"Excellent." Roman shook her hand. "And we will do everything in our power to make your trip to China successful."
"I was with Angus just now, making plans for the trip," Gregori said.
"I'll leave you to discuss it. I need to see how my wife and children are doing. Good evening." Roman inclined his head, then teleported away.
"Wow," Abigail breathed. She turned to Gregori. "That's how I'll get into China?"
"Yes. But before you go, we'll have everything planned out. It would help if we knew exactly what you're looking for."
"Three rare plants that are endemic to the Yunnan province. They're used in some ancient Chinese remedies, and from my research, I believe they might be helpful in boosting my mother's immune system. I tried to get hold of some samples legally, but the government wouldn't allow it. I have the information on the plants at work, including the mostly likely areas for locating them."
"Good." Gregori nodded. "That would help a lot. For now, we're busy selecting the right team, those who have experience in covert missions and know the native language."
She frowned. "But you're going, aren't you?"
"I would like to, but I don't have any experience - "
"You have to go." She grabbed his arm. "I don't know the others."
"You'll get to know them."
"Not like you. I - I need you there. I trust you."
Trust. He didn't deserve her trust, not after wiping her memory.
Her grip tightened on his arm. "Please. I'll feel safer with you."
"I'll tell Angus you want me to go." Did this mean she really liked him? He glanced over at Charles, who was glaring at him. "Before we take off across the world, we need to test how well you can handle teleportation."
Her eyes widened. "What happens if I can't handle it?"
"You . . . might get nauseated." He pointed out the window. "See the gazebo? I'll teleport you there, so we can see if you can stomach it."
She touched her tummy and winced. "On a full stomach. Great."
"I don't like it." Charles stepped toward them. "I have to be able to monitor her at all times."
"You'll be able to see her through the window," Gregori assured him.
"Charles," Abigail said, "we have to know if I can do this."
"All right." Charles frowned at Gregori. "I'll be watching."
He extended a hand to Abigail. "I have to hold on to you."
"Okay." She placed her hand in his.
"Like this." He pulled her into his arms, and she stiffened with surprise. He heard her heart rate speed up.
Charles's eyes narrowed.
"And I need you to hold on to me," Gregori continued. "You don't want to get lost on the way."
"No, that would be bad." She wrapped her arms around his neck.
He gazed into her pretty hazel eyes. "Ready?"
She nodded and squeezed her eyes shut.
Everything went black for a second, then they landed by the gazebo. The grass was damp from a recent rain. The air was thick with humidity and the scent of climbing roses.
"You can open your eyes now," he whispered.
She did, and her eyes widened as she looked around. "Oh my gosh, we actually did it. I hardly felt a thing."
He waved at the window in the distance where Charles was watching. "Let him know you're okay."
"Right." She waved at the Secret Service agent. "I'm not nauseated at all. Isn't that great?"
"I . . . sorta lied about that. Mortals usually teleport just fine."
Her mouth dropped open. "Why would you lie?"
"Because I wanted to get away from all the cameras." He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the gazebo. "And away from Charles."
"He'll just come after us."
"He'll have trouble finding an unlocked door so he can get out here."
She winced. "This is going to make him angry."
"It'll be worth it." Gregori released her and stepped back. "Finally. We're alone."
Chapter Seventeen
Abigail's mind raced, along with her heart, as she mentally ticked off any reasons Gregori might have to be alone with her. Unfortunately, no matter how she figured it, she kept reaching the same conclusion: he was planning to seduce her.
It was dark inside the gazebo, so she couldn't see his expression to gauge how serious he was. His posture seemed tense.
She took a deep breath of the heady rose-scented air. "If you're concerned about the alliance, I can assure you that my father will honor - "
"I'm sure he will. That's not why I brought you here."
She swallowed hard. Seduction remained on top of the list. "If you're concerned about the doll we found, then you needn't be. Roman explained it all to me. He said you only bring her out of the closet for bachelor parties."
He nodded. "I never dated her. She's hard to talk to."
Abigail smiled weakly. "Well, you can always talk to me."
"That's exactly what I want to do."
She blinked. "It is?" What happened to seduction? Well, this was a relief. Or was it? She winced inwardly with a sudden realization.
She was disappointed.
Good Lord, she must be losing her mind.
He shifted his weight. "I want to talk about us."
Us? "I . . . hope we'll be traveling together to China in a few days - "
"How do you feel about me?"
She hesitated. What on earth could she say? That he was the most handsome, attractive, and charming man she'd ever met? That he was the sort of man she'd dreamed of? That she wanted him to long for her as much as she longed for him? That his act of stealing her away made her dizzy with excitement? He'd taken charge with boldness, and it made her knees tremble.
But how could she admit any of that? He was a vampire. As much as she yearned for heat and passion, she was still, underneath it all, a sensible, practical person. She couldn't fall in love with a vampire.
He yanked at his tie. "Are you . . . repulsed that I'm Undead?"
She winced. "No. You were attacked. You didn't ask for this. You did the best you could under the circumstances."
He stepped toward her, and she stepped back.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"Should I be?"
"I would never hurt you." He took another step toward her. "I'm going to kiss you."
Seduction. She'd been right all along. She stuffed her hands in her coat pockets. When she bumped into his stress ball, she clenched a fist around it. "Don't you think you should ask permission first?"
He shook his head. "If I ask, you might refuse."
Bold and aggressive. He sliced right through her defenses and seized hold of that secret primitive part of her that ached to be loved by such a strong, determined man. An Alpha hero like the guys in her mother's books. A man like Gregori who would take an entire night to worship and pleasure her to her heart's content.
But she couldn't give in. A relationship with him was impossible. Completely, irreparably impossible.
She lifted her chin. "You would kiss me against my will?"
He touched her chin with his finger. "I would have to change your will."
"I doubt you - " She stopped when he dragged the tip of his finger down her throat. Goose bumps skittered down her arms, and she shivered.
"Scholar," he whispered.
"Gori," she whispered back.
The corner of his mouth curled up, causing his cheek to dimple. "The brain and the beast?"
Unfortunately her brain wasn't working well. There had to be a dozen reasons why she needed to stop him, but she couldn't think of a single one.
His hand slipped around to cup the back of her neck. His gaze met hers, and his eyes had turned a brighter, more emerald green. "Do you know how much I want you?"
She shook her head.
"You're so brilliant." He kissed her brow. "So brave." He kissed her temple. "And beautiful." His lips skimmed over her cheek.
"No." She planted her hands against his chest to stop him as his mouth hovered less than an inch from her own. Good Lord, she wanted him so much.
But she had to resist. "It's impossible."
His hand tightened around her neck. He leaned his head forward till his brow rested on hers. After a moment of silence, he whispered, "You can say it's difficult. Hard. Challenging. Don't say it's impossible."