Notturno (29 page)

all, you little
shit
?”

“I love you,” Adin said quietly. “You can have anything you

want from me, Donte. Anything.”

Donte leaned over and kissed Adin’s lips softly.

Adin tried the door and found it locked. Donte made a face,

but Adin showed him where he kept the spare key under a

particularly ugly plant.

Donte lifted a brow. “I see you take security seriously.”

“The things that are important to me can’t be obtained with

a key.”

“I know.” Donte shifted, reaching for the smaller carry-on–

style bag. “That’s why…” He retrieved the
Notturno
manuscript from it—in its protective carrying case—and handed it to Adin.

“That’s
how
I know that the things that are sacred to me are safe in your hands, più amato.”

After a moment, Adin realized what Donte was saying.

“Donte. I swear I’ll take care of it; I promise you that. I’ll see

that it’s protected and cherished.” He held it to his chest as

Donte keyed the lock and went in first. He placed the

manuscript on a table near the door and turned to see Donte

looking at him with solemn, serious eyes.

“And if I were to give my heart into your safekeeping as well, caro? Would you also protect and cherish that?”

“If it’s yours to give.” Adin reached out and cupped the

back of Donte’s head, bringing him in close for a kiss.

202 Z.A. Maxfield

Donte looked uncertain. “I carry Auselmo in my heart. His

heart and mine are one. I don’t know how to separate them.”

“Ah.” Adin sighed, urging the still-dripping and muddy

Donte into the bathroom. He opened the tap and diverted the

water to the shower, pulling the curtain closed. “Well. I think

my heart has room enough for both of you.” He turned and

smiled tentatively.

Donte smiled back, looking around. “This is a very small

house, più amato.” He removed his clothes, dropping them in a

heap on the floor by the bathroom door.

“It’s cozy,” Adin offered, hanging Donte’s clothing on a

wooden wall peg as each piece came off.

“It’s was built for the mayor of Munchkin City.” Donte

raised his eyebrows.

“But on the not very bright side, there’s hardly any sun. That

will mean less wear and tear on that delicate vampire

complexion. Lowered sunscreen costs.”

“Ah, yes. Well…” Donte removed Adin’s jeans, then tossed

those on the floor as well, thwarting Adin, who ran out of pegs.

He ran a hand across the muscles he found on Adin’s chest and

abdomen. “You are so beautiful, caro.”

“And you as well, più amato, are beautiful. And I, as the

apex of the academic…”

“I will teach you to mock
me
, Adin.”

“I’m afraid you already have, love.” Adin grinned.

“Adin!” Donte cried out as Adin bit him hard, just above his

nipple.

“That will teach you to eat something spicy before bedtime.”

“You shit!” Donte joined Adin’s laughter as they stepped

into the shower together.

“Maybe tomorrow, for laughs, you’ll stay in bed with me.

Just
once
, I’d like to wake up and not find myself abandoned.”

“Oh, Adin.” Donte pulled the smaller man to him and

generously let him languish under the spray of hot water. “I am

so sorry.”

NOTTURNO
203

“It’s all right.” Adin laid his head on Donte’s silent chest.

“Will you let me draw you while you sleep?” Donte asked

almost shyly.

Adin suddenly remembered the journal entries Donte wrote

while watching Auselmo sleep, and a wave of tenderness

washed over him. “You don’t sleep?”

Donte shook his head. “I hardly slept before I was turned,

and now, I don’t sleep at all.”

“Then yes. Of course. My home is yours. You can do

whatever you like.”

“I have a villa in Spain, and your
home
would fit in the

bathroom,” Donte said sourly.

“Nevertheless.” Adin distracted him with a passionate kiss.

“Adin?”

“Yes, love?”

Donte tightened his arms around Adin and sighed against

his ear.

“I brought a new blank journal.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Z. A. MAXFIELD is a fifth generation native of Los Angeles,

although she now lives in Orange County, CA She started

writing in 2007 on a dare from her children and never looked

back. Pathologically disorganized, and perennially optimistic,

she writes as much as she can, reads as much as she dares, and

enjoys her time with family and friends. If anyone asks her how

a wife and mother of four manages to find time for a writing

career, she’ll answer, “It’s amazing what you can do if you

completely give up housework.” Check out her website at:

http://www.zamaxfield.com.

THE TREVOR PROJECT

The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-theclock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Every day, The

Trevor Project saves lives though its free and confidential

helpline, its website and its educational services. If you or a

friend are feeling lost or alone call The Trevor Helpline. If you

or a friend are feeling lost, alone, confused or in crisis, please

call The Trevor Helpline. You’ll be able to speak confidentially

with a trained counselor 24/7.

The Trevor Helpline: 866-488-7386

On the Web: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

THE GAY MEN’S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT

Founded in 1994, The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project is

a grassroots, non-profit organization founded by a gay male

survivor of domestic violence and developed through the

strength, contributions and participation of the community. The

Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project supports victims and

survivors through education, advocacy and direct services.

Understanding that the serious public health issue of domestic

violence is not gender specific, we serve men in relationships

with men, regardless of how they identify, and stand ready to

assist them in navigating through abusive relationships.

GMDVP Helpline: 800.832.1901

On the Web: http://gmdvp.org/

THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST

DEFAMATION/GLAAD EN ESPAÑOL

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is

dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive

representation of people and events in the media as a means of

eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender

identity and sexual orientation.

On the Web:

http://www.glaad.org/

GLAAD en español:

http://www.glaad.org/espanol/bienvenido.php

If you’re a GLBT and questioning student heading off to

university, should know that there are resources on campus for

you. Here’s just a sample:

US Local GLBT college campus organizations

http://dv-8.com/resources/us/local/campus.html

GLBT Scholarship Resources

http://tinyurl.com/6fx9v6

Syracuse University

http://lgbt.syr.edu/

Texas

A&M

http://glbt.tamu.edu/

Tulane University

http://www.oma.tulane.edu/LGBT/Default.htm

University of Alaska

http://www.uaf.edu/agla/

University of California, Davis

http://lgbtrc.ucdavis.edu/

University of California, San Francisco

http://lgbt.ucsf.edu/

University of Colorado

http://www.colorado.edu/glbtrc/

University of Florida

http://www.dso.ufl.edu/multicultural/lgbt/

University of Hawaiÿi, Mānoa

http://manoa.hawaii.edu/lgbt/

University of Utah

http://www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt/

University of Virginia

http://www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents/lgbt/

Vanderbilt University

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lgbtqi/