Page 74 of Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake

“I mean for fuck’s sake, just masturbate like a gentleman. You don’t have to involve another woman in this shit show,” Lizzie said, getting down on her knees to rummage through her things. Her body was buzzing, frantic for some sort of release from the overwhelming surge of emotions—a disastrous combination of anger, pent-up horniness, and the whisper of genuine feelings she may be having for Rake.

Rake let out a bark of a laugh. “Oh, is that all I have to do? That’d be nice, but I can’t get two minutes alone to do so without you barging in!”

“Listen, buddy, you’re the one who was so jazzed about us not havingdoorsin our apartment. The lack of privacy is onyou,” Lizzie said, turning on him. “But go ahead! Ejaculate everywhere! See if I care! Just don’t flirt with random women in front of me and expect me to be cool with it.”

Rake stared at her, and something about the close way he studied her, like he was searching desperately for an answer, plucked at her heartstrings. His face morphed from sharp confusion to soft understanding.

“You’re jealous.” He said the words slowly, bordering on a question.

Lizzie’s whole body stiffened, rage spilling off her in waves. “What? As if, you cocky asshole,” she spat, riffling through her next bag of things.

“You’re jealous,” he said again, this time with more conviction. “This is a jealousy thing.”

She scoffed then turned on him, brandishing the vibrator she’d been looking for like a weapon. “This isn’t a jealousy thing,” Lizzie shouted, “it’s a respect thing. A frustration thing. I’m frustrated and horny and angry. But instead of finding some random dude to bang, I’m going to have a good old-fashioned angry masturbation session. Like alady,” she added, flopping on the bed.

“So be gone, you great Australian brute. I have things to attend to that don’t involve your ridiculous notions of jealousy. You can use the shower to take care of yourself.” She gave him a dismissive wave then flicked on the toy, revving it to life in her palm.

She gracelessly lifted her hips and pulled her underwear down. Rake still stood in the corner, looking at her with a mixture of heat and humor and curiosity.

“You don’t get to stand there and watch,” Lizzie said, balling up her panties and chucking them at him. They didn’t come close to hitting him, hovering in the space between them for a split second, before fluttering to the ground in a pile of red.

Their gazes locked for an angry, heated moment before Lizzie let out a huff and looked away, moving the toy down her body. He wasn’t worth her attention.

But he also wasn’t a presence that was easily ignored, try as she might to focus on the task at hand. Sex, even solo, usually absorbed her full attention, centered her racing thoughts. But Rake’s lurking body tugged at her mind, pulling her focus from the orgasm she needed.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him move forward slowly, bending down to retrieve the panties. He lifted them, rubbing the silky material between his fingers, the movement branding her as though he’d caressed her the same way.

Rake folded the flimsy fabric into a small, neat square, then tucked them into his back pocket.

“Those won’t fit you,” Lizzie said to the ceiling, letting her head loll back into the pillows as she turned up the intensity on her toy, enjoying the vibrations softly pulsing against her. She tried to focus on the feeling of silicone between her legs, instead of remembering Rake’s touch. She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to drown him out of all her senses.

“And I said leave,” she added.

She hated how much she secretly liked that he was watching. Knowing he was looking at her sent a jolt of lust through her body, the tension building along her spine. She hated that it was thoughts of him that were getting her closer, instead of the mechanical toy that usually absorbed her mind during these moments.

Sex wasn’t supposed to have thoughts, only sensations.

“I don’t plan on just watching.” His voice was closer now, a gravelly whisper mixing with the vibrations humming through her body, pooling low in her belly and high in her chest.

Lizzie let out a gasp as tension built, taking her closer and closer to that mindless peak where she’d get rid of these mixed-up feelings for Rake. Her hips started grinding in a delicious rhythm. So close.

Almost

There

She sucked in a breath when she felt pleasure cresting over her, ready to ride the wave, but Rake’s hand wrapped over hers, lifting it and the toy. Lizzie jolted.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” she snapped, glaring at him. He hovered over the mattress, his hand pressing hers against the sheets while his broad expanse of chest filled her view.

“What the actual fuck—”

Rake cut her off, pressing his lips against hers. Lizzie felt herself melt into the sensation of his hot mouth, before she remembered herself and pulled back, ready to snap again at him.

“I like when you get jealous, Lizzie,” he whispered against the corner of her mouth before biting into the pillowy flesh of her bottom lip. She hated the groan that escaped her.

The room felt humid and stifling, his large form blocking out the light and creating a hazy golden glow around his body.

Rake started kissing her again, slower now, almost tender, and the hint of emotions made her squirm and push for more.