Forte music blasted from unseen speakers, disco lights bouncing everywhere.

Adam watched as the women grinded on his three friends' laps, then placed a hand at the waist of the one on his.

They were in a bar, occupying an arched settee settled against the wall and curving around a round table.

The woman grabbed his bottle from his hand and chucked the remaining beer in a few gulps before tossing it on their table.

Then she grabbed both of his hands and brought it to her chest, palming them over her extra large boobs while her supple ass swivelled sensously on his erection through his trousers.

If only she knew that his arousal had nothing to do with her, that it only ached for one woman who'd held his mind captive for the past week he hadn't seen her.

Hell, she'd been holding his mind captive for four months.

It was her he wanted to be this close to, her he wanted to bury himself inside.

Frustrated by his never dissipating thoughts of Eva, he made to push the woman off his laps, until he caught Lucas's gaze.

Damn! The man was regarding him with that unerring gleam of perception in his eyes, and Adam cursed under his breath.

Not wanting his friend to see that his mind was on other stuff, he kissed the woman on the shoulder, began massaging the pliant mounds on her chest, and smirked at Lucas like he was enjoying himself.

Lucas seemed to buy it because he looked away and focused on his own woman.

Deciding to really immerse himself, he fondled the red-haired's breasts more firmly, shaking the globes.

It was so obvious the woman had had a boob and butt job. Small moans left lips, her hand straining downwards to grasp his bulge under her arched ass.

He'd told Lucas just tonight that Eva was the woman from the New Year's Eve party. His friend had also questioned whether the legend of the kiss of eternal love could be true before disregarding the idea.

Then he'd called Raul and Alfredo and brought them to this nightclub to blow off some steam.

Maybe Lucas was right. He hadn't touched another woman since he'd last touched Eva a week ago. Maybe changing that would help him get her out of his mind.

Yeah, right.

“Hmm, impressive.” She mouthed  turning to look at him sideways.

Adam caught her lips in a kiss, one he hoped would drive Eva out of his mind even if only for a few hours. She was a good kisser, but he didn't feel the thrill kissing Eva made him feel.

Eva's lips were soft and firm and...just so her. Why the hell did he have to compare everyone to Eva?

Much more than he would like to admit to himself, he missed her. Badly. He missed the way she would throw her head back when she was laughing, missed the way her cheeks dimpled when she smiled.

Missed her never ending witty replies, missed the way her eyes scintillated when she was excited, like someone had stolen the stars and put them in her eyes.

“Guess who's here, dickheads!” A male voice said loudly over the loud music.

Breaking the kiss, Adam looked at Guillermo, his younger brother, and rolled his eyes at the signature way he always made his presence known. But there was something in his eyes that made Adam quirk a brow.

“Someone seems to be glowing tonight.”

“Oh come on, when is Mr. Optimist never glowing?” Alfredo mused, earning a glare from Guile even as he tried to battle a smile.

Alfredo was right, and Adam sometimes envied his brother for being so full of lilt.

Wondered how it was that he was always on top of his game, remained so indefatigable in his optimism no matter how gloomy the situation was.

The only time he allowed himself to be worked up was when he got coding or calculations wrong. Yeah, being the co-owner of a multimillion tech company at such a young age did that to you.

“Yo, waiter.” He grabbed a passing waiter by the hand. “ Five...” His eyes scanned the women on their laps. “...no, nine bottles of tiquilla, please.” He turned to them after the waiter had left. “Drinks are on me.”

“Like hell it is.” Lucas chirped. “So what's the special occasion?”

“You guys should guess this.” He rubbed his palms together expectantly.

“Dude, you only called to ask where we were. We didn't even know you were coming here.”

Guile turned to Adam and, stretched his arms out. “Bro, come give your little bro a hug.”

Adam snorted. “Guile, did you sniff cocaine before coming here?”

“Oh come on, grumpy. Your little brother needs a hug because he's so happy right now. We've not hugged in ages.”

The woman on his laps got up before Adam could protest more, her skimpy skirt practically exposing her ass. Rolling his eyes, Adam stood up and pulled his brother into a hug for one second.

Guile glared at him disapprovingly. “You know a hug doesn't kill right?” His jitteriness was back in a second. “Okay so here's the big news. I asked Jess to marry me and she said yes.”

“Yay!” Raul said dryly, then shook his head in wonder. “I don't get why some guys get so happy about throwing their bachelorhood and freedom away.”

“Why aren't you with her then?” Lucas asked. “Would think you would be fucking your brains out to celebrate.”

“Actually, we just had four rounds before I came. Needed to share my joy with you guys and then I'll go back to pleasure her all night long.”

“You could've spared us a lot of details.” Alfredo pointed out.

Placing his hand on Adam's shoulder, Guile looked at him questioningly. “What bro? Aren't you going to congratulate your little brother on his engagement?”

“Actually, I don't know whether I should congratulate you or give you my condolences.”

“What is that suppose to mean?” Guile took his hand off Adam's shoulder, smile faltering like he wasn't sure whether he was joking or being serious.

“Enjoy the happiness while it lasts, why don't you, Guile?” He patted his brother on the shoulder, knowing he was being cynical. “Let's just hope the B.B.B–Bye Bye Bliss–doesn't happen too soon.”

Right now his brother was extremely happy and it was obvious at first sight, but he knew how this worked.

They made you soar in happiness to the zenith, their twisted build-up, so that when they shattered you, the shards would cut deep and leave you scarred.

“Why the heck do you get like this every time I tell you about my relationships?” Guile was glaring at him in confusion and indignation. “Why are you so bitter about every relationship?”

“Because I know how it all fucking works. Women zapp all the bliss they can out of you and when they get tired, they dump your ass.”

He laughed, not really knowing why. Probably because the women around him were staring daggers at him.

“You don't know a fucking thing about relationships.” Guile said through gritted teeth. “All you've done all these years is hide behind flings, afraid of taking a chance on a sure thing. You're just a coward who is afraid of getting hurt."

The words hit home, cut deep, and Adam slapped him before he could think of the action, regretting it a second later.

Lucas shot to his feet instantly and grasped Adam's arm. “What the fuck, Adam?”

Guile clutched his cheek, looking back at Adam in shock and disgust. “Don't, Lucas. I guess coming here and expecting my brother to be happy for me was too much to ask for.”

The waiter appeared with their order. “Sir, the tequila.”

“It's theirs.” He gestured with his chin at them.

Pulling out his wallet from his pant pocket, he pulled out a large wad of cash and tossed it on the tray before turning and storming off.

“That was so wrong man.” Lucas issued him a chastising tone. “You should go and apologize to him.”

Adam nodded and set to do just that. He got outside just when his brother had jumped into his convertible and turned the ignition.

“Guile wait!" He hurried over and leaned on the car, bracing his hands on the door for support.

“What Adam?” He responded curtly. He never called him Adam unless he was upset with him.

“I'm sorry for the slap and what I said inside there. Of course I'm happy for you. I just need you... I just need you to be careful.”

Guile nodded, but the grim line on his mouth didn't disappear. “You aren't the first man on earth whose mother left him at a very tender age. Remember she was my mother too. I was only two when she did it, and I've also witnessed how miserable it turned dad, but that hasn't stopped me from loving and enjoying all that comes with it, even if I've been hurt sometimes. Just keep that in mind.”

Adam stood up straight, watching as his brother drove away.