12. Ethan
Ethan
Iwas so busy juggling all of my equipment that I didn’t register the man by the car until I was right in front of him. “Shit. Hi. You’re not Sam.”
Rami grinned, taking advantage of my surprise by deftly removing several of my bags. “Very astute.”
I groaned inwardly. “No, I meant I was expecting him.”
Rami’s grin faded as he loaded my bags into his boot. “He wanted to come, but…today’s not a good day for him.”
I waited until we were both sat in the car and buckled in. “Is Sam okay?”
Rami nodded as he started to drive. “Yes and no. He has OCD. Some days are better than others. On bad ones, he struggles with things like driving.”
“Fuck, I hate that for him,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “He doesn’t ever have to worry about me. I’m happy to get myself there.”
On the bus. Because, once again, Dave was out with his friends.
“Don’t be daft,” Rami said. “We’re not hurting for cars, as you saw yesterday.”
“I can’t believe I’m seeing you again so soon. I had to double-check the date with Sam when he emailed last night.”
Rami shot me a sidelong smirk. “Told you he’d be impressed with your work.”
“All he saw were the raw images I sent him.”
“That was enough to impress him.”
“I can’t believe he wants another shoot so soon.”
Rami gave a mock pout. “Are you saying I’m not pretty enough to warrant multiple photo shoots?”
I rolled my eyes. “Please. You don’t need me to tell you how pretty you are. You’re literally a model. I’m certain you know that you make everyone else in the room fade away.”
Rami stared at me for a beat and the air in the car felt unusually thick. “You should know, seeing as you do the same.”
“Flirt.” I laughed, but the sound faded fast as something occurred to me. “We don’t have to do this today if Sam’s not feeling great. We can reschedule.”
I hated the disappointment that grew in my chest even as I suggested it. I’d been up since 6 a.m., buzzing with ideas for today’s shoot. Even the cold sheets beside me hadn’t been enough to put a damper on my good mood.
But the thought of returning to my empty house? To the silence and loneliness?
That had it souring.
“Thank you, but it’s fine,” Rami said. I exhaled in relief as he continued. “Sam has a good handle on his condition and Ez knows exactly what he needs. Between the two of them, they’ll have him in a good space in no time.”
“I’m glad he has Ez to take care of him.”
Rami’s brow furrowed. “Why wouldn’t he? Didn’t you know they were together?”
“Oh, I did,” I said hastily. “It’s just, well, not everyone’s partner is good when they’re unwell. It’s not easy for some people to know how to be supportive.”
The giant man beside me was silent for so long that I thought he wasn’t going to say anything. When he did, his words were simple. “It’s easy if you love that person.”
I sucked in a breath and turned my head to pretend I was looking at the world whizzing by, but in reality, I was hiding my reaction.
Was he right? Was it really that simple?
“We’re here.” Rami’s deep baritone had me realising that I’d been lost in my thoughts, spiralling. Long enough for the entire journey to pass, apparently. “Are you okay, Ethan?”
“Yes.” I showed far too many of my teeth in my eagerness to demonstrate how okay I was. From the narrowing of Rami’s eyes, I’d definitely oversold it. “I’m great. Excited for today’s shoot.”
He flicked the engine off. “Me too. I’m glad you could come back so soon.”
“I’m glad you could fit me in so soon.”
Rami. “Look how glad we both are. Very British of us.”
I laughed as I tried to help him lift my bags out. He shooed me off with a sharp tut, slinging all of my equipment over his shoulders with ease.
“It’s funny how my Britishness never really left me, even with all those years in California.”
“You’re telling me you didn’t microwave your tea while you were there?”
I poked him in the ribs. “How dare you. Take that back. I took my kettle in my carry-on, thank you very much.”
Rami’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Surprised they didn’t confiscate that at customs.”
“I had to smuggle it through,” I said solemnly. “The kettle wasn’t an issue, but hiding the teabags in my bum? That was a problem.”
Rami’s laughter echoed off the marble floor of the foyer. “Brings a whole new meaning to the colour of your tea.”
“Eww, gross.”
He smirked at me over his shoulder. “You started it.”
I followed him into a room I hadn’t seen yesterday and let out a low whistle. “Wow, you guys really do have everything.”
It was true. This gym rivalled any I’d seen on the high street. There was every piece of exercise equipment imaginable in here, as well as several I didn’t recognise.
Rami carefully put my bags on the floor. I was touched at the consideration he showed for my gear. “Guess so. This room gets a lot of use.”
My eyes lingered on his biceps. “I can see that.”
He grinned. “Now who’s the flirt?”
My cheeks flushed but I refused to look away. “It was merely a professional observation. Your muscles are impressive. For photography purposes, obviously.”
“Obviously,” he said solemnly, but there was mischief twinkling in his eyes again. “Do you need me covered in oil? For photography purposes.”
“Not today.” Although him oiled up while using this equipment could make for some interesting shots…
Some interesting spank bank material, you mean.
I scowled internally. That was absolutely not what I meant. I didn’t need that. I had Dave.
Who last had sex with you, when?
That didn’t matter either. Our relationship was about more than physical intimacy. It was about companionship. Support. Friendship. Love.
And when did Dave last show you any of those?
I swallowed hard as I realised I had no comeback. Fuck me, I wasn’t just arguing with myself, I was losing the argument.
Way to go, Ethan.
“Okay, I’m guessing the vibe for today is gym-bro?” I said, bringing my attention back to the task in hand. “Sam said something about building up a collection of different themes?”
“Yup.” Rami nodded. “We’ve got some costumes for after. A firefighter, soldier, and a baseball player.”
“Baseball?”
“Most of Sam’s authors are American,” Rami explained. “He wants to get shots that will appeal to various markets.”
“Sam wasn’t wrong when he said you were in demand. I’m flattered that you’ve chosen me for this, especially with your busy schedule.”
“Well, I’m happy to make time for you.”
I cleared my throat, hiding how hard those words had hit me. When was the last time anyone had made time for me? Okay, so Rami didn’t mean in a personal context, but still. It made me feel less…lonely. Just for a moment.
“I’m not sure we can get through all of those outfits today,” I said, pulling out my camera and choosing a lens. “Do you think Sam will be up to telling us what to prioritise?”
“Ah, about that.” Rami gave me a sheepish grin. “He realised the same thing this morning. He was going to call you about scheduling a couple more shoots, but he didn’t get a chance before he started not feeling well.”
My heart skipped a beat at the thought of the paycheque that could be heading my way. “Are you serious?”
“Sure.” Rami shrugged. “I had a couple of cancellations this week, so if you can fit me in, I can be yours for the next three days.”
Three days.
My mouth dried out as I frantically tallied up how much money he was talking about. Fuck. It’d buy me some time to find other clients.
Life truly was being good to me these days. The cynical part of my mind whispered that something awful must be waiting around the corner, but you know what? I’d already been through awful and survived.
I wasn’t going to let the fear of it happening again taint any joy for me.
“I’m free,” I squeaked before clearing my throat. “I mean, I can make time for you too.”
Rami’s answering grin was pure sunshine. “Great. Guess we should get started.”
He whipped his shirt off and I ducked my head, pretending to fiddle with my camera. “Shirtless again?”
“Sam’s orders,” Rami said drily. “Apparently you’re not the only one who appreciates my muscles…for photography purposes.”
I sighed, keeping my eyes purposefully fixed on his face. Honestly, that wasn’t much better for my horny hindbrain. Rami was far too good-looking for anyone to resist. “You’re never going to let that go, are you?”
“Nope,” he said cheerfully. “Now, where do you want me first?”
Over the next few hours, Rami moved seamlessly through various expressions and poses. He delivered every emotion I threw at him without a single complaint. A true professional.
I wished I could say the same about myself.
I’d tried every possible tactic to keep my libido under control.
Thinking about gross things such as ingrown toenails.
Remembering what it was like to receive my diagnosis.
How awful chemo was. Nothing worked. Probably because there was never enough time for a thought to fully take root before Rami would shove himself back to the forefront of my mind.
It wasn’t his fault. He was just doing his job. He might be flirting, but he’d probably be horrified if he knew the thoughts going on inside my brain. Thoughts of how I’d like to lick the sweat from his chest to see if it was as salty as it looked.
See? Unprofessional.
I had no idea why I was finding it so difficult to not ogle him.
I’d spent plenty of time around beautiful people and never had an issue.
Even outside of my work there’d been plenty of temptation around.
Two of my old friends in Southampton had landed themselves some of the most gorgeous men imaginable.
I’d never looked twice, not even to admire them.
Not once, in my entire relationship with Dave, had I been tempted.
But this man posing with weights in both hands was a devil whispering in my ear, begging me to sin.
I wouldn’t, of course. I was a faithful and loyal man. Dave wasn’t perfect, but he’d given up his home and career to be at my side. He hadn’t left me like many people would have.
I owed him better than this.
That was the one thought that worked, the lust finally quieting.
“Okay, I think it’s time for a break,” I announced, lowering my camera and stretching. “Does that sound good to you?”
“Yep.” Rami placed the dumbbells he’d been posing with back in the rack. He snagged a towel from a nearby shelf and swiped it over his chest. “Mind if I stay like this? I’m a thousand degrees.”
“Totally fine,” I said breezily. At least, that’s what I was going for. It came out more like a squeak. “However you’re most comfortable.”
He raised a brow, lips twitching in amusement. “My comfort isn’t what I’m concerned about.”
“I’m fine,” I said, throwing in an eye-roll for good measure. “You’re not as irresistible as you think, Rami.”
Liar.
He hummed. “If you say so.”
Fuck. Maybe my ogling hadn’t been as subtle as I’d thought.
Before I could stammer out an apology, Rami was striding for the door. “Come on, I’ve made us lunch.”
It took me a minute to catch up, both figuratively and literally. “What?”
Rami chuckled as I skidded into the kitchen after him. I scowled, pointing at his long legs. “You move way too fast. It’s not human.”
He turned his back to me as he opened the fridge. “I’ll try and remember you’re a shortie.”
“I’m not that short.” I sniffed, sliding onto a stool at the massive island. This wasn’t even the only seating area in here. To my right, there was a dining table with twelve chairs arranged around it.
Just how many people lived here?
“Six foot is perfectly acceptable,” I continued. “Not everyone can be…how tall are you, exactly?”
“Six foot eight,” Rami said, placing a plate in front of me. My stomach grumbled at the sight of the couscous salad layered with chicken and avocado. “Don’t worry, you’re not the first to pout about my walking speed.”
“I didn’t pout.”
“Oh yeah?” Rami leaned on the island with one hand as the other came up to tweak my bottom lip. “Might want to tell your mouth that.”
We both froze. Me, at the feel of him. Rami, because of the line he’d crossed.
The moment passed in a blink and Rami hastily pulled his hand back. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I said automatically. “Don’t worry about it.”
We ate our salads in silence. I wanted to reassure Rami further, but I couldn’t think of the right words to say.
I couldn’t think of anything apart from the lingering heat on my lip.