“You are the most beautiful baby girl, aren’t you, my sweet?”

The moment Vivienne had touched this baby, something visceral happened to her. She couldn’t explain it in words, but she felt a deep connection with that small bundle of joy. She usually reacted strongly to kids because she couldn’t have any, but this baby was different.

“I can’t keep calling you baby, can I now?” Vivienne cooed to the minuscule girl who bubbled in response. “Let’s give you a proper name.”

She cradled the baby in her arms and rocked her slowly, walking back and forth the entire length of the billionaire’s bedroom. He would probably be furious when he got back home, but she stumbled into his bedroom—okay, she hadn’t stumbled in it as much as looked for it and found it after wandering through the penthouse for several minutes.

“There’s something about him, isn’t there?” she asked the baby.

Vivienne hated to admit it, but Max Prize was a handsome man, and when he lowered his guard—as he had done in the kitchen—he could be quite charming.

“He’s also a big jerk, though,” she said out loud in a singsong tone that made the baby smile. “Yes, he is,” she added in the same tone, eliciting another beautiful, toothless smile from the girl.

“Back to your name…” She thought for a moment, then her eyes went to the baby’s head and the big pink bow that looked like a rose. “Rose—”

The baby’s eyes widened, and they were bright amber.

“Amber Rose!” Vivienne danced around the room, laughing. “Amber Rose, you are the most perfect baby girl in the whole wide world, and someone will love you so much.”

A familiar pain seized her heart. It was bittersweet, and tears welled at the corner of her eyes.

Steps resonated from the hallway, and she immediately wiped the tears away with her free hand.

For a moment, she thought Max was about to appear, and the notion wasn’t altogether unpleasant.

“Miss Vivienne—” Hugo called from the doorway, after rapping on the frame once.

She turned to face the man. “You’re already back,” she said, spotting the large plastic bag in his hand.

“Your list wasn’t that long, miss.” He smiled, but she couldn’t help but notice how his eyes nervously looked around the room.

“Don’t worry; I haven’t touched anything.” She chuckled to hide that she was indeed nervous about her trespassing.

At the time, it had seemed like a good idea. Right now, with the owner of that humongous bed bound to burst into the room at any moment, her reptilian brain told her to scramble.

“Mr. Prize called to say he won’t be back until dinner,” Hugo said as if reading her mind.

“Good,” she said, then realized she might’ve misspoken. “Not good that he isn’t coming until late—” It didn’t sound any better than her first attempt.

“It’s okay,” Hugo said with a paternal smile. “I understand that you are both curious and intimidated by my boss.”

“Intimidated? Me?” Vivienne gave him her raised brow and cocked hip combo. “I don’t think so.”

Hugo laughed. “Of course. Forgive me if I misspeak.” He pointed down at the bag. “Where do you want them?”

Vivienne found the man’s attitude contagious and smiled back. “Let’s go to the guest room.”

“Excellent idea.” Hugo opened his free arm to the side, indicating the way. “Mr. Prize said that you don’t have to wait for him to eat and to order anything you like. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll deliver it when you want to have dinner.”

“That won’t be necessary. I can pick up something on the way home,” she said.

Hugo stopped in the middle of the long corridor. “I believe there must be a misunderstanding—”

“What misunderstanding?”

“I think Mr. Prize is under the impression that you’ll be staying here for the time being—”

“What?”

“Well, until the baby’s family is found.”

“He can’t think I’ll move here,” Vivienne said, but she could imagine someone as self-centered as the young billionaire would take for granted that the rest of the universe moved around him.

“I’m sorry. I thought Mr. Prize had talked to you already.”

“He didn’t even mention it.”

“From what I understand, it’s only for a day or two, and you’ll be compensated for the extra hours and inconvenience, of course.”

“It’s not about the money!”

“I am sure it is not, but I can assure you all the same that Mr. Prize is exceptionally generous with his employees.” Hugo paused before adding, “If you strongly feel that you can’t stay here for a few days, I will immediately contact Mr. Prize’s secretary and I’m sure she’ll be able to find a replacement.”

“No—” Vivienne hurried to say. The idea of leaving Amber Rose with someone else hurt her deeply. “I can stay.”