Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,73
end of the scene. Right now, I need Rachel more insecure. Defenseless. Unprotected. It’s a very raw moment for her, having to come to Paul and trust him when she doesn’t really know much about him.”
“Shouldn’t I show her attraction to him? Even with her doubt?”
“No. I want Rachel totally stripped down emotionally so that when she does bond physically with Paul, the chemistry will light up the screen. Their connection will give her confidence in the scenes to come.”
“What if I—”
“Play it like I’ve told you.”
Marlyn’s mouth set in stone. She gave Sydney a long look and retreated to the center of the soundstage.
Though Sydney had spoken softly, Dash heard her instructions to Marlyn. He couldn’t have agreed more.
They went again and Marlyn tried it Sydney’s way for the first page of dialogue before veering off in the direction she wanted. Sydney called cut again. This time, she walked over to Marlyn.
“Are you having a hard time remembering what I told you?”
“No. I just think—”
“You’re not paid to think,” Sydney said succinctly. “You’re paid to take my direction. If you can’t do that, I’ll find someone who can.”
Marlyn’s eyes flashed in anger. Dash knew how volatile her temper was and waited for the fireworks to erupt.
Instead, the actress surprised him. “Okay. Your way.”
This time, Marlyn spoke her dialogue with perfection, giving Sydney exactly what she’d asked for. As they reached the end of their long conversation, Dash figured out why Marlyn had done a one-eighty and was suddenly so cooperative.
The first love scene was coming up, where Paul latched on to Rachel. As he tried to shake some sense into her, the couple would kiss. Instinctively, Dash knew Marlyn wanted to make out with him in front of Sydney in order to watch her squirm as the crew watched. The thought angered him. He shook Marlyn harder than he needed to. As he did, he could read the satisfaction in her eyes.
Dash kissed her. He tried to have Paul kiss Rachel but he was too aware that he was kissing his ex-lover in front of his current one. Well, not exactly current, but Sydney’s earlier words gave him hope that would change again very soon. Marlyn became aggressive, way more than a vulnerable Rachel should’ve responded. He heard, “Cut.”
Sydney came toward them. “The dialogue was exactly what I wanted from both of you. Great job. Let’s talk about this love scene in a little more detail.”
“Ooh, I could talk about it all day,” Marlyn purred. “Dash is such a great partner—in or out of bed.”
Sydney let the remark slide.
“I do want desire, Marlyn. Eagerness on Rachel’s part. She’s been adrift at sea, with no one to support her or believe in her. Now, she’s found Paul. The spark between them is not just hunger growing. It’s her knowing Paul believes her about the conspiracy. It’s a coming together of mind and body.”
Sydney gave that time to sink in. “Because of that, don’t let her go ramming her tongue down his throat first thing. Let Rachel discover the trust and the passion as they start to kiss. Let it build slowly and then rage like a fire out of control.”
“Like this?” Marlyn asked innocently. She grabbed Dash’s shirt and kissed him, slowly at first and then more aggressively. He went along with it but it left him seething inside.
Marlyn broke the kiss and looked to Sydney. “Is that what you’re talking about, Sydney? If it isn’t, I can try again. I want to get this right for you.”
Sydney’s calm demeanor was something to admire. If Dash had been in her place, he would’ve knocked the shit out of Marlyn. Instead, she said, “You’re getting the idea. Threading your fingers through his hair was a good move. Wait another five seconds before you do that. Let Rachel slowly dip a toe into the pool. Then her foot. Then start wading in. Don’t jump too fast.”
“Got it.” Marlyn licked her lips. She gave Dash a sensual look. “Follow my lead, baby.”
Sydney returned to stand near the camera. Dash prayed they’d get this done in the next take. The taste and smell of Marlyn had invaded him. All he wanted to do was brush his teeth and jump into the shower to wash away every trace of her.
It took eleven takes before Sydney was satisfied.
Dash knew Marlyn continued toying with her new director, deliberately misunderstanding the instructions Sydney gave so she could prolong kissing Dash. Finally, they moved on, now behind schedule.
Marlyn sashayed