Chapter 27: Lydia

“Oh my god!” Jessica laughed. “Did you see the look on Dianne’s face.”

Lydia nodded enthusiastically. The look on Dianne’s face when she walked by cupping Jessica’s butt had been comical. It had made Lydia’s entire day.

“If you think that’s funny, you should’ve heard our conversation.” Drake chuckled before diving into the pool.

“Oh do tell.” Lydia said, her eyes looking over Drake’s body, causing her core to throb again. Lydia still found it odd that he’d had to hire an escort to pretend to be his girlfriend for the trip but she wasn’t going to complain; this beautiful God carved man was her’s for the month.

“You have to catch me first.” Drake said swimming to the opposite side of the pool.

Lydia laughed again at his playful child like manner, still amazed at how much his personality had changed since she first met him not even a week ago. Lydia backed away from the pool before running towards it, plugging her nose with her hand and cannonballing in causing Jessica to let out a screech.

“Hey!” She yelled as she stood up from her lounge chair, “You splashed me.”

Lydia swam back up to the surface, pushing her blond hair out of her face. “If you want to get back at me, you’re going to have to come in here at get me.” She said enticing Jessica into the water, as she kicked off to capture Drake.

“What’s my reward if I get you?” Jessica asked dipping her toes into the water. She was so busy staring at Lydia admiring the way the water droplets fell off her body to notice Drake swimming quietly over to her.

“How about a kiss?” Lydia asked waggling her eyebrows at Jessica causing her to blush.

Jessica bit down on her bottom lip considering Lydia’s offer, just as she was about to agree, Drake grabbed her foot and yanked her into the pool. Once again Jessica let out shriek as she fell into the water. “Drake, I’m going to kill you!” She yelled as she let out shrieks of laughter.

Drake jumped up and pushed Jessica’s head under the water again before he quickly swam away, not wanting to get caught by her when she resurfaced. As Drake was trying to swim away from Jessica, he didn’t realize that Lydia had snuck up right behind him. “Caught you.” She whispered seductively in his ear as she wrapped her arms around his chest and her legs around his waist.

“What are you going to do about it?” Drake asked feeling himself hardening at her touch. Drake’s libido had sky rocketed since meeting Lydia, it seemed like he couldn’t get enough of her.

“Well first, I want to hear what you told your mother, and then your reward will depend on how good the answer is.” Lydia responded, unwinding one of her legs and rubbing it gently over Drake’s erection, before curling her leg around his waist again.

“Yes,” Jessica agreed having swam over to the couple, “Do share with us what you told mother dearest.”

Drake laughed as he ran his hands up through his hair, “Geeze, you women are so needed,” he teased causing him to get splashed by both Jessica and Lydia. “If you really must know, I told her thanks for the threesome. It’s present a mom could ever gift her son with.”

Lydia and Jessica burst out in laughter, Lydia could just imagine the look of outrage on Dianne’s face,

“Speaking of Mommy dearest,” Jessica said, nodding her head in the direction of the cabins. Dianne could be seen walking towards the pool. She had a big white sun hat on which shaded her entire face, and a pair of black designer sunglasses over her eyes. She’d also donned a pair of bright yellow pumps that stood out against her white one piece bathing suit.

“Should we give her a show.” Lydia asked releasing Drake from her grip.

Jessica spotted the photographer nearby that had been taking pictures of them while they splashed around in the pool. “That depends.” She said responding to Lydia. “Do you want our escapades to be printed on the cover page of every major magazine?”

Lydia looked towards Drake, wanting his opinion on the matter. “While I wouldn’t mind giving Dianne a taste of her own medicine and trashing the Whittenberg name, I also don’t want to bring negativity down on my company.” Drake stated crossing his arms over his chest, shooting a dirty look at the photographer.

“Come on Drake live a little.” Jessica said egging him on. “It’s 2018. The world is full of people on social media flaunting the polynamorus relationship. You might lose some of your elderly clients, but they aren’t the ones buying up real estate right now. Your younger clientele will be your main customers.”

“While that is true, I don’t want it coming out later on that I faked being Poly for publicity.” Drake responded firmly. He had already made up his mind on the decision. He was already faking a relationship with Lydia, who he was beginning to care for deeply, he didn’t want to fake something else and be caught up in a web of lies.

“Who said you’d have to fake it?” Jessica asked hope showing in her eyes. And thats when Drake realized that while pranking Dianne with Jessica as a third in their relationship would be fun and maybe humble out Dianne, this act couldn’t go any further, Jessica was desperate to have a relationship with Drake, no matter how she obtained it,

Lydia treaded water quietly as she listened to the conversation between the two of them. She could understand Drake’s point of view and she would never do anything to jeopardize Drake’s company that he’d worked so hard to achieve.

“Ehhemmm.” Came the annoying clearing of Dianne’s throat, as she stood on the edge of the pool looking down on the trio.

“Yes Dianne,” Lydia asked, smiling up at Drake’s mother innocently.

Dianne ignored Lydia completely. She was enraged that this nobody could ensnare her son, the heir to the Whittenberg fortune. She knew that whatever was between Lydia and Drake it wasn’t real. Dianne assumed that Lydia must be holding something over Drake’s head and Dianne was going to get to the bottom of it.

“Drake, Jessica,” Dianne called. “May I talk to you in private?” Dianne asked, sending a glare in Lydia’s direction.

Drake turned towards Lydia and pulled her into his arms, “Whatever you have to say mother, feel free to speak openly. Lydia is my girlfriend, and she’ll be informed of everything, whether we talk in private or openly.”

“But Drake,” Dianne whined.

“No buts, Dianne.” Drake said cutting her off, “I wanted to wait until after Sampson wedding to announce this, but with the way this family has been treating Lydia lately, I feel like I can’t wait any longer.”

Lydia turned to look at Drake in shock, what was he up to now.

Dianne raised her hands as if to stop Drake from making the biggest mistake of his life. “Now Drake, don’t do anything hasty.”

“It’s not hasty mother, this has been a long time coming, and I am so glad you sent Jessica my way, she was such a big help.” Drake responded causing Jessica to provide a wide tooth grin, she loved to be praised, something her mother and father had neglected to do while growing up.

Drake swam to the ledge of the pool and pulled himself up, Lydia swam after him readying herself to climb the ledge when Drake leaned down and grabbed her hand. She allowed him to pull her out of the water and into his arms. He gave her a slow sensual kiss before pulling away and walking towards the table, where he’d set down his bag. Lydia stood near Dianne, but not to close as she didn’t want the wicked witch of the west to “accidentally” push her in. Drake reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny blue velvety box before turning back to women waiting beside the pool. He could hear the photographers gasping as they moved to a different location trying to get angle for the picture. He could practically see the steam coming out of Dianne’s ears as her eyes drifted down to the box in his hand. Lydia looked at him confused, and Drake could feel his heartbeat quickening due to nervousness. While their relationship had started out fake, Drake wanted it to be so much more. He’d vowed to himself that once this destination wedding was over, he’d take Lydia to the side and make them a permanent item, but right now it would be the perfect time to practice for the real deal, because eventually he could see himself being with Lydia for eternity. He’d always felt like something was missing from his life, and Lydia filled the void. She brought happiness with her and brightened up Drake’s life. He felt like he was someone he could like when he was around her, She made him want to be a better man. Drake walked slowly towards Lydia before getting down on one knee and taking her left hand into his.

“Lydia, from the moment you stepped into my life, I have been surrounded by love and joy. My life felt dull and meaningless up until the moment I met you. With you hear by my side, I feel like I can accomplish anything in the world. You are the being that motivates me to do better and be better. You are the fire to my flame, the sunshine to my darkest days.” Drake smiled looking up at Lydia as he saw the tears gathering in the corner of her eyes, losing his concentration as he became lost in her beauty. “Lydia,” He started again. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

The silence was deafening, Drake’s heart continued to race as he waited for Lydia’s response. Slowly a small smile began to show on her face as she let her tears flow freely. She nodded her head unable to speak. Finally after a moment of nodding Lydia was able to voice out her consent. “Yes, Drake, Yes I’ll marry you!” Lydia cried out, causing Drake to stand to his feet and sweep Lydia’s on hers, placing a passionate kiss on her lips.

“Wow Congrats guys.” Jessica said, her smile not quiet reaching her eyes.

“I hope you make her sign a prenup,” Dianne snarled.

***I hope you enjoyed the little surpise. I love twist and turns included in a Romance Mystery Novel. This is my first time writing this type of genre and I hope you're enjoying the book as much as I am writing it. Thanks again for all of your support. xoxo-Marriah***