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

“Later,” Hyde said. “You need some rest.” And he scooped me up and carried me over his shoulder to the bed.


The room for me and Uncle Brad was small by Trunk standards, but we managed not to get into each other’s way as we showered, shaved, and began pulling on clothes.


In about half an hour Hyde and I would be standing before Father Timothy, the pastor of Saints Peter and Paul, exchanging vows for the third and final time.


Although maybe we’d renew them for our golden anniversary.


I peered into the mirror. Fortunately my eyes were clear and unshadowed; they didn’t show a trace of the nerves that tended to crop up each time I thought of the hundreds of people who’d be arriving this afternoon to see me exchange vows with the man I loved.


I smoothed a hand over my hair and tugged the hem of my tux jacket.


“Do you need any help with your tie?” Uncle Brad asked as we finished dressing.


Chapter 99