Laura's Light Read online

  Trevor did get to shake hands with a very meek Rookie before finally getting Laura strapped safely in his car so they could be on their way. The trip to Mia’s was filled with her apologising over Rookie’s attitude, and the more he tried to convince her it was all forgotten the more she apologised. He really had to get her off the subject or the date would be a disaster.

  “I hear on the grapevine you have a cleaning company, Laura. So you’re a businesswoman as well as being beautiful.” Trevor hoped distracting Laura with a question about her work might get her onto another topic—usually people had a lot to say about their careers, Trev had found, and he just hoped it was the case with Laura.

  “I’m not expecting any write ups in the Australian Financial Review anytime soon.” Laura’s laugh at her own expense was warm and throaty. Trevor found the sound enticing, sexy, as it caressed over him, and he wanted to hear it again.

  “I clean houses for busy people and have been fortunate enough to get to the stage where I can employ a small staff, as well. It’s nothing grandiose—just hard menial work. But it pays the bills and in the beginning I could schedule my time around Mitchell’s needs, so it worked well for me. Growing to become my own company is something I only dreamed of. In the beginning it was just a way a young, uneducated woman could make a living.”

  “Laura, don’t sell yourself short. You own a business, have clients and staff—it’s something to be proud of. You have obviously worked hard to get where you are now. Hey, I just talk for a living. Now that’s shallow.”

  Trevor was glad to finally start up a normal conversation with Laura, get her thoughts away from her son. He loved the humble way she’d described what she did to make a living. She might have been short of a formal education, but Trevor could tell Laura was no brainless blonde. She had guts, that was clear, and the few conversations they’d had previously had all been highly entertaining.

  Trevor couldn’t wait to find out more about what made the attractive woman tick—he wanted to know her favourite food, what music she listened to, the movies she preferred, what the score was with Rookie’s father… He wanted to know everything there was about Laura. And that alone should have had him running for the hills. Trevor preferred to keep a comfortable distance from relationships.

  As they walked through the door of Mia’s, Trevor knew he had made a mistake. What had he been thinking when he’d offered to bring Laura here on a date? There would be no chance of sharing an intimate dinner and getting to know her better when more than half of the restaurant’s patrons were people he knew, all probably in attendance to enjoy listening to the beautiful sounds of Caitlin James’ voice. Caitlin’s husband, Brodie James, was already waving them over to join his table, a table also occupied by another of the Jets stalwarts—Jon ‘JT’ Thompson and his fiancée, Mandy.

  His fate was sealed with the sound of Laura’s happy gasp at the sight of the very pregnant Mandy.

  “Oh, look, Trevor—there’s Mandy and JT, as well as Brodie, and Caitlin’s little brother, Riley! We should go over and say hello.” Laura shot off in their direction, leaving him to follow.

  “Well, would you look who we have here?” Brodie James’ voice held a touch of smugness, Trevor thought, as he shook hands with the newly retired player, now assistant coach of the Jets. Trevor and Brodie went way back and he really enjoyed hanging out with Brodie, but it hadn’t been what he’d had in mind for tonight.

  His face must have shown his thoughts because Brodie laughed, a deep guffawing that rumbled from the giant of a man’s chest. “What’s wrong Trevor? Did you not realise that we would all be here for Cate’s first night back?” The man added, too aware of Trevor’s mind for his liking, “If you wanted a quiet night with Rookie’s mother, maybe this was the last place you should have come, mate.”

  “Yeah, right, smart-arse—maybe I wanted to have you all around so you could give me some pointers. Hey, look at you and JT, wrapped around your women’s fingers. The once big, tough Jets front-row forwards reduced to bending and scraping to please the little women…” Trevor’s teasing was just that—he actually envied Brodie’s and JT’s newfound happiness. He could see for himself how much Caitlin and Mandy had enhanced his mates’ lives. Not that he was ever likely to have that sort of relationship.

  “What’s that rubbish you’re spouting, Hughes? No-one tells JT what to do. I’m a man’s man, and don’t you forget it.” When JT welcomed someone, he often nearly smothered them in a bear hug or knocked them over with a punch to the arm. In this case, Trevor found he was the recipient of both, and as he rubbed at the painful repercussion of JT’s friendship he shook his head.

  “Dare you to say that again when Mandy’s not distracted talking to Laura. You, JT, my friend, are a lost cause and you know it. How are you both? Hope the honeymoon was nice, Brodie.” Trevor gave a smirk as he mentioned Brodie and Caitlin’s honeymoon, knowing that there was no way Brodie would divulge any information in front of his new young brother-in-law. Riley Walters had quickly become a part of everyone’s hearts. The poor kid and his sister had had a hard life after losing both their parents in a tragic car accident, before Brodie had walked into their lives and changed them for the better.

  “Do you want to join us for dinner, Trev? You’re welcome, but I’ll understand if you would rather not,” Brodie added diplomatically. But the decision was taken out of Trevor’s hands as Mandy and Laura both made very feminine squealing noises in response to the idea.

  “Would you mind terribly, Trevor? I really would love to chat some more with Mandy about the pregnancy.” Laura leaned towards him and, with a wisp of air blowing gently over his ear and neck, she whispered, obviously not wanting to be overheard, “Mandy doesn’t really have anyone to talk to about that sort of thing. She’s estranged from her own mother and Caitlin’s not experienced with this sort of thing, either.”

  Trevor would have given Laura the world at that moment as the feel of her breath on his neck took all rational thought from his brain. Not only was she the sexiest woman he had ever laid eyes on, but that innocent caress of exhaled air on his skin filled him with a sense of need so urgent he wanted to sweep her into his arms and carry her away to some secluded spot and ravish her for hours, days…maybe even years. Laura also had a heart of gold, he was discovering.

  “Sure, gorgeous. This table is as good as any, but I’m not sharing my meal with these apes. I’m ordering my own dish—you got that, JT?”

  As everyone settled back into their seats and Angelo, the owner of Mia’s, fussed over them, taking orders and returning with drink selections, Trevor smiled. He was happy. Laura looked so comfortable sitting amongst his friends. They chatted easily back and forth with her. It might not have been the romantic night of seduction he had planned, but Laura was enjoying it, and that was what was important to make a first date successful, he supposed.

  Chapter Three

  Laura was having the time of her life. After such an uncomfortable start to the evening, thanks to her son’s well-meaning but embarrassing intervention, she and Trevor were having a wonderful time. Okay, so the fact they weren’t alone wasn’t the best prelude to the night of debauchery she’d been hoping for, but catching up with the Jets gang was so much fun. JT and Brodie were fantastic men and had been such great mentors to Mitchell. Mandy was just a delight. Apart from the fact that they looked totally different, and that Mandy was an artist and Laura a cleaner, Mandy reminded Laura of her younger self. Mandy had had problems with her family, just as her own family had had issues. Mandy had struggled to overcome her problems, resulting in some bad life choices—just as Laura had dealt with being left confused, alone and pregnant by a man she had too innocently trusted. Laura loved the young woman’s determination.

  Listening to Caitlin sing was a joy. Laura thought Caitlin had a voice like an angel—which was her devoted husband’s nickname for her. Laura mused over the fact that Aussie men seemed to require a nickname for everyone, but ‘angel’ was at le
ast a term of endearment and very sweet. It was a good feeling to sit amongst friends, enjoying the entertainment—and having such a handsome companion did not hurt, either.

  It was easy for Laura to forget that she was the mother of one of the Jets team. That she was at least half as old again as the young woman singing, and a good many years senior to the rest of the table’s occupants. At the moment, she felt like a normal woman on a date, surrounded by friends. That in itself was an unusual feeling for Laura. She was so used to being a mother first and a woman second.

  Relaxed and happy, Laura found there were no uncomfortable silences or gaps in conversation—the night just flowed easily along. The food was delicious and the champagne cold, sweet and bubbly. Trevor was attentive and just the sound of his voice in conversation was doing incredible things to her. His smooth commentator’s voice was like a warm breeze over her body, evoking new and unusual sensations, and on more than one occasion she found herself just staring at his profile in a sort of hypnotic trance.

  “Like what you see, Laura?” Mandy giggled to her softly, so as not to be heard by the rest of the table. “I may not have known him long, but Trevor seems like a stand-up sort of guy. Have you been seeing him long, Laura?”

  “Well, apart from a few casual conversations at Mitchell’s games and again at Caitlin and Brodie’s wedding, this is the first time we have spent any real length of time together. This is our first date…so to speak. God! That sounds ridiculous at my age. Dating,” Laura replied.

  “Rubbish, Laura! You are definitely not too old to go on a date. You don’t look any older than the rest of us. You’re so beautiful and you have way less wrinkles than me—you have to tell me your skincare secrets. Just looking at your sexy figure has me green with envy…and you know me and my colours! I really hope it works out for you and Trevor. You and he would make a brilliant addition to our little group of happy couples, and it would be lovely to have you around more. You know, to talk about motherhood and stuff.”

  Laura swallowed the lump in her throat, bought on by Mandy’s heartfelt and lengthy welcome, not to mention her acceptance of the fact Laura was on a date with Trevor.

  “You are too kind, Mandy. Thanks for the pep talk—I think I needed it! To be honest with you, I’m a bit terrified of what I’m feeling at the moment. I’ve never had the desire to rip off anyone’s clothes and rub myself over every inch of their extremely hot body. I’m finding it hard to believe I’m actually here with him at all.”

  “Laura, what are you talking about? Why wouldn’t you be here with Trevor? You’re a goddess, just look at you. Not to mention how accomplished you are and what a doll Rookie is—thanks to you, I’m sure. Trevor would be nuts not to find you attractive. What man wouldn’t?” Laura hadn’t noticed Caitlin sit down, and was surprised by the angelic redhead’s compliments.

  If anyone was accomplished, it was Caitlin—just twenty-one and already so much responsibility thrust into her life, what with looking after her brother and all. Not to mention having dealt with that nasty experience with Brodie’s ex-wife, and the embarrassing media attention it had caused. No—Laura thought if anyone was a goddess and accomplished, it was the emerald-eyed, angel-voiced beauty speaking to her.

  “Caitlin, you are a honey, thanks. But I think maybe you are all those things you just mentioned, and more. That voice of yours is divine—I could listen to you all night. How was the honeymoon? And by the way, your wedding was beautiful. Thank you so much for the invitation. Mitchell and I had a lovely night.”

  “The honeymoon was…oh, there are no words to describe how perfect it was, Laura. Brodie was just…” Caitlin gushed, her cheeks pinking up a little.

  “No, don’t let her get started on ‘hero’ talk—she’ll gush all night,” Mandy joked, cutting off Caitlin’s reply.

  “Hero? I don’t understand…?” Laura looked at Mandy in confusion before a growling reply from JT explained his fiancée’s comment.

  “Laura, don’t get these two lovebirds started—she is his angel and he is her hero. It’s pathetic, the way they carry on.” JT’s tone was full of sarcasm but the smile that went with it let Laura in on the fact he was teasing the newlyweds.

  “You are just jealous, JT, ’cause all you could come up with for me was a car term. ’Mags’—it’s not very imaginative, He-Man, and now I look like a big, black tyre with this belly of mine,” Mandy added, giving her burly husband a lingering kiss. Laura had to look away, the kiss was so passionate.

  The conversation flowed on around Laura with more light-hearted teasing, mostly at Brodie’s and Caitlin’s expense. It was about this time that Trevor started rubbing his hand up and down Laura’s thigh, occasionally massaging her leg gently, his fingers dancing all over her skin, before resuming the nerve-tingling, mind-blowing journey. She could feel her nipples grow hard and push against the cups of her bra as her core ached and throbbed in response. He moved farther and farther under the now elevated skirt, closer to her throbbing heat.

  When the little moan involuntarily escaped Laura’s lips, she quickly jammed them together, her gaze immediately going in young Riley’s direction as she prayed he had not heard her, or noticed Trevor’s explorations. Thankfully, the boy was absorbed in his hand-held computer game, obviously bored by the adult conversations around him, and was none the wiser when it came to her lustful behaviour. Laura breathed a sigh of relief and pushed Trevor’s hand back more modestly back towards her knee, and away from the needy, hot and increasingly moist junction between her legs.

  “You are distracting me from the conversation, Trevor. I can’t think straight when you touch me like that, and I’m a bit concerned over what Riley might think if I climb into your lap and ravish you,” Laura whispered in Trevor’s direction, hoping no-one was listening, her voice breathless. She particularly enjoyed the look on Trevor’s face as he absorbed her words. The man’s eyes widened and his nostrils flared as a look of sexual hunger stole over his features. At least, that was what Laura assumed was behind Trevor’s reaction.

  “I think we need to move this date somewhere a little more private.” Trevor’s voice sounded a little huskier than his normal smooth tones, and Laura’s heart raced at the thought of being alone with him and what that might entail.

  “Yes, let’s go. Umm… Maybe it would be better if we didn’t go straight back to my place, though. You know, Mitchell and all that…” Laura felt a little bold at suggesting that Trevor not take her home yet, and hoped she hadn’t scared him off by being so forward. But from the look on his face she didn’t think that was the case.

  His urgent reply of, “My place,” left her in no doubt.

  It was as if Laura’s world was spinning—she did not have the chance to overthink her hasty, blatant suggestion, as it seemed only a fraction of time before Trevor had them back in his car and speeding away from Mia’s. Goodbyes and well wishes had trailed behind them as they had rushed out of the door.

  * * * *

  Trevor could not get away from Mia’s fast enough. He had never wanted anything as much as he wanted to feel Laura’s body writhing under his, and his rock-hard cock buried to the hilt inside her. He could not believe his lucky stars that this amazing woman wanted him, and he certainly wasn’t going to give her time to change her mind. Trevor gave his steadfast attention to getting her back to his place in the shortest possible time.

  He couldn’t help his sigh of relief as he finally pulled into the driveway of his house. He jammed his foot down on the brake and reefed the handbrake up to stop the car. Switching the ignition off, her turned to face her, and was grateful to see she was smiling back at him.

  “Well, I think that broke the land speed record—who knew you could get from Ashfield to Summer Hill so quickly?” Laura’s raised eyebrow made him grimace.

  “I swear I was under the speed limit the whole way. It’s just I know a few short cuts that make the trip seem faster.” He grinned sheepishly. “Would you still like to come in, have a dri
nk or coffee? If you’d rather not, I could drop you home. Whatever you want.” Trevor put the keys back in the ignition, ready to restart the car to take her home—hoping that this would not be the case, but willing to do anything to make Laura happy.

  But he did say a quick prayer of thanks when she took his hand in hers and replied that a drink sounded good to start with.

  Chapter Four

  Trevor was out of the car and around to the passenger door in a flash, his bung knee—the knee that had ruined his rugby league-playing days—no issue, not a hindrance in his haste to help Laura from the car. He was full of nervous energy, excited to finally have Laura to himself, but it wasn’t the usual deep paralysing dread that Trevor often found swamped him. This nervousness was filled with a bright anticipation of what was to come. Light filled his heart and brain as the touch of Laura’s hand in his sparked a current of energy to race up his arm. The heat caused by her touch travelled immediately to his cock, leaving it throbbing against the fastening of his pants, wanting freedom.

  He fumbled with the key to unlock his front door, taking three attempts to engage the lock. As he pushed the door closed behind them, Laura forcefully shoved him back against it. She placed her arms around his neck and pulled his head down towards her face. He went eagerly, and as their lips connected Trevor was lost for all time. The sensation of her soft lips against him was so electric, yet so soothing at the same time. Trevor could not gentle his response. He growled, the sound muffled between their lips as he greedily plundered her mouth with his tongue.

  Her taste was unique. Trevor could not compare the kiss to any that had come before it. She tasted sweet, hot, and refreshing all at once. Addictive—he couldn’t get enough of her. He felt her tongue mingle with his—their first kiss and yet it was as if they’d kissed a thousand times before.