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“Probably because I’m not having any,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “Are you coming?”

“At any moment,” he whispered, biting his lip as he stripped down to his boxers. She couldn’t help but notice they strained to contain his reactions to her body. Did she hate it? Absolutely not. Her belly fluttered with butterflies at the thought of Kian wanting her and accepting her for who she was. “Oh, wait,” he said, walking to the fridge, grabbing something, and setting it on the edge of the tub before climbing in.

“Cheesecake in the hot tub?” she asked once he sat across from her.

“One of my fantasies is feeding you cheesecake in a hot tub. What can I say?” Kian shrugged as if what he had just said was completely normal to bring up in conversation.

“You fantasize about me?” she asked in shock. “For how long?” Was this man trying to say he’d brought her here to live out one of his fantasies? And was that fantasy feeding her cheesecake in a hot tub? That’s what she heard, and it was freaking her out a little.

“If I said it had been just the last few weeks, that would be a lie. I may not work in Snowcap Ridge, but I do know what’s going on here.”

“Adoration from afar?” Joy asked, raising a brow.

“At the time, it was harmless, since I knew you’d never give me the time of day, much less…” Rather than finish, Kian motioned toward her. “To have you sitting across from me tonight, dressed like this, is my literal wet dream.”

Joy’s snort of laughter brought a smile to Kian’s lips. “Well-played,” she said with a wink. “Your plan may have backfired because this water feels so good that it’s hard to focus on anything but staying awake.”

Smiling, Kian grasped her right leg beneath the water and began massaging her foot, his thumb gliding over her sore arch, relaxing her even more. She probably moaned, but she didn’t care.

“Definitely adoration from afar, because after the way I treated you all those years ago, I never dreamed I’d stand a chance with you. If only I’d known about the bully trope a few years earlier, I might have shot my shot.”

“Glad you didn’t,” she said, leaning back against the soft pillow at the tub’s edge.

“Actually, me too,” Kian said with a soft smile as he switched to massaging her left leg. “It wouldn’t have been the right time.”

“As much as I hate to say it, Lorelei’s death is why I was able to give you a second chance not to hurt me. I knew you’d changed, but there was always the fear that it was nothing but an act.”

“Are you still afraid of that?” he asked, his hands pausing on her leg.

“Not at all. You’ve shown me who you are. When you brought out that contraption and told me you’d ordered them for all your holdings, that told me all I needed to know.”

“How so?” he asked, his head tilted in confusion.

“In how you view me and my accessibility needs.” Joy knew she wasn’t making sense, but she hoped he would understand, on some level, what she meant.

“With respect and care.” The way he said it made her think any other reason would be an affront to his humanity. “I want to make life easier for you in any way I can because you deserve it. It’s important to me that our company is known for embracing accessibility. Maybe someday you could help me review the businesses in the portfolio to identify where accessibility could be improved? I’d love to have your eyes on it, as someone who understands accessibility needs far better than those of us who don’t live with a disability.”

Joy’s heart melted. He was so earnest, and his expression was nervous as he waited for her to answer. “I would love nothing more,” she whispered, trying not to cry. “It seems silly to break down in tears over a request like that, but no one ever asks how to make something more accessible. If anything, companies want to get rid of diversity and inclusion as fast as they can.”

“Well, not Van Adler Holdings,” Kian said firmly. “I’ve seen what you’ve done to improve accessibility in the mall’s bathrooms and changing rooms. At the very least, every mall in the portfolio will make those changes, including a special room with a changing table for adults. We have the space, and honestly, it should already be done. If you have the time, I’d love to review your paperwork so I can find contractors and get it done as soon as possible.”

The look in his eyes told her he wasn’t joking. “You’re really serious about this.”

“As serious as I am about feeding you cheesecake in the hot tub on a Saturday night in December.”

Smiling, Joy leaned in and kissed him. “Well, since I still don’t have any cheesecake in my mouth, I’m not sure you’re that serious about it.”

Within seconds, he had the plate in his hand and a forkful of cheesecake poised at her lips. “Take it back.”

“I take it all back. You’re extremely serious,” Joy said before she closed her lips around the decadent dessert. “Oh, God, that’s amazing.”

Kian took a bite, eyes closed for a moment, then nodded. “I need to find out who makes it and stock it in every restaurant we own.”

When Joy laughed, it came from deep within her soul. She was happy. Truly happy. The man who had once tortured her and made her life miserable was now the one who made her days better. He helped her see that she deserved love and that it could come from the most unexpected place. After a few more bites, he set the plate down and held up a finger.

“Time for a toast.” He grabbed the bottle of champagne and pulled off the seal. “Ready?” Covering her ears, Joy nodded with a grin as he aimed the cork away from them and popped it off. The bubbly champagne shot into the tub, making them both laugh with abandon. He grabbed a flute, filled it for her, then one for himself.

“To Lorelei for all she was,” he said, raising his glass.