Page 42 of Almost Ravaged

So as the minutes tick by, I pace, my mind spinning.

I can’t believe Tytus walked out the way he did. Or that he so blatantly revealed our connection tomy boss.

While I wait, I shoot him a text, telling him not to stick around, that I have to meet with Professor Eden and don’t know how long I’ll be.

Ty:I’ll comein and wait

Me:No, you won’t. Please don’t make this worse than it already is.

Three little dots appear, disappear, then reappear.

Before he can formulate the response he’s clearly struggling with, I send another message.

Me:I need to handle this on my own. I’ll see you at the arena.

Without waiting for a reply, I stash my phone and smooth the front of my sweater, trying to calm my nerves.

When Professor Eden finally emerges, he turns right.

I follow.

He makes a few quick turns through the main level of the building, and damn is he quick. Then he disappears into a stairwell.

Dammit. Of course his office isn’t on this floor. This level is probably reserved for lecture halls and the computer lab I passed a moment ago.

Just outside the door to the stairwell, I stop and consider my options, coming dangerously close to panicking. When sweat gathers at my nape and a single bead rolls down the length of my spine, I drop my bag, fish out my phone once more, and take off my sweater.

The cool air on my flushed skin instantly calms my frayed nerves, giving me the wherewithal to navigate to the Holt Bolts student app and search for Professor Mercer Eden in the directory. His office number is 211, which I assume means he’s on the second floor.

I opt for the elevator instead of the stairs in hopes that in the time it takes to ascend a level, my body will have cooled a little. When the stainless-steel doors open on the second floor, I wouldn’t exactly call myself collected, but I’m certainly calmer.

I’ve got this. I won’t let him ruffle me anymore.

As I approach the office labeled 211, I draw in a fortifying breath. Then, standing tall, I knock twice on the partially open door.

“Come in.”

Professor Eden is already seated at his desk, glaring at a paper in his hand as if it has personally offended him. Given what I’ve learned about him so far, it’s a fair assumption that it has.

I press my lips together to hold back a laugh at my own corny joke, then clear my throat. “You asked to see me after class?”

He lifts his head, his dark eyes slowly taking me in, his focus ensnared on my curves for a beat too long.

The scrutiny sends a shiver through me.

A shiver that catches me by surprise.

Did he just—

He glances at the open door, then straightens and zeroes in on me, his expression once again cold. “You didn’t bring your guard dog?”

I recoil, my chest constricting with disgust.

At least Ty wasn’t around to hear it. Or Atty.

“That’s one of your students,” I remind him, miraculously keeping my tone and expression even.

I allowed the snide remarks and passive-aggressive jibes when they were aimed at me. But I refuse to stand by and let him or anyone talk shit about a boy he knows absolutely nothing about.