Page 4 of Liar For Hire (For Hire 1)

“Not exactly.”

“What makes you think you’re good for her? Here you are sneaking behind her back, following her on a date, and threatening the guy she’s out with.”

Declan laughed. “You’re mistaken. I’m not a good guy. I’m a bad guy, and that’s why I can do what I do.”

The man swore.

“You were convicted for aggravated assault.”

“I served my time.”

“Sure.” Declan shrugged. “And that’s good for you, but not for Janessa. Go home.”

He started to complain. Declan cut him off. When he tried to step around Declan, Declan blocked his path and looked him in the eyes. He knew what he allowed the man to see, and all the blood drained from his face. Stumbling, the guy turned and fled into the night.

Declan’s phone rang again, but he silenced it. At the same time he picked up Janessa’s scent. She moved toward him. He leaped backward into the shadows and stilled. Her heels clicked against the pavement.

“Declan, answer your phone. God, I can’t believe another guy has flaked on me. He ran off.” She sighed heavily, but he didn’t sense any great distress from her. “No loss, I guess. He was laying it on pretty thick. Listen, I’m going back to the office. I don’t have anything better to do. Talk to you tomorrow.”

A few moments later, she climbed into her car and pulled out of the lot. He figured she was safe for the rest of the night and headed back to his own vehi

cle. His date would be a bottle of beer and some TV because Janessa would make him pay for the crack he made earlier and for being right about the matching service setting her up with another loser. Ah well, he didn’t mind. He enjoyed the work he did and the beauty who was his partner.

Chapter 2

Janessa’s perfume teased Declan’s senses even before he entered their shared office space. On the front door was written Hughes and Waverly. He and Janessa were co-owners, friends for nearly a decade. He was normally the face of the company—except for those times the job called for a couple.

When he walked into the reception area, Monica looked up and grinned. She sprang from her seat to hurry over to him with a mug that read I’m a receptionist not a magician. “Good morning, Declan. I have your coffee right here. I was thinking, maybe we could—”

“Declan!” Janessa’s door opened, and she shouted for him.

He welcomed her good timing. “Sorry, Monica. Talk later.”

After slipping into Janessa’s office, he shut the door and leaned against it. He feasted his eyes on her delicate features, wishing he could enjoy her sweet scent like usual. Big light brown eyes, full lips, and a beautiful heart face, not to mention the body. Too bad he would never get involved with her.

What a shame.

“You bellowed?” he teased.

She rolled her eyes at him. Declan liked stirring her up. The attitude, the mouth on her, God, it turned him on. If they could have nothing else—and they couldn’t—at least he could enjoy verbally sparring with her upon occasion.

“Don’t start this morning. I’m not in the mood.” She groaned.

“Has the dating service shut its doors for lack of results?”

“You want me to hurt you.”

He chuckled.

“No, the bank called. That fool’s check bounced.”

“The date?”

“No. Will you focus? The job I told you about last night. Forget it. His check bounced. Our service is for people with cash to burn. It’s luxury, but every now and then we have people in here who need to get their life together before they start trying to hire us.”

“I thought we were hired to help them get their life together.”

“You’re still joking.”

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