Berzerker Read online

“You definitely don’t.”

  It wasn’t that bad of a story or even much of a secret.

  “No, now I’m curious.”

  “Okay, but if you tell Trouble, he’ll kill me.”

  “Oh, this has to be bad.”

  “No,” He handed plates to Zerk. “He keeps getting turned down by this guy he’s interested in.”

  “No one turns him down.”

  Zerk dished up the food and Landon took the plates to the table.

  “Beer,” Zerk asked.

  “Thanks.” Landon set the plates down on the table and took a seat. “Trouble’s been asking him out for months and gets turned down every time. He’s in a full-on pout. So, he was feeling cocky with a few extra beers in him and I told him he didn’t have a chance with the cutie. He said hundredth time would be the charm. It wasn’t, so he’s been avoiding him since. It didn’t help that he had me as an audience to his mortification.”

  “I’m sure. He’s model perfect with a touch of bad boy that men love and he never has a problem getting a date or just taking someone home for the night.”

  “I think it’s good for him. He’s become spoiled.” Life wasn’t as easy for Trouble as people assume, but again it wasn’t his place to share.

  “Yes he has.”

  “This is amazing,” Landon sighed as he stared at his plate.

  They settled in to eat and lapsed into a comfortable silence. He couldn’t help sneaking glances across the small table.

  He’d known Zerk for years and this was the first time they were ever alone. Someone was always around or it was just them in the shop, but never like this. So close he could touch Zerk without interruption, yet the time for touching hadn’t come. But fuck he wanted to. He could picture it, getting up from his chair and moving slowly around the table to place himself in Zerk’s lap. Finally get that kiss he’d fantasized about since he’d met the big man.

  If he was anything he was patient A little more time and Zerk would be his—he just needed to wait until the time was right. That is, if he didn’t die of frustration first, because Zerk never gave him the impression he saw him as anything but a friend or the boss’s son.

  3 The Crew Does Few Things Well and One of Them is Give Him Shit

  His pardon only lasted until Zerk finished with his first client of the day. That was when the crew smelled blood in the water like sharks at a fucking feeding frenzy.

  “What’s this we hear about you living with Landon,” Trouble asked, amused.

  He groaned as his four friends lined up with their arms crossed on the half wall and rested chins on their forearms. Trouble, Scary, Priest and Lucky batted their lashes at him, except Scary who just glared at him. For some reason, Scary was super protective of Landon. He figured that was because the rough man started working for Gib and Peaches a decade ago as one of the first artists at Twirled.

  “Ron—”

  “Figured he’d stop slumming and move on to bigger and better things.” Scary didn’t even pose it as a question.

  “Yea, thanks, I needed that.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Why didn’t you come back to Twirled House? We never rented out your room. Hell, we’re the only ones that can put up with each other.” Trouble stared at him until he felt the need to shift.

  “He thought we’d give him shit about the prick kicking him to the curb and finding a prettier man.” Lucky was as eloquent as always. Lucky was affectionately known as the hyper hippie. With his childhood of Radical Honesty, it was a surprise Lucky was as well-adjusted as he appeared. Which didn’t exactly say much for Lucky’s stability. Everyone wanted to kill him within the first five minutes.

  “He didn’t find a prettier man or at least I don’t think—” Now wasn’t that depressing. Was it possible that he wasn’t just dumped, but cheated on also? Fucking great, like his pride needed another direct hit.

  “How do you know,” Lucky asked.

  “You’re just a fucking ray of sunshine.”

  “I try. So why don’t you come back?”

  “I just need some space to think. It’s not a big deal. Landon’s not home much because of work, so I’ve got plenty of space.”

  “Y’all know he’s always had a thing for pretty little Landon right,” Lucky spoke up.

  Zerk could’ve knocked the mouthy bastard out. “Man, keep your bullshit to yourself. You really have to learn some things don’t need to be said.”

  “I grew up with a house that preferred radical honesty as a parenting method. Why lie about something when the truth might get you just what you fucking want? In this case, the pretty man bent over the nearest surface in your new shared living space.”

  Trouble smacked the back of Lucky’s head. “Ignore him, I can’t believe you picked living with Landon. We’re family, man, yea we’d give ya shit, but you know that’s just our way.”

  “I know, but—”

  “No buts, he wants some alone time with Landon.” Lucky was fucking asking for it today.

  “I don’t want alone time with Landon. He’s my friend like he is with the rest of y’all.”

  They all snorted and started to wander away. He knew it wasn’t the end. His crew was just in regrouping mode and they’d strike when he least expected it.

  It wasn’t like he didn’t notice Landon was an extremely attractive man. Ron was handsome, but Landon was downright gorgeous and completely out of Zerk’s league. Okay, to be honest, Landon never made him feel less than. He was a cuddler and someone who was naturally affectionate. He never hesitated to give someone a hug. Hell, his favorite seat was Zerk’s lap. No one ever seemed to find it strange.

  He remembered the day he met Landon. It was a week after he was hired and it was his first day, Zerk nearly shit himself when he got the call that he was joining Twirled. Gib Phelps was a legend, studied under some of the greatest artists to ever hit the scene. Zerk felt like he’d finally made it. Gib and Scary met him the first afternoon, set him up with a station and that’s when Peaches walked in with Landon.

  He had this thick wavy hair perfectly styled. Although he’d worn faded jeans and a plain white V-neck t-shirt that showed off smooth pale skin, he looked elegant as fuck. The next thing he’d noticed was the virgin skin. There wasn’t any ink or piercing in sight. Freckles dusted his flesh. Zerk’s hands had itched to touch each tiny mark. Then Gib introduced him and immediately Landon Phelps was off limits.

  He spun his chair and looked up at the beautiful drawing framed next to the mirror. It would be Landon’s first tattoo. He’d given Zerk the drawing not long after he started and by silent agreement, no one but Zerk would do it. He was amazed by Landon’s talent although he shouldn’t have been surprised.

  It was an abstract, images intermingled to form bodies, a couple in an intimate position, but who they were was unknown. He was sure one was Landon. Something about it was erotic in its innocent appearance. At first glance it was inkblots, like a Rorschach Test yet more refined. He asked at least every couple of weeks was Landon ready and Landon would look at him with a small smile then just say: not yet.

  A primitive need to mark his perfect body overwhelmed him. It seemed from the day Landon gave him the drawing it grew and built with a burning intensity.

  “Still not letting you ink him,” Trouble’s voice came from behind him.

  “Nope, he doesn’t seem ready yet.”

  “I don’t think you’ll have to wait much longer.”

  “What do you mean,” Zerk asked and spun back around.

  “You’re free of Ron. I’ve known Landon forever; we went to school together. He got tons of shit because of his family and friends. Landon is extremely selective when it comes to partners. When he walked into Twirled the day you started I thought he was going to swallow his tongue. You’re exactly his type.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “I don’t. That future tattoo right there,” Trouble pointed to the frame. “Is his claim. The first true act of intimacy. You may not think so, but the moment that graces his skin you’re his.”

  “You’re full of shit.”

  “Think what you want, big man, but Landon wants you. If you weren’t so fucked up in the head by shit relationships, you might have seen it earlier.”

  “There can’t be anything. Gib would lose his shit.”

  “Nope, Gib lets Landon run his own life, always has. Unusual upbringing. Landon announced he was gay when he was five. A girl cousin said she was going to marry Prince Charming one day, he said he was too. Gib and Peaches went with the flow.”

  “Gib and Peaches are cool as fuck though.”

  “Yes, they are and if you made a play for Landon it wouldn’t even cause a ripple.”

  “Landon is gorgeous though. I mean everyone looks like a troll compared to him.”

  “You’re biased.”

  “Fuck I am, Landon goes out with guys all the time.”

  “When’s the last time you saw him dating anyone?”

  “I don’t know he was seeing that guy from his office, I think.”

  “No, that ended after a few dates. Landon invited him on one of our runs. You were out of town visiting your folks. You should’ve seen the guys face when he pulled up to see all of us. When Landon told him to hop on the back of his bike, you would’ve thought Landon asked him to jump in a pit of vipers. He left the man standing beside his Mercedes and roared away with the rest of us.

  “Landon’s professional life isn’t going to ever mesh with his personal one. Just because he doesn’t look like one of us, he is and existing in the void between them is killing his spirit. Take a chance, Zerk. Everyone knows you want Landon and he wants you; you just have to get over this bullshit in your head.” Trouble smacked his shoulder and headed to his ow
n station to get ready for an appointment.

  Zerk shook his head and wondered if Trouble was right. Landon did take the opportunity to take a seat on his lap before he did it with anyone else.

  Ron came by the shop one day to find them all sitting around, Landon leaning back against his chest. Landon instantly vacated to allow Ron to take his place, but the man snarled his nose. Had Ron ever touched him just because outside the bedroom? Even in the beginning of their relationship Ron had frowned on Zerk touching him. Hell, he tried to bend Ron over the kitchen table one day and everything went to hell after that.

  His high sex drive turned into a major point of contention between them, also his fetish for marking his partners. The very few bite marks and bruises Zerk left had earned him disgust and nights on the couch. Fuck, he was pathetic, he should have known Ron and him were going nowhere. He dropped his head back and heavily sighed.

  “Epiphany?”

  “Shut up. Gloating isn’t attractive.” He growled but it only made Trouble cackle and look more smug than he normally did.

  “Gloating is appropriate when I’m right.”

  Zerk surged from his chair and left to get some coffee with Trouble’s laughter following him. “You’re an asshole,” he yelled as the door closed behind him. He looked through the front window to find Trouble making kissy faces at him. Zerk couldn’t wait for that bastard to get his due and hoped it was as embarrassing and uncomfortable as he felt right now.

  4 Attack of the Nudist

  Landon slapped at his alarm, screaming for it to die. He wasn’t a morning person by any stretch of the imagination. Rolling out of bed with his eyes still closed, he padded barefoot out of his bedroom toward the kitchen. He still couldn’t make himself sleep at night which made his boring, respectable nine-to-five hell on most days.

  The scent of strong coffee teased his senses as soon as he walked into the room. One eye popped open as he looked around his kitchen. Zerk’s helmet and backpack were on the table, his huge boots turned over next to the door that led to the garage. He started the music app on his phone and poured himself an oversized mug. He spun to lean against the counter and crossed his ankles, rubbed his hand over his flat stomach and chest.

  He moaned with pleasure at the first sip. It was a sad day in his life when he even thought coffee was better than sex. Oh shit, no thinking about sex with Zerk in the house.

  Only two weeks had passed since Zerk took up residence in his house and he barely resisted the urge to touch Zerk all the time. It wasn’t as if he didn’t touch Zerk a lot. He was always a touchy-feely guy; his parents were affectionate and it had passed on to him. Except he didn’t want to touch Zerk like he did Trouble or Lucky or any of the other guys.

  Most of the time he wanted to curl up in Zerk’s lap anywhere and everywhere. Tempering his need was becoming a full-time job.

  “Fuck,” Zerk’s voice boomed through the house.

  He shot his gaze to the door to find Zerk’s back to him and then down at himself—he’d forgotten clothes.

  “Oh shit, I’m sorry.” He reached for a dish towel and held it in front of himself. Great, thinking about Zerk’s lap had caused his dick to harden. This is fucking embarrassing.

  “What is going on? Did you bring someone—”

  “No, I didn’t bring anyone home. Normally I don’t wear clothes around the house and this is the first time I’ve forgotten since you’ve been here. I’m covered sort of, you can turn around.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Landon almost laughed at the question, but knew it wouldn’t be appropriate. “Yes.”

  Zerk hesitantly glanced over his massive shoulder and the man’s eyes widened.

  “What are you doing up so early?”

  “Couldn’t sleep.”

  “Well, the coffee is fresh, I’m going to go get ready for work. I really am sorry,” Landon wasn’t sorry at all.

  The big man’s eyes slowly moved over his body and he couldn’t mistake the appreciation or heat in his gaze. He walked towards the door and Zerk turned to the side to make room for him to pass, but Landon stopped and faced him. “I’m ready.”

  “Ready, ready for what?”

  “The tattoo.” That’s all Landon said before he continued from the kitchen and towards his bedroom. He felt lighter than he had in the year and a half since Zerk started dating Ron. The man was his and it was time he claimed him. His hatred of mornings disappeared as he smiled and started making plans. Zerk would be in his bed soon.

  # # #

  Dammit. His day started off amazingly and now it all went to shit. He loved his job as a forensic accountant and worked hard to earn the place and respect he’d received over the past three years. The only thing about his job he didn’t like was the traveling. For the next two weeks, he’d be trapped in some office going over a decade's worth of accounts to find out where the owner was hiding money. In his opinion it already hit a non-extradition country and Mr. Embezzler would disappear into the night.

  Now, he had to go home and tell Zerk he’d be out of town. Landon pulled into his garage surprised to see Zerk’s Fatboy parked next to his Knucklehead, Zerk was never home this early. He turned off the engine and quickly gathered his things, and then headed inside.

  When he walked into the kitchen he found Zerk leaned back against the counter having a staring contest with Herc.

  “What did our son do now?”

  “He hid my keys and wallet. They were on my bed when I went to take a shower, now they’re gone.”

  “Why do you think he did it? He’s such a good boy.” Landon laughed as Herc trotted over to him and sat down on his feet. The mean looking puppy gave him a slobbery smile.

  “Because he did it, that’s why. He’s been acting out since we got here. He even used my favorite boots as chew toys the other day.”

  “Maybe he thought it was a dead animal from the odor coming from them.”

  “Fuck you, man, I think he needs obedience school.”

  “He does not, he’s perfectly behaved with me, maybe it’s just you.”

  “You’ve spoiled him.”

  “No I haven’t. Look at his handsome face,” He shook Herc’s heavy jowls and smiled sweetly at Zerk. Zerk threw his hands in the air and stormed off. “You’re so cute,” he hollered after him. “Now, where did you hide Daddy’s stuff?” Herc huffed and ambled away. He followed behind the massive dog. Instead of going to Zerk’s room, Herc went for his and Landon walked in. The dog fell to his belly beside the bed and dragged the lost items from underneath.

  “Zerk, Herc gave me your stuff back.”

  Heavy steps echoed in the narrow hallway and Landon glanced over his shoulder.

  “How the hell...,” Zerk asked.

  “I asked him where Daddy’s stuff was.”

  “You’ve stolen my dog.” There was no denying the tone was vehemently accusatory. He had to admit though Zerk was an only child and not prone to share. It was pretty cute on the gruff, mountain of a man.

  “How could I have stolen your dog; I didn’t take him anywhere.”

  “He used to love me.”

  “Why are you pouting?”

  “I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are. You’re sulking. What happened,” He approached Zerk and twined his arms around the big man. Landon tipped his head back to look up at Zerk.

  “Ron called today.”

  Zerk’s biceps rested on his shoulders and his hands absently stroked Landon’s back.

  I will not read anything into it, I will not...

  Who the fuck was he kidding? Any way he could get Zerk to touch him was fine by him, even if it was just moments when Zerk needed comfort. Attraction or not, Zerk was still one of his best friends.

  “Reconciliation call?” It took every ounce of control to keep his voice caring and not let his disappointment come through.

  “He asked to meet, but I told him no. I don’t want to hear what he has to say.”

  “Did he say why he wanted to meet?” He laid his head on Zerk’s chest and inhaled the clean musky scent of the man’s body wash. Landon held his breath as he waited for the answer. Someone spends over a year with someone there should be some residual feelings after the breakup. That was a lot of time invested.

  “I didn’t wait to hear.”