Kipp Llewellyn, the proverbial poor little rich boy, can have whatever he wants, except the one thing he wants most: his father’s love. When the opportunity arises to obtain it, Kipp jumps at the chance, even though it means breaking a date with “Ham,” the man he’s sure he’s falling in love with. However, the opportunity turns out to be an arranged marriage with his father’s biggest competitor. Even worse, Kipp discovers his proposed groom is Hyde Wyndham, the man of his dreams. Having lived in a gilded cage his entire twenty-one years, Kipp refuses to settle for anything less than love and walks away from both his father and his future husband. Hyde didn’t achieve his position in the financial world by taking no for an answer, however, and he’ll do whatever it takes to make Kipp realize he’s wanted for himself, including wooing the young man he intends to marry, prenuptial agreements be damned. He’s certain he’s succeeded, until Kipp learns something that puts an insurmountable barrier between them. Will Hyde be able to overcome Kipp’s doubts, and will Kipp realize that some things are worth the sacrifice?

Two Lips, Indifferent Red

Beauchamp sat on a bench beside him, reading aloud from a paperback.


“Zhenshchina?” He knew that voice, although the deadliness in it now had never been directed at him.


“Yes, I’m here.” The warmth radiating from her body was like a benison in this cold place.


“Sorry.” He couldn’t stop himself from shivering. He’d been stripped and beaten and…“Didn’t want to let them use me to get to you.”


Her hands were gentle as she stroked back his hair. “So you allowed them to brutalize you?”


“This is nothing,” he managed to get past split lips. “I’ve had worse done to me.”


“Yes, I know. In that other place.” She ran her fingertips over his ribs, and in spite of the gentleness of her touch, he couldn’t help hissing in pain. She leaned close to his ear. “I will get you out of here. Trust me.”


“Always do.” He’d be inclined to laugh if he didn’t know how much it would hurt. Someone was about to learn just how dangerous this woman could be when she was crossed!


Chapter 21