Shameless (The Therapist #2), стр. 44
“I agree,” Tessa says, smiling as her mouth speaks the words. “Well, now that it’s all said and done, I think I’m ready for whatever life throws my way. Sex, commitment, whatever. I’ve given absolutely zero thought to replacing Brandon, but I’m feeling open. If Judy Milton is able to stay out of my business, I think I’ll enjoy playing the field until I find someone special.”
“None of the men you spent time with this week will hit the jackpot, huh?” I ask playfully.
“Nah,” Tessa says. “Will was definitely good last night at the clinic, but I’m pretty sure my mother scared him off. Not to mention he was only on a break from his girlfriend. He’s probably stressed enough trying to keep her from finding out what we did.”
“So, you're just doing you,” I state. “No need to dive any deeper than that. Just do you, and whatever happens, happens. Your focus from here on out should be on whatever makes you happy. Combine that with what you told me about the importance of lust in a relationship, and I think sooner or later you're going to find yourself very happy.”
Tessa smiles her fullest smile of the evening as she looks at me. “I like the sound of that. Thank you, Dr. Colson.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
~ Malcolm ~
Ava: I miss you.
Ava: Do you miss me?
Ava: Malcolm
Ava: How is work going today?
Ava: I wish I could see you
Ava: You’d answer me if you knew what I was doing to my pussy right now. If I keep it up, I’ll come all over my phone. You know I can make such a mess.
Ava: I’m much messier with you, though.
Ava: Malcolm.
Looking at my phone after Tessa leaves, I’m shocked by what I see. My phone vibrated so much, I didn't even realize how many times it had been. Jesus Christ, what has gotten into this woman?
I finish cleaning up the area where my patients sit by spraying Lysol all over the couch and pillow. It’s a disinfectant, to make sure no one ends up getting sick from having a session with me.
Once the couch is wiped down, I walk back over to my desk, setting my phone on the wood top and taking a seat in my chair. I click my computer and go to Tessa Milton’s file, where I input notes from today’s session. This won't be our last time seeing each other, but after the tremendous amount of progress Tessa made over the past few sessions, I think our time together is starting to wind down. She’s on track to be happier than most people who sit on my couch, so unless she wants to continue therapy even after she's in a relationship, we’ll be done soon.
After entering my notes for Tessa, I press the button on the intercom to reach out to Keisha, who hasn't left yet. I assume she's finishing up her own notes for the day.
“Hey, Keisha, you still out there?” I ask, just as my phone buzzes again. Of course it’s Ava.
Ava: Malcolm, I want to see you. When can I?
“Yes, I’m here, Dr. Colson,” Keisha replies. My eyes stay glued to the message from Ava. “Just finishing up. Do you have anything else for me tonight?”
“No, you're good. Have a good night,” I reply. “And Keisha, thanks for everything you do. I appreciate you.”
“It’s my pleasure, Dr. Colson,” Keisha answers. “Have a good night.”
Once I know Keisha is gone, I pick my phone up off the table and call Ava. While it rings, I put the phone on speaker and set it down on the desk, leaning back in my chair, trying my best to relax.
“I missed you,” Ava says the second she's on the phone. “Can I meet you at the Black House?”
Thoughts of the Black House race around my head like NASCAR drivers, and my cock instantly stiffens. It’s been a while since I’ve had her down there, and I want it. If only Ava wasn't so… Ava. I lick my lips and force the images of the Black House to the back of my mind.
“No,” I answer firmly. “I’ve had a long day, and I’m not in the mood for company tonight, Ava.”
There's only silence on the other end of the phone.
“And you can't text me like that when I’m seeing a patient,” I go on. “It makes me look very unprofessional. You know the rules.”
“Yes, I know the rules,” Ava finally says. “But I miss you, and you've been avoiding me, Malcolm. I can tell. I don't like being avoided.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind right now, so I’m taking the time to get myself together—to figure some things out. All right?”
Silence again.
“Stay patient, Ava,” I tell her, although I know this is misleading. Telling Ava to stay patient implies we'll be back to normal soon, but the more I think about it, the less likely that’s true.
“Okay,” Ava responds, but her voice is different. It’s deeper. More alarming.
“Thank you, I’ll talk to you again soon. Have a good night.”
Ava doesn't respond before she ends the call.
As Ava’s former therapist, I know so much about her and her mentality, I can't help but feel nervous about the way she acts sometimes. She’s a gorgeous woman, and I love her sexuality, but I know she needs continuous therapy from a psychologist, not a sex therapist. She needs to talk to someone who can help her with the things that run around in her head, and I can't do that. I’m not qualified to…
My thoughts are interrupted by another text notification on my phone. At first, I’m annoyed that Ava is still texting after I just told her to be patient. However, when I look at the phone, I see that it’s not a text message. It’s a photo—a photo of Ava’s bare pussy.
I gasp at the sight of it, because I’ve been struggling to keep myself away from her, and