Taraji's P.O.V.

After Fantasia's emotionally taxing and heavy therapy session with Dr. Robins, I wanted to create a fun and romantic experience for her that would lighten the load of burdens on her shoulder. It was hard for me to hear about how cruel and sadistic her mother was towards her, so I can only imagine how painful it was for her to relive it in front of me and Dr. Robins. When I stepped out of the office after hearing Fantasia reveal her horrific abuse, I made a phone call to my assistant to book a horseback riding class for us. I remember Fantasia expressing to me in Aspen that she loved horses as a kid and she always wanted one, but her environment wouldn't allow for it and her mother had no interest in making her happy. There's a ranch in Calabasas called Golden Grass Farms that offers classes. I happen to have a condo in Calabasas, so if she's too tired after the class to come back home then we can just stay there. We can cap off the night with her favorite takeout and cheesy rom-com movies; it will be perfect. I know it seems like I've been making more of an effort than Fantasia, but acts of service is my love language and when I like someone as much as I like Fantasia, I can't help but to want to give them the world. It would be nice if the energy was reciprocated on her end, but it's not like she has done absolutely nothing for me. Hell, she saved my life. I know that she's interest in me, but I'm still waiting for her to show it. If our connection is really real, then she'll know what I need without me having to ask.

Fantasia: Raj, where are we going? This isn't the way to your house.

Taraji: We're going shopping for cowgirl boots.

Fantasia: That's random. Why are we doing that?

Taraji: I can't reveal all my secrets. You'll understand later.

Fantasia: I need to tattoo something. That session took a lot out of me.

Taraji: You can get back to work tomorrow. I have something in mind to take your mind off of the therapy session. You just need to be patient, Tasia.

Fantasia: Dr. Robins is fine as hell, right?

I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering why she would ask me a question like that. I'm not blind so I have of course noticed Dr. Robins's beauty, but I would never mention it in front of Fantasia because it's disrespectful and could make her feel uncomfortable. Is she trying to trigger my insecurities or is this just the kind of shit she's used to doing with her ex? I don't know what it is, but I don't like it and I want it to stop. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing. I tend to do that, but I can't help it that my brain is just a ball of anxiety in my head. Overthinking and making up scenarios in my head is what I do best besides the craft of acting.

Taraji: I mean yeah, she's pretty, but I don't really think about that when I'm in her office. I hope that's not all you were thinking about when I was sitting right next to you.

Fantasia: Don't take it to heart, mama. It's not all I was thinking about. I was also thinking about how happy I was to have you there with me. I'm sorry, Raj. I really didn't think it would hurt your feelings.

Taraji: It didn't. It just bothered me, but it's fine. It's stupid. I shouldn't have even made an issue out of it.

Fantasia: It's not stupid if it's your feelings. You don't have to tip-toe around your emotions with me. You can tell me how you feel and I'll try my best to make sure that you feel heard. That's how we're going to do this thing, ok?

I nodded my head with a half-hearted, soft smile as I took my eyes off the road for a second to peck her awaiting, puckered lips. At times I question Fantasia's maturity, but then she says things like what she just said and I'm back to being obsessed with everything about her. As I pulled up to the cowboy apparel store, Fantasia's captivating facial features morphed into an expression of intrigue and surprise.

Fantasia: So you were really serious about the cowgirl boots?

Taraji: Of course. They do custom designs in store and you don't even have to put in a pre-order.

Fantasia: That's cool. I still don't know why we're here, but I'll just go with it.

Taraji:*smiles* That's all I want from you.

When we got out of the car, Fantasia immediately reached for my hand. She tries to be such a hard-ass but she's really just a softie. I bit my lip with a smile and accepted her hand, allowing it to wrap around mine as we walked into the western-themed store. Cowboy boots of all designs, sizes, styles, and colors were lined up wall to wall on shelves that stretched around the shop. One of the retail workers sporting a name tag that read "Carrie" approached us with a courteous smile. Her uniform was a green and white flannel tied at the belly button and a pair of Levi jeans with brown and teal cowboy boots on her feet, tying together the aesthetic of the store.

Carrie: Hi, ladies. How are you doing today? Is there anything specific you're looking for, maybe some customs?

Taraji:*smiles* We're just going to look around, but if we need anything we'll let you know. Thank you.

Fantasia: It's really cute in here.

Carrie: Thank you. Happy shopping, ladies. Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything.

I noticed her biting her lip as her gaze lingered on Fantasia for way longer than what I was ok with. Fantasia was smiling like she was enjoying the attention. If I'm going to be with her, I'll just have to get used to having a fine ass woman on my arm. People are going to stare at her and they're going to want her, and I have to learn how to adapt to it so that I don't behave jealously. There's nothing more unattractive than insecurity. It doesn't help that Fantasia has a wandering eye and she cheated on her ex in the past, but she was completely honest with me about her commitment issues and I still chose to continue pursuing a relationship with her, so I have no right to hold it over her head. Trust is key.

We walked around every inch of the store, but I was naturally drawn to the wall of Lucchese's, having an affinity for luxury and high-quality fashion pieces. I could see a bit of dejection on Fantasia's face. Back when we were in Aspen, I sensed that she's self-conscience about spending a lot of money, although she has more than enough of it to burn. I don't want her to worry about any of that when she's with me.

Fantasia: Six-hundred dollars for a pair of boots is insane. I could never.

Taraji: Well you don't have to because I'm paying.

Fantasia: What? No, I can't ask you to do that Raj. That's crazy. I can just get something different. I don't need designer cowboy boots.

Taraji: Tasia, I love how humble and low-key you are, but if I want to spend money on you then let me. I'm telling you, not asking.

Fantasia: Ok then if you insist, sugar momma. You can pick for me. I like your style.

For Fantasia, I picked out a pair square-toed chocolate boots that came up to the middle of her calf and had pink snakeskin trimmings on the lining and the edges of the boots. The burgundy pair with deep red crocodile detailing that I selected for myself was a reflection of my bold and edgy style. After I made our purchase, I started driving to Galwaugh Farms. I could tell that Fantasia was getting frustrated and restless because she had no idea why we were traveling thirty minutes out of the way to Calabasas.

Fantasia: This still isn't your house.

Taraji: Don't you think there's a reason why I took us to buy cowboy boots? Just relax and enjoy the ride. If you're tired, you can go to sleep.

Fantasia: I don't want to leave you alone. I'll stop complaining if you pull over and just give me a whiff.

Taraji: A whiff of what?

Fantasia:*smirks* I don't want to sound like a pervert so I'm not going to say it.

Fantasia's lack of sexual discipline is a bit concerning and raises a small red flag, but red is one of my favorite colors. I can tell that she's trying to respect my wishes for us to hold off on sex and take things slow by showing restraint, but I have no idea how she'll behave if she stays at my condo with me tonight.

Taraji: You should take a nap so you can have a wet dream. It might be the closest you ever get.

Fantasia: You are very unfamiliar with my game little baby, but you will learn.

Taraji: Not if I teach you first.

I'm probably sending her mixed signals by playing into her sexual flirtation, but I can't help myself. I don't want her to slip away from me because she thinks that I'm boring or uninterested in her. I just don't want sex to be our automatic go-to. There are other ways to be intimate and I want to explore all of those ways before we're strong enough to cross that line. Once it finally happens, there will be no going back. It's not easy for me to let go of someone who I allow to invade my body and witness me at my most vulnerable. That's why it was so hard for me to move on from Kelvin. I want this budding relationship with Fantasia to be my last. All I can do is hope that she wants the same thing.

Fantasia's P.O.V.

My eyes willed themselves to open as I was jolted awake by the unexpected feeling of the car crunching over a mix of gravelly and dusty terrain. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, sitting up and looking over at Taraji before averting my eyes to the scenery in front of us. We were driving up this big hill to a white wooden archway with a sign that said "Galwaugh Farms" in a whimsical font. This must be why she wanted us to wear our new boots for the remainder of the car ride. Still, I didn't exactly understand what we were doing at a farm. The rolling green fields and the huge lake in the distance created a beautiful, picturesque background. Standing at the gate with his thumbs poked through the belt loop of his Warangler jeans was a tall, dark-skinned older gentleman with a wide-rimmed cowboy hat partly covering his eyes and a salt n' pepper beard that accentuated the kind smile on his face.

Taraji: Surprise!

Fantasia: What's the surprise? What are we doing here, Raj?

Taraji: We're going horseback riding.

Fantasia: Really? I can't imagine you on a horse.

Taraji:*chuckles* Neither can I, but you said that you loved horses as a child, and I want your interests to become my interests.

Fantasia: I can't believe you remembered me telling you that.

Taraji:*smiles* I remember everything you say to me.

I looked away from her and stared out of the window before she could see the tears forming in my eyes. I'm not the best at showing my emotions, but Taraji's genuine and compassion disposition makes me want to rip my heart out of my chest and wear it on my sleeve. She's so intentional with the way she tries to make me feel seen and wanted. When my face was dry, I finally found the strength to look her in the eye again.

Fantasia: Thank you for this, Taraji. You just keep raising the bar.

Taraji:*smirks* Don't get all sappy on me, Tasia. You're going to make the horses sad. They can feel human energy.

I laughed as we got out of the car together, reaching out for her hand once we were side by side. I was so excited that I was practically skipping ahead and kicking up dirt along the way. The farm owner's warm smile grew wider and reached his soulful brown eyes as we neared him.

???: Hello, ladies. Welcome to my pride and joy, Galwaugh Farms. I am Greggory, but everybody calls me Farmer Greg. It's so nice to have you lovely ladies here.

Taraji: Thank you so much for having us, Farmer Greg.

Fantasia: Yes, we really appreciate it. Your land is gorgeous.

Farmer Greg:*smiles* And it has been made a whole lot prettier with your presence. If you ladies are ready, you can come on and meet the horses.

I glanced at Taraji with a never-fading smile as Farmer Greg led the way through the archway gates. The sprawling land was scattered with fenced areas that held goats, pigs, cows, and chickens. The lake in the background was situated across from a huge barndominium with a wrap-around porch. In another life, this would be my dream home. Unfortunately, the California countryside isn't the best place financially to establish a tattoo shop. Farmer Greg gave us a nice tour and an in-depth history of the farm before finally taking us to the horse stables. It looked like a miniature mansion with its flawless tan paint job and dark mahogany posts. The sun was starting to sink lower in the clouds, and the splashes of oranges and reds in the evening sky overlooking the land was a stunning scene like something out of a country romance movie on Hallmark. I gave passing smiles to the stable hands tending to the grooming and feeding of the horses and the maintenance of their stalls. He guided us to the end of the row on the far right side, stopping in between two wooden stall doors. Me and Taraji took a step back as he unlocked the stalls and coerced the two mares to come out. One had an impeccably clean and gorgeous midnight black coat while the other was a stunning gold shade with a blonde mane. They were already tacked up and ready for us to ride them.

Farmer Greg: Ladies, this is Storm and Aurora. They're the best for riders because of their gentle temperament. They're real big on cuddles, so don't be afraid to show some affection.

I naturally gravitated to Storm for some reason, approaching her with calmness as I reached my hand out to stroke her mane. I smiled watching Taraji hug Aurora's neck from the corner of my eye. We grabbed their reigns and followed Farmer Greg's lead out of the stables. I wonder if a horse could fit in the trunk of Taraji's car.

Farmer Greg: There's this trail that I like to call Lovers' Lane because it's where I proposed to my wife 45 years ago. It stretches around the lake, so the romance makes it a big hit for couples. It takes about fifteen minutes to complete, ten for more experienced riders. Sound like a good deal?

Taraji: That sounds great.

Fantasia: We can't wait.

I helped Taraji up on Aurora, giving her butt a quick smack when I placed my hands on it to push her up on the saddle. She looked back at me with a playful glare, making both me and Farmer Greg laugh. I got on Storm with no problems. I've never actually had the privilege to ride a horse, but because of how obsessed I was with them as a child, I spent a lot of time educating myself on how to properly ride them and care for them. I connected to horses spiritually because they get to run wild and free, and all I wanted was to be free from my overbearing psycho of a mother. Farmer Greg got onto his own horse, a grey stallion with a white diamond in the center of his forehead that he affectionately called Champ, and he showed us the way along Lovers' Lane. He trotted along a few feet ahead of us to give us the space and alone time that we needed to bond. I couldn't stop smiling as I gently gripped Storm's reigns and cantered alongside Taraji. I couldn't help but to chuckle under my breath every time she got a little spooked by Aurora speeding up a little.

Fantasia:*giggles* You need to relax, Taraji. They can feel your energy, remember? If you're scared then she'll get scared.

Taraji: I'm just not used to being up this high.

Fantasia: I know, with your short ass. Next we're riding camels in Dubai.

Taraji: You really love animals, huh? I do, too. If I had it my way, I would have like fifteen dogs.

Fantasia: We should get a puppy and raise it together. We could be puppy parents before we try the real thing.

I can't believe this woman has me thinking about babies already. What kind of voodoo is she working on me? I don't ever remember having sentimental moments like this with Nastasia. Our relationship was good until it wasn't and we were undoubtedly in love, but we never shared deep experiences like this and I feel like it's because I distanced myself from her. I can't do that to Taraji.

Taraji:*smiles* Yeah, that would be good practice. Maybe when we're all old and wrinkly we can retire and spend the rest of our days on a farm like this. It would be big enough for all the animals and babies that we want.

Fantasia: That sounds perfect. I'm holding you to it, Taraji Penda Barrino.

Taraji: Did you just say Barrino?

Fantasia: That was a mistake.

Taraji:*smirks* Mhm.

She playfully rolled her eyes with a smirk, making me blush. I don't know what's happening to me right now, but I know that it's because of Taraji. I can feel myself changing and the change is for her.

I apologize for the long wait for me to update this hook, but I don't want to fall into my old pattern of updating just to update, because that's how I ended up creating chapters and storylines that I didn't exactly like. Anyway, why do you guys think that Fantasia is so hesitant to show the same effort that Taraji is showing?