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’m sorry.” Though uncertain for what he apologised, Rich put his whole heart into it. His voice fell into the cocoon of still and oddly silent space between them. “Why didn’t you tell me your fatherdied?”


Ethan didn’t reply but pulled at the front of his coat, the press studs snapping open, the sound punctuating the rainstorm. Water sprayed from Ethan’s coat, but nothing could make Rich wetter. A single step brought Ethan close enough to encircle Rich in his arms. The idea he should protest—he’d soak Ethan—slithered away as Ethan’s heat seeped into Rich’s frozen limbs. He suppressed a groan andshuddered, sliding his hands around Ethan’s waist, accepting shelter. Nothing existed outside their embrace.


Chapter 62