Stealing Their Harley

By Amanda Perry and AJ Anders

Harley Lowell had a normal family until her father unexpectedly abandons her and her mother. With a crushed heart, she moves on with her life and focuses all of her attention on her college education.
A year later, her life is turned upside down when her missing father shows up without explanation and forces her into the protective arms of three sexy, mysterious, and incredibly infuriating men. 
Unable to leave, Harley tries her best to avoid the men, but the longer she's with them, the harder she finds it hard to keep her distance. 
What happens when Harley finds out there's more to the three men, and her own family, than she bargained for? Will it bring Harley closer to the guys or will it drive her away? And let's not forget about her best friend, Rico. He's not about to sit back and let Harley deal with her new problems alone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Perry
• Release date: Aug 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393332282

Book preview

Chapter 1

The sound of feet pounding on the pavement in a rapid rhythm, echoes all around me as I increase my pace. Late October evening air cools my heated skin, but I barely notice. Some may call me crazy for sprinting down the middle of the street after sunset, but I call it self- preservation. After all, there was someone running after me, trying his best to catch up. I increase my stride once more, trying to outrun him. I hear his own pace quicken behind me and I push harder. My heart races frantically, and beads of sweat dry as fast as they appear on my forehead thanks to the cold wind.

When I round the last corner, the house comes into view. Seeing how close my destination is sends one last burst of adrenaline through me. My knees buckle under me the instant I reach the damp grass of the front yard. The momentum pushes me forward, but I manage to catch myself with my hands before dropping down all the way and rolling onto my back. Chest burning with every breath, I savor each one while I allow my heart rate to slow.

Are you done running? His irritated tone interrupts my deep breathing exercises. I crack my eyes open to find him standing above me, hands on his hips and one dark eyebrow arched. He tries to hide the fact he’s as out of breath as me, but I notice his reddened cheeks through his olive skin and the way his chest expands rapidly as he pulls in precious air.

I roll my head from side to side. I don’t have the muscle control to do more at the moment. Never, I gasp out, still short on breath.

The front door to my house swings open, my mother stepping out with her purse in one hand and keys in the other. She falters when she catches sight of me sprawled out on the front lawn.

Her eyes bounce from me to the beast standing above me, then back again. Should I even ask?

He started it. I point to the asshat. I told him to get lost, but he wouldn’t. Kick his ass, Ma.

Mom’s eyes widen a fraction and her lips tighten. She’s attempting to hold back a smile, and she’s doing a horrible job. She turns silently to close the door, not bothering to lock it since I’ll be going inside soon, then skips down the front steps and pauses beside the two of us.

She keeps her eyes on her target the whole time, but by his easy smile he isn’t fazed. I somehow doubt you’re responsible for whatever this was. She peers down at me, her lips twitching. You should really stop torturing your friends, Harley.

I wave my hand through the air. Yeah, whatever. He loves it when I torture him.

Care to share with the class, Rico? My mom addresses my best friend instead of me. She knows he’ll give her the more accurate version of today's events. I tend to dramatize on occasion, or so I’ve been told.

Rico huffs loudly. She said she wanted to go for a quick run. I should’ve known that was a crock of sh… He cringes and shakes his head. I mean crap. Anyway, I said sure, let’s jog for a few. I was over it after about half an hour, but little miss speed racer here said she’d just go ahead without me and I could meet her here. She’s a brat. She knows I won’t just leave her sorry butt to jog alone. I had to follow her.

See, I interject, pushing myself up on my elbows. He just admitted it. I told him to go away and he wouldn’t.

He said a lot more than that, Harley, my mom points out.

I scoff and shake my head. That’s irrelevant. Let’s just focus on the fact that he never listens.

You’re so full of it, Rico barks. He nudges me playfully with the toe of his shoe. You know you sped up on purpose just to try and kill me. I could have gone into cardiac arrest and you’d have been sorry then.

Did you see that, Mom, I gasp. He kicked me. Are you going to let him get away with doing such a thing to your only child?

My mom gives me an incredulous look and rolls her eyes. Yeah, I think I’ll let that one slide. Next time, you should let Rico get to the car before you take off. At least then you can run and he can drive after you.

I’m perfectly fine running alone, I protest while grabbing Rico’s hand and using it to pull myself up into a seated position. I don’t need a babysitter.

Honey, you know Rico is just looking out for you, Mom reminds me softly. She rifles around in her purse, extracting a piece of chewing gum and offering it to Rico. He’s protective of you, especially after everything that’s happened recently. You should thank him for being such a good friend to you instead of trying to kill him.

Oh my god, I grumble and snatch the gum from her hand and pop it in my mouth before either of them can protest. You two are such drama queens.

They both shoot me looks of disbelief and I can’t help but giggle. They tell me all the time I tend to overreact and make mountains out of molehills. They might be onto something, but I’ll never admit that to them.

Whatever, I’m going inside. I roll over and use my hands to push myself to standing. My sore muscles protest and I savor the ache. I need hydration.

I’ll see you in the morning, Harley, mom calls after me. I love you.

Her words bring me to a halt at the bottom of the stairs. She knows exactly what to say to get me to relent. I spin on my heel and race straight for her. She readies herself for my assault by dropping her purse by her feet and opening her arms wide. I wrap my arms tightly around her middle and squeeze. She returns the favor.

I love you, too, Mom. After she pulls away and kisses my forehead, I drop my hold on her and step back. I promise while you’re at work I won’t have any crazy parties or whatever else college kids do these days.

She laughs loudly while bending to scoop up her purse. You never had wild parties in high school, honey. I don’t think I have to worry about you now that you’re in college.

She starts toward the dark blue SUV in the driveway while I walk backward toward the house. I could rebel at any time, Mother. It’ll be anarchy, just you watch.

I’m so worried, she mutters dryly. Rico, keep her in line.

Will do, Mrs. Lowell. He cringes when my mom shoots him a mock glare. I mean Debra.

After a quick nod of approval, Mom hops into the car and pulls out of the driveway. Rico shuffles over to stand next to me and we watch together as she drives off. You’re never going to get used to calling her by her first name, are you?

My mother would have beaten me with a broom if I ever called someone’s mom by their first name, Rico reminds me. Even with your mom’s constant permission.

The subject of Rico’s mom dampens the mood slightly as we make our way into the house. His mother passed away six months ago and it still hurts him think about her. She and my mom were best friends from high school. They raised their families together, which is how Rico and I were deemed best friends from the day I was old enough to walk.

Rico is three years older than me, but it never stopped him from allowing me to hang around. Some of his friends didn’t appreciate a little girl ruining their fun, but he simply told them if I couldn’t stay then he wouldn’t either. Eventually, they got used to me and even became good friends of mine. Everyone always assumed Rico and I would grow up and get married, have our own family, and live happily ever after. But that wasn’t our fate. Our feelings have always been, and will always be, platonic. I love him like a brother. I couldn’t imagine seeing Rico as anything but my best friend, and I know he feels the same.

He’s a great catch and no one will ever be good enough for him, in my opinion. With his jet-black hair slicked back and perfectly in place, paired with his always crisp and clean button-down shirts, he has a sharpness that most men can’t pull off. His dark eyes always hold mischief and if I didn’t know him, I’d wonder if he was trouble. In truth, he’s the most relaxed and put together guy I’ve ever met. It helps to have him around because he balances me out.

I don’t consider myself trouble, nor am I adventurous. I never party or hook up with random guys. My grades are decent and I go to my classes as I should. I’ve never even had a parking ticket. But I’m also what Mom and Rico call sassy. My tendency to rely on sarcasm and wit got me detention more than once in high school. It’s my quirk. I speak then think, not the other way around. I might have more friends and less sneers directed at me if I could shut my mouth from time to time, but I’ll never know.

You’re too quiet. Rico’s suspicious tone brings me out of my own head. What’s the matter with you?

Neither of us said anything while we changed our clothes and gathered our books to study. Rico knows me too well. He knows a quiet Harley can never be a good thing. This time, though, I’m not plotting anything devious.

Just thinking about stuff. I shrug, hoping he drops the subject.

I should know better than to hope Rico would drop anything, ever. He sinks down onto his favorite dining room chair and pushes his books to the side. I reluctantly do the same, feeling as though we won’t be studying much tonight.

Rico waits ever so patiently and folds his arms over his chest. Spill it, woman.

Oh, my god. I roll my eyes. I’m not planning anything, Rico. I really was just thinking this time.

He raises one perfect eyebrow. About?

My eyes drop to the table, unable to look at him. I use my nail to scratch at a piece of leftover pink residue on the table. Looks like Mom had been polishing her nails in the dining room again. Your mom, mainly. I know you miss her. I do, too.

Rico exhales heavily and I glance up as he deflates, dropping his arms to the table and resting his chin on them. I do miss her, all the time. He mulls over his thoughts silently, then quietly continues. I know you miss your dad too, though, Harley.

My mood sours instantly and I frantically start scrubbing at the spot. That’s different, Rico, and you know it.

Are we ever going to talk about him? he asks, not deterred by my sudden shift in mood.

I shake my head rapidly. Nope, we aren’t. As far as I’m concerned, he doesn’t exist anymore.