Notturno Read Online Free PDF Page A

it.”
    “Actually, I don’t believe you could.” This seemed as good a
    time as any to test it. If Donte could get Adin to do anything he
    22 Z.A. Maxfield
    wanted, then the game was over before it began anyway. A
    tremendous wave of emotion washed over him, deep fear that
    crawled up his spine like a vine. It was an interesting sensation,
    but because he expected it, he could remain distant,
    acknowledging and exploring it without letting the suggestions
    touch him. Adin searched the fear, probing it like a sore tooth.
    At its core was the desire to reach out to Donte for protection.
    Donte watched him curiously.
    “Hey, nice,” said Adin. “If you could make people think
    they’d eaten, you’d be a remarkable diet aid.”
    “I am the very apex of the food chain on this planet, Adin.
    Try to have a little respect.” Donte’s mouth quirked, the
    beginnings of a smile forming on his luscious lips.
    “Nevertheless, it isn’t going to work on me now that I can
    feel it coming.” Adin smoothed a hand over Donte’s jacket and
    tie. Adin’s own tie , which Donte took from him on the airplane.
    “The color suits you,” he remarked with asperity. “Trophy tie?”
    “You spent on my tie, Adin. I’m having it cleaned.”
    “Ah.” There didn’t seem to be much more to say. Adin
    looked back at the numbers.
    “Well. This is awkward,” said Donte.
    “Give me a minute. I’m warming up to asking you out for
    dinner.”
    “Really?”
    Adin looked up at Donte. “Yes.” Donte’s perfect mouth
    formed in a small O of surprise.
    “If I go with you, does that qualify as takeout for me, I
    wonder.”
    Adin laughed again.
    “You seem remarkably calm in the face of what could be a
    very short, very frightening night on the town. Do you realize
    this?”
    “Yes, I realize. You could probably kill me, then rent my
    room and get your manuscript back. But you haven’t, yet.
    Instead you’ve turned on your enormous personal charm and
    NOTTURNO 23
    turned off your mojo, so I have to figure I stand a chance, at
    least, to greet the dawn alive.”
    “You think my personal charm is enormous, do you, Adin?”
    asked Donte, leaning in.
    “As if you didn’t know you were every month in my Undead
    Playmate Calendar.”
    “I like you, Adin,” said Donte warmly.
    “I hope you don’t mean that in the epicurean sense, love.”
    “Of course.” Donte smiled. “First course, entrée, dessert.
    Perhaps you could come between the cheese course and the
    après-dinner coffee.” He lowered his lashes. “You were
    delicious. A hint of Irish butter…a note of berry…a little sweet,
    a little tart.”
    “I must admit I have been called a little tart before.”
    Donte tilted his head back and laughed. “Where shall we go,
    caro? Someplace where you will sparkle for me all night, yes?”
    “Oh no. Am I sparkling again?” asked Adin. “I have just the
    place, Donte, but first tell me, do you eat? Or just drink?”
    “I won’t be eating.”
    “Ah, then no porterhouse for two at Table 8.” He sighed.
    “Too bad, it’s rather wonderful. I think in that case we can head
    over to Vin, my sister’s favorite.”
    “All right, do you have a car?”
    “No, we’ll get a cab. It’s over on Santa Monica, in West
    Hollywood. On the way, perhaps you can fill me in on the
    whole garlic thing. Is it a dating do or don’t for vamps, and will
    I get kissed if I eat it?”
    “You are remarkably sanguine, no pun intended, for a man
    in an elevator with a vampire.”
    “Little reality check. If I believed in vampires, and I’m not saying I do, you haven’t proved you are one to my satisfaction.
    You fucked me in an airplane bathroom, bit my neck, and tried
    to steal a million-dollar manuscript from me. I think I’m being
    remarkably optimistic about the whole affair. I’ll even pay for
    dinner. No stakes, I promise, just poultry or fish.”
    24 Z.A. Maxfield
    “Very funny.”
    The elevator started to move at its normal speed