The Photo Shoot

If you had of told me six months ago that a photo shoot of a relatively new actor would change my life, I would have said you were nuts. Absolutely frickin nuts! An actor change my life?? Puuleeeezze!

And then I met Oded Fehr . . .

Okay, well I guess I should start at the beginning. Yes, that would help, lol.

It was six months ago, to be exact. Six months ago, ummm, day after tomorrow in fact. Wow, time flies!

Anyway, I was scheduled to do a photo shoot of Oded Fehr at his home in Santa Monica. His latest movie, The Mummy Returns, had just been released and he was high in demand and people were clamoring for new pictures of him. Being a freelance photographer who worked with the entertainers gave me an advantage. Since I didn’t represent any one magazine, then the pictures could be distributed to whoever wanted to buy them. And that was what Mr. Fehr had wanted.

I had only spoken to him once, the evening before, to confirm the time and address. Mostly the deal had been set up through his publicist, but just that one phone conversation with him gave me the impression of a very nice, polite man.

So I was booking down the 10 freeway and just before I hit the 405 interchange traffic came to a dead halt. I groaned out loud, as it seems this always happens to me. I glanced quickly at my watch and it was a quarter to five and I was supposed to be at Mr. Fehr’s home at five o’clock. I shook my head.

“You’re gonna be late, T,” I said out loud to myself. “This is not good!”

Looking around for my cell phone, I found it and after locating Mr. Fehr’s phone number in my purse, I dialed it in.

“Hello.” I shivered at the huskiness of his voice. Damn, such a nice phone voice.

“Hi Mr. Fehr, this Teleah Brockman.”

“Hello Teleah Brockman,” he greeted me warmly. I assumed it was warmly; it certainly sounded warm to me. Okay, okay, maybe I was getting a little hot hearing him say my name with that accent.

“I’m afraid I have bad news,” I informed him.

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m at a dead stop on the 10 freeway just east of the 405 interchange,” I added sadly. “I’m afraid I won’t be going anywhere for a while. Traffic is moving at a snail’s pace.”

“Hmmm, yes. You are still quite a bit a ways from my house.”

“I’m really sorry about this Mr. Fehr,” I said. “We can reschedule this if you would like. I know you probably had other plans for the evening after we were finished.”

“Please call me Oded, Mr. Fehr makes me feel so old.”

I laughed, knowing he was only 30 years old. “Alright, Oded, but you must call me Teleah.”

“Deal.” I could hear the smile in his voice. I was amazed that he wasn’t angry. I had some experience in dealing with irate actors when things didn’t go according to plan. I didn’t think Oded had an irate bone in his body.

“So, what do you think?” I asked. “Reschedule?”

“Did you have plans for later?” He surprised me with his question.

“Uh no, actually I don’t.” It was really hard to admit that. I wasn’t exactly dating anyone at that moment, well okay, I hadn’t dated anyone in almost a year, but to admit that to someone who probably had women banging his door down was not pleasant.

“Tell you what,” he said. “What is your next exit off the freeway?”

I looked ahead of me and saw a street sign indicating an exit up ahead. “It looks like Overland.”

“Good. Perfect. Take Overland and head north to Pico. Go west on Pico and eventually you will come to a restaurant called Valentino.”

“Okay, so what’s at Valentino?” I asked curiously, wondering where he was headed with this.

“Me and the best Italian food around,” he stated with a chuckle.

I blinked in surprise. “Are you offering to buy me dinner?”

He laughed, a deep, husky sound that almost made me forget to hit the brakes. My car jerked to a stop just shy of rear-ending the vehicle in front of me. “You sound surprised, Teleah.”

A shiver raced up my spine at hearing him say my name again. Good lord, if this was the reaction I get from just talking to him on the phone, what the hell am I gonna do when I see him face to face? I was clueless. I had seen pictures of this man after the release of The Mummy back in 1999. Very exotic looking with the long dark curly hair that hung to his shoulders and the beard that framed his full lips and hugged his jaw line. Oded’s publicist had said that he had cut his hair really short and the beard was completely gone. Told her that he had a “now you see it, now you don’t” kind of thing going with the goatee. Currently it was the “now you don’t”.

There was silence on the line and I was beginning to think I had lost the connection when I realized I hadn’t answered his question. God, what a ditz!

“Uh well, actually I kinda am surprised,” I finally answered.

“Well is it alright with you?” he asked hesitantly, a bit shyly. “I would really like to get this photo shoot done tonight. I have a heavy schedule ahead of me and I don’t know when I’d be able to meet with you again.”

“I see,” I answered. “Sure, that is no problem for me, but you don’t have to buy me dinner, Oded. I don’t think that was in the contract.”

He laughed again. Damn, he really needed to warn me before he did that. “I know, but it would be my pleasure,” he answered. “Besides, it would be easier for me to direct you to the restaurant, meet you there, have dinner, then have you follow me back to my house, than to try and give you directions through the city to here.”

“Ah hah!” I exclaimed teasingly. “The ulterior motive is discovered!”

“Uh oh,” he began in a mock worried tone. “Guess I’ll have to spring for dessert too, hmmm?”

Goodness, this man was priceless. I laughed out loud. “Yeah, and I want a huge hot fudge sundae too.” I was slowly nearing the exit and flipped my blinker on to indicate I was exiting.

“Hot fudge sundae?” he gasped.

“Yeah, you know, vanilla ice cream covered in tons of hot fudge,” I answered. “Don’t tell me you have never heard of hot fudge sundaes before?”

He chuckled softly, causing my hand to spasm on the steering wheel. “Of course I’ve heard of them. I may be from another country, sweetheart, but I still know what some things are.”

Sweetheart? Now where had that come from?

“I’m just not a big fan of ice cream, but if it’s a hot fudge sundae you want, then that is what you will have, even if I have to walk down to the Dairy Queen to get it for you.”

“Dairy Queen!” I squeaked.

“Well you don’t think they serve hot fudge sundaes at an Italian restaurant, do you?”

“Oh, well no, I guess not.” I hadn’t thought about that. Boy did I feel like digging a hole and crawling inside.

I nearly swerved into a wall that ran along the freeway as I took the Overland exit when his shout of laughter filled my ear. He was going to kill me, literally, with that laugh.

“Mr. Fehr,” I began, “you wouldn’t be having fun at my expense, would you?” I asked in a serious tone.

Silence. Then, “Did I offend you?”

Offend me? Was this guy kidding? Oh, he truly was priceless! They needed to bottle this man quick and slap a patent on him. I laughed, bringing back the teasing mood. “Goodness no! But I’ll tell you something, Oded. I’m approaching Pico Boulevard and will be at this Valentino Restaurant soon. I do hope you won’t keep me waiting.”

“Oh crap,” he exclaimed, then silence. “Sorry.” He laughed softly. “I’m on my way. Do you have my cell phone number?”

“Ummm.” I glanced down at the piece of paper I had with numbers on it. “555-2324?”

“That’s it. Call me if you get lost.”

Okay, okay, so the man was a gentleman, but really, if I get lost? How can I get lost if the restaurant in question is on the street I’m turning onto? “Will do. See you soon,” I answered, deciding not to belabor the point.

It turned out that Valentino’s Restaurant was waaaaaaaay down Pico Boulevard. Took another twenty minutes just to get there. I pulled into the restaurant and parked my car. Getting out, I straightened the deep purple silk skirt and lavender blouse I was wearing and began walking towards the front of the restaurant. As I walked, I saw ahead of me a guy leaning back against the trunk of a car, and my knees about melted into the asphalt.

He was tall, broad shouldered, salt and pepper short hair and the biggest brown puppy dog eyes I’d ever seen. Holy crap, it should be against the law for a man to look like that. Our eyes met and he smiled, revealing straight white teeth and dimples in his cheeks. His dark eyes swept up and down me appreciatively, making my nipples harden. Cripes, I hoped he hadn’t noticed that! I decided to return the favor, and my blue eyes swept down the length of him, lingered at his well filled out crotch and back up. Our eyes met again, I grinned, he blushed. I didn’t know whether to be shocked or laugh. It was sooo cute.

I decided neither would work, so I just smiled and kept walking. I could feel him still watching me as I entered the restaurant. I walked up to the maitre d and asked if Oded Fehr had arrived yet. He hadn’t, but he did have a table already reserved if I would like to sit down. I decided I would hang outside for a few minutes, maybe catch another glimpse of that hunkolicious man I had seen earlier. I went outside and walked around till I could see the parking lot. The man was gone. I sighed, but figured, oh well.

I waited a good ten minutes before reaching for my cell phone and dialing the number I had for Oded. As my phone began to ring, I heard another cell phone ringing behind me. I didn’t think anything of it until I heard the voice answer.

“Hello.”

I froze. His voice was in my ear and coming from behind me at the same time. “Oded?”

“Hey, did you get lost?”

Slowly I turned around to face the voice that was echoing in my ear. I nearly dropped my phone. The gorgeous man that I had passed in the parking lot earlier was standing a few feet from me with a cell phone to his ear. How the hell had he gotten behind me? I was looking at his profile, stunned. THAT was Oded Fehr? Oh just wrap me up in foil and stick me in the freezer!

His head turned slightly and our eyes met. I saw the recognition in his as I knew he was remembering me from the parking lot. I smiled, he smiled back. “Hi,” I said.

He frowned slightly as he looked at me, then his phone, then at me again. I laughed, oh what a hoot! My laughter echoed about through his cell phone as he suddenly realized what I had just discovered myself. I snapped my flip phone shut and took a step forward with my hand outstretched. “Oded?”

Suddenly he flashed a megawatt smile that nearly dropped me where I stood. “Teleah!” His large warm hand enveloped mine and he raised it to his lips. I was completely speechless. He lowered my hand, but held on to it, squeezing it lightly. “I feel rather stupid right now,” he laughed.

“I understand that feeling myself,” I finally managed to answer.

“It never occurred to me that you might be you . . .” He paused after saying that and shook his head with a laugh. “Well I see my intelligence is increasing by leaps and bounds!”

I started laughing as tears sprang up in my eyes. This man was a gem and I hoped he wouldn’t bring up the scene in the parking lot earlier. He did.

“So that was you who passed by me in the parking lot a bit ago, huh?”

I sighed, my cheeks burning. “Oh yeah, well, it’s really not necessary to bring that up, is it?”

Oded tossed his head back slightly and laughed. I nearly stumbled as we headed towards the entrance to the restaurant. His hand tightened on mine, lending me his strength for balance. He reached out and opened the door for me, our eyes meeting. His eyes reminded me of rich, warm molasses as he smiled down at me. I about tripped walking through the door, causing Oded to catch me by wrapping an arm around my waist.

“I gotcha,” he said amused. Good lord, when had I become such a klutz!

“Sorry.” I blushed, and yes, damn it, I was blushing again too!!

He grinned as if he knew full well what he was doing to my senses, and I nearly kicked him in the shin, but resisted the urge. Truthfully, I was enjoying his arm around me too much to do anything that might cause him to take it away. We approached the maitre d, who smiled at Oded in recognition.

“Mr. Fehr, it is always good to have you with us!”

“Thank you, Tony. Is my table ready?”

“Yes senor, right this way please.”

We followed Tony into the dining area, and he led us to a private secluded table in the back. It was a U-shaped booth, and Oded waited until I was seated before he slid in next to me. Tony handed us menus and informed Oded that Rico would be our waiter for the evening, then left.

Rico showed up moments later with glasses of water and warm, fresh baked bread sticks. My stomach growled loudly, causing Oded to look over at me and raise an eyebrow. He picked up the basket of bread sticks and handed the whole thing to me.

“Oh stop it,” I growled, giving him a dirty look.

He laughed, causing me to smile. I opened up the cloth containing the bread sticks and took one out. I buttered it up good and nearly devoured it. I was reaching for my second one when I glanced up at him to find him watching me curiously.

My hand froze in midair. “Now what?”

He shook his head with a grin. “How long have you been a photographer?” he asked me, changing the direction of both our thoughts.

I let out my breath slowly, not realizing that I had been holding it. I snagged another bread stick and buttered it while I answered, “Since I was old enough to know what a camera was, I think.” I explained to him my love for photography and my work history, bringing him to my current job of freelancer. My palms were sweaty by the time I was finished with that little speech. His eyes never left my face while I talked, and I began to feel that he was looking into my soul.

Rico showed up to take our orders and then quickly left. I felt nervous for some reason and that bothered me. I had dealt enough with celebrities that I had gotten past that, or so I thought. But there was something about Oded Fehr that made me both nervous and comfortable in his presence at the same time.

“So what’s up with the hair?” I blurted out like a complete idiot.

He raised that eyebrow again and laughed. “Is it really that bad?” he asked, leaning back against his seat.

I winced at how that had sounded and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” I replied. “It is a bit extreme, though. You know, from the long curly look to the almost crew cut. I think it looks good though, kinda got that boyish look going for ya!”

His eyes widened in alarm. “Boyish look? Gee thanks, that’s what I needed to hear!”

Oh way to go, T! I dropped my forehead to the table before me and emitted a groan. “Well, the sprinkling of gray helps add to the whole masculine look.” I tried to recover, lifting my head to find him grinning at me.

“Oh you’re a creep!” I exclaimed as I realized he was playing with me. He laughed enjoying himself. I smiled, shaking my head as our dinner arrived.

I did relax after that, though, and as we ate, we both about chatted each other’s ears off. I did learn quite a bit about Oded Fehr in that hour that we ate. I learned that he was probably one of the most down to earth, nicest guys you could ever want to meet with a great sense of humor to boot. Forget the fact that he was devastatingly handsome, the man was the sweetest guy I had ever met and very passionate about his career and his beliefs. He knew exactly what he wanted and with the success of The Mummy Returns, he was now getting better offers for future movie roles, though a majority of them still cast him in that ethnic light.

I couldn’t help but like the guy. I mean I reeeeeally like him. Every time he laughed, I got klutzy, and whenever he’d smile and look at me with those expressive brown eyes of his, I’d about melt into the seat.

We finally left the restaurant and he walked me to my car. “Just follow me. If we get separated, call me.” He indicated to my cell phone.

I nodded and shivered as his long fingers curled around my upper arm. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against my cheek and my knees nearly buckled. His masculine scent filled my nostrils, mixed with the fresh scent of the shampoo he’d used in his hair. He pulled back and gently squeezed my upper arm with his fingers before letting me go. He stepped back and winked at me, then turned and walked to his own car. I followed his progress, mainly because I couldn’t move. My feet were frozen in place and my brain wasn’t functioning properly yet, but also I had a great view of his ass and I had decided that he filled out those khaki pants quite well.

We reached his house without incident and it was near eight o’clock. I began to worry that maybe I was cutting into plans he may have already had. I mean, really, a guy that good looking probably had a date every night, I thought. He pulled his car into the garage, and I pulled into the driveway, parking it. Before I could open my door, he was there opening it for me, reaching out his hand to assist me out.

“Will you marry me?” I once again opened my mouth and blurted out a stupid question. He laughed, squeezing my hand in his. “I’m sorry.” I blushed. “I don’t meet too many old fashioned gentleman like you too often. Kind of overwhelms the senses and makes me do kooky things.”

“We’re out there, you just have to look,” he answered with a smile and assisted me with bringing in the camera equipment. Not bloody likely, I thought to myself. I’m thirty two years old and the only other male I know that has those same qualities is my dad and HE don’t count!

We got what I needed into the house, and after looking around, I selected a few areas we would use. I began setting up for the first round and Oded informed me he would go change. I started to say he looked fine, but held my tongue. I must say that I’m glad I did, cuz when he came out a few minutes later I had to sit down. Seriously, I HAD to sit down. You just don’t realize the effect this man had had on me in the very short time that I’d known him. He was every mother’s dream for their daughters, and my mother would be no exception!

He wore blue jeans and a blue long sleeve sweater, but what really got me was he was barefooted. I nearly swooned! ME!! I, Teleah Brockman, nearly swooned! There, now you know!

“Well,” I said a bit too breathlessly. I cleared my throat and tried again. “Well, that’s a more casual look,” I said, standing back up, my legs still a bit shaky.

He nodded. “I thought it would be nice with the pictures being taken in my home. Do I look alright?” He looked at me, a bit worried.

I stared at him, dumbfounded. Did he look all right? Oh my god! Was he serious??

I cleared my throat again, noting that he was indeed very serious and answered, “Yeah, Ded, ya look great!”

He flashed me that megawatt smile and I had to sit again. “I like that,” he said. I looked at him, confused. “You calling me ‘Ded’. My friends call me that and I like hearing you use it.”

“Oh,” I managed to squeak out. He frowned slightly.

“Is everything all right, Teleah?” He walked over to stand in front of me and squatted so that we were more level.

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. “Yeah, I’m just great!

He reached out and traced his fingers over my cheek, causing my heart to thump loudly. I was sure he could hear it; he even cocked his head slightly to one side as if he were listening for it. He smiled suddenly and stood up, taking my hand and pulling me up with him.

“Come on, sweetheart, let’s get this done,” he said as he tugged me over to where my camera was. There was that “sweetheart” again. “Where will you have me?”

I had just picked up my camera when he asked that and my head whipped around, my hair flying around my face in different directions. I looked at him, wide eyed. “I beg your pardon?” I squeaked. I was turning into a damn mouse with all the squeaking I was doing that evening!

He cocked his head curiously and looked at me. “I asked where you wanted me? On the couch? Near the fireplace? In the kitchen, maybe?”

I tell you I never felt my face so flaming hot before in my life. I knew exactly what he was asking me, but oh my god, I couldn’t help it. He had absolutely no idea how his question sounded, or at least if he did, he did a great job of hiding it!

“Uh yeah, any of those places would be great,” I replied, keeping my face averted, afraid he would see the truth in my eyes.

“Why do I get the feeling I just missed something?” he asked as he moved to sit on the couch.

I ignored his question and approached him. “Why don’t you sit back in the corner of the couch?” Oded moved back and positioned himself in the corner part of the couch. “Good, now tuck your right leg in underneath you . . . good, now prop your left arm on the arm rest here, and rest your right hand across your thigh, like so,” I explained as I lifted his hands and placed them where I wanted them. I was so intent on what I was doing that I failed to notice that Oded was staring at my face the entire time. “There!” I smiled in triumph and lifted my eyes to meet his.

I nearly peed my pants, the look in his eyes. I thought for sure he wanted to devour me. I swallowed hard, straightened and stepped back. I grabbed up my camera, got into position and began snapping pictures. My favorite shot, though, was with him sitting on the tile floor with his legs crossed Indian style, just staring at me as if he could see right into my soul. A few hours and six rolls of film later, we finished. It was after ten o’clock now and I was tired. I had been up since six that morning. I wanted nothing more than to go home and crash.

Another thing I discovered that evening was how photogenic Oded was. He worked a camera good. He also told me of his own dabbling that he did in photography and it explained a lot. Good lord, I even let him waste a roll of film on me. But he was good, posing me how he wanted me and getting me to deliver, even if I was a mess!

And then there was THE KISS!

It was a gosh darn, knock my socks off, curl my toes, weaken my knees and leave me breathless kind of kiss. He had me in the doorway, leaning back against the frame, my right leg brought up under me, with my foot resting against the frame behind me, my hands tucked behind me at my lower back. My head turned to the side, facing him. My hair had fallen down in my face, but he didn’t want me to move.

“I’ll fix it,” he said and moved up to tuck the offending strands behind my ear. His fingertips brushed against my cheek, and I swear I could feel his body heat emanating from him. My breath froze in my lungs as he hesitated, moving his fingers slowly across my cheek, tucking the stands of hair behind my ear, then letting his fingers glide down my throat.

His eyes had darkened to a rich coffee color in those few seconds and my heart leaped up into my throat as I realized he was going to kiss me. “Yapheh,” he whispered as his lips brushed against mine.

I could only imagine what he said, cuz it made no sense to me. Not that I was thinking all that clearly at the moment anyway. His hand came up to cup my cheek as he tantalizingly nipped, nibbled and explored every inch of my lips. I could only stand there. If “the big one” had hit at that very moment, I would have been a goner, cuz I couldn’t move. I was completely and totally lost in the feel of those full lips on mine.

Oooooh, and then I felt the stroke of his tongue across my bottom lip, and my knees, whom had never given me trouble a day in my life, but suddenly could barely manage to hold me up this evening, finally gave way and I sagged against him. I felt the rumble of his groan vibrate through his chest into mine as he wrapped his arms around me and deepened the kiss, his tongue thrusting into my mouth. Neither one of us heard the camera crash to the tile floor as he crushed me against him. My arms circled up around his neck and I kissed him back with every little bit of pent up sexual frustrations I’d had over the past year. I think maybe I scared him.

He pulled back suddenly and looked down at me with a surprised look on his face. It was almost as if he couldn’t believe he had just kissed me, either that or I scared the hell out of him with my aggressiveness. I tell you, people, don’t hold back for so long! I’d been without intimacy for a year and it was a pain in the ass!

“I’m so sorry, Teleah!” he apologized profusely. My cheeks flamed red and I groaned softly. Hell, I didn’t want him to be sorry!

“It’s okay, Ded. Really, these things happen.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t mean to. Honestly.”

I closed my eyes and turned away from him. “Please stop. I enjoyed that kiss too much for you to ruin it by apologizing for it.”

“What?” He laughed then.

I turned and gave him a dirty look. “You thought I was apologizing for kissing you?”

Slowly I nodded as my dirty look turned into a frown. “You weren’t?”

He shook his head and smiled. “No sweetheart, I was apologizing because . . .” he stooped down and picked up the broken camera, “I dropped your camera and broke it.”

I looked at the broken camera in his hands, then looked back up at him and laughed. He grinned and placed the broken camera on the counter and gathered me in his arms. “I could clobber you for that,” I threatened teasingly. “I thought you were sorry you kissed me.”

“Never!” He placed feather light kisses over my cheeks, eyes, forehead, nose, chin, then melded his lips to mine.

I pulled back slightly. “I really should go, you know,” I said.

“I know,” he agreed. “In a minute.” And his lips claimed mine again, his tongue sweeping through my mouth, kissing me thoroughly.

Too soon, he released me and stepped back. We were both breathing hard and both clearly aroused, but both knew it wasn’t the right time. I sighed as I moved to gather up my stuff.

“I’ll buy you a new camera, Teleah.”

“That’s not necessary, Ded . . .”

“I’ll buy you a new camera!” he repeated more forcibly, interrupting me.

I turned to face him. “On one condition,” I said.

He raised that eyebrow again, making me smile. “Condition?”

“Yes, you said something in another language earlier just as you kissed me. What was it and what did it mean?”

He laughed. “That’s a simple enough request. I said, ‘Yapheh’. It is Hebrew and it means ‘beautiful.’”

“Oh,” I answered, a bit flustered. I had never had anyone compliment me in a foreign language before. It was rather nice. “You think so?” I asked a bit shyly.

“Oh yeah,” he smiled. “Come on, let’s get you packed up before I do something we will both regret later.”

Twenty minutes later, we stood next to my car outside in the cool night air kissing again. Oded reluctantly released me and I climbed into my car. “You be careful going home.”

“I will.”

“Call me when you get there.”

“I will.”

“Sweet dreams and dream of me.”

“I will.” I grinned up at him at that and he reached in with both hands to grab me playfully around the neck and pretended to choke me. “Hey!”

He leaned in the open door and kissed me hard. “Sassy!”

He pulled out and closed the door. I started up my car and pulled out of the driveway. I waved to him as I drove away and smiled, as I had just had the best evening of my life.

And it was too . . . well next to all the other evenings I’ve spent with Ded since, it’s one of many! And let me tell you, that boy is some hot lover too! Damn, just makes me wet thinking about it.

But, it’s getting late now, and Ded is calling me to come to bed, so I’ll save that for another night. Heh heh heh!

This is Teleah Brockman, signing off.