An expectant hush fell between us as Max's loaded words hung in the air. I found myself abruptly unable to meet the weight of that penetrating emerald gaze. Flustered warmth crept into my cheeks as I busied myself with taking an unhurried sip of wine, all the while flashing him a mischievous grin to mask the turmoil churning inside.

Get a grip, Charlotte. This is just Max toying with you as usual. I sternly reminded myself that the man across from me was an expert player, effortlessly ricocheting between searing intensity and cavalier aloofness.

Still, I couldn't quite banish the tremulous feeling his veiled provocations had sparked low in my belly. Nor could I ignore the infinitesimal shred of something tenuous yet potent that seemed to have materialized between us tonight.

Slowly, I allowed my gaze to drift back up until it collided with Max's. He regarded me steadily, posture relaxed yet decidedly predatory - like a panther poised to strike at the merest sign of prey.

Well, two could play at that game.

Summoning every ounce of reckless bravado, I matched Max's unwavering stare and curved my lips into a deliberate smirk.

"Is that your way of requesting an...encore performance, Mr. Pemberton?" I practically purred, pitching my voice to carry an unmistakable husky invitation. "Because I would loathe to disappoint after such an...ardent plea."

His jaw tensed almost imperceptibly at my daring rejoinder. But rather than looking discomfited, Max's expression melted into one of dark, sensual promise that sucked the breath from my lungs.

"You'd do well to resist making promises you can't keep, Ms. Bennett," he rasped in that devastating tone. "Lest I take you up on one and find myself...disappointed by unfulfilled expectations."

The deliberate suggestiveness of his words sparked an illicit frisson down my spine. I bit my tingling lip to stifle the breathless reaction, but Max's heavy-lidded gaze told me he'd missed nothing.

Game. On.

Regaining my equilibrium with a breezy toss of my hair, I flashed him a taunting look from beneath my lashes.

"Well then, we can't have that now, can we? Prepare to be...dazzled, Mr. Pemberton."

His eyes flared with a molten mixture of challenge and heated masculine interest at the provocative lilt of my tone. I held that blazing stare for another heated heartbeat before looking away, struggling to contain the shaken turmoil he'd ignited in my core.

Get a grip, Charlotte! I silently castigated myself. This game of escalating dares between us was quickly spiraling into dangerous territory - unfurling a simmering desire that threatened to raze every rational defense in its path.

And yet, some reckless part of me couldn't help craving more of this exhilarating game of provocations with Max. The thrill of dancing perilously close to the flames of our mutually combustible chemistry coursed like a fiery drug through my veins.

Pull back now and I'd always wonder if—

The jarring sound of my phone's ringtone shattered the tension with a harsh buzz of reality. I started violently as the shrill tones sliced through the sizzling atmosphere enveloping our table.

Thank god for interruptions, because who knew how far I would have allowed that perilous flirtation to go otherwise? I firmly squelched the fleeting disappointment trying to take root.

Fumbling in my purse, I shot Max an apologetic look as the ringtone continued its insistent trill.

"I'm so sorry, I should take this," I murmured distractedly as I caught sight of the caller ID. A concerned furrow creased my brow as I connected the call. "Hello? Yes, this is Charlotte..."

I half-turned in my chair as my father's care facility's number filtered in with its familiar sound of doom. A violent lead weight materialized in the pit of my stomach, radiating tendrils of nauseous dread.

This was it—the call I'd been bracing for, ever since Dad's mind started unraveling.

Oh god, no. Not yet, not yet! Please don't take him from me yet...

My vision blurred with the sudden sting of tears as a solemn voice on the other end of the line delivered the blow I'd been dreading.