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

“Well…if it’s not…Why mention my being…”


Not for the first time, Richard broke off. Did the man always struggle to complete sentences? Yes, if Ethan wasn’t mistaken. Many habits, patterns of behaviour, were best broken. “You’re gay. Get used to the idea.”


“I am.” Colour rode Richard’s cheekbones once more but this time the cause seemed to be anger. “I’m not a…a virgin.”


A familiar amusement washed back in. Why did Richard always do this to him? Make Ethan’s emotions blow fierce and freezing? “Fine. Bully for you. Who was the lucky man?”


“I wish…” Perfect opening and he froze, chewing on a lip, annoyed with his resistance. Now or never. An apt and true cliché. Ethan fought to free his jaw. “I wish you would.”


Something must be wrong with his ears. Rich needed to swallow before he managed to speak and still the words whispered out. “What did you say?”


“I said I wish you would. Fuck me.”


Chapter 8