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 anyway, to answer your question, no, it never occurred to me, even when you just kissed me on the cheek. As a matter of fact, you could have knocked over pretty much everyone in Martinsburg with a feather when news got out that you were marrying Hyde Wyndham—Kipp, what’s bothering you?”


Not quite everyone—Daniel and his friends had to know what my orientation was.


I couldn’t tell her that. From what she said, it sounded like she still thought Daniel walked on water, and I wasn’t going to burst her bubble. I scrambled for an excuse. “I suddenly realized—I need to find something to give Hyde. For our engagement.”


“You’ve got some time until Mr. Webster gets done. Why not check out Rosalinda’s Trunk?”


“That’s the Trunk’s exclusive boutique. It’s got everything: clothes, accessories, last-minute gifts.” She winked. “It’s right at the end of this corridor. See?” She pointed to my left. “Go check it out. I’ll call Rosalinda’s when Mr. Webster gets done.”


Chapter 59