The First Touch (Templer Series) (9 page)

“Jake! Pack it in…I mean it” And with that, Jake returns to peeling at his beer bottle.

Fuck, the taste of her….her scent………….those fucking lips

“You still haven’t told me
what’s the deal with you and Tilly, anyway? You banging her?” Jake eyes his brother gingerly. He’s still amused by his brothers obvious reaction to the kiss but mutual respect means he also knows when to tread carefully. Unlike himself, Drew is a very private person, business first always.

“Banging?
Fucking hell Jake. We slept together, ok? Satisfied? And now it’s over. Just friends. So drop it” A low growl throwing out the words. Hell, Drew never talks about any sexual partners so this is a
major
confession.

“Hey, man. I’m sorry, ok. I didn’t mean to fuck with you. Honestly” Jake is genuine now, laughter over. His brother might not be prepared to admit it
or even understand it but this Tilly is obviously a big deal. I mean, he has
never
had a woman at this house, apart from Jenny, he’s so passionate about his privacy and
not
having a committed relationship…so to have her stay here…..
and
invite her friend?! I can either stand back and watch Drew car crash this or I can do my upmost to make sure he doesn’t lose this opportunity. Hell, one of us deserves not to end up a total Fuckhead…..he decides on the latter, and maybe this Mia woman can help.

Chapter Twelve

I’m relieved that last night Jenny tapped on my bedroom door at exactly seven o’clock with a tray of delicious home cooked food. She had assumed that I must be exhausted from travelling and whatever the commotion was that was the reason for my stay, and so, when Drew had said to call me for dinner, she had scolded him, like a mother hen, and told him on no uncertain terms to leave me be. So, instead, he had dined alone. And I didn’t leave my room. Not until now, this morning.

Mia is coming later this afternoon. I can’t wait to see her. She is bringing me yet another ‘treat’ of which I protested and as usual, she totally ignored. Now all I have to do is get through today without further humiliation and await her arrival. Mia is such a whirlwind that all the attention will be on
her, and not me…of which I am often very grateful.

Jenny informed me last night that Drew had her book me a Masseuse for this morning, and she/he is due to arrive by ten.
I can’t remember the last time I had a decent massage and I’m really looking forward to it. But I can’t hide in this room until ten, so head down in search of some breakfast. Drew is sat in the kitchen, reading papers, and chewing on a croissant.

“I’m really looking forward to my massage today, Drew. Thank you. It’s very kind of you” I decide that animating bright and breezy may help brush yesterday’s embarrassment under the proverbial carpet.

“My pleasure, Miss Teague. Anytime. Did you sleep well? Jenny said it was better to leave you to rest.” He folds his paper down and crosses his arms in front of himself, leaning on the table. He is smiling and seems relaxed. Bright and breezy may have done the trick.

“Wonderful. I didn’t stir until this morning”
You are such a blatant liar….

“And you have everything you need?”

Apart from you in my bed…..”
I have everything I need. You’re so kind, Drew. I really appreciate this, honestly”

“Tilly, don’t be mad at me but I’ve booked a conference call with my solicitor on your behalf for midday. I just want you to hear him out about the injunction idea.”

“Of course I’ll hear him out. And I’m not mad at you at all. After some thought, I realise that you are right. Actually, when I turned my phone back on yesterday, I had 14 missed calls from Simon and several abusive texts. And after threatening Mia, I want no more contact from him….in any form.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re not mad at me. I genuinely just want to help. So apart from being a total loser….can I ask why you ended your
engagement? If I’m honest, part of me is wondering why you were even with him in the first place?” Drew throws a shy smile my way.

“I wonder now too. And yes, it’s ok to ask. For a long while, I thought I was totally heartbroken over him and when I inherited my grandmothers
’ cottage, it was the escape I needed. But on the plane yesterday after the
incident
, and again while I was alone in the guest room, I wondered whether I ever really did love him. I’m not sure I truly know what that is.”

“But you’ve had other relationships? You’re a beautiful woman,
Tilly, I mean Simon can’t have been your only relationship? I’m sorry, I’m assuming too much. You don’t have to answer that.”

“I don’t mind. Honestly. And yes, I have had other relationships…well, two I suppose serious ones.
Simon……and David. David was my university ‘love’ but looking back, I was never in love with him just the idea of him. He was a poet and I suppose I had girly visions of him writing me long winded love poems….but he didn’t. He dropped out of uni and is now a car mechanic, I believe.”

“And Simon?”
Drew is listening intently, seemingly genuinely interested.

“Our paths crossed through work. He owns a catering firm and a couple of nightclubs. I used his firm for a couple of fundraising events. One day, I admired the shoes of one the ladies at one of my events…you know….
expensive designer brand that some of us ladies like to drool over and apparently, he overheard me. The next day, the exact same pair and in my size were delivered to my then office in London. The rest is history, I suppose, I was flattered. While I was thinking he was buying me such expensive gifts because he adored me, it turned out he was doing the same for two other women….and sleeping with them. I believe he put an engagement ring on my finger to control me. You see…Simon liked to tell me what to wear, and eventually who to talk to, and what to say…and I can’t believe I let it happen.” I let out a deep sigh, suddenly, feeling overwhelmed by the memory.

“Oh, Tilly.
I’m sorry.”

“Please. You have nothing to be sorry about.”

“My outburst on the plane…and fighting in the street. What must you think of me? I must seem like a controlling asshole as well. Please believe me, I don’t know what came over me either…on both occasions.”

“You’re nothing like Simon, Drew. Please don’t do that to yourself”

The time has caught up with us. Jenny interrupts us to tell me that the Masseuse is here and setting up the massage table in another guest bedroom. And
he
will be ready for me in about five minutes.

“He?
The Masseuse is a man?” Drew desperately tries to look unaffected. “Are you ok with that, Tilly?” But I catch a small scowl at Jenny, after all, she booked the session. She shrugs him off.

“Of course.
The stronger the hands the better….my shoulders are as tense as piano wire after yesterday.”

So are mine now….some fucking guy is going to rubbing oil all over
you…..why am I so FUCKING bothered?!! I can’t wait for the next few days to be over and get you out my house, out of my life….this was a mistake having you here…..

“Cool. Off you go then. Enjoy”
You blatant liar, Drew…..

Twenty minutes later and I am seriously sinking into heaven. The massage is pu
lling every knot and ache out of my body, stroke by delicious stroke. I let out a long sigh and a loud groan escapes from my mouth.

“This is wonderful. I’m almost asleep. Can I have you every….”

“You’re fucking naked!” Drew is stood, large, in the door way. The Masseuse instinctively stops what he is doing. He doesn’t want a scene with some boyfriend or husband.

“Drew! What are you doing in here? And I’m not naked. I have pants on under the towel!”

“Well, you look naked. And I was passing the room and thought I heard you cry out or something!”
Liar, liar, hope your nose doesn’t grow…

“No, I’m totally fine….
Mmmm, more than fine”

“Well, I’m assuming you will be done soon. We need to prepare for the conference call with the solicitor”

“In about another 40 minutes, we will be”

“40 minutes?!
This session lasts an hour?”
With him stroking you like that?

“Yes, Drew….now please. I’m fine. Let me drift back into heaven”

“Well, I’m going for a walk on the beach…you see in a bit”
Jesus, get me out of here….!!!

Several hours go by, the injunction is being prepared (Drew insists that he will pay
), we have dined on a light lunch and we are sat outside awaiting the arrival of the whirlwind that is Mia. Jake has called and said he is on his way over. This should be interesting! Mia and Jake in the same room!

Drew is quiet again.
Talking but quiet. Come on, Jake, hurry up and get here. A booming laugh is heard from within the house and I am saved. He will surely fire Drew back up again.

“And how is the beautiful Tilly today?” Grasping my hand again and planting a kiss across my knuckles.
I don’t miss the scowl thrown from Drew towards him.

“I’m very well. I had an amazing massage this morning.”

“Sounds cool! Did you have one, Drew?”

“No! I went for a walk on the beach….from all the grunting and groaning going on…I didn’t know if she was in pain or having sex with the fucker! I took myself off out of it…left
him
and Tilly to it”

“A male Masseuse, eh?
Hope he was cute, Tilly” Jake winks at me. He’s playing with Drew.

“
Blonde, and young….a surfer type dude. Cute, I suppose.”

Jenny arrives to inform us that there is a ‘vision’ exiting the car and we all know immediately she is describing Mia. I jump up and out of my chair to greet her. I miss the joint arch eyebrows and shakes of heads between the two men. I fling open the door and am engulfed in perfumed arms almost as wide as Drew’s.

“Oh, hun, I’m so glad you’re safe. Is Drew looking after you?”

“Yes, he is.
Very well. Too well. Come on, come say hello. Jake is here too. Now play nice.” We hug again, squeezing each other as though we haven’t seen each other for months. “We’re outside.”

I lead her through the giant sitting room, through the kitchen and head toward the veranda, before being nearly bowled over as she gushes past me.

“Drew! Drew! The hero of the hour…let me kiss you!” She gushes, throwing herself around him before kissing him on both cheeks. I have to stifle a laugh as he looks completed stunned. Before he can utter a word, she turns to Jake, obviously eyeing him up and down. “Tilly tells me I have to play nice. Jake, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. Nice to see you again
, Mia” Jake is almost formal. And now I am stunned.

“Oh, so you are playing nice too!
How boring!” And at that moment the four of us dissolve into explosive laughter. Mia is just what we all needed.

Jenny arrives with refreshments.
Wine for the girls and beer for the men. Mia asks if she can have a bottle of beer instead. No glass. Both men look at her as though she is most perfect woman on earth…stunningly beautiful and a beer drinker. And I love her even more. She is a complete delight today, as always, and is entertaining us with her latest escapade. I have tears streaming down my face from laughter. The men are almost doubled over.

“And so with that….him stood there with his chipolata hanging out of his zip….I simply pointed at it and said Darling, trust me,
with
that
you are seriously wasting my time!” She drawls, and sends me over the edge. My cheeks are aching from laughter and I have to beg her to stop.

We consume several more drinks. I am feeling very merry indeed and know I need to pace myself or I will never last the night with this woman. In fact, I think we are all flush with alcohol. We have been laughing and chatting oblivious to the time until Jenny coughs lightly to interrupt us.

“It is six thirty, Drew. You didn’t request dinner tonight but I can easily prepare some cold cuts and cheese. There’s plenty. You know that.”

“Oh, darling boys, you
must
take Tilly and I out! I’ve brought her a treat that she has to wear tonight….surely we can find somewhere at such late notice….oh, and dancing….please, you must. I’m only here for one night. And I’ve been nice to Jake, and for that…..I need to treat, too!” Mia is as animated as ever, mocking pouting at Drew. He nods his agreement, laughing. Jake announces he knows the perfect place and snaps up his phone to book us a table for eight o’clock.

There is
a thrive of activity as we all scatter about, making to get ready. Mia grabs two bottles of beers for herself, and a half finished bottle of wine for me announcing with a wink to the men that these are to help us get ready. Jake has consumed too much alcohol to drive back to his place to change so I overhear him arranging with Drew to borrow a dress shirt and trousers. Thomson isn’t available to drive him at the moment and apparently he wouldn’t have him drive him anyway. Jake always drives himself.