Page 76 of Simon Says

“Anyone can be caught off guard, especially when an attack comes from behind.”

She sat back in her seat and stared at him. “It wouldn’t happen to you.”

Simon didn’t deny that, but he did qualify it. “I’ve been studying mixed martial arts most of my life, and competing for over a decade. You can hardly compare yourself to me.”

“Because it’s instinctive for you.” She nodded. “I know. I wish I could learn to react like that. I need to somehow trigger an automatic response.” She sat forward again, and her voice rose in frustration. “What good is it to learn technique if I don’t apply it? I might as well be an ignorant, helpless girl.”

“I can’t see you ever being ignorant or helpless.”

She sent him a look of disgust. “Then you don’t have much imagination or insight.”

What the hell did that mean? “Dakota…”

In a massive mood switch, she shoved back her chair. “Sorry, Simon, but I’ve changed my mind. I’d rather sleep alone.”

“Why?”

She headed to the sink with her plate. “I’m getting whiny, and I despise whiny women. It disgusts me. It’s stupid.”

Simon tried to keep her talking, to give him a chance to figure her out. “You’re not whiny, Dakota, but under the circumstances, you’d be allowed.”

Her laugh had the effect of nails on a chalkboard. “No thanks. Hopefully I just need some sleep.” She put her dishes in the dishwasher, returned the ice bag to the freezer, and without looking at him, turned to leave the room. “Thanks for the food and meds and…attention. Right now I—”

Simon grasped her wrist.

And to his surprise, she turned on him. He ducked one fist, then another.

Shooting to his feet, Simon said, “Dakota, calm down.”

Silently, not even breathing loud, she struggled until Simon let her go and held up his hands.

She stumbled back from him so quickly that she bumped into the sink.

From across the kitchen, they stared at each other.

Still keeping his hands out in a supplicating position, Simon said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”What?Dakota stood in front of him as if held at gunpoint. “I’m sorry,” he said again, his voice firm.

“No.” Dakota didn’t look away from him. “It’s not you, it’s me.” But she didn’t move. Her gaze still locked on his, she curled her hands into fists and clenched her jaw. “God, I feel like an idiot.”

So did he. “What happened?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. You grabbed me, and I…” Her muscles tightened more. “I don’t like to be grabbed.”

“I wasn’t grabbing you, honey. I mean, not with any evil intent. I just wanted to talk.”

“Yeah, I know.” Her shoulders were so taut, she looked ready to snap.

Simon struggled to find the right words. “I only wanted to ask you why you had the change of heart.”

Expression pained, she nodded. “Yeah. I know.”

With her so spooked, there didn’t seem to be any reason to beat around the bush. He might not have known Dakota that long, but he knew genuine fear when he saw it.

Simon put his hands on his hips. “Your husband abused you, didn’t he?”

Her eyes narrowed and her mouth firmed in mulish denial.

Too many things were coming together for Simon to relent. “He hurt you, and that’s why you took self-defense.” He eased one small step closer to her. “What happened tonight, the push down the stairs and being here alone with me, brought it all back.”

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