The First Touch (Templer Series) by Duka Dakarai Page B

course I still want you as a friend, Tilly”
    Fuck, that was a curve ball….she d oesn’t want me after all….that’s a relief, isn’t it? Isn’t it?
    “Ready to head back to Cornwall then?” I think I can do this…yes, Tilly Teague….you can do this!
    Unlike entering the Hotel, we exit not holding hands but instead Drew has a hand in the small of my back, guiding me to our waiting car. The driver holds the rear door for us and I gesture for Drew to enter first, much to his dismay, as I hear a ping of a text in my bag. I slide one leg in through the door, and suddenly, feel a sharp grip on my arm….someone is pulling me back out of the car.
    “What the….?” I try to shake myself free from the grip and look up at my ‘attackers’ face. I catch a breath in my throat. Simon!
    “What the fuck are you doing?!! Who the fuck is he?!!” He snarls, angrily, close to my face, his spit hitting my lip and chin. Drew flies out of the car, cornering the car boot and back onto the pavement.
    “Drew… leave it, please! This is Simon, my ex – fiancé.” I plead with him, watching his nostrils flare with rage, his hands fisting at his sides.
    “Back off, cunt! I need a word with my….’ ex-fiance’ !” Simon spits his words towards Drew as he drags me fifteen-twenty feet along the street.
    “Simon, please….stop…. don’t have to do this!” Tears beginning to sting at my eyes.
    He’s got a grip on both my arms now, his fingers digging into my flesh. He starts to shake me, nudges at first… the harder….
    Drew is watching, rage engulfing him fucking let her go or I’m going to fucking rip you apart
    “You fucking bitch….who do you think you are?! We’re not over…do you fucking hear me, bitch?! Simon is snarling, screaming the words at me, viciously shaking me now, my tears soaking my cheeks.
    “Simon! Please stop….pl…” I’m mid scream when I see his head jerk violently backwards as a fist connects with his jaw. He reels sideways, momentarily loosening his grip on my arms. An arm wraps around my shoulders, forcefully dragging me away. I don’t recognise it. But I feel safe….someone is pulling me to the safety of the car. I quickly steal a glance and recognise him as our Driver. He’s pushing me into the car.
    I can see Drew crowding over Simon, fist raised, ready to strike again. Simon suddenly ducks sideways, lurching forward….his fist flying at Drew’s face….
    I scream, the sound so loud, hurting my throat.
    “Drew! Drew! Watch out…Oh, God!” I make to run towards them as our Driver overtakes me at speed hurling himself at Simon, tackling him to the ground.
    “Get in the fucking car, Tilly! Get in the fucking car!” Drew roars at me, striding back towards me, rage etched on his face, and as I throw myself in, I catch the Driver’s fist slam into Simon’s face.
    Drew momentarily stands by the car door, before climbing in beside me, his body heaving in raging breaths. I place my hand on his arm instinctively as I don’t know what else to do, but he grabs it and throws it away. Within a flash of time, the Driver steps in, buckles his belt, and we speed away. There is silence, only the sound of heavy breaths in and out, in and out.
    “Are you ok, Miss….and you, Mr Templer? The Driver looks at us in his mirror.
    I nod no words will come out of my mouth, my throat choking again with tears. I wring my hands in my lap. I look down at them, somehow imagining that by staring at them, they will stop shaking. Drew raises his head finally, searching my face as I nod blindly avoiding eye contact with him, and regards the Driver.
    “ We will be ok. Are you ok, Clark?”
    “I’m fine , Sir” Clark nods a smirk back at Drew.
    We drive in silence for a few minutes. I‘m still wringing my hands, desperately wanting to say something…to explain…to apologise…but I don’t know what are the right words. Drew reaches across and squeezes both my shaking hands in his one, huge hand. The