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

A sudden need made Ethan fight his way into his clothes, beating Richard by a margin. They both stood at once, pulling up zips, looping belts. Both stared across the bed at the same time. Froze.


With a motion to his own neck, Ethan said, “You better cover that.” Thank goodness he noticed the mark, though he added, “Sorry,” when Richard winced, hand going to his throat. Discoloured, the skin must be heated from the bruise formed by Ethan’s suctioning.


“I mean don’t apologise. It happens. It’s sex. It’s what we both wanted. If I have something to hide, I’m the one who should take care.” Despite the explanation answering Ethan’s confusion, Richard sounded annoyed. “I should have stopped you. I should have laid down some rules.”


Rules? What did Richard think Ethan was? Some rent boy for hire? “I didn’t think…”


Speak your mind. “I didn’t think the situation called for such…planning.”


Chapter 31