Cutter: A Fight or Flight Novel by Ashley Suzanne Read Free Book Online Page A

and Rian have a habit of showing up out of the blue. I’m usually alone, and they like to make sure I have company.”
    Her eyes soften, as does her posture. “I like that they take care of you. I bet they really love you.”
    “Probably. So, what are you doing that’s got you so strung out?”
    “Homework. I’ve only got three semesters of classes until I graduate, then on to grad school. I’ve got finals coming up and if I don’t get at least a ninety-five percent on every test, I can kiss goodbye to my chances of being accepted to U.K. for the master’s program.”
    “Accounting, right?”
    “Yes, sir. I know, seems super boring, but numbers, they work for me. There’s only ever going to be one right answer. There’s no guessing, no two ways to do it….You see the problem, do every step, and always, always arrive at the right answer. It’s absolute perfection.” The way she talks about her passion has me feeling rather passionate myself. Who would have thought that talk of numbers could turn me on?
    “Do you need a stress-relief break? I’m sure I can think of something to take your mind off finals, at least for a few hours.”
    “Oh, really, Mr. Greer. You think you can come all the way over here, distract me with your charm, and lure me with promises of no stress? You make a convincing argument. I may have to take you up on this.” Josette’s voice drops to a sultry tone and her eyes blaze with want.
    “Lead the way, Ms. Morelli.”
    Without hesitation, she stands and walks down the hallway to her bedroom with me quick on her heels. Before she enters the room, she turns back to me and places a hand on my chest. “Friends, right? Nothing else?”
    “Scout’s honor.” I put up my fingers to signify the Boy Scouts’ code of honor, even though I was never a Boy Scout. “The second things get too much for either of us, we’re done.”
    “Don’t go falling in love with me now, Cutter.”
    “You’ve got my word. Now, get in there.” I playfully push Josette over the threshold, walk through myself, and kick the door closed behind me. Grabbing the hem of my shirt that she’s still wearing, I rip it over her head and put my lips on her neck. “Where were we?”

Chapter 6

Cutter
    As I push Josette back toward her bed, she fumbles with the drawstring on my sweatpants. When the backs of her knees hit the mattress, she casually sits on the corner, effectively breaking our kiss. Just when I think she’s going to go at untangling the string holding my pants up, she turns around and begins gathering and organizing the books and papers spread out across the blanket.
    “That can’t wait?” I joke, pulling off my own shirt.
    “I’ve been working on this damn project all semester and if I lose track of one single thing, it all goes to shit. Calm down for a second, Rocky,” she teases right back.
    Instead of pushing the issue, I look around her room, noticing sticky notes with quotes from various people scattered on the walls.
“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” —Ralph Marston
    “If you dream it, you can do it.” —Walt Disney
    “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” —Mark Twain
    And those are just the ones on the mirror attached to her dresser, although at further glance, I can see all of them have a common theme: inspiration.
    “I’m almost done, I swear. God, this has to be the least sexy thing in the world,” she gripes as she dog-ears pages in a book, then uses a stack of papers as bookmarks in another and gathers a half dozen pens, markers, and highlighters.
    Taking a seat in the armchair near the window, I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “Actually, it’s quite sexy. There’s nothing hotter than a woman with dreams, aspirations, and ambition. You’re kinda turning me on right now, Jo.”
    “Hell, if I’d known that homework was like Viagra for you, I’d have invited you over sooner.”
    “It’s not the homework, babe. It’s