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

“I must go.” One step…and he found the way to the door obstructed, the other man in his path. The blueshade of Ethan’s shirt danced before Rich’s eyes, making him think of a crisp autumnal sky, an image reminiscent of the bitter weather outside. Frosty. Like his mother. Like his life.


Ethan gave off welcoming warmth into which he longed to fall. If he could only have one moment, a minute to rest his head on Ethan’s shoulder. To feel the man’s hands going first around his waist, one arm cradling his back, holding him. Rich’s eyelids lowered as he imagined closing his eyes and sinking into an embrace. He swayed, eyes jolting open, forcing himself to snap out of it.


“Nothing. You’re being ridiculous. If I wanted you, and I don’t, we can’t.”


Chapter 10