Two months had passed, and a strong distance had grown between Richard and Dawn. They only talked to each other when necessary, and only show emotions in their scenes. Those were some scenes though. It was almost as if the words they couldn't say to each other personally poured out on screen. Everyone noticed it. The fans, the producers and executives. The castmates. Everyone. The only people who denied the overwhelming chemistry were Richard and Dawn themselves. Although neither could say it, there was
something there. Something forbidden, something enticing, intriguing. Something purely desirable. She might have been promised to another, and he might have tried to accept it, but it was only a matter of time before those hidden feelings would surface. And it might be sooner and stronger than anyone had imagined.
"Dianne, you wanted to see me?" Dawn asked, as she poked her head in through
her office door.
"Yeah I did, actually. Please, come in," she replied, as she motioned her
towards her desk.
"So, what's up?" she asked, as she sat down smiling.
"Well, I have some good news for you. Actually for both you and Richard.."
"What's that?"
"The two of you have been nominated for 'Hottest Couple' by Guillermo Mendoza , congratulations!" she reported, grinning at her. Dawn sat there speechless by the words she'd just uttered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Dawn, may I come in?"
"Yes, Richard."
Richard walked slowly into her dressing room. He looked over to see her gazing at her lines on the sofa. She was dressed plainly in a pair of flares and a tank top, with her gorgeous curly hanging in her face. Even in her everyday clothes, she was still the sexiest woman he'd ever seen. Back in high school, he'd find himself staring at her, completely captivated by her beauty. He never admitted to it though, he wasn't strong enough. How could he have told all the jocks he was in love with the little Highschool actress
wannabe? Instead, he spent 4 of the worst years of his life with Sharon. Now, the 'little actress wannabe' was an up and coming primetime diva, and he was nothing more than her current love interest. It was almost ironic.
"Did you want something?" Dawn asked, causing him to break from his daze.
"Yes, I wanted to tell you how psyched I am about our nomination."
"Yeah, it's surreal. To think, we were good enough to get a nomination for h-" she stopped herself, unable to say her next words with his alluring eyes staring her head on. Instead, she walked over to her vanity, and played around with her make up.
"Hottest couple, Dawn", he stated, as he turned around, and noticed her watching him from the mirror.
"I am aware of what we're nominated for...." she retorted, as she continued to distract herself with odds and ends placed before her.
"Then why couldn't you say it?"
"Because I went blank for a moment, God! Do you always have to over analyze everything I say?"
"Not everything. Just when I know you have deeper meaning behind it..."
"And what would that deeper meaning be, oh wise one?" she asked in a condescending manner.
"You know Dawn..."
"No I don't actually, why don't you enlighten me, Richard," she yelled as she
stood to face him, and crossed her arms over her chest.
"You couldn't say it because you *know* we were nominated so quickly because what we have goes beyond that screen!"
"Dammit, I thought we'd gotten past this!" she screamed at him, as she moved a few inches closer, and they now stood at an arms length. "I am promised to Martin, Richard! I am completely and totally in love with him. We're going to be married! What you and I share is a great onscreen chemistry. Nothing more than that, nothing!"
She went to sit back down, when he reached out, and grabbed her forearm, spinning her around to stare at him once more, he took hold of her other arm, and held her tightly in his grasp.
"Let go of me!" she demanded, as she tried to get away, but he refused.
"Not until you can look into my eyes and tell me that you have no other feelings for me other than onscreen chemistry!" he asked as his voice took on a firm and deep tone.
Tears began to well up in her eyes.
"I-, I, I I.......I can't" she whispered, as her tears began to fall.
Releasing his hands from her arms, he moved them to her face, wiping away her tears with the pads of his thumb. He gazed into her eyes longingly. Moving his hands to brush the hair away from her face, and then caressed her cheek. Slowly, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. He began to kiss her slowly, moving his hands to her waist, and pulling her closer towards him. Not being able to stand it any longer, she wrapped her arms firmly around his neck, and began to kiss him back with all the hunger, desire, and passion they'd been holding on to for far too long.
