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

“Pleezzzzzzz.” Saffie rolled her eyes and moved from the desktop to the nearest chair. She flung her legs over one arm and sat at an angle. “Let’s neither of us pretend I’m stupid, brother bud.”


“I’m not. I don’t see how, though. I’ve always been careful.”


“That you have, but I’m observant.”


About to ask her what he might have said or she may have seen to enlighten her, Rich changed his mind. Easier not to discuss. “She can’t ignore it.”


“Did you forget her putting her hands over her ears?”


“I won’t let her pay no attention. Not now.” He wouldn’t. Couldn’t. Though he hadn’t wanted either woman in his life to find out like this, he’d be loathed to crawl back into any type of closet now. Damned if he would.


“So…” Saffie showed him her teeth. Not a grin. Not a smile. Not a grimace. Lips drawn back, teeth together, shit-eating.


“What’s that on your face? The result of some ailment?”


To his horror, Saffie leered, eyebrows going up and down. “So…you and the gardener.”


Chapter 66