A daddy for christmas 3.., p.1
A Daddy for Christmas 3: Lorcan, page 1
A Daddy for Christmas 3: Lorcan
Gabbi Grey
Lorcan
I had the world in the palm of my hand until a false accusation sent everything to hell. I’ve spent the past year struggling to reclaim my life. At fifty-three, though, I honestly feel my best years are behind me. Then I find the courage to attend pup night at Club Kink. I’m not certain what to expect, but that night changes my life.
Cody
When I came out as gay at sixteen, things got so rough I was barely making it through my days. A great therapist helped me survive, and even thrive. Now, as a newly minted psychologist, I hope to make that kind of difference for my own patients, LGBTQ or not. Inside though, I have one more secret even my therapist never knew. And finally, I've found the courage to attend pup night at Club Kink. I keep telling my clients they need to reach for what's important to their hearts. Tonight, I'm reaching for mine and hoping I find someone who wants what I have to offer.
This novel is an age-gap, opposites-attract gay romance about what happens when a man who’s given up on life is presented with a chance to start over and the younger man prepared to share that journey with him.
A Daddy for Christmas 3 is a multi-author series. Holiday tales of lost boys in need of Daddy’s love and in some cases, a firm hand. Naughty or nice, it’s all in Santa’s hands now. So why not dive in and read each standalone and enjoy the holidays alongside our boys? The characters’ theme is Grumpy and Sunshine.
Copyright © 2025 Gabbi Grey.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously.
References to real people, events, organizations, establishments or locations are intended to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
NO AI/NO BOT. We do not consent to any Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language model, machine learning, chatbot, or other automated analysis, generative process, or replication program to reproduce, mimic, remix, summarize, or otherwise replicate any part of this creative work, via any means: print, graphic, sculpture, multimedia, audio, or other medium. We support the right of humans to control their artistic works.
No generative AI was used in the creation of this book.
Edits by ELF
Cover by Jo Clement
Dedication
Sharon
Contents
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
5. Chapter Five
6. Chapter Six
7. Chapter Seven
8. Chapter Eight
9. Chapter Nine
10. Chapter Ten
11. Chapter Eleven
12. Chapter Twelve
13. Chapter Thirteen
14. Chapter Fourteen
15. Chapter Fifteen
16. Chapter Sixteen
17. Chapter Seventeen
18. Chapter Eighteen
19. Chapter Nineteen
20. Chapter Twenty
21. Chapter Twenty-One
22. Chapter Twenty-Two
23. Chapter Twenty-Three
24. Chapter Twenty-Four
25. Epilogue
26. Interested in knowing more about Gabbi?
Chapter One
Lorcan
“Lorcan Abernathy, the jury has found you not guilty. I hereby release you.” The judge pounded her gavel.
The sound reverberated through my chest.
I turned to my lawyer, Arnav Mehta, and held out my hand.
He shook it.
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Oh, I’m certain you’ll find ways. Like I can always use a babysitter.” Panic must’ve shown on my face, because he quickly added, “Just kidding. The kids are newly arrived, and we’d never leave them with a stranger. But you never know when something else might come up. Look, you’re under no obligation. Legal aid paid for the representation. You were innocent. We got the right outcome.”
I’d known I was innocent—but no one had believed me.
No one until Arnav.
“I don’t know what to do.” As I stood there, I barely had the clothes on my back, let alone a job or anything to return to.
He considered me for a long moment. “I have a suggestion.”
“What?” Eagerness rose within me. Anything. I would do anything.
“You know my husband is a construction foreperson, right? Working on not-for-profit housing projects.”
“Yes.” I’d known Foster Coates by reputation. He now went by Foster Mehta and was taking a leave of absence to look after their two new foster children.
“He arranged for Riley Conway to take over his latest project and is looking for someone to lead the drywall crew on the new housing development they’re building in downtown Mission—”
“I’ll take it. Oh God, would they really hire me?” I’d been living under a cloud of suspicion for more than a year. I really needed a fresh start.
He held my gaze. “You used to own a construction company and do huge subdivision projects. This is a hell of a step down.”
“I don’t care.” And I truly didn’t. “Look, we know there’s no company left for me to run. Midas Construction is dust.”
The construction company I’d owned with my husband had once been the envy of the industry. We built high-end luxury houses on acres of land in exclusive subdivisions. We made huge profits because our clients were willing to pay almost any price for having the best of everything.
“Yeah, I figured as much. Riley’s team pays a fair wage. You’ll be able to keep a roof over your head and maybe even start to put your life back together.” His dark-brown eyes grew flinty. “Don’t fuck this up.”
His husband’s reputation was on the line. “I won’t. I swear I won’t.” He’d just defended me against fraud charges. Had taken my word that I didn’t have a penny to my name. That I didn’t have some stash I was going to access when the brouhaha died down. All that was true. Stephen had absconded with everything he’d been able to liquidate behind my back. He’d stolen millions from our company—and from our clients—and he’d fucked off to God knew where. The as far as I knew, the authorities hadn’t been able to find a single trace of him. Hell, the corporal from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who arrested me tried to prove I’d murdered my husband.
My lying, cheating, thieving husband.
Well, ex, now.
Arnav had helped me file the divorce paperwork as one of the first things I’d done. To try to distance myself from Stephen himself, not just his actions. Just before the trial began, I won my freedom from the asshole.
Not that the freedom was worth much. The not-guilty verdict was worth way more. “I won’t fuck this up. I promise.”
Slowly, he nodded. He extracted a business card from his suit-jacket pocket. “Riley is expecting your call tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday.” If the jury hadn’t come to a verdict, I’d have worried I’d have to wait over the weekend. Or, worse, that they’d rush the verdict just to get out of there and not have the case hanging over them during the weekend. I’d read about that.
I lucked out. Or so I believed. The jury had delivered its verdict after two agonizing days of deliberations. At ten-thirty in the morning.
“I know it’s Saturday.” Arnav offered a rueful smile. “She needs someone to start Monday morning. She’ll interview you tomorrow. Make certain you’re a good fit.”
“I will be, I swear. I’m good at taking orders. I started framing when I was eighteen. There isn’t anything on a job site I’m not familiar with.”
“Sure. You used to do houses, right? Can you do drywall, crown moldings, and baseboards?”
“Absolutely. I’ll review everything and make sure I have the right equipment.” Just about everything had been repossessed except my personal tools and my pickup truck. Thank God I hadn’t taken Stephen’s advice and bought a new one on financing—that would’ve been repossessed as well. Mine was old, but she was a workhorse.
“If you need anything, I’m certain Riley will provide it. You’re okay for a couple of weeks until you get your first paycheck?”
Even if I weren’t, I would’ve said I was. “Yeah, I’m okay. Truly, thank you. Thank Foster for me as well. Not just for the job, but for taking care of those beautiful children while you worked so hard.”
Arnav ran his hand through his shiny black hair. “He got bottle duty. We’re hoping Joshua will start sleeping through the night soon. He’s just seven months old, so we’re still feeling our way around this. Malika’s elementary age—she’s seven—but she still has nightmares. The social worker warned us it could be months before the kids start to feel safe.”
I didn’t ask whether they’d be around that long. Arnav had said something about this being a temporary placement—and that social services was hoping to return the kids to their mother.
Thank God that Stephen and I never had kids. What an unmitigated disaster that would’ve been.
“Call Riley.”
I yanked my phone out of my jacket pocket. Another thing that had been old, paid off, and that the authorities had been willing to let me keep. I still needed to get my ankle bracelet removed, and I assumed they’d return my expired passport.
“And you’ve got food?” Arnav grabbed his messenger bag and slung it over his shoulders.
“Yeah, I’m good.” Would be eating ramen and Kraft Dinner for the foreseeable future, but I’d survive. When I scraped together enough money, McDonald’s had a cheap meal I’d grab. “Don’t worry about me, okay?”
He smiled ruefully. “I might have a reputation as a shark, but I’m actually just a big teddy bear.” He clapped me on the biceps. “Take care. Please keep in touch.”
“I will.”
The bailiff cleared her throat.
Arnav waved at her in acknowledgement and gestured toward the door. He met my gaze. “Your new future awaits.”
I’d never been so fucking scared.
Chapter Two
Cody
“Ilove pup night.” I sipped my tonic water with lime and saluted Master Dante.
The manager of Club Kink saluted me back. “I have to say, it’s one of our more popular nights. When Evan and I first got together, he was strictly a vanilla bottom. Now he’s really come to love puppy play. Quite a surprise to both Kate and me.”
Mistress Kate and Master Dante’s triad relationship with the bratty Evan stimulated plenty of speculation. The two Dominants had some kind of arrangement and, as far as I understood, the three were very happy together.
At the moment, Evan was in a massive puppy pile with about eight other pups—of all genders—and they were tussling and cuddling.
“I think this is delightful.” Demetrius grinned. His pup—and husband—Jai, was in the pile as well.
Which might’ve made things a little awkward for me. During summer camp season, Jai was my boss.
Someone could’ve knocked me over with a feather the first time I’d walked into pup night and seen Jai, and his friend Foster, kneeling at their Daddies’ feet. Foster and Arnav presented as quite a unique pair as well.
“Delightful is the right word.” I offered Demetrius a smile. “You think we’ll see Foster and Arnav back at pup nights any time soon? They used to be regulars, but it seems like they’d been AWOL since they started foster parenting. I guess their kids are younger than your two, though.”
I wished everyone well.
And contemplated my own singlehood status.
Jai nuzzled Evan.
Evan swatted him.
In turn, Jai swiped back. Then, before Evan could react, he scampered over to our table. His puppy ears were askew, his tail needed to be adjusted, and he had to remove his paws to gratefully accept the glass of water Demetrius held for him. His dark-brown eyes shone brightly. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“You had fun, Buttercup?” Buttercup was Jai’s puppy name. He and Demetrius had known each other years ago, but had only reconnected when Demetrius’s son, Keegan, had attended Pride Camp in Mission City.
The camp where Jai was the director and I was the psychologist.
Hence, it was a little awkward the first time we’d run into each other here.
My boss had made me feel instantly at ease. Plus, he was only my boss during the summer months when I worked at the camp. Now, in late November, we pretty much only interacted at the club.
Jai flopped against Demetrius’s leg. “Evan wore me out.” Just a tinge of a whine.
Master Dante chuckled. “My boy is high energy. That often makes him a favorite with the other puppies.” He gazed over. “Are you all right, pup?”
Evan preened. And nodded. Then dove back into the pile.
“Oh, if you’ll excuse me. I need to see to our new arrival.” Master Dante stood, bowed, and headed toward the entrance.
I glanced that way, noted the new arrival, and turned back to watch the puppies.
Wait, do I know that guy? Slowly—discreetly—I angled myself so I could get a better look.
The guy was older. Like, significantly older than my own twenty-six. His lined face appeared weathered. Distinctive. Like a guy who worked hard.
His dark-brown hair had sprinkles of gray—the salt-and-pepper look I loved so much. His mustache and neatly trimmed beard, though, were almost white. Age was always hard to tell, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if he were almost twice my age.
I couldn’t see the color of his eyes. Perhaps bright blue like my own? Or perhaps darker—like Demetrius’s and Jai’s.
His wristband was neon yellow. Hmm, unattached puppy. Cautiously interested.
I’d never seen him here before, but this was only my third pup night. I leaned toward Demetrius. “Do you know the gentleman at the door? With Dante?”
The men were about the same height, which let me know the new pup was slightly shorter than me. He was definitely way more muscular. His biceps strained under his black T-shirt, and his forearm muscles were clear.
I had a harder time making out the shape of his thighs—what with him wearing black jeans and the club being on the darker side.
“He’s…attractive.” Demetrius set his dark sights on the man. “Is he your type?”
“I don’t really have a type.” I met the Black man’s gaze. “I’m still new to this. I mean, I know I want to be a handler, and I’ve done pickup play a couple of times in the past few months. Before that, I never felt comfortable exploring this side of myself. I wanted to finish my PhD first.” Nothing wrong with being kinky—but I wanted the doctor in front of my name before I began exploring this side of myself, even discreetly. “I don’t want to spook him.”
“So catch Master Dante when he’s alone and ask if an introduction might be possible. Unless the guy’s got gear in his car, it doesn’t look like he’s here to play tonight. Maybe he’s new. Just getting a feel for the place.” He furrowed his brow. “I’d swear I’ve seen him before.”
“Here?”
“I’ve come about as often as you—unless you’re coming on nights when puppies aren’t playing.”
I chuckled. “One kink is enough for me. I’m not as much into BDSM or having a boy.”
“No one you’d like to spank?”
“Oh, please spank Evan.” Jai perked up. “He’s being a naughty boy.”
I laughed. “Even with Dante’s permission, I’m not certain I’d spank Evan.”
This time, Demetrius laughed. “Master Dante would totally give you permission, and Evan certainly wouldn’t complain. That boy is a submissive to both his Master and his Mistress and is still willing to bottom. Especially with newer Doms and Dommes.”
All true. Evan’s reputed versatility as both a pup and bottom had earned him a reputation around the club. Before getting into a ménage relationship with Kate and Dante, he’d been a favorite selection by Tops for pickup play. That his partners were happy to have him continue in the role—because he clearly enjoyed it—spoke to everyone’s security in the relationship.
Again, subtly, I turned toward Dante and the newcomer.
In that instant, the pup’s gaze caught mine.
My breath caught. His eyes appeared to be dark brown. They held an intensity I didn’t often see. For just a moment, they held a pain that robbed me of breath.
He looked away. First to the pile of puppies, then back to Dante.
I didn’t miss the longing in his gaze at the puppies.
Demetrius cleared his throat.
My gaze shot to him.
He grinned. “Obviously, you’re not playing hard to get.”
“You know me—that’s not my style.”
“No, it’s not.” Jai wiped his forehead with a towel. “I am getting such a workout tonight. I’m going to stink—I’m sweating so much.”
“You can shower here before we go home. Or you can shower when we get home. The kids will be asleep.”
“Keegan and Alaina might still be awake.” Jai mopped his brow again.
With Keegan being thirteen and Alaina being a responsible eleven, the couple felt comfortable leaving them at home. After all, they also had the two rescue dogs, Gus and Gizmo, to bark down the house, should anyone try to get in.
