Too Busy For Love by Tamsin Baker

Author:Tamsin Baker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd
Published: 2014-02-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Two days later Thomas came to the realisation, rather painfully, that he had made a mistake.

His mother was arriving for her fortnightly dinner at his house. He tugged on his tie, feeling claustrophobic. His mother was strict and cold. She had raised him by herself when his father had passed away. They had very little and it had made Thomas want to do well, to prove to her and to himself that he could rise above his background. Achieve anything that he set out to.

She didn’t like the fact that he was gay, but he had been honest about it since he had known himself. His business success made up for the fact that he was gay.

Just.

She arrived and looked straight over to the garden where his roses were looking perfect. He shouldn’t want to please her so much, but after she had raised him, pushed him, supported him, he felt he owed it to her.

“Hello, Thomas. The garden is looking well.”

Thomas stood back, his mouth open in shock. His mother never complimented anything about his home which always made him try harder. It was unhealthy.

“Yes, the gardener wants to prune them back.”

His mother nodded, her cold, assessing eyes running up and down his suit. He hated how she did that.

“Yes, it is the right time for that.” She walked inside.

Thomas stood staring at the garden, unable to enjoy the sense of triumph pleasing his mother should have given him. Despite the fact that he barely knew Luke, he missed him so much it actually hurt.

*****

Luke picked up the garden shears and squeezed, the spring coiling tightly, just as his anger did. He still couldn’t believe he had trusted Tommy. Thomas. Luke had wanted to be in his life, share his bed. He had been stupid and foolish to think that feeling had been returned. He squeezed the shears again and hacked off two red roses. They fell to the ground in a heap. Relief filled him as his belly released some of its tension.

“Hey, Luke.”

Tommy’s voice sounded behind him and Luke pricked himself on one of the thorns. “Fuck…” He swore as he put his finger to his mouth and sucked the drop of blood off. He swallowed the faint metallic taste, grimacing. Yuck.

He turned around and nodded. “Hello, sir. Can I help you?”

A shadow passed over Tommy’s face and Luke hardened himself against the guilt. It was Tommy who had decided not to see him again. Luke had no reason to feel guilty.

“I see you finally got your hands on my roses.”

Luke shrugged, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “Well your mummy’s seen them so I assumed I could do my job…sir.”

Thomas took a menacing step forward and Luke fell back.

“Would you like to have dinner with me tonight or tomorrow night?”

Luke took another step back and felt the rose bush push into his back.

“Ow.”

Tommy reached out and pulled him forwards, away from the thorny plant.

“Have dinner with me.”

Luke’s heart began to thud against his ribs as he stiffened in his boss’ embrace.

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