Free Chance Encounter by Christy Reece Page B

talk about these items. They’re everyday, ordinary things that can be used to protect yourself in a pinch.”
    He said nothing more about the gun, and she knew it was because it was already a foregone conclusion. He wasn’t going to argue or belabor a point he believed had already been settled.
    How did she feel about someone coming in and taking control like that? Her independent I know what’s best for me spirit was flashing a big stop sign. But surprisingly, another sign was coming along right after it: proceed with caution .  
    She liked that he didn’t push her or snap at her to hurry up. He just gave her time to come to terms with his statements. She took a deep breath. Okay, proceed with caution had taken over.  
    Kacie sat on the sofa.  
    Brennan was surprised at her acquiescence. He had expected an argument. Though he could see she wasn’t totally onboard about owning a gun or learning how to use one, he admired her willingness to consider. She didn’t seem to be an impulsive person, in speech or action. He’d noticed she sometimes paused a second or two before responding to a question. Had this carefulness to react always been a part of her personality? He had a strong feeling that it hadn’t. She had learned the hard way that impulsive behavior could lead to disastrous results.
    She picked up a steel-toothed comb and grinned. “Okay, so I’ll mesmerize my opponent by combing my long, golden locks and then go in for the kill.”
    He couldn’t resist looking at those long, golden locks. She had gorgeous, silky-looking hair that fell well past her shoulders in thick waves. He gave himself a mental shake. Hell, maybe she was right about being able to mesmerize her opponent.
    “Not exactly but almost.”
    “What do you mean?”
    He took her fingers and pressed them against the steel edges of the teeth. “Feel how sharp these are? You could do some damage to a guy’s face or throat.” He took the comb from her and lightly ran it down his face and across his neck. “Enough for you to get away.”
    She shivered slightly, and he saw that her amusement had been swallowed by memories. She was remembering her abduction.
    “Stay with me, Kacie. That was then…this is now.”
    She nodded. “Okay. So…what else?” She reached down and picked up a small curling iron. “I’m seeing a theme here.”
    “You may not carry a purse large enough for that, but if you do, it could do some serious damage to an eye or a throat. Even a groin, if you’ve got a good angle.”
    “I’ve got a couple of good-sized purses I can start using.”
    He nodded. “My wife had a closet full, some of them as large as my suitcase.”
    “Your wife?”
    Hell, when was the last time he’d mentioned Vanessa in such a casual way? There was something about Kacie Dane that made him let his guard down. He didn’t like the feeling.
    “Former wife. Remember…she’s dead.”
    Cold, harsh words, but he couldn’t have said them any differently. He had learned to forgive Vanessa her infidelity, knowing a good part of that had been his fault. He’d been a self-absorbed asshole, and she’d turned to someone else to get what she needed. He hadn’t and didn’t believe he could ever forgive her for the other, though. She had ended up taking the easy way out. Even though he’d hated her for what she’d done to their son, he also despised the way she’d handled the aftermath.  
    Bottom line, they’d both been selfish morons who hadn’t appreciated the gift of their son. Cody had paid the ultimate price for his parents’ lack of strength and character.
    “I’m sorry.”
    He gave a nod of acknowledgment for her sympathy and then went on to explain the other items on the table. A pen in the eye or throat. Small can of aerosol hair spray to temporarily blind an attacker. Manicure scissors and a nail file to stab.
    He held up the hair spray. “Spray this in a guy’s face, and he won’t be seeing anything until he can wash his