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  DO OR DIE

  by

  CAITLYN WILLOWS

  Amber Quill Press, LLC

  http://www.amberquill.com

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  Do Or Die

  An Amber Quill Press Book

  This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author's imagination, or have been used fictitiously.

  Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

  Amber Quill Press, LLC

  http://www.amberquill.com

  All rights reserved.

  No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

  Copyright © 2006 by Catherine Snodgrass

  ISBN 1-59279-523-4

  Cover Art © 2006 Trace Edward Zaber

  Layout and Formatting

  Provided by: ElementalAlchemy.com

  Published in the United States of America

  Books by Caitlyn Willows

  A Little D.A.B.

  Bad Seed

  Body Double

  Caitlyn's Kisses, Volumes I and II

  Do Or Die

  Graduation Day

  Her Bounty

  High Roller

  Hired Hand

  Hotel California

  I Am For You

  Just Partners

  Love Potion #9

  Match To Flame

  No Strings

  One Touch

  Our One True Love

  Showtime

  Teacher's Pet

  The Dating Pool

  The Heir

  Treasure Hunters

  Undercover Lover

  Warrior Princess

  White Lies

  The Star Series

  Book I: Stargazer

  Book II: Star Traveler

  Book III: Star Chaser

  Book IV: Star Struck Lady

  Book V: Star Ravaged Man

  Chapter 1

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  Gil Garrett tried to keep his breath steady and his body in check. It wasn't easy. Midge Kingston was just about the prettiest woman he'd ever met. Her short blonde hair looked like spun gold and as soft as silk. Life, love, and laughter danced in her light blue eyes. She was trim, smart, not afraid to get out and play with her son. Loved kids, dogs, people. Always had a kind word for everyone...except Gil.

  It wasn't always that way. When he'd first met her months ago, she was as open and friendly as everyone else at Jameston Elementary School. Her demeanor only turned frosty when she realized Gil was most definitely interested in getting to know her better, in every sense of the word.

  Gil couldn't say he blamed her for her attitude. More than one co-worker had told him Midge's story, and he'd be lying if he said it didn't piss him off. She'd been in the Army, serving in Iraq. When she returned to the States, she found her husband gone and their six-year-old with her mother. At least the bastard had had the sense to leave the boy with someone. That was the man's only saving grace. He'd taken off with the wife of a neighbor--also serving in Iraq--after telling Midge's mother he needed a break from parenting. No one had seen them since that day two years ago. That was probably a good thing. If Gil knew where to find the son of a bitch, he'd probably punch him out. Nobody deserved treatment like that, especially a woman as fine as Midge.

  She was the teacher every second grader wanted. He'd heard more than one little boy profess his secret love for her, more than one little girl claim she was "going to be just like Mrs. Kingston" when she grew up. Midge made learning fun for her students. Gil wondered if she realized how much she truly impacted their lives. She'd sure made an impact on Gil's. Not a night went by without him wishing for her by his side, in his arms, pressed beneath him in ecstasy.

  His gaze followed her as she picked her way up the bleachers to watch the softball game. She waved to the other mothers who waited for her, smiling as she did so. God, how he wished that smile was directed his way. The woman was to-die-for. She wore a pair of light blue shorts that showed off her long, smooth legs--legs Gil desperately wished were wrapped around his waist. A yellow tank top gave him a hint of cleavage, enough to know she was wearing a bra. She wore a floppy straw hat to keep the sun off her face and dark sunglasses. As she sat, one of the woman said something. That drew Midge's attention his way.

  Gil damned the sunglasses. He couldn't tell if she was watching Nick race to the dugout, or him. Judging from the smile that tugged at her lips, Gil had a feeling it wasn't for him. Unless it was work related, her smile normally disappeared when she saw him.

  She was killing him. Did she know that? Did she care? Obviously not. No matter he walked around all the time with an erection that would rival a baseball bat. Thank God for loose jeans and a heavy-duty jock strap, but there were times when he wondered how long even those could contain him. Something had to happen soon. At this point, begging wasn't beneath him. He just wanted a shot, to prove to her he wasn't the bastard her ex-husband was; to show her he was worthy of her love, because she damn sure had his already.

  He whipped off his ball cap and ruffled his fingers through his hair to quell his frustration, then tucked the cap back on and marched on to the dugout where the boys waited.

  * * * *

  Midge Kingston pressed her lips together in an effort to keep from licking them. Man alive, Gil Garrett had a sweet-looking ass. He looked as good going as he did coming. That last word heated her as it did all too often lately. She'd done a lot of private coming just dreaming of his body nestled in hers.

  "When are you going to put that poor man out of his misery?" Kay Maxwell whispered.

  Midge knew the answer to that question all too well--never. She was wise enough now to realize fantasy was much more pleasing than reality. Reality got a woman hurt. Reality meant heartbreak. And she had to face facts--if she were that good in bed, she wouldn't have had trouble keeping her husband. Sex with another man, no matter how yummy and tempting, wasn't an option. She would not repeat that humiliation. Better to quietly indulge in her darkened bedroom with her fantasies of Gil to warm her thoughts, a vibrator to pump her, and her own nimble fingers to bring her to orgasm--something Carl had never been able to do in seven years of marriage.

  Kay nudged her. "Do I get an answer?"

  She forced herself to look her friend's way, but at the riot of frizzy brown hair and not into those know-it-all eyes of hers. "What's the point? It would never go anywhere. This town is too small for trysts."

  "Trysts, shmysts. Who gives a rat's ass? Someone needs to do that man."

  "And fast." Dottie Sawyer's comment from behind brought out the cackles. "I'd do him if I was single. If you were a real friend, you'd take one for the team."

  "Or two or three," Kay added. "Over and over and over."

  Heat rushed Midge's cheeks. "I get the general idea."

  Dottie leaned her chin on Midge's shoulder. "Please allow us to live vicariously through you."

  She laughed. "I don't kiss and tell." Hell, she didn't even kiss. Thankfully no one said that aloud.

  "Have you seen him without his shirt yet?" Kay's gaze wandered over to the dugout, where Gil was prepping the boys for the game.

  "Oh man, yeah!" Dottie's reply was enthusiastic. "He played lifeguard for the kids at our pool party last weekend. Sorry you missed it, Kay."

  "He's sculpted to perfection," Terri Howard said with a dreamy sigh. "I'd forgotten how perfect a man could be when he takes care of himself. I'm used to dough-boy."

  That got more laughter and some nods. The image of Gil in swim trunks flooded Midge's senses. Just one look had taken her breath away. She'd left the party quite quickly after that, feigning a migraine. Nick stayed to swim, then remained for a sleep over. Midge had worn out a set of batteries that night.

  "Come on, Midge. Just once...for us," Terri said.

  She gave them an indulgent smile. "I'm not a one-night stand kind of girl. And besides...I haven't exactly treated him very nicely these last nine months. I doubt he'd be interested."

  "Are you blind?" they shouted.

  Midge wanted to crawl in a hole and die as people around them and on the field looked their way.

  Kay snickered. "He watches you like a lovesick puppy all the time."

  Still, she shook her head. "Nope...too late. The damage is done."

  Terri gave a wistful sigh. "A pity to waste such a gorgeous hunk of man."

  "Be that as it may..." Midge replied. That earned her a collective "hmph." She doubted the discussion would be dead for long. Thankfully their focus shifted to the boys taking the field to start the game.

  Trusting her sunglasses to hide her eyes, Midge watched Gil. He was all about the boys--smiling, supportive, firm yet understanding. He was the teacher every child wanted for fifth grade--the one all little girls had their first crush on. He was the coach a kid had to have. It really was a surprise to find him still single. He seemed born to be a family man.

  Midge passed a lazy gaze over his body. He worn loose jeans and the team's green T-shirt--Jack Rabbits. His brown hair peeked out from the back of his ball cap in short waves. Like all the other adults today, sunglasses protected his eyes. He slowly scuffed his hands together each time one of his players stepped up to bat. Midge imagined them skimming over her naked flesh, warming her, building her to a frenzy as no man could. There'd be no awkwardness. They'd fit together seamlessly, instinctively.

  At least that's how it was in her fantasy. She masturbated every night thinking of the many ways he'd love her, and she, him. And every day at work she watched him from the corner of her eye, wondering.

  Gil cheered as one of the boys hit the ball deep into outfield. The joy in his face overwhelmed her. Midge felt pressure built in her crotch and crossed her legs to quell the ache blooming in her slick clitoris. Yet of its own volition, her leg started to rock. She crossed her arms and parked them in her lap, desperately trying to anchor herself in place.

  How pathetic was she? Doing herself every night while thinking of a man whose advances she'd refused? And what would she do if he turned his attention to someone else? The girls were right. She had to do something, get this out of her system. If only to reinforce what she already knew--she sucked in bed.

  But how in the world could she get Gil to make a move when she'd coldly rebuffed all his previous efforts?

  "All right," she said to the ladies. "I'll do it. Now...how can we subtly bring that man back into my reach."

  They huddled up.

  "Okay...here's what we do..." Kay said.

  Chapter 2

  * * *

  "Woo-hoo! Way to go, guys!" Gil pumped his fist in the air as the boys swarmed him. Another win for his team. He lowered his hand so each could high-five him. "Now...go congratulate the other team for a game well played. It was close and they were great competitors."

  The boys didn't hesitate. They were a great bunch of kids.

  "Great game there, Gil."

  He turned at the sound of Burt Maxwell's voice. His gaze went right to Midge. The parents always filtered down to the field after a game, but Midge normally held back to wait for Nick. This time she was right up front with the other moms. She still didn't look directly at him, but her sunglasses were pushed back on her head and this was definitely a step up.

  Then she broke from the pack and headed right for him. Gil glanced around, making sure he wasn't mistaken. Nope, she was aiming for him. She even smiled. That caught him off-guard. He was so dazzled he nearly backed away. Instead, he removed his sunglasses and perched them on the bill of his cap.

  She motioned her thumb over her shoulder to the picnic tables shaded under the cottonwood trees. "We've got the picnic set up over there for the boys. One of my tires went flat and I'm going to have to change it. I didn't want Nick to worry when he didn't see me. You'll tell him?"

  Considering how the boy's father had dumped him, Gil bet Nick worried a lot when Midge wasn't where she was supposed to be. "Of course. How 'bout--"

  "Stay here," Burt butted in. "I'll ch--"

  Kay yanked him to a halt. "I need to talk to you."

  Gil silently blessed her. "I'll change it for you, Midge. I'll even take the tire in and have it fixed." That would give him an excuse to see her later.

  "Thanks a bunch." Still turned his way, she started to walk toward the parking area. "I'll show you which one it is."

  He waved away her offer. "I know it." He'd seen her in the van constantly in the last nine months. "The light blue Grand Caravan. Just give me the keys and I'll take care of it." He held out his palm.

  Midge's smile faltered as she dug her keys from the pocket of her shorts. For about a half a second she dangled the keys from the key ring, then she clutched them in her hand and slowly dropped them into his palm, making sure she touched him before she let go. It felt like a jolt of electricity straight to his cock. There was no mistake about it. After nine long, torturous months, Midge was making a move on him.

  Gil wanted to grab her up and plaster a tonsil-tickling kiss on her before she changed her mind. Yeah...that ought to impress the hell out of her. He wasn't sure how to play this. One thing he did know...stripping her naked and fucking her on the ball field in front of God and everyone wasn't it. And that's just what he wanted to do.

  The keys slipped from his fingers. He squatted down to pick them up and caught a whiff of her arousal. Gil felt frozen in place. If he glanced up, he'd zero right in on her crotch. Images of burrowing his face between her thighs, peeling those shorts down her smooth legs, assaulted him. His body felt like one giant hard-on.

  Gil's knees popped as he snapped upright. "I won't be long. Save some lemonade for me."

  "Of course. Anything else you'd like?" she asked as he started to walk away.

  The innuendo sent fire racing up and down his spine. Gil forced himself to stop and calmly turn around. He passed a slow, thorough gaze down and up Midge's body, letting a suggestive smile reply for him. Her red cheeks and the dead silence around them showed he'd made his point. Pulling in a slow, deep breath, Gil walked on to the parking area, not the easiest thing to do with an erection wedged against his zipper.

  * * * *

  Midge clenched her toes in an effort to keep upright. There wasn't a part of her that didn't quiver. The heat in Gil's eyes left no doubt he was definitely more than interested. She felt stripped to the skin as it was, like he already knew what she looked like naked...and wholeheartedly approved. Her nipples nudged at her bra for freedom. Midge prayed no one noticed. She fought the urge to cross her arms over her chest to keep that secret to herself--doing so would only bring attention to her plight. But rock hard nipples were nothing compared to the hot spring running between her legs.

  "Looks like he lobbed that ball right back in your court." There was a hint of laughter in Burt's quiet statement.

  Embarrassment washed over Midge. So much for the women's grand scheme. She was supposed to have walked with Gil to her van, struck up innocent conversation, flirted a little, and let him make his move. And there he went...and here she stood with no excuse to follow him.

  Now what?

  "Poor guy's been out on that ball field in the hot sun for hours," Andy Sawyer said.

  Great. Now everyone knew what she was up to. Obviously, the women had filled their husbands in on the plan. That had to be what all the whispering had been about while she was talking to Gil. Definitely no secrets in this group. Midge's humiliation doubled. Were they all standing around watching? She wasn't about to turn around and look.

  "And now he's off changing a flat," Burt added. "I bet he sure would appreciate a cold glass of lemonade right about now."

  Relief flooded Midge's senses. She silently blessed their interfering little souls as she walked to the picnic table and filled two red plastic cups with lemonade. Now all she had to do was get them to him without spilling. That wasn't so easy to do, especially when she saw he already had her van jacked up and the tire almost off. Midge picked up her speed. Lemonade sloshed over the rims, drenching her hands. If she missed this chance alone with him, who knew when she'd dredge up enough courage to try again.

  "I brought you something to drink."

  The tire iron clattered to the asphalt as he spun around. Midge felt guilty for startling him, but didn't know how to cover up the awkward moment. So she held out both cups and stared at him like an imbecile. It seemed like an eternity that they stared at each other, then Gil smiled and stood.

  "Thanks a bunch."

  His fingers brushed hers as he took one of the cups. A tingle shot through Midge, aggravating her raging lust. She followed the bob of his Adam's apple as he drank, longing to lick a path around it. Heat from his body wafted her way. Logic told her it was from being out in the heat all this time. Pride pretended she was the cause.

  Midge allowed her gaze to wander. If she was brave enough to press against him, she could tuck her head under his chin and inhale the essence of the man. Broad shoulders would protect her from the world. Strong arms would engulf her in warmth and shelter. Long fingers would wander to her butt where he'd cup her and, gently but firmly, tuck her against his rock-hard cock. He'd be a man with something to show for himself there--long, big, thick, hard. Midge would have no doubt when he was inside her. There'd be no wondering if it was his finger or his dick.

 

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