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

When he pushed Richard back on the bed, he couldn’t help thinking how Richard looked so lovely a littlemore messed, and tired. This time, he held Richard’s attention.


The less distracted gaze revealed such beautiful eyes. Clear, innocent, questioning. Crystalline. A frozen pool with many colours. Ethan traced a small scar on one of Richard’s shoulders. Where had that come from? Otherwise, Richard’s skin…unblemished, not a single callous. Smooth. Perfect. Annoyed with the differences of their bodies, Ethan’s imposed by gardening, still he wanted to savour. Lean. Muscled enough. Should he keep resenting or give thanks? A blessing came by way of a gasp from Richard’s lips as Ethan caressed him. He curbed his answering smile, taking pleasure from his ability to affect Richard.


Didn’t take much for Richard’s nipples to react, or for the man to try to flinch away when Ethan focused on them.


Chapter 42