Chapter 4

Chapter Four

ROURK

"T ell me why you're angry." I lean back in my seat to appear casual, but ever since I saw Karmen this morning, I've been on edge.

She was on the phone when I walked in, and as soon as she saw me, she slammed it down and walked away. Maybe I've gotten used to her teasing and filthy mouth, but seeing her glare at me with hate cut deep.

You don't have to be a psychiatrist to know that the feelings I'm attaching to her are problematic. But now I need to know who hurt her so I can fix it.

"What's the point?" She's wearing her hospital issued scrubs today: top and bottom. But it's the way she's sitting that bothers me. Her arms are crossed tightly over her chest protectively, and her legs are up in her chair like she's trying to appear smaller.

"Karmen," I say softly, and finally she looks at me. "If you tell me what happened I can help. I can call?—"

"My mother?" She huffs and then rolls her eyes. "No thanks."

"I was going to say I can call the nurses' station and have them check the cameras if someone hurt you."

"What's the saying? The call's coming from inside the house. I think that's the right way to use it here." She still won't look at me.

My brows furrow as I click on my computer and look over her chart. The phone call she had this morning was with her mother. Then I see an amendment made by Nurse Olivia earlier. As of this morning, her mother's status was changed to no contact.

"Did your mother tell you she was going no contact?"

"I suppose that's a nice way of putting it, but yes. Now that you've ratted me out, she's told me when I'm released I have to find a new place to live. I'm on my own from now on." Her jaw clenches, and I have to grip the arms of the chair so I don't go to her.

"Ratted you out?" I shake my head, but she's already letting out a bitter laugh.

"Why else would she all of a sudden want to cut me out of her life?" Her eyes are so angry, but there's something else in them that looks like hurt. "She said she spoke to you this morning."

"Karmen," I say gently. "I haven't spoken to your mother since the day you were admitted."

Her mouth opens to say something, but then she closes it. Her eyes meet mine, and she's searching them. It's like she's weighing her options on whether or not to believe me.

I click on the computer again and scroll through her chart. It's not until I click on the patient history tab that I see where someone has updated it. Olivia transcribed a call she had with Karmen's mother earlier this morning. As I scan through the conversation, I can feel my chest tighten.

Karmen's mother is a fucking cunt.

"She said that she spoke to someone here and that I wasn't doing what I was supposed to." There's less conviction in her tone this time, and she uncrosses her arms.

"Your mother called this morning, but I've read the transcription of the phone call. She asked that you be medicated, and my orders were to refuse."

"What?" Now her anger has turned to confusion.

"She named several drugs that she wanted prescribed to you before she would consent to bringing you home." I won't tell Karmen exactly what she said because no child should have to hear that.

She wanted to make sure that if her daughter was released that she could stay drugged up and unable to bother her. Or that if she sent her away to college they could use the medication to keep her complaisant. Olivia explained to her that Karmen was still in the assessment stage of her treatment plan. Then she told her that if Karmen was released, she was over the age of eighteen and could refuse. That's when Karmen's mother had herself changed to no contact.

"You thought I told your mother about our…" I hesitate and then look into her eyes. "Sessions?"

Karmen's cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink, and she nods.

"Whatever happens in this room is private." I place my elbows on my desk and then steeple my hands in front of me. I run my finger along my bottom lip and try to remind myself that this is so very, very wrong. "I won't tell anyone."

"This is our secret?" she asks, and I nod.

"Can you keep our secret?" The desk between us is the only barrier I have, and I wish I could break it in half.

"Yes, Doctor." Her voice is silky as she uncrosses her legs and puts her feet on the floor. "I'd like your help with something." Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she leans back in the leather chair.

My jaw clenches when I see her untie the waist of her scrubs. "What is it?"

Her fingers trail over her perfect skin before they slide into the front of her panties. "Can you help me cum?"