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

“They were furious with him for marrying a woman of color, even though if you didn’t know, it would have been very hard to tell.” He brought the car to a stop at a red light, then turned to look at me. “What about you?”


“How do you feel about marrying a man of mixed race?”


“Your color has nothing to do with how I feel about you.” I studied his honey eyes. “How do you feel about marrying Marcus Llewellyn’s son?”


“I won’t be taking Marcus Llewellyn to my bed.”


“I should hope not.” I couldn’t help smiling. “The light’s changed.”


He eased down on the gas pedal and drove down the street. “What about your name? Is Kipp a nickname? A family name?”


My smile faded. “Sir didn’t tell you?”


“Oddly enough, he spoke very little of you.”


Not oddly, when I was the least loved son.


“My mother wanted me named Kipp. No one knew why.” I changed the subject. “Are you familiar with Martinsburg? Do you need directions to Chantilly Lace?”


Chapter 27