I would normally train Ethan today but he hasn't been in contact so I doubt that will be happening. I decide to throw myself into my work by offering to help every member on the gym floor with their training.
By 10am I have succumbed to the fact that I will never see Ethan again when Patsy walks in looking around the gym floor. She spots me and waves.
"Hey Wanda, I've had Ethan Caldwell on the phone. He's been trying to get in touch with you. You're meant to be training him at 10am; why are you still here?"
"Well, he hasn't called me since Sunday so I thought as it was his last session today he might not ..."
"So you thought you would stand him up? Wanda, Ethan is one of the next big A-listers, we can't afford to piss him off. I don't know exactly what's going on with you and him but you need to stay professional."
I'm not sure how to respond to this so I just mumble something about being on my way and walk off.
By the time I reach the studios, my tummy is bobbing about with nerves. I really hope Louis isn't going to be there.
I knock on the door of Ethan's trailer and take a breath.
"Oh hi Wanda, come in," Ethan says, "I didn't know if you'd come or not, I couldn't get hold of you today."
Ethan is wearing his training gear and looking super sexy.
"Oh yes, sorry about that, it was—" I stop short when I see Louis sitting on the bench seat at the back of the trailer talking on his phone."
I remember what Patsy said about being professional. "Well, let's get started shall we?"
Ethan gives me a tight smile before leading me out of his trailer. We make our way to one of the smaller studios.
"Listen, Wanda, I'm sorry about not calling but Louis and Helena have me running around like an alcoholic bluebottle. I wanted to call but ..."
"I know, you need to be seen as available especially as you're in line for the main role in that new action movie."
Ethan turns and smiles. "I got it ...well they offered it to me. We begin shooting in Morocco next year."
"Congratulations," I say with as much enthusiasm as I can muster, "I know it's what you've always wanted."
Ethan grabs my elbow—again. "Wanda, I had such an amazing time with you this weekend ..."
"Don't worry about it. It was fun but work is work eh?"
"I wish we could—"
"Hey I forgot to tell you, I've been offered a job training Madeline Harvey for three to six months in France." That may be a small extension of the truth but I'm hurt.
Ethan looks at me with his mouth open.
"So it looks like we all get what we want. Come on let's get this training started or you'll be late."
Ethan just nods his head. He looks deep in thought and I wish I knew what was on his mind.
The studio is a lot smaller than the one he films in and there is already some fitness equipment in the corner alongside a pile of crash mats.
"This is where they rehearse some of the stunts and fight scenes," Ethan says, his voice echoing in the space.
"Well let's get on with it shall we?"
The session is punishing and I'm as sweaty as Ethan once we've finished but to be honest, I feel like I've got some aggression out of my system.
There is a look between us as we catch our breath but I'm not sure what's behind it. I smile briefly before going to grab a bottle of water. As I do, Ethan does too. We reach for the same bottle and our hands touch sending an electric current through my entire body and coming to a climax in my nether regions. Ethan doesn't pull his hand away but looks directly into my eyes. My heart is thumping harder than during the workout and the ants in my underwear are on manoeuvres.
Without saying a word, Ethan takes me in his arms and kisses me like he means it. I can feel his fingers digging into my flesh as I press myself against him. He pulls at my ponytail; I respond by pulling at his training bottoms. We stumble backwards and there is much ripping and pulling of clothing as we take each other on the crash mats.
Through this whole wonderful steamy session, neither of us has spoken one word—I may have screamed something inaudible at the end—it was the most amazing sexual encounter I've ever experienced.
Post coitus, we are sprawled across the mats, my head on Ethan's chest as though we are in some romantic hotel. I don't want to be the first to speak so going against everything I am I think first and decide to keep quiet. Luckily Ethan breaks the silence.
"So that was unexpected."
Okay, not exactly Mills and Boon but ... "Yep." I wasn't sure how to respond. I think the silence was working for us.
Ethan shifts his body and leans up on one elbow to face me. "Wanda, you know I think you're amazing don't you?"
I nod, waiting for the 'but'.
"I kind of wish I wanted a career where I could have a private life, like a baker or something." He smiles and kisses the tip of my nose.
"But ..." I'm sure there's one coming so I say it before he does.
"No buts, just wish I wanted a different career. Louis and Helena have been relentless the last few days. Every time I thought I'd get a chance to call you, one of them either rang or whisked me off somewhere. I think I still have a text on my phone to you that I didn't get a chance to send."
I'm tempted to ask him to show me but doubt it would make any difference in the long run. What I really want him to say is 'bugger the consequences, I want to be with you and if Louis doesn't like it, he can go shit in his hat.' he doesn't.
"I need to get back to work," I tell him whilst pulling on my underwear. Ethan nods; he looks sad which makes me feel a lot better.
"I'll call—"
"Don't," I interrupt. "Don't say you'll call me if you're not going to."
He looks like he's about to say something but stops.
I look back at him as I shift myself off the edge of the mats "I wish you were a baker too."