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“Kimchi,” he said succinctly, observing her for any other aftereffects aside from her deep embarrassment.
Oddly, the kimchi had gotten to her. “I want more.”
Nic’s guffaw rose above the noisy din inside the small restaurant. Several heads swung towards their table, and by the growing excitement on their expressions, it was obvious that they recognized who they were. Mobile phones were discreetly pulled out from some handbags and pockets.
Nic’s eyes remained laughing when she said defensively, “What? It’s an acquired taste.”
Nic shook his head in amusement, looking at her as if not quite believing someone like her actually existed. “You are just so fucking precious, rojita.”
Oh God, no! To her horror, Lexie felt her nipples peaking at the profane F-word endearment. She gripped the edge of the table to stop herself from climbing all over him. Uneasy, she asked another question to divert his attention. “What were you doing at the Polo Expo?”
He knew what she was trying to do judging by the knowing gleam in his eyes, but he played along. “I have a booth to promote our estancia in Argentina. People from all over the world can come over and stay and learn how to play polo. They can also buy ponies and equipment from us.”
“Who runs the estancia when you are playing in tournaments outside Argentina?”
“It’s a family business. My parents and cousins are also polo players.”
“Just like our family business,” she replied lightly, stemming the bitterness creeping into her tone. “Ever think of retiring from the game?”
“In a few years, when the estancia has bounced back from our present difficulties and when I find a partner to fund a project I am working on.”
“Can’t Butler be your partner?” Lexie caught the fleeting hint of distaste on Nic’s face.
“Let’s just say we don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things.”
“Why work for him then?”
He shrugged. “Arion was the only team that had an opening in its roster when my former patron died suddenly. I took it.”
“But you’re the best polo player in the world. I bet any team would die to have you.” As I am dying to have you right now. She didn’t say that out loud, did she?
He slanted her a sexy look. Okay. It might have been just an ordinary look, but everything this man did she found unbearably hot. “It was the middle of polo season. The patrons had already filled in their teams’ line-up. Butler fired his team captain by coincidence and so there was an open slot in the team.”
Two steaming bowls of rice were laid down before them and slivers of beef, pork, and shrimp were presented on a dome-shaped grilling plate. The mouth-watering aroma of sesame oil and the barbecued meat teased Lexie’s nostrils. They ate in silence for the first few minutes.
Nic started asking her about Seirenada’s history, and eventually talk led back to polo. “I hear your brother used to play when he was studying in the UK.”
Lexie nodded. “He’s a good amateur player, but when my parents died, things just became too complicated. And Seirenada is a small principality. Even if Stefan wanted to, there would be no place to set up a field as big as nine football fields just for polo. It’s not a priority.”
“He sounds very practical.”
“He is,” she confirmed, carefully quelling any resentment that may tinge her voice. Don’t forget, Alexandria. Mr. Fernandez is not for you, her brother’s reminder suddenly came to mind. “Stefan’s vision is for Seirenada to become a serious player in the international business community. He is going to do it and see it through.”
She must have sounded too forceful in her assertion, for he answered wryly. “That I don’t doubt.”
His hand wrapped around a brown bottle with a foreign brand. She assumed it was Korean and alcoholic. He caught her watching him drink it. Lexie refused when he offered.
“I take it you’re not a big polo enthusiast?”
He had a manner of looking directly into her eyes. There was nowhere to hide. “I’m terrified of horses. I fell off one when I was little. If I were a fan, I would have recognized you instantly that night.”
