Author's Note: A little mature content in this chapter. Viewer discretion advised.
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Zoya rolled, slowly waking from sleep and felt a weight around her waist. Her eyes fluttered open and the first thing she saw is Aditya.
He was still sleeping. Eyes closed...face innocent. She tried to move but the weight of his arm prevented her from doing so. He did this every night since they started sharing the bed. It's like he unconsciously reached for her in the middle of the night...and held on. Zoya never thought that she would think this, but...it felt...nice. There was a nice comfort in this. Being held each night...she felt...protected. She expected to feel awkward, but she didn't. And she couldn't quite pin point what she was feeling every time she woke up to Aditya like this, shirtless, unguarded, and peaceful.
Zoya tried to gently move Aditya's arm, careful not to wake him. Once free, she quietly rolled off the bed. She froze when Aditya shifted, trying to find another comfortable position before falling back to sleep. Giving a sigh of relief, Zoya tip toed to the bathroom and got ready for the day.
Dressed in casual attire, Zoya came out of the bathroom to see Aditya sitting up, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Good morning sleepy head." Zoya said, smiling. Aditya smiled back and responded, still a little drowsy.
"Go get dressed...breakfast should be ready soon...we should probably head to the stables soon too right?" Zoya spoke, excited to get started. "What are we going to do first? I'm sure you have to check on Raja's and Layla's health first right?" Zoya babbled on without missing a beat, too excited. She didn't want to miss a single thing today.
"Yes General." Aditya replied, cheekily, his voice teasing.
"Aditya!" Zoya said, crossing her arms and pretending to be annoyed, knowing that Aditya was mocking her.
"I'm kidding! I'm kidding..." Aditya said, chuckling, as he made his way to the bathroom. Once the bathroom door closed, Zoya shook her head and giggled. Some things will never change.
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After breakfast, Aditya and Zoya walked over to the stables. They were greeted by Marcus as soon as they entered. Getting straight to business, Marcus started telling Aditya the current happenings of the stables. Changes made to any horse's diet, health conditions, statistics, and anything else worth mentioning.
As Aditya walked over to Layla's stall and spoke to Marcus, Zoya went to Sweetheart's stall. Sweetheart stuck out her head and greeted Zoya lovingly. Zoya rubbed Sweetheart's neck and chuckled when Mischief trotted over for some attention as well.
When Aditya approached them, Sweetheart instantly gave her attention to him and nuzzled his shoulder. "Hi beautiful." Aditya said, smiling widely and generously rubbing Sweetheart's neck.
Zoya's heart gave a loud thud, surprised at her reaction to Aditya. The bond Aditya shared with this mare was probably one of the sweetest things Zoya has ever seen. And it has become one of Zoya's favorite qualities of Aditya. 'Wait...this was new...' Zoya blinked, suddenly taken aback by her train of thought. Since when did she start liking qualities of Aditya Hooda? She liked his qualities as a friend. Yes...that was it. They have become close over the last few months and she just appreciated Aditya as a friend. That's all it was.
"What are you thinking?" Aditya asked, noticing that Zoya was staring.
Zoya broke out of her reverie and brushed off the question. "Nothing...I was just wondering how Sweetheart is so fond of you..." Zoya replied, not completely lying.
"Because I'm so charming...right Sweetheart?" Aditya replied smoothly, giving Sweetheart another neck rub and grinning when she neighed, like she was agreeing with him.
Zoya opened her mouth to give a witty response when she heard angry hoof beats. Aditya and Zoya looked down the stables to see a stable boy struggling with Raja's reigns.
"Looks like you're being summoned." Zoya said, her sweet insult holding no fire behind it. Zoya giggled when Aditya glared at her and made his way to Raja. He easily took hold of Raja's reigns and ordered him to behave. Zoya felt the twist in her gut. Man and beast were face to face again, battling to see who was more powerful.
Zoya didn't have time to ponder on this feeling. Aditya walked Raja out to the compound and waved at Zoya, indicating her to follow him. Several crew members walked out as well, one stable boy walking Layla.
Once outside, the crew members prepared for the breeding ritual. They made sure Layla was steady and slowly let go of her reigns. Zoya stood to the side, fascinated, as Aditya explained a few logistics to Zoya. Why Raja and Layla were paired. Why spring was the best season for breeding. What traits they were hoping to get with the foal when Layla got pregnant. Zoya had no idea that there was so much science behind the breeding process.
Not wanting to miss a single detail, Zoya had her eyes glued to the center of the compound, seeing crew members trying to keep Raja and Layla calm before the breeding process started.
"What happens now?" Zoya asked, trying to soak in all this information.
"Well...now...we just let them do their thing..." Aditya replied. As if on cue, the crew members back away and Raja slowly started to approach Layla. Raja walked around Layla a little, getting a feel for her. He nipped at her, nudged her, and Layla neighed and stomped her front hooves. Raja backed away. Raja trotted a little and stomped his front hooves...getting a little anxious at the rejection.
Aditya rushed to Raja's side and grabbed his reigns, steadying him. Raja stomped his hooves some more, resisting. But Aditya held on and placed a hand on Raja's neck, calming him. Once Aditya felt Raja become steady, he slowly released the reigns and took a step back. Zoya watched the whole display from the other side of the compound, completely fascinated.
This time when Raja approached Layla, he approached more cautiously. He nudged her once, and when Layla didn't push him away, Raja nuzzled her neck. When Layla slightly lifted her tale, Raja knew that she was ready.
What happened next was no science. It was mating in its truest form...just raw animal instinct. Zoya felt her cheeks turn hot at the sight before her. The heavy breathing...the rhythmic motion between two partners...the sounds of being taken...hard...and rough. Without realizing, Zoya's eyes fell on Aditya who was standing across from her on the other side of the compound. Her breath hitched when she saw that Aditya was already looking at her. The air turned heavy. His eyes were clouded...intense. His face was expressionless, his jaw tense. It was clear what he was thinking as he was looking at her and Zoya felt a liquid pull in her stomach. It became hard to breath as her heart beat increased. The air intensified and it became hot. Mating was in the air.
It was that moment...when Zoya realized that she was insanely attracted to Aditya. It wasn't friendship...it wasn't comfort...it was pure, animal, attraction. In that moment, Zoya realized that she wanted Aditya Hooda. She wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him...what it would feel like to be under him...his chiseled body pressing down on her...his large hands all over her...caressing her...grabbing her...taking her.
Zoya let out a shaky breath, her heart beat so loud that she feared someone else might hear it. She saw a gleam enter Aditya's eyes and the side of his lips turn up a little in a sly smile. He knew...he knew what she was thinking in that moment as well. Face burning with heat, Zoya broke their eye contact and looked away.
The mating ritual soon ended and the crew members got busy in cleaning up and taking the horses back to their stalls. Aditya approached Zoya and Zoya pretended to watch the crew members tend to Raja and Layla.
Butterflies scattered in Zoya's stomach as she tried to mentally prepare herself to be around Aditya after her moment of revelation. Aditya had a dangerous gleam in his eyes as he approached her. Zoya was certain that Aditya will say something about their little eye lock session earlier, and Zoya wasn't sure how she was going to respond.
It seems as Zoya's prayers were answered. Just has Aditya stopped in front of Zoya about to say something, a stable boy interrupted Aditya.
"Sir...Mr. Habib is here to meet with you." The boy said.
Aditya frowned, "Why? I declined his offer over the phone. Raja is not for sale." Aditya said, confused as to why Mr. Habib would make the trouble to personally come here.
"He insists on meeting with you in person Sir...he thinks he can change your mind." The boy explained.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Aditya asked the stable boy to bring Mr. Habib into the compound.
"Who is Mr. Habib?" Zoya asked curiously.
"He is the heir to Habib Textiles." Aditya answered, "He offered to buy Raja a few weeks ago and I declined the offer."
"He sounds stubborn..." Zoya said, the name ringing a bell in her memory.
Zoya's eyes widened in surprise as Arshad Habib entered the compound. He was a handsome man, the years only adding to his good looks. A polished aura only an heir to an empire can achieve.
"Zoya?" Arshad asked, stopping in his tracks in surprise.
"Arshad!" Zoya let out an excited laugh as Arshad took two giant steps towards Zoya and swept her up in a bear hug.
Aditya's jaw dropped a little at the public display of affection. This was completely not expected.
"Zoya how are you!? It's been what...ten years?" Arshad asked, a huge grin on his face.
"Yes! Oh my gosh...it's so good to see you...what have you been up to?" Zoya asked, excited to see an old friend.
Aditya cleared his throat, getting Arshad and Zoya's attention. He became invisible for a moment there.
"Oh sorry! Arshad...meet Aditya Hooda, my husband. Aditya...Arshad Habib...we met in summer camp several years ago." Zoya introduced the two men. Aditya shook Arshad's hand and didn't like the fact that Arshad still had his arm around Zoya.
"Pleasure to meet you Aditya. Did Zoya ever tell you how she was my first girlfriend in summer camp?" Arshad said teasingly, causing Zoya to slap his arm.
"What?" Aditya asked, a little shocked at the news. He decided right then and there that he didn't like this guy.
"It's all rubbish!" Zoya retorted. "Arshad mere peeche para tah summer camp mein...and I never gave him the time of day."
"Jhooti! The whole camp knew that you liked me." Arshad retaliated, the comfort level between him and Zoya evident.
"Excuse me...but you came to see me about something?" Aditya cut it, trying to keep his annoyance hidden.
"Oh yes!" Arshad replied, completely oblivious to Aditya's animosity.
"I was hoping you and I can talk numbers...regarding Raja." Arshad said, letting go of Zoya and switching smoothly into business mode.
"I've said before, Raja is not for sale." Aditya replied calmly, turning on his business mode as well.
"Yes...but he is a fine horse...I am willing to pay any asking amount." Arshad urged.
"Not interested." Aditya replied smoothly.
"He will be well taken care of" Arshad continued to push.
"Raja ko kabhu mein karna...sab ki bas ki baat nahin hai." Aditya responded, the pride evident in his voice. "The answer is still no." Aditya concluded.
Arshad turned to Zoya, pleading her for some help, "Zoya...yaar...tum toh thodi help kar doh...for old time's sake." Arshad requested.
Zoya looked from Arshad to Aditya. Arshad with pleading eyes and Aditya with an expressionless face. If she didn't know any better, she could have sworn that Aditya didn't like Arshad.
"Sorry Arshad..." Zoya voiced, "Hum Aditya ko jaante hai...he won't give up Raja." Zoya said, seeing the tension on Aditya's face dissolve a little.
Arshad sighed, defeated, "Fine...fine..." He said giving up. "But you have to make it up to me...aaj mere saat dinner karna hoga." Arshad said, his playful personality bouncing back.
Zoya giggled, "Fine. Dinner it is." She agreed easily. The green fingers of jealousy gripped Aditya's gut. He clenched and unclenched his fist a few times, trying to control his temper.
"Arre Aditya...join us too...I'd love to know how you got a beautiful girl like Zoya to marry you. Mein toh das saal se try kar raha hoon." Arshad said, causing Zoya to playfully slap his arm.
Trying very hard to not punch the guy, Aditya let out a slow breath. "No...I have some things to take care of tonight. You and Zoya can go ahead. Aur vaise bhi...doston ke beech mera kya kaam?" Aditya said, trying to sound as polite as possible.
Arshad nor Zoya had the chance to argue as Aditya heard his name being called. Excusing himself, he walked into the stables with Zoya watching his retreating back, trying to figure out why Aditya's behavior felt a little off.
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*Later that Night*
It was pouring rain outside as Zoya entered the Hooda farmhouse. "Aditya!" Zoya called out, and got no response. Dinner with Arshad was a fun affair. They always got along really well and they had 10 years worth of catching up to do. It was around 8:00pm at night when Zoya returned and the house was pretty quiet. At hearing Zoya's voice, Brijraj kaka came.
"Kaka...Aditya kaha hai?" Zoya asked.
"He went out for a ride...he has not returned yet." Brijraj replied obediently.
Zoya frowned, a little concerned. It was raining pretty hard outside. Zoya looked at the weather outside, the rain beating down on the concrete floor, and made a split second decision. "I'll go check the stables...maybe Aditya is still there." Zoya said as she started walking to the main door.
"Arre beti...bahar mausam bohut karab hai..." Brijraj kaka said, concerned.
Zoya smiled, "Don't worry. I'll be fine." Zoya replied. And with that said, she ran into the storm and made her way to the stables, hoping that Aditya might be there.
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The rain beat down on Aditya and Raja. He pulled on the reigns and Raja trotted his way to the stables. Aditya went out for a ride after Zoya left for her dinner with Arshad. He needed to keep busy. Once all the work was done at the stables and the horses were tended, he still felt uneasy and hoped that the ride would help.
It didn't help. He was still in a bad mood. He was honestly being ridiculous. So what if Zoya went to dinner with an old friend. There was nothing to be jealous about. But the way Arshad kept putting his arm around Zoya and the easy comfort between them bothered him. It took years for Zoya and him to even be friends, and yet here was this guy, who just swooped in and had that with Zoya so easily.
Irritated, Aditya dismounted and guided Raja into his stall. Completely soaked, Aditya pulled off his shirt and wiped his face and hair and tossed the wet shirt to the side. In just his jeans, he started doing one final check on all the horses for the night.
As Aditya was refilling Raja's water, he heard running footsteps amongst the pitter patter of the rain outside. Curious, he looked at the entrance of the stable just as Zoya came rushing in.
"Zoya?" Aditya asked, surprised. "Are you crazy!? It's pouring outside!" Aditya scolded, seeing Zoya soaked.
She walked in further and tried to shake some of the water from her hair. He walked passed her and closed the stable doors to keep the rain from coming in.
Irritated, Aditya crossed his arms across his chest, "What are you doing out here? You could get really sick." Aditya lectured.
Zoya looked at him up and down. Hair wet and tousled, jeans riding low, and a chiseled body still gleaming with droplets of water. Zoya felt desire kick her in the gut.
Zoya cleared her throat, "I was looking for you. Brijraj kaka said you went for a ride and didn't come back...I wanted to check to see if you were here." Zoya replied, trying to keep her eyes from wandering.
Aditya looked at Zoya and saw that she was completely soaked. Her thick hair made curls around her angelic face, her cheeks were flushed, and her clothes clung to her, shaping out her curvaceous figure. His throat dried as lust gripped him, and that didn't help his foul mood.
Aditya walked passed Zoya and started refreshing some hay in an empty stall. "How was your date?" Aditya asked, curtly, his tone a little harsh.
Zoya frowned at Aditya's curt behavior, and stood at the entrance of the empty stall as Aditya worked. "What's gotten into you?" Zoya asked straight forwardly. Aditya ignored Zoya and got more hay and continued to work.
Feeling her own temper rising, Zoya crossed her arms, "What the hell is wrong with you? You've barely spoken to me since this afternoon." Zoya spit out, irritated herself.
"Did you have fun with Arshad?" Aditya spat out, "Must have been a good time since you were gone for hours and didn't even bother to call." His angrily dropped hay on the floor and started spreading it out with more force than needed.
Zoya frowned, studying Aditya's foul mood. She knew Aditya enough to know that he wasn't the controlling type. He couldn't be so mad because she simply didn't call him. She studied Aditya's stern face as he angrily worked. It dawned on her then.
"You're jealous." Zoya said, smiling when she saw that she hit a nerve.
Aditya paused and glared at Zoya, who was looking at him smugly. "I am not jealous." Aditya gritted out.
"Yes...you are...You're jealous of Arshad." Zoya teased, grinning as she saw Aditya's jaw clench.
"Jealous of that guy!? Seriously!? There is nothing to be jealous about!" Aditya argued, temper simmering because Zoya was absolutely right.
"I see..." Zoya said slowly, enjoying this very much, "...well then you don't mind if I go out with him again right?" Zoya said, testing Aditya.
Aditya's eyes sparked, the temper very evident now. He stayed quiet so Zoya poked further, "...I think I'll go call him...see if he is free tomorrow night for a 2nd date." Zoya said and turned to leave.
What happened next, Zoya would never have anticipated in her wildest dreams. Aditya grabbed her arm, spun her around roughly, and crashed his lips on hers. Just as roughly, he pulled back and held Zoya by her arms. "Khabardar...khabardar joh uss ke paas gayi toh. Aisa sochna bhi mat!" Aditya crashed Zoya's body to his and roughly took her lips again.
"Tum meri ho. Tum par sirf mera haq hai!" Another rough kiss. "Bachpan se tumhe cherne ka haq mera hai..." He backed her against the wall and gave her another punishing kiss. "...Tum jab udaas hoti ho...tumhe hassane ka haq mera hai...suna tumne? Tumhari hassi par sirf mera haq hai!" He gave another punishing kiss, "Tumhari neend par bhi mera haq...tumhari dhadhkan par mera haq hai...tumhari saanson par mera haq hai!" Aditya voiced and took Zoya under with another rough kiss. Aditya pulled back and glared, breathing heavy, "...Khabardar joh usske pas gayi toh...khabardar!" Aditya held onto Zoya's arms, his eyes flaming with temper as he said those words. Damn all reason to hell. She was his. That's it!
Zoya stood, completely stunned, not sure what to say...or do. She was mesmerized. She's never seen Aditya like this...so angry...so passionate. When Zoya didn't say anything, Aditya's temper started to quiet down. He tried to get a hold on his desire as well...he was feeling so many things at this moment. When the cloud of anger mixed with desire started clearing from his head, it was then that Aditya realized that he was probably scaring Zoya.
Letting go of Zoya's arms and abruptly taking a step back, Aditya started to apologize, "I'm...I'm sorry...I shouldn't have acted like that...I'm..." This time, however, Aditya was the one that was taken by surprise. He didn't get to finish his sentence because Zoya wrapped her arms around Aditya's neck and dragged his face down to hers for another kiss.
To hell with caution...with questions...with unsorted feelings. Feeling his control snap, Aditya grabbed Zoya's waist and crushed her body onto his. They kissed with fervor...it was all passion. Zoya let out a moan when Aditya latched his lips onto her neck. She tilted her head to give him more access. Aditya dragged Zoya to the floor and gave her another demanding kiss. Zoya matched Aditya's passion and gave just as much as she took.
Their breaths were heavy...their hands fast. Zoya scraped her nails over Aditya's bare abs and then dug them into his back. Aditya retaliated by scraping his teeth over Zoya's collar bone, causing Zoya to moan again. Everything was hot...and everything was fast. Hands were everywhere at once, rough, bruising, and it all felt spectacular. It was animalistic...and it was amazing.
Aditya and Zoya rolled around, each trying to get the upper hand. Just when Zoya was reaching for the zipper to Aditya's jeans, Aditya heard the noise. He paused when he heard someone trying to open the stable main door.
"What is it?" Zoya asked, confused when Aditya stopped. "Shhhh..." Aditya shushed, and listened harder.
Aditya and Zoya's eyes widened when the main stable door opened and they heard someone enter. They jumped apart from each other and tried to compose themselves. Aditya put a finger to his lips, indicating Zoya to be quiet, and walked out of the stall to see who it was.
It was a servant from the main house. "Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?" Aditya asked as casually as possible. Completely oblivious to what he interrupted, the servant boy held out a phone to Aditya. "Harshvardhan saab ka phone hai...kehte hai ke bahut zaaroori hai." The servant boy said.
Aditya took the phone from the servant boy's hand, "Thank you...tum jaa sakte ho." Aditya said, making sure that the boy left.
When the coast was clear, Zoya stepped out from the stall. Their eyes met, and the atmosphere turned hot in one instant. The look that passed between was pure fire. Neither could stop thinking about what just transpired between them.
Still looking at Zoya, Aditya lifted the phone to his ear. "Hello? Yes papa...what's so urgent?" He asked.
Aditya knew the moment that his father started speaking that something was terribly wrong.
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hope people are enjoying this fanfic! please leave comments and let me know!
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