Read Online Awakened (Intimate Relations) by Kate Douglas - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kate Douglas
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“If he’s as good as his gong, this will be a successful visit.”
Marc barely bit back a snort as the door beside the desk opened.
The middle-aged Asian man stepped into the room and focused on Mandy first. “Mandy! I had no idea you were the one Mr. Reed mentioned. Welcome. And you must be Mr. Reed. I’m Alden Chung. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He shook hands with Marc and smiled at Mandy.
“Now, before we begin, what happened to the coffee shop? I went by this morning as I always do and it’s closed. Will it be open tomorrow?”
“I’m afraid not.” When his shoulders slumped, Mandy could only shrug. “I went to work yesterday and the boss was there ahead of me. She gave me a final paycheck and essentially told me not to let the door hit me on the ass on my way out. Said the new store near Union Square is doing so well that she decided to close this one. No warning, nothing.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not a good way to end an employer-employee relationship. It’s sad the way this old neighborhood is changing. I’m going to miss the shop. I’ll miss you, too, Mandy. You have always been a bright spot in my morning. I wish you luck in finding a new position.”
He smiled and turned to focus on Marc. “Now,” he said, with a quick glance at Mandy, “Mr. Reed asked that you be present during our session. I need to be certain you’re all right with that. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable should anything highly personal come to light. Will you be able to sit quietly and listen without judgment, not participating unless you are specifically requested to do so?”
She glanced at Marc. “Are you okay with me hearing anything you might say, Marc? Is that all right?”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “There’s nothing you don’t know already, and we both want to find out what I might know. I have no secrets from you, Mandy. Nor do I want to keep any.”
Mandy smiled. “Looks like we’re good to go, Dr. Chung.”
“Excellent. And, in case I didn’t explain my credentials when you called, I’m a licensed psychologist as well as a board-certified hypnotherapist.”
Marc leaned close to Mandy and, in a stage whisper said, “I think that means he knows what he’s doing.”
Dr. Chung laughed. “One can only hope.” Then he opened the door and waved them both into a small but beautifully furnished office. Forest green walls with natural wood trim, dark brown leather furniture—a couch, a recliner, and a matching office chair on wheels in front of the therapist’s desk—set off by a large turquoise ceramic pot of live bamboo growing beneath a light in one corner. Shades darkened the one large window in the room. There were a few framed diplomas and certificates on one wall along with a photo of Dr. Chung with people Mandy figured must be his family—an attractive woman and two teenaged children.
Everything about the office was aesthetically pleasing, designed to put a person at ease. Mandy glanced at Marc. He looked outwardly calm, but she sensed the tension seething just beneath the surface. It was time to get him parked and on to business.
She’d quickly learned that Marcus Reed wasn’t a man who waited patiently for much of anything, which was why it had bothered her so much that he appeared to have limitless patience while waiting to show any interest in her. Now that she knew why he’d hesitated, Mandy realized she loved him even more. He’d been protecting her. Misguided, as far as she was concerned, but it had to mean he really did care for her.
Dr. Chung stood beside his desk. “Mr. Reed. Would you prefer to lie down on the sofa, sit in a recliner, or possibly sit on the sofa with Ms. Monroe beside you?”
“Sofa.” Marc flashed her a nervous smile and tugged her hand. She’d never really seen him act nervous before. She squeezed his hand. He smiled, more relaxed this time, and squeezed hers and they both sat.
“Excellent.” Chung took the office chair and
Marc barely bit back a snort as the door beside the desk opened.
The middle-aged Asian man stepped into the room and focused on Mandy first. “Mandy! I had no idea you were the one Mr. Reed mentioned. Welcome. And you must be Mr. Reed. I’m Alden Chung. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He shook hands with Marc and smiled at Mandy.
“Now, before we begin, what happened to the coffee shop? I went by this morning as I always do and it’s closed. Will it be open tomorrow?”
“I’m afraid not.” When his shoulders slumped, Mandy could only shrug. “I went to work yesterday and the boss was there ahead of me. She gave me a final paycheck and essentially told me not to let the door hit me on the ass on my way out. Said the new store near Union Square is doing so well that she decided to close this one. No warning, nothing.”
“I’m sorry. That’s not a good way to end an employer-employee relationship. It’s sad the way this old neighborhood is changing. I’m going to miss the shop. I’ll miss you, too, Mandy. You have always been a bright spot in my morning. I wish you luck in finding a new position.”
He smiled and turned to focus on Marc. “Now,” he said, with a quick glance at Mandy, “Mr. Reed asked that you be present during our session. I need to be certain you’re all right with that. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable should anything highly personal come to light. Will you be able to sit quietly and listen without judgment, not participating unless you are specifically requested to do so?”
She glanced at Marc. “Are you okay with me hearing anything you might say, Marc? Is that all right?”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “There’s nothing you don’t know already, and we both want to find out what I might know. I have no secrets from you, Mandy. Nor do I want to keep any.”
Mandy smiled. “Looks like we’re good to go, Dr. Chung.”
“Excellent. And, in case I didn’t explain my credentials when you called, I’m a licensed psychologist as well as a board-certified hypnotherapist.”
Marc leaned close to Mandy and, in a stage whisper said, “I think that means he knows what he’s doing.”
Dr. Chung laughed. “One can only hope.” Then he opened the door and waved them both into a small but beautifully furnished office. Forest green walls with natural wood trim, dark brown leather furniture—a couch, a recliner, and a matching office chair on wheels in front of the therapist’s desk—set off by a large turquoise ceramic pot of live bamboo growing beneath a light in one corner. Shades darkened the one large window in the room. There were a few framed diplomas and certificates on one wall along with a photo of Dr. Chung with people Mandy figured must be his family—an attractive woman and two teenaged children.
Everything about the office was aesthetically pleasing, designed to put a person at ease. Mandy glanced at Marc. He looked outwardly calm, but she sensed the tension seething just beneath the surface. It was time to get him parked and on to business.
She’d quickly learned that Marcus Reed wasn’t a man who waited patiently for much of anything, which was why it had bothered her so much that he appeared to have limitless patience while waiting to show any interest in her. Now that she knew why he’d hesitated, Mandy realized she loved him even more. He’d been protecting her. Misguided, as far as she was concerned, but it had to mean he really did care for her.
Dr. Chung stood beside his desk. “Mr. Reed. Would you prefer to lie down on the sofa, sit in a recliner, or possibly sit on the sofa with Ms. Monroe beside you?”
“Sofa.” Marc flashed her a nervous smile and tugged her hand. She’d never really seen him act nervous before. She squeezed his hand. He smiled, more relaxed this time, and squeezed hers and they both sat.
“Excellent.” Chung took the office chair and
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