Page 16 of The Gentleness of Rage

“Ain’t no angel, baby,” Slate denied.

“You’re freaking something! I took the cloakroom job because there weren’t any other options available. Now you’ve just upped and found me two jobs?”

“And a house. That’s rent free for six months. Slick hasn’t got anyone to rent it, those who applied failed the checks. He doesn’t want the house standing empty as it’s in a good area, and people may break in as it’s furnished. Worse, squatters might get in and destroy it. You’re doing him a favour moving in,” Slate added.

“Are you joking?” Jaelynn exploded.

“Nope,” Slate replied calmly.

“You’ve got me a house? How the hell do you expect me to pay for it?” Jaelynn demanded.

Slate smirked and quickly wiped it from his face after Jaelynn sent him a death stare.

“Honey, it’s free for six months. Are you telling me you’d rather stay here than in a nice home with a garden?”

Jaelynn stared at him until he started to feel uncomfortable. He wanted to know what she was thinking, but her expression was unreadable. Slate didn’t care if Jaelynn thought he had gone too far. He’d seen her for what she was: a genuine person who needed help.

Whatever trouble had found her, Slate doubted Jaelynn had caused it. No, Slate had no qualms that she was innocent and deserved protection, even if she did have fight in her.

Jaelynn

Slate had got me two jobs and a house. In the space of an hour? Who was this wonderful man? An angel in disguise? Or someone who’d demand a high price at a later date? I dismissed the latter as I held Slate’s gaze. There was no deception in his eyes, nor distrust, just an honest desire to help. And I was pretty good at judging, considering what I’d lived with for a few years.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” Slate repeated, looking surprised. He’d clearly expected an argument.

“Yeah. I didn’t pick this dump because of the scenery, I had no choice, it was all I could afford. If you have a better place that’s rent free, I can save up money and rent it myself in six months,” I replied.

Slate looked happy with my reply and offered a grin.

I gaped as Slate’s entire face lit up with that smile, and my heart thumped. Slate was a handsome man, not classically pretty boy handsome but handsome in a strong alpha male way. His dark hair and trimmed beard showed he took care of himself. And Slate’s tee stretched across a muscled torso, and as for his arms… I had to turn my head. A man’s prominent arm veins held a certain sexiness.

Slate was bulky and broad. And I liked him a lot, but I wouldn’t go there. He appeared to want to be friends, and that was fine. When I was alone, I could fantasise about him then.

“Is any of this yours?” Slate asked, and I brought myself back to earth with a thump.

“No. I only own my clothes,” I replied.

“Pack. I’ll get the prospects to haul this shit away,” Slate said.

“I have to give a month’s notice, and I paid three months in advance as a security deposit,” I murmured, suddenly recalling Tyson. He ran the building and was a tight ass where money was concerned. I recoiled at the thought of confronting him.

“The prospects will get it back,” Slate stated implacably.

“Don’t upset him! If I have to come back—”

“You’ll never return here, Jaelynn. Now go collect your shit,” Slate ordered.

I hurried into the bedroom before self-doubts could eat away at me. Maybe I was about to learn another harsh lesson regarding men, or possibly Slate was what he appeared. A sincere man!

Slate

He was unimpressed when Jaelynn exited the room ten minutes later. She had three bags with her, and only two contained clothes. The rest seemed to be toiletries and ladies’ items.

“That it?” Slate asked.

He saw the struggle Jaelynn had not to bristle.

---