Dancing With Fire

- Starstruck -

**Soundtrack: Andersan .Paak - Heart Don't Stand A Chance**

Something in my mind did not compute.

Adam Kai, one of the most respected men in regional tech was somehow the same man I gave a verbal lashing to in a 7-Eleven last week. How was this possible? What was he doing there? And why is he so young? My mind was reeling, time passed like we were underwater, and I had to force my body to catch up.

"Miss Blue?" Besan chirped delightfully, "That's so sweet! Is that an inside joke from when you worked together?"

Adam glanced at me sideways without saying a word, smiling that cute, frustrating smile like the world had a special joke, just for him.

I mean, it really did. The joke was on me, though. I could barely meet his eye.

"It's... it's nothing." I stammered, flustered, thinking of the insane fit I threw over a blue Slurpee. Miss Blue? I could die.

"Well, isn't it great that you two remember each other!" Besan was oblivious to the numbing exchange that was happening.

"It's... I'm Maya Farid." I realised I hadn't properly introduced myself and tried to wrestle the embarrassment off my face, but somehow it just grew hotter and hotter. Especially when I noticed that this handshake was about 60 seconds long now. I politely withdrew my hand and hoped that my palms hadn't gone as clammy as I felt. Adam's expression lit up with a different kind of recognition.

"Maya Farid - you are the designer who did KaiTech's logo three years ago!" he exclaimed excitedly. Besan looked confused.

"Isn't that what we were just talking about...?" She began and I shook my head discreetly at her, forcing on my 'I'll explain to you later' smile. She picked up on it and regained her composure immediately. Damn, this chick is good. I was so glad she's got me covered!

"Well, it sounds like you two have so much to talk about. I've got to check on our keynote speaker. We'll be seated for that soon. Make sure you get a table together so you can continue to catch up!" She gave an award-winning smile and sashayed away.

This woman didn't get a damn thing! Why did she leave me alone with the embodiment of the most embarrassing moment of my life?

"What a coincidence that our paths keep crossing like this Maya." Adam said in a light tone. It wasn't lost on me that a man of his stature was being exceedingly nice to someone who had been so rude.

"Ah, so..." I began. I had to bite the bullet. I couldn't charm my way out like Besan did, so I did what worked for me. I put on my professional face. "I sincerely have to apologise about the other day - I really wasn't myself and..."

Adam chuckled, "Don't worry about a thing. We all have bad days."

I looked up at him properly for the first time. Do clothes really make a man? Somehow Adam seemed taller and more impressive than I remembered at 7-Eleven. Even thinking that made me feel extremely shallow. But it looked like he had gotten a haircut since I last saw him. His hair and beard were cropped close showing off his spectacularly square jawline - and oh my goodness, were those dimples? He had a barrel of a chest and the suit's luxurious fabric seemed to glide across his wide shoulders and down his very straight back. This man? Had bad days? From the smoothness of his skin to the whiteness of his teeth and the finely tailored details of his outfit - he looked like he hired a choir to sing lullabies to him while he got exactly 8 hours of sleep every night, and a team of seamstresses sewed him into his clothes when he got up in the morning. Impossible.

"I guess I owe you an explanation about the other night." He said, snapping me out of my musings. I reminded myself not to wonder what happened in Adam Kai's bed or how he got in and out of his clothes while he was standing right in front of me. Besan was right! Was I so horny that I was forgetting that this man was one of the tech industry's most brilliant minds? Keep it in your pants, Maya.