Free Open Wounds (Damaged Souls Book 2) by Twyla Turner

hand to help Sloan up. He grunted and moaned as he got up, milking it for all it was worth. Lexi raised a brow at his antics.
    “Alright, alright. Enough with the theatrics. I didn’t mean to hit you so hard, ya big baby.” Lexi scolded playfully, as he scowled back at her.
    Sloan took a deep fortifying breath before continuing. “Okay. The next thing we’re going to work on is the throat grab.” The instant the words were out of his mouth, Sloan could see that that Lexi had experienced that particular brand of punishment, firsthand. It was almost as if the color had drained from her face. “This happened to you before? He choked you?” Sloan asked, and she just nodded in response. “So then, this next move is going to be extra important to you.
    “Self-defense instructors often try to teach women certain maneuvers to break a chokehold. But I’m here to tell you…they don’t work. And they won’t work for you. The minute you try to break the hold is the minute they will just start squeezing harder. The key is to inflict pain and stun, long enough for him to let you go so you can get away.” Sloan explained logically.
    “Okay. Don’t try to break chokehold. Won’t work. Pain and stun. Got it.” Lexi listed off.
    “Now, I want you to pretend to choke me and I’ll show you what to do,” Sloan instructed.
    Lexi took both hands and tried her wrap them around his fairly thick neck. He smiled down at her in encouragement.
    “Obviously, you don’t want to get in this position and that’s what the neck slap is for. If you can do that before they can get you in this hold, fantastic. But if they do get you in this situation, I want you to pull back both of your hands. And then with all your might, I want you to smash them, palms out into his face.” Sloan demonstrated the move in slow motion, lightly touching her face with both palms. “It will literally be the last thing he will be expecting. And more than likely, he’ll lose his hold on you. Then you run like the fires of hell are on your tail.”
    “Understood.” Lexi nodded her head once sharply.
    “Okay, do you think you can handle me grasping your neck while you practice the move?” Sloan asked gingerly.
    Lexi took a deep breath, blowing it out quickly. “Yeah. I’m good.” She said as she looked Sloan in the eyes, trying her best to remember that he was her gentle lover, not her abusive ex.
    Slowly he raised his hands to her neck, not wanting to make any sudden movements, in case she freaked out. Lightly he wrapped his fingers and thumbs around her throat. They both breathed in deeply.
    “Are you okay?” Sloan asked thoughtfully.
    “Yep. All good.” Lexi answered, shakily.
    “Alright. Now bring back your hands, and then bring them forward, palms open. Hitting as much of my face as you can. Just go easy on me this first time, alright?” Sloan grinned.
    Lexi pulled back her hands like he instructed and pushed forward, gently smacking the majority of his face. Sloan released her neck and took a few steps back. He nodded his head, letting her know that he was going to advance again.
    “Harder this time,” Sloan informed her, before stepping towards her.
    Once again, he gently wrapped his hands around her neck, and this time when she struck, it was enough to make a smacking sound. But just the little force that she did exerted was enough for him to instantly drop his hands, and turn his face.
    Blinking rapidly, Sloan shook his head quickly, to clear his sting. “Well, that stung a little. Now if you smack with all your strength, you’ll be guaranteed a window to get away.” Sloan reassured her. “Now for the next type of attack. And probably the most commonly used. The attack from behind.” Sloan said as he turned her around by her shoulders. “I think men like to use this move because they can move you from point A to point B, easily. Now, you’ll only have a few seconds to get him to release you before he takes you to a spot or place