Chapter 73

Sophia tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Since we're going on this trip, I thought I might invite someone special to join us."

"Special?" Vivi raised an eyebrow, leaning forward in her chair.

"My boyfriend from Paris," Sophia said casually, examining her perfectly manicured nails.

Damien nearly choked on his drink. "Boyfriend? Since when do you have a boyfriend?"

"You never mentioned anyone," Vivi added, her eyes wide with surprise.

Sophia's laugh echoed through the study. "Remember all those 'connections' I mentioned? The ones that helped us gather evidence about Ava and the transactions?"

Understanding dawned on their faces as Sophia continued, "His name is Marcus. He's one of the best hackers in Europe - though he prefers the term 'cybersecurity specialist.'" She made air quotes with her fingers. "We met at an art gallery opening in Paris last year."

"So that's how you got all that information," Damien said, shaking his head in amazement.

"Well, I couldn't exactly tell you my boyfriend was hacking into private servers and tracking suspicious money trails, could I?" Sophia grinned. "He's been helping us this whole time, working behind the scenes."

"And you kept this from us?" Vivi couldn't help but laugh. "Here we were, thinking you had some mysterious underground network of spies."

"In a way, I do," Sophia winked. "He's just much cuter than your average spy."

The three of them burst into laughter, the tension of their earlier conversation about Reginald dissolving into genuine mirth. For a moment, they weren't a complicated web of step-relations and forbidden attractions - they were just three people sharing a secret and a laugh.

…

The trio boarded the private jet. As they settled into their plush seats, Sophia couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The secret she'd been keeping was finally out, and it seemed her newfound family was taking it well.

As the plane soared through the sky, Vivi and Damien peppered Sophia with questions about Marcus. She shared stories of their whirlwind romance, how they'd met at an art gallery opening in Paris, and how he'd been her rock throughout the turmoil of discovering her true lineage.

Upon landing, they were greeted by a uniformed driver who escorted them to a sleek, luxurious yacht docked in the marina. The vessel was a stunning sight, its polished wood and gleaming chrome reflecting the sunlight like a beacon of opulence.

Once onboard, they were introduced to the crew, who welcomed them with warm smiles and friendly handshakes. The captain, a seasoned sailor with a thick beard and twinkling eyes, gave them a brief tour of the yacht, pointing out the various amenities and explaining the itinerary for their trip.

As they explored the lavish cabins and state-of-the-art facilities, Sophia couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. This was the perfect opportunity for her to introduce Marcus to her family, and she hoped they would all get along.

Finally, the moment arrived. As they gathered on the deck for a pre-dinner cocktail, Sophia spotted Marcus making his way towards them. He was tall and lean, with dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through her. She felt her heart flutter as he approached, his easy smile putting her at ease.

"Everyone," Sophia announced, her voice steady and confident, "I'd like you to meet Marcus, my boyfriend."

Marcus extended his hand first to Damien, who shook it firmly, a curious glint in his eyes. "Nice to meet you, Marcus. I've heard a lot about you."

Next, he turned to Vivi, who greeted him with a warm smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Marcus. I've been looking forward to getting to know the man who's stolen Sophia's heart."

As the group chatted and laughed, Sophia watched her family interact with Marcus, her heart swelling with pride. This was the first time she'd truly felt like they were all connected, and she couldn't have asked for a better moment.

The evening wore on, the sun setting over the horizon as they dined on a delicious meal prepared by the yacht's talented chef. As the stars began to twinkle in the sky, Sophia leaned back in her chair, a contented sigh escaping her lips. For the first time in a long time, she felt like everything was exactly as it should be.

As the night sky spread above them like a dark tapestry, speckled with shimmering stars, Damien and Vivi stood on the yacht's deck, savoring the cool sea breeze on their skin. The day had been a whirlwind of emotions and revelations, and now, alone at last, they found themselves drawn to each other like magnets.

With unspoken consent, they made their way below deck, their footsteps soft and stealthy in the dimly lit corridor. Once inside their shared cabin, the door closed behind them with a quiet click, sealing them in a private world of desire and longing.

They reached for each other simultaneously, hands exploring familiar territories as if for the very first time. The anticipation hung heavy in the air as their fingers deftly undid buttons and slipped off garments, revealing skin that begged to be touched.

With each piece of clothing that fell away, their breaths quickened and their hearts raced. Soon, they stood before each other, naked and vulnerable, yet powerful in their urgency.

Damien's eyes traveled over Vivi's body, taking in the gentle curve of her hips, the softness of her breasts, the delicate slope of her throat. He wanted to touch her everywhere, to brand her skin with his hands and claim her as his own.

Vivi, her desire mirrored in her deep brown eyes, reached out and pulled him closer, her hands roaming over his muscled chest and arms. She wanted to feel the strength of his body against hers, to lose herself in the heat of their passion.

Their mouths met in a hungry kiss, tongues tangling and seeking. Vivi moaned softly as Damien's hands slid down to cup her buttocks, pulling her against him so she could feel his arousal.

He lifted her effortlessly and carried her towards the bed, their mouths never breaking contact. As he laid her down gently, the sheets whispered against her skin, inviting her to surrender to the moment.

Damien followed, his body covering hers, their legs tangling together. Their kisses grew more fevered, mouths exploring and tasting, their hands moving in perfect sync as if guided by an invisible force.

Vivi arched her back, her hands gripping his shoulders, encouraging him to take more. Damien obliged, his mouth trailing kisses down her neck, across her collarbone, and further still, his tongue tracing a path that left Vivi breathless and wanting.

She whispered his name, her voice hoarse with desire. "Damien, please."