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

“That day, the one where all I got was a brutal refusal, the sky darkened but only a few drops of rain fell.” He met Richard’s gaze. “Tell me, how is it possible?”


“I can’t believe it.” The oriental pattern of the rug created a trail for his eyes to follow, while his mind diverted down other tracks, trying to find a way through the labyrinth of his parents’ minds. “I mean, I can believe it of my mother,” he added when he noticed Ethan’s black stare. “But my father? What the fuck was he thinking? Ethan, I swear, had it been down to me, there wouldn’t have been an issue of a loan. I would have paid. It’s not like we can’t afford it. I’d do the same for any of ourlong term staff. Service of over twenty years certainly deserves more respect.”


Though his tone remained calm, Rich feared he was almost babbling, wishing to compensate. What could hesay?


Chapter 71