "Hey!"

"I think I want a taste now," he mumbled. Primo bent his head, licking her lips. He went slow, his teeth grazing her bottom lip, nipping softly before his tongue coaxed her mouth to open.

Amara wrapped her legs around him and tangled her tongue with his. Her fingers threaded through his wet hair, causing him to moan sweetly against her mouth. His hands lowered to her ass, pulling her closer before his rough palm caressed her thigh.

She gasped as he switched his attention to her pulse point, her hands roaming on his muscled back, down to his defined chest. Primo opened the first two buttons of her uniform, worshipping what he claimed to be his favorite part of her.

She tugged at his hair, throwing her head back when he sucked a nipple through her bra. A hot boiling sensation began on her stomach, curling downwards, reaching the tips of her toes.

Amara wanted to return the favor when she caught sight of her glowing phone.

A message popped out.

From Zeke.

Are you not working again?

Well, shit.

✘✘