Chemistry 101 by Samantha James

No...I can see a few of you scratching your head...not that kind of chemistry, but the chemistry we see between our beloved heroes and heroines.

Because we all know there's SO much chemistry in romance novels, I thought I'd talk about chemistry between movie characters--and since I'm a movie buff, some of my personal favorites.

This is the kind of on-screen chemistry that really sizzles and crackles, scenes and characters that are just...well, unforgettable. I'm not thinking sweet and sentimental here. I'm thinking of chemistry that, even though it might be initially disguised as something else, is always there, simmering just under the surface. A look, a touch--and it's just hot, hot, HOT.

One of the movies I think really embodies this is LAST OF THE MOHICANS, with Cora (Madeleine Stowe) and Nathaniel (Daniel Day-Lewis). After they arrive at Ft. William to join with Cora's father, the situation is dire. They know the surrender of the fort is inevitable.

Nathaniel helps one of the settlers try to escape and heads home to warn the families of impending war, then goes in search of Cora. She sees him and rises. Nathaniel catches her hand, pulls her around, and leads them into the darkness.

They stand face to face. His hand slides up and down her arm. They're close and you can just feel the hunger racing between them. Then, they finally kiss...Nathaniel lifts Cora against him, then, up onto the blockade so she's above him, still locked in that hungry embrace.

You hear Cora breathing, harder and harder. You feel their desperate need for each other because this might be the one and only time they can ever be together. All without a word being spoken.

For me, that's the sexiest movie scene ever. Almost every scene between Cora and Nathaniel just oozes hunger and desire.

Chemistry at work. Chemistry in the flesh.

That scene just makes me melt every time I see it. So, how about you? Any movie characters and scenes that you find especially sizzling and romantic?