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

But I didn’t want him to think I could be had with just a pretty ring and a few tender words. I tightened my fingers around his and said, “I’ll…think about it.”


“Well, this is a serious decision to make. We’re talking about the rest of our lives, here. And…well…‘If I am not worth the wooing, then I am surely not worth the winning.’”


“You’re very literary today, Kipp. First Shakespeare and now Longfellow.” Granddad continued to chuckle.


“Yes, Granddad.” I peeked at Hyde through my lashes. “Still, it would be nice to be courted.” To know someone wanted me that badly.


“What about—” Granddad started to ask something, but Hyde sent a glance in his direction, and he coughed. “Sorry, I forgot what I was going to say.”


“Now, as I was about to say, it will be my pleasure to court you.”


“That sounds reasonable, doesn’t it, Kipp?” Granddad sounded so hopeful.


Chapter 25