Broken Heart 08 Must Love Lycans Read Online Free PDF Page A

had no friends, my family had disowned me, and going out into public venues, with all those people and their emotions, exhausted me. Besides, it had been snowing and winter driving in Oklahoma was no fun.
    “Kelsey?”
    “I’m sorry.” I blushed, and looked down at the desk. My gaze skittered over Damian’s paperwork. “Yes. I’m free.”
    “Excellent. Please join me in my private suite for dinner.”
    I blinked up at him. I usually took meals with the patients, not only because I craved the company, but it also gave me an opportunity to observe them. Dinner with the boss would be … nerve-racking. As far as I knew, other than Sven, no one had ever seen Jarred’s living quarters.
    “The purpose of this dinner is … what, exactly?”
    “We’ll talk about your plans for the clinic, and your innovative approaches to therapy,” he said. His expression was bland, as usual, but there was something dangerous lurking in his eyes. Did he really want to talk about the clinic? Or did he have something more carnal in mind?
    My stomach squeezed as trepidation spun coldly through me.
    That almost smile fluttered on his lips again, and then he stood up. “I’ll see you tonight, Kelsey.” He paused, tilting his head as he studied me. “Wear something nice.”
     
    After a thoroughly unsatisfying session with Mr. Danvers, I stayed in my office to write up my notes about the session. Mr. Danvers only wanted to discuss the tensile strength of feathers, and no amount of persuasion or shift in verbal tactics had swayed him to talk about another subject. I’d been tempted to use my abilities to dig through the man’s emotional detritus, but I’d forgo that route until we had a better-established relationship. I had decided not to completely stop using my gifts to help others, but I’d learned my lesson. I was very careful, and I never absorbed their emotions. Pain was a gateway—a portal to inner knowledge and true change. Humans were too stubborn to change except out of necessity.
    I put down my pen and turned to stare at the blinking cursor on my computer monitor. I really should input the notes for the session with Mr. Danvers, as well as my initial thoughts about Damian’s condition and possible treatments.
    Instead, I filed the folders in my desk, locked the drawer, and shut down my computer. It was close to end of office hours anyway. It wouldn’t hurt to peek in on the new patient and see how he was settling in. I was a tad worried that I had him released too soon, but those were more Sven’s doubts than mine. Still, I couldn’t help but think that perhaps my strong physical reaction to Damian was coloring my perceptions.
    I headed upstairs to the west wing where the patient suites were located. The other five residents were participating in a yoga class held in the ballroom, and first-day intakes were encouraged to stay in their quarters. Adjusting to new circumstances often worked best in stages. At least according to the philosophy of Jarred Dante.
    Obviously, I’d been unable to get Damian out of my thoughts. My libido wouldn’t shut up about the man’s body, and that was irksome. I needed perspective if I had any intention of helping Damian, especially since it appeared he suffered from a serious delusion.
    I’d dealt with schizophrenic patients before, and I couldn’t reconcile Damian to that diagnosis. Then again, he had amnesia, which had been confirmed by Dr. Ruthers, so who knew what manifestations would occur as his brain tried to recover memories and behaviors.
    Sven had called me to let me know that Damian had been assigned Room Ten. I took a moment of pure vanity to smooth my skirt and fluff my hair. I inhaled deeply, then let out a long, slow breath.
    I knocked on the door.
    Mari answered.
    What the—
    The moment she saw me, her eyes went wide, and her gaze slid guiltily over her shoulder before she gave me a big smile. “Doc!” she trilled.
    “What are you doing here?” I asked.
    She