Romantical Things

Even though I've yet to begin Christmas shopping, I'm rather in the holiday spirit and enjoying the lights and the music and the general feeling of merriment and hope circulating about. It's been quite a long year, one that's been filled with some ups and downs for our family, and so I'm looking forward to a nice holiday. I'm already in the mode, planning my time off with my DH, and that's got me thinking about romance. Okay, everything gets me to thinking about romance, but lately I've been thinking about the tiniest things that really keep romance alive for me. Are any of these familiar?

1. One of the most romantic things my DH does is something he's not even aware of. We have date nights, and when we get ready to go out, he leaves the bedroom light on for when we return. He's a stickler for turning off lights in every room to save money and energy, but for some reason, he leaves our bedroom light on and it's so romantic to me to have it beckoning to us when we return from a nice evening out. Most of the time we just come home and snuggle up and go to sleep, and that light is a reminder that we've built a home together, a place where we can get cozy after a night of fun. So sweetly romantic!
2. Another romantic thing is that my DH seems to really enjoy Christmas shopping for me. He seems to look forward to it, to getting me something he thinks I'll like or that will surprise me, and that makes me feel cherished. I try to do the same, and even if we don't get each other much, it truly is the thought that counts.
3. We cook together, and that goes double for the holiday season. I love cooking and so does my DH, and when I get a day off, we get creative in the kitchen. It's real teamwork, and there's nothing more romantic than sharing an activity that you love with someone who loves it as much as you do. Plus, we make a pretty good team, and that just adds to the contentment.
4. My DH gets excited when I get time off from work for the holidays and tells me so. I don't get much--maybe a couple of days--but those days are precious, and we get to wake up together. Special moments like these are ones that I cherish even more than the date nights, well, except for the bedroom light being on. :)

So what about you? What little things keep the romance alive in your relationship? Please do share!

Do You Love a Man Who Cooks?

We all know how men love those huge, fancy grills, not to mention cooking on an open campfire, right? (I can hear Tim Allen grunting now.) Usually you will find men cooking some sort of meat, the red kind with lots of fat. Maybe a hamburger or a high quality steak. Either way, it seems like a primitive, he-man kind of thing, doesn’t it? He’s providing for his woman.

I love it when my husband cooks for me, and he’s highly skilled. Chili and the best steak I’ve ever eaten are his specialties. I can’t even eat steak at restaurants anymore because it’s always disappointing. He’s spoiled me. I’m craving one now!

The hero of my latest release, Kilted Lover, grills for the heroine... and he's wearing a kilt at the time. He’s saved her life, hidden her away on a small motor yacht, it’s nighttime, and… well, they have to eat, right? He wouldn’t want her to starve after all those high-speed car chases, getting shot at, etc. Besides, he’s had the steak marinating for a long while and it’s guaranteed to be tender and delicious. Needless to say, the heroine is impressed with his cooking skills and enjoying eating the food he’s prepared. But she’s wishing she could nibble on him instead. He’s trying really hard to be a good boy.

Excerpt from Kilted Lover:

“I’m sorry I’m putting you through so much trouble. I’m sure you’d rather be someplace else.”
“No. I was planning to stay here tonight anyway. Are you hungry?”
She blinked at his rapid-fire words. “Actually, I am.”
He opened the fridge. “What would you like? How about some grilled shrimp and steak kabobs?”
“Sounds good.”
She’d always loved watching a man in the kitchen, doing domestic things. But watching one of Scott’s size and athletic build, while he wore a kilt, was sheer fun. His broad shoulders fascinated her.
“We’re safe here, right?” she asked, washing the potatoes he’d set out.
“Sure. I don’t know how they’d know we were here.”
Thirty minutes later they sat above deck while Scott grilled. She wanted to tie him to a bed and pretend he was a giant chocolate éclair, yet she was shocked at how little she knew about him.
She’d just learned he was a log home contractor in the mountains of North Carolina.
“Mmm, that smells good!” she said, eyeing the food and then him. What would it be like if he fed her? “I’m starving now.” Starving for more than food, actually.
“I think it’s done.” He placed a kabob on her plate. “Try that.”
She blew on it, and then took a bite of steak, moaning while she chewed. A yummy man who could make yummy food. What could be better?
He frowned, watching her with a heated expression.
“It’s delicious.” But not as delicious as he would be.
They sat above deck in the cooler night air while they ate. She was enjoying their conversation with its slight flirtatious undertone a bit too much and felt a pang of guilt. But simply talking to another man wasn’t cheating. She had nothing to feel guilty about, except for an overactive interest in him and an intense attraction which she had no control over. Even the way he chewed and swallowed was sexy, and the flexing muscles of his jaw and throat. Kissing him on those spots would be so hot.
A moan reached her ears.
“What was that?” she whispered, glancing around through the night at the other boats, the dock and harbor.
Nicole North – Kilted Lover

What about you? Does your husband/ boyfriend cook for you and if so do you find it sexy?