Page 80 of Almost Ravaged

Mercifully, he clears his throat and shifts in his own seat, breaking the spell.

He taps at his keyboard, his attention now on his computer screen, as if he isn’t the least bit fazed by whatever just happened.

I know what I felt. I know how my body reacts when a man or a woman wants me. I know what just happened wasn’t nothing. Just like I know it has the power to complicate my life in ways I do not need right now.

I’m searching for the words to ask if he needs anything else from me when he beats me to the punch. “Anything else, Ms. Davvies?”

Yes. No. Shit.

“Actually…” I grimace. The details of the email I received last night are sensitive, and until this morning, I worried Mercer wouldn’t react well. But maybe, given the rapport we’ve established over the last few hours…

“We received an email from Tia Jones last night. She’s a junior in the class.”

He swivels his chair and gives me his full attention.

“I know Tia,” he acknowledges. “Go on.”

“Her grandmother transitioned to hospice care over the weekend, so she won’t be in class today.” I take a steadying breath and mentally remind myself that I’m just the messenger. “She may not be in class for the next few weeks, depending on how things go.”

When his face remains expressionless, anxiety floods me.

I lean forward and blurt out the rest before he can respond. “Her grandmother practically raised her. But she promised she’d try to keep up on the discussion posts until she can return—”

Mercer holds up one hand. I snap my mouth shut.

“Draft a response for me,” he instructs, nodding toward my laptop, open and sitting at the edge of his desk.

“Tia—” he starts.

I grab my computer, tap on the Notes app, and rest my fingers on the keys.

“I’m sorry to hear about the decline of your grandmother’s health. The ache of anticipatory grief is a pain like no other. I wish you comfort and peace during this difficult time.

“Please do not worry about class or about keeping up on the discussion boards. It sounds like you are exactly where you need to be. When you’re readyto return, Ms. Davvies and I will ensure you are caught up to speed. There will be no makeup work or negative consequence as a result of your absence.

“Take heart and take care. Mercer Eden.”

Emotion clogs my throat as I finish transcribing his response. I’d probably be fighting tears as well if I wasn’t so shocked by the tenderness of his reply or how willing he is to be flexible. I quickly reread the message, then copy and paste it into a reply email.

By the time I hitsend, Mercer is engrossed in the document pulled up on his computer screen.

Assuming I’ve been dismissed, I make quick work of packing my things. I’m hefting my bag onto my shoulder, ready to tell him I’ll see him in class, when he rises from his seat and stretches his arms overhead.

“Shall we head down to the lecture hall together?”

Stunned yet again, I nod woodenly and collect my water bottle and travel mug.

As I step out into the hall, a ghost of a touch grazes my lower back, the caress so light I wouldn’t have noticed it if Mercer didn’t then step around me and pull his office door closed.

“After you,” he insists, extending one arm.

Chapter twenty-nine

Mercer

The drive to Noah’s place from the faculty lot is short—just enough time for one perfectly selected song—but it always puts me in a good mood.

As I drive under the arch of the esplanade, humming along with Counting Crows, the stress of the week melts away.