Chainring upgrade suggestions.

I recently bought a Specialized Roubaix on marketplace for a sweet deal. After riding it for a week or so, hopping on my mountain bike I put together last summer doesn't seem as fun.

All of my riding is done on flat dirt roads so the roadbike gearing is awesome, I have to pedal faster on the highest gear and I'm goin Wang Chung on the pedals boy and I'm wondering if I would be able to fit a larger chainring from a 44t to anything larger. Or what would be a safe tooth count for clearance?

I know I could just buy a gravel bike, but switching the gearing is easier to sneak on the bike past the wife than a whole bike that looks completely different lol. I just dig the front and rear suspension for Lil moe cushion and recently put it together so if I can change something I would be more down with that.

1999 Specialized M4 Specs.
Cassette
9-speed, 11 – 32 teeth
Crankset
Specialized S-Works ForeArm, 22/32/44 teeth