“Where have you been? Brian’s been a nightmare all day.”

  He wrapped his arm around her waist as he steered her towards the house. “I went by to see Mom and Dad, but Dad was at the shop.”

  “How’s Peaches?”

  “She’s great, getting settled back in, and Dad has a ton to catch up on.”

  “Brian just started the grill. We ran out to the store to get stuff for dinner. Are you okay?”

  “Gladys, I’m fine. Embarrassed more than anything.”

  “Nothing to be embarrassed about. It was a shock. You and Brian never gave any indication you two were together. Not that we didn’t think you were.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up.”

  “Too late.”

  He shook his head and nudged the door closed behind them. Landon made his way through the house and out onto the back patio. Releasing Gladys as she pulled away heading for Roy he turned his attention towards Zerk. Zerk was shirtless, sweat glistening on his skin and in the hair on his chest and stomach. There was no way he could resist; he’d never learned restraint when it came to Zerk.

  “Finally came the fuck home,” Zerk rumbled as he glanced at him.

  “I went to see Mom.”

  “No, you ran, I had to take the parents to breakfast by myself. That wasn’t fucking uncomfortable at all.”

  “The sarcasm is strong.” He squeezed himself under Zerk’s arm and he shivered as fingertips stroked the bruise over his heart.

  “Don’t forget we still need to talk about that.”

  “Not now, especially not with your parents in the house.”

  “Why, can’t control yourself,” Zerk asked.

  “I’ve been controlling myself a long damn time.” He admitted and it earned him a rough kiss, Zerk’s teeth worried his lower lip before pulling away. Landon wanted those teeth back.

  “Fuck, I wanna see my marks, let’s go inside.”

  “No, finish making dinner.”

  “No, we’ll go inside.”

  “Behave.” He wanted to agree because he’d behaved long enough.

  “Why, you don’t fucking want me to? Don’t even try to lie.”

  “Zerk, let’s wait until your parents leave. I’m not exactly sure why or how we let it get out of hand this morning. Just give me—”

  “As soon as they’re on the plane we’re taking care of this. Preferably you bent over the nearest fucking surface.”

  “I’m not going to jail for public indecency.”

  “Prude.”

  “What needs to be done?”

  “Me, but since that isn’t happening.”

  Landon snorted and stepped away.

  “Mom made a salad and potato salad so those need to be brought out. Steaks and vegetables are on the grill. Grab some drinks, plates and silverware, then we’ll be ready to eat.”

  He started to back away until Zerk reached out and fisted the front of his shirt. Zerk tugged Landon forward and he held his breath at the heat in Zerk’s gaze as the big man pulled the V-neck of his t-shirt to the side.

  “You have no idea how fucking sexy that is to me.” Zerk’s knuckles stroked over the hickey.

  His back arched at the pain and pleasure, he was so close to giving in.

  “Go, or my parents will be having their dinner alone.”

  Landon didn’t run, but he sure as hell walked fast towards the house. He’d always wanted Zerk, but after the morning it was building to an intensity he didn’t understand or think he was ready to explore. The tattoo was always about wearing Zerk’s mark because that’s as close to having a piece of Zerk he’d get. That wasn’t the case now and he didn’t know if Zerk understood how important this step was or if Landon was just setting himself up for a heartbreak he wouldn’t survive.

  9 To Tease or not to Tease?

  Sitting across from Landon at the dinner table he observed the man talking with Roy and Gladys. Landon was perpetually happy and always looked at the positive in life, that drew him to Landon. Peaches and Gib were the same. Okay, he was satisfied with his life and he was right where he wanted to be, but part of him was pessimistic as fuck. An enormous contributing factor was the year and a half he spent with Ron.

  He’d reined in his dominant tendencies and hid vast segments of his personality to make a man happy. That wouldn’t be the case with Landon. What happened between them that morning proved they were on the same page. The whimpers, the begging, and Landon’s slimly muscled body against his drove out all rational thought.

  Zerk never was one who could be led by his dick. Yea, he wanted sex, he wanted lots of rough, sweaty and nasty sex, but also he wanted the one.

  His parents were high school sweethearts. He’d rarely seen them fight, he knew they had when shit went down you could hear the two of them yelling miles away. They both had strong personalities and opinions, his mother was ranch and rodeo raised, his father was the same. Ranch life wasn’t for the weak. Long days, in the beginning more times spent in the red than in the black.

  Gladys as an only child her father treated her more like a boy. One thing he’d never seen was his parents going to bed mad. Things blew up and they moved on, he wanted that relationship where two people stuck together no matter how bad it got because they loved each other and could work through their shit.

  He could clearly see that life with Landon. When the fuck did he turn into a sap—some hopeless romantic? It sure as fuck hadn’t been in his time with Ron. In the end, they were acquaintances with benefits and mediocre ones at that.

  A bare foot nudged his calf and he glanced across the table to find Landon watching him with a raised brow.

  “Your mother called your name three times.”

  “Sorry, Mom, kinda zoned out.”

  “I can see that, Peaches and Gib invited all of us over tomorrow night for a barbecue after everyone gets off work. The whole crew.”

  “Great, the guys were excited to know y’all were coming for a visit.”

  “I told Gladys I’d take her shopping tomorrow because she’s insisting on making something.”

  “You don’t got to do that.”

  “I know, but it seems rude if I don’t.”

  “Fine, you can have Landon time tomorrow.” He turned to look at Landon. “Don’t you have to work?”

  “Like I was going to work with them here. I took a few days and with being out of town, and the fact my boss worships the ground I walk on he couldn’t deny me.”

  He almost growled at the mention of the boss in question. Gregory Charles for a nerdy numbers guy was sexy as fuck. Perfectly groomed with custom tailored suits, successful and irresistible if you were into that damn thing. In the past a man like that was exactly Landon’s type.

  The grin that curved Landon’s lips before the man sucked them between his teeth to hide it proved he hadn’t hidden his jealousy. Fuck, just want he needed, he already came off as enough of an asshole on a regular day. Sexually frustrated Zerk was going to be an utter bastard.

  “Knock it off.”

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  He didn’t buy Landon’s attempt at looking innocent. “Yea, keep saying that until someone is stupid enough to believe you.”

  “You’re going to break my heart.”

  He rolled his eyes and took the last bite of steak, then pushed his plate away. Reaching for his beer he slouched down in his chair and instantly felt Landon’s feet come to rest on his knees. The man’s compulsion to touch him still shocked him. Okay, Landon was just a touchy-feely type of guy, but now that he’d analyzed it a bit he knew Zerk earned most of the man’s affection.

  “I doubt that.” Toes teased his dick and he grabbed Landon’s ankle to still the movements. The little shit was asking for it, but it would be best to deal with what was happening between them when his parents weren’t in the house.

  “Son, you two better behave. Your mother and I are going to curl up on the couch.”

  “Sure, go relax, we’ve got the dishes covered.” Landon smiled and stood, then started to gather up the plates and glasses.

  “I no longer live at home and I’m still ordered to do the dishes.”

  His mother gave him one of her looks that screamed admonishment before she disappeared out of the kitchen with his dad following close behind.

  “Your dad is always so gentlemanly; you apparently didn’t get that trait.” Landon said as he passed by him.

  Zerk reached out and smacked Landon’s ass, the man went into a full stop and moaned.

  “You have to stop doing that.”

  “Why? Tell me you don’t like it, that you wouldn’t bend over for me in a second if I asked.”

  “That cocky ass attitude of yours is unattractive.”

  “If you weren’t hard right now, I’d almost believe you.”

  “Asshole,” Landon muttered and headed for the sink.

  He pushed up from his chair and stacked the empty serving dishes. He carried them to the counter, set them down next to the sink. Landon started rinsing the dishes and organizing them in the dishwasher. He stepped up behind Landon and twined his arms around his waist.

  “We’ve gotta stop meeting this way.”

  “Don’t try to be all cute. It doesn’t work with all that burly, ursine sexiness.”

  “Think I’m sexy,” He growled the question against the side of Landon’s neck.

  “Don’t be stupid, you know you are.”

  He wasn’t so sure about that. He’d always had a little padding around the middle and it only expanded over the years, thankfully it hadn’t reached full pot-bellied distinction yet. He was hairy and he sure as fuck wasn’t waxing or manscaping. If some man didn’t find some hair attractive then he’d move on, but he’d wished he’d listened to his advice a long time ago.

  The way Landon’s fingers tangled in his chest hair still played through his mind. His little man didn’t seem to mind at all.

  “As long as you think so.”

  Landon spun in his arms and leaned his upper body back to stare him in the eyes.

  “You don’t know, wow,” Landon whispered as his damp hands pushed under Zerk’s t-shirt.

  Those soft fingers working their way through the hair on his belly tugging as they went drove him crazy. Landon lifted against him and he instantly lowered his head until their mouths met. He bracketed Landon’s face in his large hands, fingertips played with his pierced nipples, and he thrust his tongue passed the man’s parted lips.

  He threw aside all restraint. Put all his desire into this one kiss that turned into a clash of tongue and teeth, hard nips. It was fucking perfect. He refused to go passed the point of no return and lift his man onto the counter, grind their cocks together. No matter how damn much he wanted it, the parents and his man needing time were the only reasons he held back. They were both shaking by the time he broke the kiss, but kept their lips together. Their labored breaths mingled as he sensed Landon struggled with control as much as him.

  “We have to stop doing this, it just makes it so much fucking harder,” He jerked his hips forward as Landon slipped his fingers into the front of his jeans. “Yea, that.” The little shit had the nerve to laugh.

  “We have to stop doing this because your parents will get another eyeful and one mortifying experience a day is my limit.”

  “I’m ready to fucking blow here and you’ve got fucking jokes.” He nearly came in his jeans when Landon’s fingers tugged at his pubic hair.

  Landon’s right hand slipped into his jeans and cupped his cock, Zerk dropped his hands to the edge of the sink and took the counter in a death grip.

  “Fuck,” He hissed through gritted teeth and let his head fall back.

  “Not yet.” Landon nibbled at his throat.

  “Unless you—” All thoughts of issuing threats ceased as the button on his jeans was released and the zipper eased down allowing Landon to fist his cock.

  “Perfect,” Landon purred.

  He was helpless to keep his hips still as he fucked in and out of Landon’s grip. How many fucking times had he thought about this: too many to count. Every muscle in his body was tense, his ass flexed as he worked his dick through the tight clench of his man’s fist.

  He snaked his arm around Landon to lift him off his feet and carried him to the laundry room off the kitchen, kicking the door shut behind them. “On your fucking knees.”

  With a small sexy smirk Landon slowly knelt and removed his shirt, tossing it aside Landon never taking his eyes off him. If he weren't on the edge of his control he’d bend Landon over for a spanking. The little shit knew exactly what he’d done. He shifted to widen his stance as Landon tugged at the side of his jeans and pulled them down to the tops of his thighs.

  Landon licked his lips. He groaned as he stroked his dick watching as Landon’s eyes went heavy-lidded, glazing over. He cupped the back of Landon’s head and painted pre-come over his lips, Landon tracked the movements licking up the trail he left behind.

  “Open wide,” He ordered.

  Landon opened his mouth and he slowly drew Landon forward, he groaned deep in his chest as he reached the back of Landon’s throat. He felt the muscles convulse and relax as he pushed deeper. Tears formed at the corners of Landon’s closed eyes and felt his man gag around him. He eased back then forward, repeating the movement.

  “Good, so fucking good.” He praised Landon as he steadily fucked Landon’s mouth, he shuddered as the suction increased. Against his will he thrust forward until Landon’s nose was buried in his pubes and held him there. Landon swallowed around him three times before Zerk allowed him to retreat. His free hand cupped Landon’s jaw and hooked his thumb in Landon’s cheek right beside his dick. His man’s tongue teased his digit and cock. “You want more, baby,” He asked.

  Landon hummed and nodded, Zerk’s knees shook at the light scrape of teeth. Not enough to cause pain, but enough to tease his already overly sensitive shaft.

  He looked down in time to see Landon fighting with his jeans until his pretty, slender cock was in his hand. Zerk couldn’t think anymore, he wrapped both hands around Landon’s head and fucked his mouth with sharp, shallow thrusts. Landon moaned with each pump of his hips, shaking. He sensed Landon was close.

  Good fucking thing, he was about to lose his mind. He fucked Landon’s face like he’d soon fuck his ass, he forced Landon to take his whole cock and held him there. “Fucking love when you gag for me.” Tears slid slowly from the corners of Landon’s eyes and down his cheeks.

  He pumped quicker, wanting to lose it until he shot his load down Landon’s convulsing throat. His balls ached, his cock jerked and every inch of him tensed as his orgasm hit him. He pulled back at the last minute, grabbed his cock in hand and stroked until he painted Landon’s chest and chin. Zerk stared as Landon arched his back and creamy white seed covered Landon’s hand.

  Zerk fell to his knees and he slammed his mouth onto Landon’s thrusting his tongue deep, tasting himself as Landon trembled as his orgasm waned. He cupped Landon’s cheeks and pulled back enough to take in the blissed out look on his man’s face. Landon’s lips swollen and parted as he breathed raggedly. Landon was flushed and sweaty, so fucking sexy. He lowered his left hand until he pushed at one of his marks. Landon whimpered and his cock dripped with more of his release.

  Without taking his gaze away from Landon he reached for a stack of towels and grabbed one, he gently cleaned Landon’s face and chest.

  “Weren’t we going to talk,” Landon asked in a husky voice.

  “Soon,” He answered as he nipped gently at Landon’s lips.

  “No regrets,” An odd vulnerability thickened Landon’s tone.

  “Not a one.” And there wasn’t, he wouldn’t regret what he knew was inevitable. They were just fucking meant to be, but they needed time to think. This wasn’t about losing a friendship for him it was about gaining a partner. Whatever that meant to them they both had to figure it out. Soon enough they could get into the heavy shit for right now he just wanted to memorize what Landon looked like at this moment. Because he was sure as hell he’d never seen anyone looking as fucking beautiful.

  10 A Study in Patience

  Zerk stood at the grill a perspiring brown bottle held loosely between the middle and index fingers of his right hand as he stood watch over dinner. He couldn’t keep his eyes off the man, he was quickly becoming obsessed with Zerk. It wasn’t a shock, he’d fallen for the brute a long time ago, but after yesterday he craved the man’s touch and taste. He could still feel the roughness of Zerk’s grip in his hair, the hard thrust of Zerk’s dick between his lips and the warmth of Zerk’s come against his face, chest and throat.

  He shifted uncomfortably in his chair and widened his legs to ease the pinch of his jeans on his hardening cock.

  “You’re looking a bit flushed, Landon,” Priest whispered with amusement as the bigger man took the seat next to him.

  “Don’t start, I think the crew has corrupted you. Well, not the Crew, but Lucky.”

  “That man is a menace.”

  There wasn’t even a hint of anything other than fondness in his voice. He wondered if Priest realized how much he gave away even with Priest’s usually stoic nature. No one knew Priest’s story before he arrived at Twirled. They all assumed Priest hid some pretty dark secrets, but Lucky was quickly pulling the newbie of the crew out of his shell. Priest had only been with them about a year, but Lucky and he were inseparable. Lucky hadn’t shown much interest in anyone until Priest came around. He was friendly and crazy, but Lucky was affectionate, almost loving with Priest. Lucky might be aware of it, although he didn’t think Priest even had a clue.

  “You know you’re in love with that sexy hippie.” He glanced at Priest to find the younger man blushing to the roots of his ginger hair.

  “I don’t understand how that man is still alive.”

  “By sheer stubborn will, I think everyone who meets him threatens his life at one time or another.”

  “I can see that, so, you and Zerk.”

  “There’s no me and Zerk.”