Player Substitution – Exclusive Scene

The timer on the Christmas tree went off, and the darkened living room came alive with the wonders of Christmas. Miranda Radcliff stood in the doorway with a coffee mug in her hand and admired the festive scene before her. Two empty red and white stockings hung on the mantel. With any luck, next Christmas there would be three.

“We have thirty minutes before the day officially begins.” Chuck wrapped his arms around Miranda’s waist and pulled her against the hard contours of his body. She melted into his embrace and rested her head against his chest. She loved how small she felt compared to her big, burly husband.

They were both up well before the sun intended to make an appearance. Miranda worked the breakfast shift at the local diner and Chuck liked to get to his mechanic shop at least an hour before anyone else. She was so proud of him and the business he’d built after an injury dashed his NHL dreams. “Are you heading to the shop before your dental surgery?” “Yah, my appointment isn’t until later. I’m still bummed I won’t be able to make the game tonight.” Chuck played hockey twice a week in a local league. Miranda loved watching him play, and that excitement hadn’t dulled after near two decades. He was still the sexiest man on the ice.

“Well, if you’re not too loopy after your nap we can cuddle on the couch and watch a Christmas classic.”

“Who needs TV when I have the most gorgeous wife on the planet. I can think of something else far more fun we could do.” He pressed his hardening bulge against her backside. “In fact, there is no time like the present.” He swept her blonde hair off her neck and kissed the sensitive spot below her ear.

Miranda closed her eyes and savored the feel his lips against her skin. The hot, wet sensation traveled from her neck, down her spine and settled between her legs. She would have loved nothing more than to tear off his clothes and start off the day with a bang, but they couldn’t. “I’m not ovulating right now. We need to wait,” she said when his hand found her zipper. The light press was enough to dampen her panties. She’d been saying no a lot more lately. Way more than she wanted to, but making a baby was serious business. After several months of trying, they hadn’t been successful and Miranda now followed an ovulating chart. Her husband wasn’t a fan of having sex on a schedule.

He growled, cupping her breast and sucking her earlobe into his mouth. Chuck knew exactly how to work her body to make her forget everything except him, but not today. She had to be stronger than her base desires. “If we want to start a family, then we can only have sex when it counts.” She wanted a baby more than she wanted instant gratification. But it was hard to walk away from the temptation.

“Babe, one extra roll around can only improve our odds. Please,” he begged, but lessened his grip.

Every inch of her tingled from his touch. She missed the days when they could give into their urges. They had sex so much she walked funny most days. “No, we tried that way before, and we’re still not pregnant.” She stepped away and turned to face him. Chuck’s green eyes sparkled like the lights on the tree, but the disappointment was hard to miss. This was the man she’d loved since she was little and all she wanted was for him to be happy. “A few more days and I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

He smiled and closed the distance she’d created. “I love you,” he said, before stealing her breath with a kiss that told her exactly how much he loved her.

Miranda could have given in; she wanted to. Her hands trembled, nearly spilling her coffee. Chuck always went above and beyond to please her, and she wanted to do the same for him, but not this time. Instead, she kissed him goodbye.

That evening, Chuck played hockey while Miranda worked an extra shift. He never called after the game which wasn’t like him, but she trusted him. He’d never given her a reason not to, until he didn’t come home.