I strode into Max's office, not bothering to knock. A massive ebony desk dominated the room, its surface meticulously organized. How very like Maximilian, I mused, to maintain such rigid control even in his physical environment.

His reaction was immediate - his head snapped up, emerald eyes narrowing beneath thick, dark brows. Even after all these years, that simmering intensity still crackled between us like a livewire.

"What do you want, Duvall?" he growled, leaning back in his high-backed leather chair.

I shot him a cool smirk, unfazed by his hostility. That was just Maximilian's way - all bravado and alpha posturing. How delightful it was to ruffle those perfectly groomed feathers. "I zink it's time we 'ad a talk about Mademoiselle Bennett, non?" I purred, my accent thickening with amusement.

His jaw clenched at the mention of Charlotte's name, a muscle ticking tellingly. Ah, there it was - the chink in his carefully constructed armor. "She's none of your concern," he bit out, green eyes flashing with poorly concealed possessiveness.

"On ze contrary, mon ami," I said lightly, sauntering further into the room. I trailed my fingers along the edge of his desk, noting how his gaze followed the movement with laser focus. "I wish to bring 'er onto ze Sakura project."

Max's eyes flashed dangerously, like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. "Absolutely not. That's highly confidential."

I couldn't help the thrill that ran through me at his vehemence. Oh, how I loved to dance along the knife's edge of his control. "And yet, you brought me in as a consultant, did you not?" I pressed, leaning casually against his desk. "Surely you recognized my ability to identify... précieux assets."

"If this is about getting closer to her..." he started, voice low with warning.

I laughed then, unable to resist baiting him further. "Jaloux, Maximilian? Perhaps if you weren't so busy burying your head in ze sand, you'd see ze remarkable woman right in front of you."

He shot to his feet, his imposing frame radiating fury. The abrupt movement sent his chair rolling back, the soft thud as it hit the wall punctuating the tension between us. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Duvall," he snarled.

I reveled in his anger, drinking in the fire that lit his eyes. This was the Maximilian I remembered - passionate, alive, not the cold automaton he'd become in recent years. "Don't I?" I challenged, holding his smoldering gaze. "Tell me, how long are you going to continue denying yourself zis chance at 'appiness, hmm? Playing ze martyr doesn't suit you, old friend."

Something flickered in his eyes then - a flash of raw vulnerability quickly masked. We both knew I'd struck a nerve. I felt a pang of guilt, quickly brushed aside. This was for his own good, after all. And if I enjoyed the game a little too much... well, who could blame me?

Max and I... our history ran deeper than most realized. Yes, we'd once been fierce rivals, vying for the affections of the same woman. Kathrine had been brilliant, beautiful, a force of nature. Her laughter could light up a room, her wit sharp enough to cut diamond. I still remembered the intoxicating scent of her perfume, the way her eyes sparkled when she was passionate about something.

In the end, she had chosen me over Max's relentless pursuit. Those months with her had been some of the happiest of my life. But our time together had been cut devastatingly short when tragedy struck. The memory of that day still haunted me - the screeching of tires, the shattering of glass, the deafening silence that followed.

I pushed the painful thoughts away, focusing instead on the man before me. I could still see the echoes of that loss reflected in Maximilian's eyes at times. The way he guarded his heart so fiercely, always keeping the world at arm's length. With Kathrine's passing, a part of him had shut down, leaving only the hard-edged businessman behind.

But I saw the way he looked at Charlotte - that reluctant longing, the hint of the man he used to be before the world hardened him. She was the key to unlocking his tightly-leashed emotions, whether he could admit it or not. And if prodding at old wounds was what it took to make him see that... well, I was more than willing to play the villain.

"Don't punish yourself forever, Maximilian," I said, letting a hint of gentleness seep into my tone. "And don't punish her for having ze audacity to make you feel again. Kathrine wouldn't 'ave wanted zat for you."

Max flinched imperceptibly at her name. All this time and her memory could still disarm him so thoroughly. Before he could protest, I pressed on, my mind racing with the implications of what I was about to say.

"Zis promotion to International CEO, I know is a delicate thread zat could snap at any moment, but zis deal you have with ze Benefactor we both know is a long-termed deal...Tell me Maximilian, where does zat leave Charlotte?" I shook my head, watching his reactions carefully. "Don't let ze same mistakes repeat zhemselves. Don't shut out ze very thing zat could make you whole again."

His jaw worked silently for a moment before he found his voice. "You're treading on dangerous ground, Duvall." The warning in his tone sent a delicious thrill through me. Oh, how I loved to dance along the edge of that danger.

"Perhaps," I allowed, a sly smile playing at my lips. "But we both know I'm right about zis one. Let Charlotte in on ze Sakura project. See what she's capable of." I paused, softening my tone. "See her."

Max held my gaze for a long, weighted moment. I could almost see the gears turning in that brilliant mind of his, weighing the risks and benefits. Finally, he gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable once more. "Fine. But this isn't just about her abilities. You and I both know you have more than just professional intentions here."

His eyes bore into mine, and I couldn't deny the truth.

"Oui, I do," I acknowledged, my pulse quickening at the admission.

"We are both honorable men, Maximilian. We can admire ze same woman, but she's not just a prize. I zink we can both agree it's best to let her professional potential reach its peak," I murmured, barely able to conceal my satisfaction. "I'll make ze arrangements for her introduction to Nakamura."

As I turned to leave, Max's voice stopped me. "Do be cautious, Jean. Charlotte is far fiercer than..." He trailed off, unable to voice the depth of his feelings. "And she is mine. Make no mistake about that." I met his gaze evenly and nodded, a frisson of excitement running through me at the possessiveness in his tone.

With one last intense look, he finished. "This doesn't change anything between us, Jean. You know that."

I glanced back at him, a slow smile tugging at my lips. "I would despair if it did, mon ami."

As I sauntered out of the office, my mind was awhirl with possibilities. The truth was, my feelings for Charlotte were a complicated tangle of affection, attraction...and perhaps a hint of twisted fate. Having her work closely on this make-or-break deal could prove désastreux. But the potential rewards... oh, they were too tempting to resist.

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I made my way down the corridor. Poor Maximilian, always so serious, so controlled. He had no idea of the delightful chaos I was about to unleash. Charlotte was a wildcard, brilliant and unpredictable. Throwing her into the mix of the Sakura project was like tossing a firecracker into a crowded room.

But as I replayed Max's blazing stare in my mind, I couldn't bring myself to feel even a shred of remorse. Not when her mere presence cracked open the man I had once admired more than any other. For both our sakes, this was a storm I was willing to weather.

After all, what was life without a little délicieux chaos? And if I happened to enjoy stirring the pot a bit too much... well, that was just part of my charm, non?

A BRIEF UPDATE - 🌟 Exciting News 🌟

Hello, my Beloved readers!

I'm over the moon to share that I've decided to serialize "Romancing My Boss"! 🎉 This story has been such a joy to write. Your enthusiasm and feedback mean everything to me and I will never stop thanking you for it.

But wait, there's more! I'm thrilled to announce the second book in the series, "Romancing My Ghostwriter." This one features a brand new, delightful couple that I think you'll absolutely adore. It would mean the world to me if you could give it a read and share your thoughts.

So, please, dive into this new story lose yourself in the pages, and let me know what you think with your reactions, comments or reviews I welcome all!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible support.

Here's to many more adventures together!

Warm hugs and happy reading,