A warm-hearted rich man's son, Richard Gardener needs to overcome three obstacles: find a way the family business can run without him, help his mother cope with grief, and stop butting heads -- and other parts of his anatomy -- with the gardener.<br><br>Ethan Fields has worked for the Gardener family for many years. He’s struggling with debt and the desire to leave, and has loved Richard far longer than the man would believe. Ethan can cope with most things, but his anger with Richard’s mother won’t fade. Until that and his feelings for Richard are resolved, he feels trapped and, alas, the idea that sex will get Richard out of his system isn’t working.<br><br>To make the situation worse, both men assume too much and don’t say the right words, and Ethan’s offer of ‘just sex’ grows more complicated by the day. Can Richard and Ethan stop getting their wires crossed before their paths diverge?

Flowers for the Gardener

Ethan awaited an answer on what to talk over, but no safe subject presented itself.


“I care for plants well enough. I love trees.” They were an important part of one of his greatest interests though not his focus. Rich had a great love for ecology and preserving the environment, something he could not discuss on any emotional or intellectual level with his mother.


“Well, there’s something I didn’t know about you this morning. One more thing, anyhow.”


“One…more?” To what did Ethan refer?


“Aside from the fact you’re gay, I mean.”


Speaking of the impossible…H-How could the other man know?


As though he read minds, Ethan’s gaze dropped. “You’re thrilled to see me.”


Rich’s face blazed. The moment he believed Ethan could never humiliate him any worse than by trying to make him eat soil, the man spotted his hard-on. Rich fought to swallow; the action hurt. “You still talk bollocks.”


Chapter 7