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

“The paramedics gave you an injection of epinephrine.”


“Did they think I was Dracula? It feels like they stuck a stake in it. And it’s not funny, Hyde!”


“No, but I’m…” He squeezed the bridge of his nose.


Another twinge caught my attention. “What happened to my arm?”


“Tetanus shot. No one knew the last time you’d had one.”


I leaned back on the bed, closed my eyes on the tears that were burning behind the lids, and turned my head away. I’d had one when I’d started college, but no one had cared enough at home to realize that.


All right, enough with the self-pity.That was the way it was with my family. I’d just have to suck it up. I drew a ragged breath and opened my eyes, brushing the tears out of them before I faced Hyde again.


Of course he saw. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain? Goddammit, where’s the goddamned call bell?”


Chapter 33