Chapter 248: Office Flirting
**【Luna's Perspective】**
I followed Max into his office, my face a carefully composed mask hiding the anger simmering beneath. Though outwardly calm, my mind raced with questions about what had just happened in the Chemical Lab. Why had Max called my Light Matter research worthless? Why had he allowed Daniel to humiliate me in front of my colleagues?
Max guided me to the comfortable seating area in his spacious office. He poured a glass of water and handed it to me before sitting beside me on the plush sofa.
I accepted the water, taking a small sip while watching him over the rim of the glass. His expression remained unreadable as his fingers gently enveloped mine, his thumb tracing small circles on my skin.
"Why do you always like to hold my hand?" I asked, genuinely curious despite my irritation.
Max looked up, his brown eyes meeting mine with surprising vulnerability. "My new wife won't give me hugs or kisses. I can barely even see her. Am I not allowed to hold her hand either?"
The plaintive note in his voice made me pause. Had I been too harsh with him lately? My anger began to soften around the edges as I recognized the hurt beneath his words.
"I still want an explanation about what happened with Daniel," I said, my tone gentler now. "And how my research data got exposed."
Max sighed, still stroking my fingers. "I'm not in a good mood right now. When I feel better, I'll explain everything."
I studied his face, noting the tension around his eyes and the subtle tightness of his jaw.
Leaning forward, I pressed a soft kiss against his cheek. "Is your mood better now?"
The corner of his mouth quirked upward. "Not quite."
Understanding his meaning, I shifted onto his lap, winding my arms around his neck. His hands immediately found my waist, supporting me with careful strength. I pressed my lips to his in a deep kiss, pouring weeks of pent-up emotion into the contact.
Max responded with equal fervor, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of my head as he pulled me closer. When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, his eyes had darkened with desire.
"Is this okay?" I whispered, suddenly conscious of our surroundings.
"Come to my apartment tonight," he murmured against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
"But I'm over six months pregnant," I hesitated. "What if... what if we hurt the baby?"
Max chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest against mine. "You're overthinking things. Don't worry so much."
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I rested my forehead against his shoulder. "Now will you tell me what happened in the lab?"
Max guided me to lie beside him on the wide sofa, his arm a comforting weight around my shoulders. "Luna, which is more important to you—your family or your Light Matter research?"
"Family, of course," I answered without hesitation.
His voice dropped to a near whisper, his lips close to my ear. "Bait the hook to catch the fish."
I stiffened as understanding dawned. "You heard my concerns about possible infiltration in the Chemical Lab."
"I did," Max confirmed, his fingers absently tracing patterns on my arm.
"Tell me about the plan," I urged, curiosity piqued.
Max shook his head firmly. "No. You need to rest and take care of our baby. Let me handle this."
I tried pouting, a tactic that had occasionally worked in the past. "Just a little hint?"
"Not this time," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But if all goes well, we might soon locate your real family."
At the mention of my family, a wave of longing washed over me. I burrowed closer to Max, seeking comfort in his warmth.
The office door suddenly swung open without warning. "Max, the Pentagon meeting is in fifteen—" Lily's voice cut off abruptly as she took in the scene before her.
I scrambled to sit up, mortified to be caught in such an intimate position, but Max's hand on my waist stilled me.
"Careful," he murmured. "Don't move too quickly—think of the baby."
Lily's expression had frozen into a mask of professional detachment, though her eyes betrayed her emotions. "I apologize for the interruption, but the Pentagon representatives are waiting in Conference Room A."
"This is the President's office of Morrison Group," she added, her gaze sliding pointedly to me. "Perhaps you should consider the appropriateness of your actions."
Max's posture stiffened. "Lily, from now on, knock before entering my office."
"I've never needed to knock before," she countered, her tone clipped.
"Bad habits can be corrected," Max replied coldly. "And while you're at it, bring some warm milk for Luna."
Lily's hands curled into fists at her sides, her knuckles whitening with pressure. She remained silent, her jaw clenched tight.
"No need," I interjected, rising carefully from the sofa. "I should return to the Staff Apartments to rest."
"I'll take you," Max insisted, standing beside me.
"Violet can escort me," I replied, already messaging my security guard.
As we passed Lily in the doorway, I felt the weight of her hostility like a physical force. I paused, turning to meet her gaze directly.
"Miss Carter," I said quietly, "I hope you understand the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries with other people's husbands."
Her expression darkened further, but she remained silent, her fists still clenched at her sides.
"Don't overthink things," Max murmured as he guided me through the door, his hand protectively at the small of my back.
Violet waited in the hallway, despite my insistence that I could manage on my own, Max accompanied us all the way to the Staff Apartments, his protective instincts clearly overriding his professional obligations.