Berzerker, page 4
part #1 of Twirled World Ink Series
“I love your mom. She’s amazing. Okay, as much as I would love to talk to you all night I should try to sleep. I have an early meeting.”
He didn’t want to admit how disappointed he was to have to end the call. “I have to get back home. This couch is not comfortable enough to sleep on.”
“Be careful going home. Give Herc scratches for me.”
“I will. Good night, Landon.”
“Night, Zerk. I’ll let you know when I’m heading back.”
They said goodbye and disconnected the call. He let his head fall back onto the couch and stared up at the ceiling Lucky upholstered with some Saris his mother brought home from India last year. The dim light of the lamps made the tiny mirrors on the fabric flicker like stars.
He missed Landon being around. Travel was a big part of his job but usually he wasn’t away for more than a week.
Landon popped into the shop almost every day. They’d sit around and bullshit mostly with Landon on his lap. Awkwardness never played a part in how he interacted with Landon. He’d had times where jealousy of other men took him by surprise.
Closing his eyes, he pulled up the image of Landon naked in the kitchen the day before he’d left. Landon confidently stood leaned back against the counter. His pale, freckled skin stretched over lean muscle. His stomach was flat, not concaved or ripped, it looked soft to the touch and he’d wanted to fall to his knees to press a kiss there. He longed to stroke every inch of Landon with his hands and tongue. What he wanted more was to see his marks all over the perfect body.
He’d studied Landon for the longest time until he realized Landon had his eyes closed and whatever he was thinking about was hardening his beautiful, slender cock. He’d taken several steps towards Landon before he caught himself and cursed his hard-on drawing Landon’s attention.
Zerk pushed his hand to his dick and squeezed as he thought of bending that lithe body over the nearest surface.
“Dude, no beating it on our couch. Get a fucking room.”
He groaned as Lucky’s voice sounded in his ear close enough his breath fanned his ear. “Goddammit, man, quit sneaking up on people.”
“Get your ass home so you can take care of little Zerk in private. I don’t need to see that shit. Nasty bastard.” Lucky’s stomped away and Zerk rolled to his feet.
“Herc, time to go home.”
Nails clicked on wood floors as his dog appeared and headed straight for the door. He pocketed his phone and walked to the door, he opened it and stepped outside. For all the bad ass attitude and appearance, Zerk was scared shitless of Landon’s rejection. He locked and closed the door behind him as he followed Herc to his truck. The huge dog jumped up into the bed and settled down for the ride.
He wanted Landon, but fuck if he knew how he was going to get him. Mr. Smooth he wasn’t. Maybe Landon didn’t want the smooth sophisticated type, just maybe Landon had a thing for husky, tattooed and bearded bears. He could hope, but he sure as fuck needed to grow a set. Zerk just wondered if he could do it in the short time he had before Landon returned. He doubted it.
6 Loving the Future In-Laws
Landon bounced with his arms wrapped around Zerk’s as he waited outside the gate for the man’s parents to appear. He considered it fate that they arrived the same day he did. When he found out he offered to bring them back to the house, but Zerk wanted to be there to meet them.
“You’re more excited than I am.”
Zerk’s amusement evident in his gruff voice.
“I haven’t seen them in months, not since we went for Thanksgiving.”
He hadn’t thought it odd at all to go to Texas for a holiday, but he’d heard rumors that Ron was furious. Zerk’s ex hadn’t wanted to go. He wasn’t going to feel guilty for it and he didn’t care if that made him seem like an asshole, he’d known the Andersons longer.
Besides he was and is extremely jealous. Jealousy wasn’t an emotion he was used to and the men he’d dated on some level knew nothing would come of their relationships. He was only twenty-eight it wasn’t like he was on a timetable to settle down, but if he was honest with himself the only man he could see as permanent was Zerk.
“How much coffee did you have on the plane?”
“Their coffee sucked,” Landon whined. “But I hit the cafe as soon as I got off the plane for espresso.”
“I’m so glad I’m not riding with you.”
“Hey now, I’m an absolutely safe driver.”
“Brian,” Gladys’ smooth, Texas twang rose above the loudness of the busy terminal.
She waved and Roy came up behind her, his ever-present cowboy hat firmly held in his left hand. Roy’s gunmetal silver hair shimmered under the terminal lights. He was an older, more rugged version of Zerk.
“Oh, look at my gorgeous boy.”
Landon almost lost it when Gladys threw her arms around him instead of Zerk. He hugged her tight ignoring the side-eyed glare he was getting from Zerk. Roy chuckled as he drew Zerk into a tight hug.
“Gladys, you’re even more beautiful than last time I saw you.”
“Kiss ass,” Zerk grumbled.
“Don’t be jealous. Green isn’t a good color on you.”
Gladys pulled back and cupped his cheeks, Landon let her look him over.
“I think you get even more handsome every time I look at you.” She turned her gaze towards Zerk. “When are you making an honest man of him? You can’t do any better, especially not looking as grungy as you do. When is the last time you trimmed that rat’s nest of a beard?”
“My dog likes him more than me, now my mother has pushed me to the side and insulted my beard.”
“Son, she’ll fuss over you too, just give her a minute.”
“You’re so pouting. Landon said you have a habit of that.”
Landon snorted as Gladys released him and stepped towards Zerk. Gladys was a little more than a foot shorter than Zerk and the big man leaned down to give her a hug, then lifted her off her feet.
“You’re looking tired, Brian.”
“Got up earlier than I’m used to as you know I’m not on ranch hours anymore.”
“You were always a night owl. Now, put me down,” Gladys scolded Zerk.
“Have you shrunk?”
“I’ll have you know I’m the same height as I’ve always been.”
“I think you’re fibbing.”
She huffed and stepped back, smoothing her pretty sundress.
“Where’s my hug,” Roy spun Landon into a tight, manly hug.
Landon grunted as Roy attempted to break his ribs. “Hey, I’m not as muscle-bound as your son, don’t damage the merchandise.”
Roy laughed loudly and eased the hug before breaking it completely. “You going on a trip?” The older man nodded towards the luggage.
“I got off the plane an hour ago from a business trip and I decided to wait around with Zerk.”
“Are we staying at your place with Ron or do we need to get a hotel room?”
He did a double take at Zerk, he couldn’t believe Zerk hadn’t told his mother about the breakup. This conversation wasn’t going to be fun. Gladys’s favorite subject was her son’s inability to commit to one man. He knew Gladys wasn’t a fan of Ron. She’d confessed in one of their calls she didn’t like Ron. Being the friend he was he’d tried to give Zerk support for the choice he’d made.
“Oh, Ma, Ron and I broke up.”
“And why wasn’t I told?”
“It never came up. It didn’t end that great and I’ve been getting used to being single again.”
“You’re being safe, right?”
Landon rolled his lips between his teeth before he let out a loud guffaw at the horrified look on Zerk’s face. He’d heard the stories of Gladys giving her son the sex talk. She’d hit up every site on gay sex for her research. He’d nearly pissed himself when Roy told of what he’d overheard.
“I’m not dating anyone.”
“I’ve been around roughnecks and ranch hands all my life, I know how men are, so quit acting so scandalized. Gay, straight, bi, whatever men are men. You always think with your—”
“And we’re changing the subject,” Zerk threw up his hands to stop whatever Gladys was going to say.
Landon loved the woman. “You’re staying in my guest room while you’re here.”
“Oh, honey, we don’t want to impose.”
“Your big hairy bear of a son is taking up my second guest room.”
Gladys’ head swiveled so fast to aim a piercing glance at Zerk. “You’re living with Landon?”
“I’m renting his guest room.”
“Is there anything else that you’d like to tell us?”
“Why don’t we get your luggage and get on the road. I promise to fill you in on the way.”
“You better.”
“Yea, we better go, our furry son is probably depressed at being left alone.” Landon grabbed the extended handle on his bag and turned on his toe. “I can’t believe you left him at the house by himself.”
“I took him to Twirled House.”
“That’s even worse, Lucky encourages bad habits.”
He ignored Zerk as he huffed and headed towards baggage claim.
“Are you sure you two aren’t dating, son,” Roy asked.
Landon could imagine Zerk’s expression at the question. If it were up to him Zerk would be his shortly, yet he had to figure out how to get the guy to see him as more than good old Landon. They were going to have a nice visit with Zerk’s parents and then he’d stake his claim. He just needed to be patient a bit longer.
# # #
A big, heavy head laid on his chest and he scratched behind Herc’s ears. He’d stopped by to pick up Herc while Zerk drove his parents straight home. Right now, Zerk was in the kitchen banging pans and cursing in the kitchen. Grumpy bastard, Landon grinned to himself.
Gladys and Roy were settling into their room. He lifted his head as he heard soft footsteps.
“How’s our grandpup,” Gladys asked as she stared at him from the other side of the couch.
“According to Zerk, I’ve spoiled him rotten since they moved in.”
“Of course you have, but he’d already ruined him long ago.”
She walked around the couch and took a seat. Landon smiled as she curled her legs beneath her, rested her arm on the armrest, and cradled her cheek in her hand.
“But he likes to blame me.”
“Can we talk about something, Landon?”
“Of course,” Landon nudged Herc aside and set up.
“We wanted to thank you for what you did for Brian. Letting him move in here and all that.”
“That’s no hardship, I love having Zerk here, but to be honest the only reason I let him move in was to get Herc.”
He joked, but he could see in her blue eyes with the deep lines at the corners she didn’t believe him. Was it possible he hadn’t hidden his interest as well as he’d thought? Shit, did Zerk know, that would be embarrassing.
“Devious.”
“I thought so. Where’s Roy? He napping?”
“My husband doesn’t know what a nap is. He went to help Zerk with dinner. I see you’ve domesticated him.”
“He’s amazing in the kitchen. The only thing I can succeed at is not getting food poisoning.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.”
“It’s very true, Peaches thought teaching me to cook was a good idea, but she quickly changed her mind and kicked me out of the kitchen.”
“How are Peaches and Gib,” Gladys asked.
“Good, they came back from a months’ vacation. It’s their anniversary trip. They travel a lot to conventions, but their anniversary has nothing to do with ink or work.”
“They retiring?”
He chuckled at the thought of his parents retiring any time soon. “No, I doubt either of them will ever retire. Gib’s hands are showing the signs of abuse. He lets the guys take care of all that now except for commission jobs, which usually means traveling.”
“It’s wonderful to do something you love.”
“Yea.” He loved his job, but he didn’t know if he could see himself doing it for the rest of his life like his parents were with Twirled.
“We had our doubts about what Brian planned to do with his life.”
“I’m sure Roy wanted him to take over the ranch.”
“No, my husband realized early that his life wasn’t for our only child.”
“What about passing the place down?” He knew ranches were typically passed down through families.
“When the time comes we’ll find someone to buy it, but we still have quite a few years before we have to make a decision.”
“Not holding out for grandkids?”
“Brian has been clear that he doesn’t see children in his future.”
No, the crew sat around one night and talked about kids, Zerk was clear he didn’t think being a parent was for him. Landon couldn’t see kids in his future either.
“Yea, he loves them, but he’d be great Uncle material.”
“What about you? Kids planned someday?”
“One day if I ever change my mind I’d give it serious thought, but at this point in my life I have no urge. I might get a dog.”
“You already seem to have one.”
Herc had moved until his large head rested on his thigh. “Zerk’s already pouting about me stealing his dog.”
“Lasagna is in the oven. Here,” Zerk approached and handed Gladys a tall glass of iced tea and him a beer. “And I’m not pouting.”
“You so are,” He winked at Zerk and the man snarled at him. “Aw, that was so cute.”
Roy took a seat next to his wife on the couch and Zerk plopped into his favorite recliner they’d moved in before taking the rest of his stuff to storage. It was the ugliest damn thing, bright orange with duct tape on the arms. He’d almost told Zerk to take it to the unit with the rest of his stuff.
“Quit showing off in front of my parents.”
“He’s always ruining my fun,” He made a perfect impression of Zerk’s pout.
“Lucky is your soul mate.”
“Ew, don’t be mean.”
“How are the boys,” Gladys asked.
He and Zerk filled her in on the antics of the Twirled Crew and some of the Brawler ones they’d met before. Zerk’s parents told them about the latest gossip from home. It was all rather cozy almost like they were a real couple.
Landon shifted until he leaned back against Zerk’s chair beside his legs and rested his head against the big man’s denim covered thick thigh. Long, scarred fingers worked through his hair and it was natural. He loved there wasn’t an ounce of awkwardness between them.
Then he noticed the looks Gladys and Roy sent their way, but Landon didn’t want to draw attention to it. He was enjoying the slow, gentle scalp massage. Too soon it ended when the stove timer went off signaling dinner was done. Zerk grabbed his hand and as Zerk stood he dragged Landon to his feet. He wrapped his arm around Zerk’s waist.
“Let’s have dinner, I’m sure everyone’s ready to relax,” Zerk dropped a kiss on the top of his head.
“I need to use the bathroom I’ll be right there.” He stepped to the side and headed towards his room.
Landon needed a minute to himself. He was tired, impatient and probably had Zerk’s parents speculating about a relationship that wasn’t there. Just a few more days and he could make his intentions known. He just hoped he wasn’t going to make a complete fool of himself and lose one of the best friends he’d ever had.
7 That Escalated Quickly
Zerk lifted his arms over his head and stretched until his back popped, then dropped them to his sides. It was only 9 a.m., it was too fucking early, but with the parents in town he knew they’d give him shit for sleeping until his usual noon.
He walked shirtless into the kitchen scratching his stomach. Landon stood at the counter staring at the coffee pot. His pajama bottoms and t-shirt hung on his slender frame, his hair stood up in all directions.
“I heard you coming,” Landon’s gruff and sleepy as he held up a large energy drink.
“Oh, man, come to Daddy.”
Three steps brought him to Landon and he growled as the man tried to keep the can away from him. He threw his arms around Landon and grabbed the drink.
“Your unnatural obsession with your energy drinks disturb me.”
Zerk popped the top and lifted it to his mouth, he chugged half of it with his free arm still around Landon.
“Just drink your weakling coffee and leave my choice of caffeine alone.”
As he woke fully he realized Landon was leaned back against his chest trapped between him and the counter. Landon’s body felt just right against his and it wasn’t the first time he’d noticed. Last night when he’d combed his fingers through Landon’s soft, thick waves, Landon had leaned his head against Zerk’s thigh. Landon had seemed completely content to be there.
“Where’s the parents?”
“I think they’re still in bed.”
“I got up for nothing,” Zerk whined. “I’m going back to bed.”
“Nope, you’re already up. You want to cook or take them out to brunch when they get up?”
“Let’s see what they feel like.”
He backed up until he fell back into one of the kitchen chairs. Zerk closed his eyes as he mentally debated going back to bed or just napping at the table.
“Don’t even think about it, big man.”
He opened his eyes just as Landon set across his lap and laid his head on his chest. The man cuddled against him and nuzzled his throat. Landon completely relaxed against him with a long, contented sigh.
“If I can’t fucking sleep, you sure as hell can’t.”
He brought his hand down on the curve of Landon’s perfect ass. Landon yelped and he smirked as the smaller man reached back to rub his cheek.
“It’s not my parents,” Landon pouted.
“Don’t let Mama hear you say that. Do you need another one?”
“You going to snitch me out?” Landon stuck his tongue out at him and flipped him off.
