who raised his hands in surrender as everyone chuckled. Lukas turned in John’s embrace, pressing his back against his front to keep the contact. A part of him felt like he’d float away without John anchoring him to the moment. Everyone who meant something to them was standing around their kitchen, smiling and laughing, and Lukas was nearly vibrating with happiness.
“I wanted to say a toast to the newly engaged couple.” She gave him and John a warm smile, eyes twinkling. “I’ve known Lukas for years—”
“Lydia,” his dad interrupted as everyone laughed again.
“Okay, okay.” She winked at them, then turned to the others. “Dave and I couldn’t be happier or prouder of Lukas. As a son, he has always been kind and loving, and as a man, he’s generous of spirit and passionate when it comes to things he cares about. Watching him grow into this amazing human being has been the joy of my life.”
“Mom,” he choked out, tears filling his eyes again.
“Shh, I’m not done.”
He chuckled wetly and leaned more heavily into John.
“But a mom worries, you know. You couldn’t seem to find what you were looking for in a partner, but then things started to change. You came over less but seemed happier, more settled. But I still never would have guessed John had put that sappy smile on your face.” She grinned at them and waited for the chuckling to die down. “Dave and I have known John for… gosh, almost two decades now.” She turned to his dad. “Honey, when did we get to be so old?”
“We’re not old. John’s old,” his dad grunted, stealing a sip of his wine.
“Hey! I’m seven years younger than you, old man. I’m in my prime,” John called back, grinning from ear to ear. If Lukas’s parents hadn’t been present, he’d have attested to John’s virility. Instead, he just waggled his eyebrows at Kevin and Jenna, making them both laugh.
“He’s been like family to us for many of those years,” his mom continued, like no one else had spoken. Lukas bit his lip to keep from laughing again. “But I’ve worried about you, haven’t I, John? Being all alone in this big house, unable to even feed yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am,” John said, chuckling. Lukas peered up at him and leaned up to kiss him when John looked down. Their lips slid together slowly, but John didn’t linger nearly long enough for Lukas.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined this day or how happy the two of you could be together.” His mom suddenly sniffled and took a big gulp of her own glass. “Neither of you need me to take care of you anymore.”
“Oh god,” Lukas muttered. “Things are taking a turn. Quick, someone distract her.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Brown. They’ll need you again when they start having kids,” Kevin piped up, shooting a grin at Lukas as his mom squealed.
“Grandbabies! That’s right!” She turned to his dad, her wine nearly sloshing out of her glass at her fast movements. “Dave, I can’t wait to be a grandma.”
“I know. Finish your toast, sweetheart.”
“Right.” She whipped back around and raised her glass higher. “To John and Lukas, may they always be as happy as they are in this moment and give me a dozen grandbabies to spoil.”
Lukas choked on his sip of wine. A dozen? He turned wide eyes on his fiancé and was surprised to see him smiling calmly at their friends and family.
“You don’t seem worried about the number of kids my mom expects us to produce, somehow…”
John set aside both of their glasses, then turned Lukas around to face him, cupping his cheeks and rubbing his thumbs back and forth lightly. “Your parents are happy for us, and we’re surrounded by friends who care about us. And you agreed to marry me. Kids or no kids. A dozen or one. It doesn’t matter. As long as I have you, I’ll be happy for the rest of my life.”
Chest filling with so much happiness and love it hurt, Lukas glanced around once more, really taking in the sight of their loved ones around them, celebrating the life he and John were building together.
A few months ago, he’d thought he’d been happy, or at least content, with his life.
But the way his heart was pounding and warmth filled his veins as he stared up into John’s warm brown eyes, he knew what he was building with John was a thousand times better than what he’d had.
“Yeah, it’ll be nice to have someone to check my pipes whenever I need from now on,” he murmured, waiting for John to start laughing, then throwing his arms around his neck and pulling him down. He kissed John’s joyful lips, excited to start the rest of their lives together.
No matter what happened, John was right—they’d always have each other.
And that sounded pretty fucking good to Lukas.
Wish you could have seen how John and Lukas privately celebrated getting engaged? There’s a free bonus scene available only to my newsletter subscribers right now where the two of them consummate their engagement like only they can. -Kiki
bit.ly/KikiBonusScenes
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for reading John and Lukas’s story. They were so fun for me to write and I really hope you enjoyed them. If you did, please consider leaving a review to help other readers find Laying Pipe.
About the Author
A small town Michigan girl, Kiki has enjoyed reading since she first picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as a child. After that, she devoured everything she could get her hands on and dreamed of one time writing her own books that touched people's hearts.
In her early twenties, she discovered LGBTQ romances and had a realization: these were her people and this was where she belonged.
Nearly ten years later, she's proud to finally join the ranks of authors releasing character-driven, emotionally satisfying books showcasing that everyone deserves to find love.
To keep up-to-date with Kiki, sign up for her newsletter: http://www.kikiclark.com/newsletter or join her Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kikiskorner.
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Also by Kiki Clark
Kincaid Pack Series
The Alpha and His King (Rick & Kai)
The Second and His Bonded (Kieran & Bennett)
The Alpha and His King
(Kincaid Pack Book 1)
When Kai flies out of a shed, swinging a rake, Rick’s life flips upside down.
As alpha, Rick’s dedication to his pack has never wavered—until Kai. The pull he feels toward the younger man is more than a simple distraction, but Rick won’t let himself lose focus. Not while a hidden enemy is drawing near.
Moving in with the grumpy alpha who saved him is a big change for Kai, and it isn’t long before he begins to ache for something he can’t have. As a half-human shifter responsible for his three younger siblings, he knows he can never be Rick’s mate.
Pushing aside their doubts and insecurities, they grow closer. But when the pack’s enemies strike, bringing their fears to fruition, Rick and Kai have to decide if they’re willing to risk it all to be together.
The Alpha and His King is the first book in the Kincaid Pack series and features a quick-tempered and possessive alpha; a sweet and feisty alpha-mate; shifters, seers, and witches galore; massive amounts of hurt/comfort; and a happily ever after.
Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!
The Second and His Bonded
(Kincaid Pack Book 2)
As the son of an enemy, Kieran never expected to find a family with the Kincaid Pack... or a true mate’s bond.
After barely escaping his abusive family, wolf shifter Kieran McAllister struggles to find his place in the Kincaid Pack. Especially with the pushy but gorgeous second-in-command showing up every time Kieran turns around… and making him want things he shouldn’t.
The traumatized wolf who continuously refuses Bennett Young’s help has begun to haunt his dreams. But if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that tiger shifters don’t have mates. So why can’t Bennett get Kieran’s sad eyes out of his head?
Despite their differences, Kieran and Bennet find something they never expected in each other. Just as their bond begins to grow though, Kieran's past threatens to destroy the very pack they both have been fighting to protect.
The Second and His Bonded is the second book in the Kincaid Pack series and features an overprotective tiger, a touch-starved wolf, lots of purring, an excessive amount of sunbathing, and a happily ever after.
Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!