“Oh, that was very kind of you.” Abigail let him escort her down the hall. She resisted an urge to touch her mouth. Why did she feel like she’d been kissed?
Charles followed close behind.
The hallway was lined with windows on both sides, and the gardens outside were well lit. To the left, she spotted a basketball court.
“It’s a lovely facility,” she murmured. “I’d love to see one of the labs.”
“Of course,” Gregori said quietly.
“Do you actually produce synthetic blood here?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “We package synthetic blood intended for mortal use in plastic bags. We do that 24/7. At night, when the Vamp employees come in, they bottle synthetic blood and Fusion Cuisine for the Vamp population.”
“Do the mortals who work here know about Vamps?” Her gaze wandered once again to his mouth.
A pained expression crossed his face. “Most of them have no idea.” He opened some double doors and ushered her into the cafeteria.
It was a typical-looking employee cafeteria—rectangular-shaped tables and plastic chairs, but she liked the view of the basketball court and garden. “There’s no one here.”
“Most of the night shift are Vamps, so they don’t eat here,” Gregori explained. “Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll bring you some food.” He strode away to the kitchen.
She sat where she had a view of the garden. In the distance she could see a gazebo with some sort of flowering vine growing over it. Very pretty and romantic-looking. If she had enough courage, she’d ask for a tour. Just her and Gregori. And maybe he would kiss her.
She shook her head. Why was she so obsessed with kissing all of a sudden? It was ridiculous when she had so many important things to worry about. Like her mother. The trip to China. But she’d fallen asleep last night remembering the feel of his hands and mouth on her skin. He’d come so close to kissing her when they’d shot the commercial. And she had wanted it.
She touched her mouth. A kiss from a vampire. What folly.
Charles leaned over to whisper in her ear. “You had a moment of dizziness?”
She lowered her hand. “Yes.”
“So did I. Something’s not right.” He straightened, frowning as he surveyed the room.
It was definitely strange. It wasn’t like her to feel dizzy and weak. She’d had dinner with Madison at seven. She glanced at her watch. Ten forty-seven? She’d been at Romatech for forty-seven minutes?
“Hello!” a woman’s voice said behind her.
Abigail twisted in her chair to see a woman entering the cafeteria. Late sixties perhaps? Abigail estimated her age by the gray streaks in her dark hair and the thin lines on her face, but she was still a handsome woman. A very happy one, too, since she was smiling broadly. She was wearing expensive black pumps and a stylish suit that reminded Abigail of the way her mother used to dress on the campaign trail.
“How do you do?” She strode straight toward Abigail. “I’m delighted to meet you.”
Charles held up a hand to stop her. “Identification, please.”
The woman halted. “I didn’t bring my handbag.” She planted her hands on her hips with a huff. “Really, young man, do I look like some kind of terrorist to you?” Her eyes glimmered with humor as she looked him over. “On second thought, I might insist that you search me thoroughly.”
Charles gulped. “That won’t be necessary.”
Abigail smiled as she rose to her feet. Whoever this woman was, she liked her.
“Mom!” Gregori strode toward them, carrying a tray. “What are you doing here?”
“Is that any way to greet me?” She gave him a stern look. “I came to meet your date, of course.”
“She’s not a date,” Gregori gritted out between clenched teeth as he set the tray on the table.
Abigail’s smile widened. The emotions crossing Gregori’s face were priceless. Shock, horror, then mortification.
“What is this?” His mother inspected the two dishes on the tray.
“Lobster and asparagus risotto,” he mumbled, setting the dishes on the table. “One for each of my guests. I don’t recall inviting you.”
“Well, it smells lovely!” his mother exclaimed. “I’ll take one. Thank you.”
“Mom,” he muttered. “This is a business meeting.”
“I’d be delighted for you to stay,” Abigail said. It was just too much fun watching Gregori squirm.
“Aren’t you the sweetest thing?” She extended a hand. “I’m Radinka Holstein. Please call me Radinka.”
“I’m Abigail Tucker.”
“Don’t shake her—” Gregori groaned when Abigail shook his mother’s hand.
Radinka clasped her hand in both of hers and held tightly. Then she let go with a wide grin. “Yes, at last! She’s the—”
“
She huffed. “I’m never wrong about these things.”
Gregori’s hands clenched, then released. “Take a seat, Mother. Have some risotto.” He grabbed a set of eating utensils wrapped in a napkin and banged them onto the table. Then he set a plate of risotto in front of her.
Abigail sat across from his mom, and Gregori handed her a napkin and the other risotto.
“Fair warning,” he whispered. “She’ll bring up children in less than five seconds.” He straightened. “So how did you know I was here tonight, Mother?”
She unrolled her napkin. “Roman, Angus, and Emma just teleported to the school, and they brought Shanna and her sister and mother with them. The mother wanted to meet her grandchildren.” She smiled at Abigail. “Did you know vampires are able to father children?”
Gregori groaned.
Abigail’s mouth twitched. She recalled Gregori mentioning this at the nightclub, but she was curious to hear more. “How very interesting.”
“So what brings you here, Mom?” Gregori asked.
“It’s very simple.” She shook out her napkin and placed it in her lap. “Emma told me you were here with your date, so I asked her to teleport me here, so I could meet her.”
“She’s not a date,” Gregori muttered. “She’s the president’s daughter.”
“I know that.” She looked at Abigail, her eyes gleaming. “She’s everything I ever hoped for. And as pretty as can be. Don’t you think she’s pretty, Gregori?”
“Mom—”
“Now don’t be shy. You should tell her how you feel.”
Abigail covered her mouth to hide her grin. The big tough vampire couldn’t control his mother. She glanced at him to find him glowering at her.
“She’s beautiful,” he whispered.
Her heart stuttered. Memories from last night swirled in her head. He’d admitted that he wanted her. His eyes had glowed red with desire.
Her gaze settled once again on his wide sensual lips. Good Lord, she was obsessed with the man’s mouth. All she could think about was kissing him.
“Now leave us alone a minute.” Radinka motioned toward Charles. “Don’t you need to bring the gentleman some food? And we need something to drink.”
Gregori grunted and stalked toward the kitchen.
“How is your mother, dear?” Radinka asked. “I have always admired her. She seems to have a great deal of inner strength.”
Abigail swallowed hard. “Yes, she does. Thank you.” She fiddled with her napkin. Somehow she had a feeling that Gregori didn’t understand how desperately she wanted to help her mother. “I’m trying to find a cure for her.”
“That’s very admirable of you.” Radinka tried the risotto. “Excellent. Is my son treating you well?”
“Yes.” Abigail felt a blush sweeping across her face as she recalled Gregori’s lips and fingers caressing her
