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

“And if you’ve no objections, I’ll be your best man, Kipp,” my uncle said.


Father Ed cleared his throat. “You realize this ceremony is just a…um…ceremony?”


“Yes. Kipp and I will go down to city hall tomorrow and file the paperwork.” Hyde gazed into my eyes. “Don’t say no to me,” he pleaded.


I couldn’t. I took his hand. “And on Sunday, God willing, we’ll have another ceremony, the one you always wanted.”


He brought my hand to his mouth. He did like doing that.


“Do we have the rings?” Father Ed asked.


“I have Kipp’s, Father.” Hyde took the case from his pocket.


“How long have you been carrying that around?” I thought he’d have to use the wrapper from a straw on Granddad’s bedside table; I hadn’t expected Hyde to have it handy.


“Since the second time I saw you at Georg’s.”


Chapter 91