Free The First Touch (Templer Series) by Duka Dakarai

mock horror. I like him instantly. He is mischievous and cheeky. It oozes from him. And as deliciously as handsome as his brother.
    “Come sit next to me, Tilly, and let’s make friends!” He is openly flirt y and I find myself laughing. In another situation, I would be putty in his hands. Mia would eat him for breakfast, however.
    “Jake!” Drew’s growl breaks through my momentary day-dream.
    “Oh, hello grumpy!” Jake arches an eyebrow in his direction, throwing him a smirk. I decide to sit at the other end of the table, a safe distance from both of them, placing my laptop in front of me. I feel quite affronted if Drew is assuming that I can’t handle a bit of flirty behaviour and jumping to my defence. I wouldn’t mind if you were a bit jealous…if only
    I decide to ignore his outburst and cast my attention back towards Jake.
    “So I believe you met my closest friend at the Hurlingham Club? Mia?”
    “Mia?” A blank look on his face. “Which one was she?”
    “You’ll note from my brother’s comment, no doubt, that he meets many women, Tilly . He is what you would call a player ” Drew emphasises the sarcasm in his tone, obviously still pissed at his brother. It also feels like a warning in my direction…But I shake it off. I continue the conversation.
    “Yes, Mia. Tall, stunning redhead….a very successful international model and now carving a career in photography”
    “Ah yes, the ball breaker! So Mia is her name?”
    I laugh out loud. “So you didn’t get past her name before she broke your balls then?”
    “Twisted them right off and threw them back at me more like! But she’s a looker, you’re right there. Definitely the most beautiful woman there by a long shot. Were you there too at the event? Is so, then you both put the preened princesses in the shade.”
    I flush scarlet and know it. I catch Drew tennis balling looks back and forth between us.
    “Sounds like you made an impression!” And with that, all three of us join in the laughter. After a few rounds of further banter, I realise that I haven’t switched my phone back on and Mia will be frantic with worry. I bid my leave and exit down the steps towards the beach for some privacy for the call.
    There are another fourteen missed calls from Simon and a couple of particularly spiteful texts. I delete them and call Mia. She answers on the first ring.
    “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I know you’re probably frantic with worry….I’ve been bubble bathed to oblivion then caught up chatting to Drew and Jake.”
    “Jake?”
    “Drew’s brother? Remember? Hurlingham Club?”
    “Oh the Pip Squeak! Pity….fucking gorgeous though”
    “He thinks you’re the hottest thing too! Oh, shall I match make?” I tease her.
    “Don’t you dare! Anyway, darling, he’s soooo not my type!” She’s playing along.
    We spend the next twenty minutes or so with me relaying the incident with Simon, and then finally me pouring out my woes about my night with Drew. I can’t lie to her . I never have been able to. I admit that if he rushed over to me right this second and swept me off my feet, I’d go willingly. The pull I feel for him is overwhelming but I know I’ve got to get over it….and I will….soon….After all, the relief I saw on his face when I lied to him about not wanting anything more said more than words ever could.
    “I think I need to pay you a visit, Tilly. Even just for hug. Ask Drew if he would mind another guest in his house, would you? Not for long, hun, just a quick overnighter….I can do that but need to return for that damn photo shoot. I’m committed now!”
    “Oh Mia, I’d love to see you! I need my bff even for just a few hours…Of course, I’ll ask him. But Mia, you won’t say anything will you…please honestly, I’m serious!”
    “I won’t….I promise….now go ask him so I can book the flight!”
    I almost tear up the steps to the house. Drew is stood with his hands in his pockets looking out across the