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 flash of purple answered the question as his sister scurried on past.


Forcing some of the tension out of his shoulders, Rich placed his hands on the desk, as though he tried to show the man he carried no weapons.


“Is there something I can do for you?” The words, soft, low, rumbled out and still managed to sound too loud in the large room.


Well, they had to sooner or later, and no more harm could be done. “You’d better come in and close the door.”


A twitch tightened Ethan’s forehead. The man gazed at the door as if he didn’t know what it was used for. After a few seconds, he took hold of the handle and turned to close it quietly.


What have I said wrong now? Rich sought an answer and came up with zero.


Chapter 69