Hush by Micalea Smeltzer Read Free Book Online

but I knew he really only wanted to see who was waiting for me. Quite honestly I did too.
    I stopped when I reached the little seating area off the side of the break room.
    “Siva,” I gasped and he grinned like a little boy.
    Franca gasped from behind me. “Is that Siva Kapur?” she asked in an exaggerated stage whisper.
    I turned to glare at her. When I turned back Siva’s grin was only broader.
    Mac gave me a reproachful look and stormed away.
    “Hi,” I smiled at him going to his side. “What are you doing here?”
    “I thought we could do lunch?” he asked and for a moment he looked unsure of my answer.
    “That would be lovely,” I said , color flooding my cheeks.
    He smiled. “Good.”
    I followed him out into the cool spring air. The Porsche was parked on the street.
    Siva held the passenger door open for me and I slid in. He climbed in the driver’s side and pulled out into the traffic. I assumed he would be heading to one of the many restaurants in the area but instead he avoided all of them.
    He finally came to a stop next to a park. He turned to me and grinned.
    “I thought we could have a picnic.”
    “That sounds wonderful,” I said.
    He got out of the car, grabbed a green and blue plaid blanket, and a bag of food. I followed him through the park’s entrance while he looked for the perfect spot.
    After a few minutes he veered off the path, into the green grass, laid out the plaid blanket and plopped down. I joined h im, tucking my knees under me. My s kirt road up a bit, exposing a bit more leg than I was comfortable with, I promptly pulled it down but not before Siva got an eye full.
    I blushed from my neck up.
    Siva turned away as if he too was embarrassed and began pulling out containers of food.
    “I hope you like Thai?” he asked hesitantly.
    “I love it,” I said opening a container and inhaling the aroma.
    He opened a couple more containers and handed me a plastic fork and a bottle of water.
    He leaned back, his legs stretched out and crossed over each other, and asked, “How has your morning been?”
    “The usual,” I shrugged.
    “You don’t sound pleased,” he commented in a quiet, subdued, voice.
    I chuckled. “I want to be a serious writer not a g ossip columnist.”
    “Then why don’t you?” he asked taking a bite of noodles. One sat on his lips and my fingers itched to reach out and grab it.
    I sighed. “I have to be able to pay the bills.”
    “You should still try and live your dream,” he said softly.
    “Maybe one day,” I said and looked out at the par k. A couple walked their dog. Some kids squealed in delight as their father chased them around. So many lives intertwined and yet we were all so separate stuck in our own little bubbles.
    “I… I could help you,” he said so softly I wasn’t sure I had heard him.
    I glanced at Siva and saw that he was awaiting an answer.
    “Siva,” I began. “I don’t think so. I can do this on my own.”
    “I have connections,” he said.
    “I know,” I said. “That’s the problem.”
    Siva laughed. “Sloane, I wouldn’t bribe someone to get you a job. But I could set up an interview and if you got the job it would all be on you,” he shrugged nonchalantly.
    “I’ll think about it,” I said with a small smile and a quirk of my brow.
    Satisfied he sat back. He took a sip of water and smiled to himself clearly pleased with my non-answer.
    “So, Siva,” I said. “Tell me about yourself.”
    He laughed harshly. “I don’t talk about myself.”
    He promptly pulled out a cigarette stuck it between his lips and lit it. I reached over and snagged it from between his lips and put it out.
    I pointed my index finger at him. “You will not suck on this death stick in my presence,” I huffed.
    His violet eyes flashed black and I feared his dark mood would rear its ugly head but he surprised me by laughing. His booming laugh echoed off the bright green trees.
    “Got it,” he chuckled. “No smoking in front of