CHAPTER 12: DESSERT POLICE

HAVEN'S POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I'm wearing a dark purple tube-type dress that has subtle glitter on it. It's so tight that it's accentuating every curve I have. It's tight on the bosom, which pushes my breasts up until they are in danger of spilling over. The hem of the dress falls way above my thighs, that if I bend down, people will surely have a show.

It's the kind of dress that I'm used to wearing. It doesn't feel uncomfortable. I went through a lot of parties wearing similar attire, and I have never accidentally flashed anyone. I used to say that it's my talent to stay classy even if I'm wearing something that looks skanky.

I reached for the body shimmer bottle. I sprayed it on my collarbone and shoulders—not too much, but just enough.

When I was done, I still hadn't moved away from the mirror, my eyes scanning my reflection. My long hair cascades down my back in soft waves, and my face is all glam up with subtle yet defined red and warm-toned eyeshadow and gradient red lips. Even my cat eyeliner is on point today.

In front of me, it's like I'm looking at the old Haven. And yet, she feels different. We might look the same, but I'm no longer the same person I was before. The thought should scare me, but a huge part of me feels relieved. I needed to change. It was only right that I did. And I know that there are still a lot of things I need to learn about and discover, not just about the world but also about myself.

"But tonight, you can party," I said to my reflection. "Not recklessly before, though. Since you have daddy—"

I froze at what came out of my mouth, and my eyes widened slightly. It was the first time that word came out of my lips without my mind automatically associating it with something fatherly. In fact, it was as if the word suddenly had a different meaning.

"You'll find out soon enough." That's what Allessio told me when I asked him what we are. Oh my god.

I put a hand on top of my heart as I try to calm myself—but failing. Holy shit, Haven. You're crazy!

It was just a slip of the tongue—well, mind. It was a slip of the mind. It was nothing. It doesn't mean anything. Right, self?

Before my mind could go to that place again, I hurriedly left the room. As soon as I opened the door, I could already hear the loud music coming from outside.

It's Fierro's birthday and they're having the party at the expansive lawn that is overlooking the cliff in the pool area with the other members of Idalion and some of his friends that they invited. If I remember correctly, they also invited important people from their business. Simply speaking, more criminals.

Allessio has warned me that the members might bring their women. Some are the men's wives, girlfriends, and some are just women they're seeing. He said I shouldn't be surprised if I see his men with two or more women.

I've partied hard before, and I've worked in a club. I don't think anything could still surprise me at this point. But who knows? Since meeting Allessio, I've been receiving continuous surprises.

When I stepped out of the house, there was already a huge crowd gathering, but my gaze immediately landed on Allessio. He's sitting on a single outdoor sofa. He's with two men who I'm not familiar with. The other one has a woman plastered on his side, while the other has two on each of his arms.

One of the women of the trio looks more focused at Allessio than the man she's with. My eyebrows furrowed when she slap Allessio's arm lightly while giggling. It would have seemed innocent, except for how her hand lingered on him.

I made my way toward them with heavy steps. I saw Allessio smoothly move his arm away from the woman, doing it in a way that wasn't rude but still clearly communicated his message. Yet, the woman seemed insistent, brushing her hand against his arm again just as I got closer.

Allessio's face shut off, making me think for a second that he might cut the woman's hand off himself. Before he could do it though, I stopped right in front of him.

The annoyed expression on his face melted and it was replaced by a heated stare. His gaze traveled all over me in a way that feels like he's touching me even if he wasn't. His lips moved, probably cursing in a language he could only understand. He was so focused on me that it's like he forgot that the other woman is still touching him.

But I haven't.

I moved closer, and I lowered my body on Allessio's lap, crossing my legs at the same time that I swatted the woman's hand away.

I smiled sweetly at the Italian woman who cradled her hand on her chest. I can feel the same sting on mine, but I didn't let it show. "Sorry. Instinct. I don't like it when someone other than me is touching him."

"Is that so, gattina?" Allessio murmured, his arm snaking to wrap around my waist. He brushed my hair to the side, and he planted a kiss on my exposed neck. "What should we do, then? Should we cut her hand off?"

I was right. He was really thinking about doing that.

Allessio's the kind of person who does whatever he wants to do. If he likes something, it's rare for him not to show it. And when he dislikes something? That's even rarer. He clearly didn't like the woman touching him.

Feeling warm at that thought, I found myself gently touching his cheek. With a small smile, he leaned on my hand like a lion that has been tamed except the rage in his eyes was still unmistakable.

I looked at the woman, and I saw that her face had lost its color. Even the man who's holding her has his attention flickering from me and Allessio. I realized that they weren't just afraid of Allessio. They were also afraid of me.

The thought took me aback for a second. I've known what it's like to be somewhat feared because I have money. It made me feel invisible before. But with Allessio on my side, it wasn't just about money, but rather it was about pure power. He's a powerful man. He's feared because he simply should be.

And right now, I'm sitting on the lap of the most powerful man in the room. Not only that but he's leaning on my hand as if I'm the person who managed to restrain him, and he's asking my decision on a matter that he could have done alone.

"It's Fierro's birthday. We shouldn't ruin it with blood," I said softly.

"The beautiful lady is right." it was the man with the two women in thick-sounding English who spoke. He momentarily let go of the shaking woman beside him, adjusting his tie as if it's suffocating him. "May I know your name, signorina?"

I leaned against Allessio when I felt him kiss my neck again. He has a habit of doing it whenever he sees me, which is always. "Haven."

"Your name is as pretty as you." He made a move as if to take my hand but he stopped at the last minute, probably thinking that it might be his hand that will end up getting cut off. "I'm Enrico Bellini"

"He's a senator," Allessio murmured in my ear.

A senator, huh? Looks like there's really corruption in any country. There's no way that this man has clean hands if he's here.

"Mi chiamo Tommaso Grimaldi. Piacere di conoscerla, signorina." The one who spoke was another man who seemed to be with his wife, based on the matching rings they were both wearing.

"He's Fierro's cousin. He said it's nice to meet you," Allessio translated for me.

I smiled at Tommaso and his wife. "Nice to meet you both as well."

The senator found an excuse to leave us, dragging the two women with him. Tommaso stayed with his wife a bit, talking to Allessio with something I couldn't understand, but they soon left us to be alone.

When there was just the two of us, Allessio ran his knuckles on my exposed thigh and stopped just at the end of my dress. "I didn't remember you having dress this short."

"This is one of our Paris haul. You didn't see me try it on."

"I would have stripped it off you if I had."

I turned to look at him. "Do you hate it?"

"No. It looks too beautiful on you, gattina, that's the problem. I can't even move you from my lap without giving everyone a show with how hard I am for you right now." His gaze flickered down my cleavage. "Will you slap me if I bury my face on those, right now?"

"Will you cut my hand off if I say yes?"

He chuckled, his eyes full of mirth. "No." He tangled his fingers with mine. "I like your hands. I imagined it wrapped around my cock a hundred times."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course you did. I don't know if anyone has told you this, but you're like a teenager with raging hormones."

"No one has told me that simply because it isn't true." When I opened my mouth to contest, he stopped me by tapping his forefinger on my lips. "That is until you came into my life."

"So it's my fault then?"

He captured my lips with his teeth, lightly grazing it. "Definitely."

He wasn't the only one who changed. Every time he's near, it's like my body is overheating. He's making me feel needy and desperate for his touch.

My gaze flickered down his lips and his eyes flash as if he knows what I'm thinking about. "Later, gattina, or I wouldn't be able to stop."

"Then don't," I whispered.

"As much as I love that, I don't want anyone to see your face when I make you come. That's only for me, and I'll blind anyone who ever made a mistake of seeing it."

He stood up, bringing me with him. He righted me on my sleek black high-heeled shoes, and another surge of heat ignited in his eyes.

"Go and eat before I decide to eat you myself."

I game him a challenging look. "That's not a bad idea."

I felt a stinging pain on my behind, and I realized the reason for it when I looked at Allessio and saw him grinning. "Did you just... spank me?"

"That's just a hint of what you will get someday, gattina." He held my chin with his fingers, and then he planted a soft, chase kiss on my lips. "Go and eat, but stay away from the dessert table. If you want something sweet, Rosa prepared some, and they're in the kitchen." With another kiss, he moved towards Fierro who's surrounded by people.

I decided to do as he asked, and I walked towards the long table of food. I could feel eyes on me, and I gave all the people looking at me a small smile. Some returned it with enthusiasm, some look careful, while some look downright fake.

I opened one of the chafing dishes, and I couldn't help the grin that crossed my lips when I saw that it was spaghetti.

I busied myself with checking the food and taking what I wanted, and when I was done, I was about to leave when I caught a glimpse of the dessert table. I wonder why he doesn't want me to get desserts. The smaller table was filled with jell-o, cookies, brownies, and chocolate lollipops molded like a maple leaf.

Glancing at Allessio's way, I quickly took a chocolate lollipop when I saw that he wasn't looking.

It's just desserts. Don't worry, dessert police. I'm just going to try this one.