CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR #2
Kiara watched him disappear into his suite, trying not to dwell on how comfortable everything felt between them that morning.
The way he'd touched her belly, the genuine wonder in his eyes when he felt their son kick.
It was so easy to imagine that it was real.
That they were a normal couple expecting their first child.
But they weren't. And pretending otherwise would only lead to heartache.
She busied herself cleaning up the kitchen, then went to change into something suitable for an outdoor drive.
She opted for jeans and a warm sweater, knowing that even with the UTV's enclosed cab, the October chill would seep in.
After fixing her hair, she gathered a few snacks and filled a thermos with hot chocolate, packing everything into a small bag.
Julian emerged from his suite looking refreshed, his hair still slightly damp from the shower. He'd changed into jeans and a burgundy Henley that made his green eyes seem more vivid somehow.
"Ready?" he asked, grabbing a jacket from the coat rack by the door.
"Almost." Kiara retrieved her jacket—a new one she'd bought when her regular one no longer fit comfortably over her growing belly. “There’s a UTV in the garage. Jude wanted me to have one here, though it’s not the one he ordered. That one hasn’t been delivered yet.”
“Hopefully, it has good heat so you can drive it through the winter months.”
“Jude assured me it had a good enclosure and heater, which I had told him was necessary for the baby.”
“And for you,” he said. “You need to be warm as well.”
Kiara smiled at him, appreciating that he was thinking of her comfort too.
"Well, I packed some hot chocolate, so we’ll both be warm," she told him, holding up her small bag. "And some snacks, just in case we get hungry while we're out."
Julian smiled, and something about that simple expression made her heart flutter. "Always prepared. I like that."
“I’ve learned,” she said. “Hunger comes on me at the oddest moments since I’ve been pregnant, so I’ve learned to have a small stash of snacks with me at all times.”
As they stepped into the garage that was attached to the back of the house, he pressed the button to open the door. Crisp air flooded into the space, carrying the earthy scent of wet pine and earth.
The UTV sitting in the spacious garage was smaller than some she'd seen around the estate, but it was still sturdy-looking with an enclosed cab that would keep them protected from the elements.
"This one's pretty straightforward," Julian said as he walked to the driver’s side and opened the door. "You drive, I'll navigate."
Kiara hesitated. "Are you sure? You probably know the trails better than I do."
"I’m happy to let you take the wheel.”
She still wasn’t very confident driving it yet, so she hoped that Julian wasn’t in the mood for speed. He stood close as she pulled herself up into the UTV, then he shut the door once she had settled into the driver’s seat.
Julian slid into the passenger seat and closed his door. The click of the latch seemed to seal them into their own little world, separate from everything else.
The interior of the UTV was smaller than a car, so they sat more closely together. Close enough that Kiara got a whiff of his cologne. Or maybe it was his shampoo or soap. Whatever it was, it was a warm, spicy scent that made her want to cuddle close to him and just inhale it.
Instead, she focused on the task at hand.
"Jude gave me a few lessons," Kiara said, settling her hands on the wheel. "But I'm still learning, so don't expect any fancy driving."
"I'm not worried," Julian said, his voice calm and reassuring.
She turned the key in the ignition, and the engine rumbled to life. The vibration traveled through the seat and up her spine, not unpleasant but noticeable. The seat was already set for her since she was the last person to drive the UTV.
Taking a deep breath, she put the vehicle in drive and eased out of the garage. The UTV responded smoothly to her touch, rolling down the short driveway and onto one of the estate's well-maintained paths.
"Which way should we head?" Kiara asked.
So far, she’d stuck to the main roads on the estate, though she was aware there were trails and dirt roads that led through the trees to different parts of the vast property.
"Right will take us down toward a small lake," Julian said. "The view there is pretty spectacular, especially with the fall colors."
Kiara turned the wheel, carefully navigating the UTV along the winding trail. The vehicle bumped a bit over the uneven surface, but the suspension absorbed most of the impact. She kept her speed low, concentrating on the path ahead.
Julian seemed relaxed beside her, one arm resting on the door as he gazed out at the passing scenery. The forest around them was a tapestry of gold, orange, and crimson, the leaves still clinging to branches despite the recent rain.
"You're doing great," Julian said after they'd traveled for several minutes in comfortable silence.
"Thanks." Warmth spread through her at the compliment.
She hadn’t anticipated spending time with him the way she was, and she knew she had to be careful to just live in the moment. Julian had just gotten home from a long and, by all accounts, busy trip, and she had a feeling that he was looking for ways to unwind.
If that was the case, and if he wanted to spend some of that time with her, she certainly wasn’t going to turn him down.
As they drove deeper into the property, the trees grew more dense, creating a canopy of autumn colors overhead. Occasionally, sunlight broke through the clouds and filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the path before them.
"There should be a clearing just ahead," Julian said, pointing through the windshield. "The lake is right beyond it."
Kiara slowed the UTV as they approached the opening in the trees. The trail widened, and she carefully navigated around a fallen branch.
"You really are good at this," Julian said. "Jude must be a decent teacher."
"He was patient," Kiara replied, unable to suppress a small smile at the praise. "I was pretty nervous at first, but he kept telling me I couldn't possibly be worse than Benji was on his first time driving one of these."
Julian laughed. "I heard about that. Apparently, he nearly drove straight into the garage door. Though that was a few years ago, so I assume he's improved since then.”
The UTV emerged from the tree line, and Kiara gasped.
Before them stretched a small lake, its surface rippling gently in the rain.
The water reflected the surrounding trees in smudges of autumn colors—fiery oranges, deep reds, and golden yellows.
Mountains rose in the distance, their peaks partially obscured by low-hanging clouds.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, easing the UTV to a stop in a flat clearing near the shore. She put the vehicle in park and turned off the engine, letting silence settle around them.
"This is one of my favorite spots on the property," Julian said, his voice softer now that the engine's rumble had ceased. "Not many people come out here."
Kiara unbuckled her seatbelt, but she didn’t open the door. Unfortunately, the rain was falling a little more steadily, though it still wasn’t torrential.
“It’s nicer when it’s not raining,” Julian said. “But it’s still a nice spot.”
The interior was heated, so it was comfortable to sit there and talk. Their conversation was light, not delving into any subjects too deeply.
It reminded her of the nights they’d spent talking in the library, only without the alcohol.
She was glad to know that they could still have those conversations and communicate face to face because it would hopefully build a solid foundation for them in the future when they had to co-parent their son.
There would be some big decisions that lay ahead, and Kiara wanted to know that, despite them not being a family, Julian would continue to have their son’s best interests at heart.
Having moments like these with him grew her confidence that despite the rocky start to their relationship… their friendship… they would be able to raise their son to know that he was loved and wanted.
That desire had become almost an obsession. Because of how she’d been raised, she wanted to do everything in her power to give her son the opposite of that. And if it meant she had to put aside her own hopes for love, she could do that.