Chapter 1
Romance Is the Rocket Fuel of Sensational Sex
Who hasn’t complained that since they got married, they just don’t ever do it? Or if they do, that it just isn’t that much fun anymore? And how many of us swore this would never happen to us when we were dating?
Sadly, most married people don’t have enough quality sex. Sooner or later, all long-term couples can fall into a sex rut, especially when you have kids. Parenthood takes a toll physically, mentally, and emotionally. With all the running around and huge expenses adding up, it’s easy to see how sex can slip off the list of priorities for both partners. Sex doesn’t have to be first on that list for a healthy relationship, but it needs to be pretty high up there.
So let’s start at the beginning.
One of the most important ingredients of fun, kinky sex doesn’t really have that much to do with sex at all. The first step is to fall back in love, and lust will soon follow. You’ll see that if you lay the groundwork correctly, things will start clicking into place. In this short chapter, we’ll get reacquainted with the simple art of romance— of showing your partner they are more to you than the one who brings home the paycheck or drops the kids off at school. That they are a person you are still attracted to and want to be closer to.
You may be shocked that something as simple as paying more attention to each other will lead to better sex, and the same goes for doing the dishes when it isn’t your night, or complimenting your partner on something they have done well, instead of using all your together time criticizing each other for the things you aren’t doing. All of this will rev up the passion between the sheets.
A little romance goes a long way, and it all starts by reminding your partner why you got together with them in the first place. It’s possible to help your partner feel like a vibrant, sexual being again and get the satisfaction you crave—without pressuring them into having sex with you. It’s all about getting back into the right frame of mind, of helping your partner see themselves as a sexual being again— not just as a parent, employee, roommate, or any of the many roles we play that take our minds far away from sex.
Getting started is easier than you think. It’s all about making thoughtful gestures to help you get back in the frame of mind that your relationship is about so much more than keeping your household solvent and your children safe.
Let Me List the Ways . . .
A lot of men say their wives or girlfriends complain that they don’t get enough romance, but a man’s idea of romance can be quite different from a woman’s. That’s why communication is so very important. When you are direct and tell your partner precisely what you want, when your partner is direct with you and tells you exactly what he or she wants, it cuts out so much wasted time in guesswork and gives you so much more time to actually do what makes the other person happy.
Sometimes it’s not easy to ask for things out loud—and you don’t have to. Instead, write down on paper what you consider to be a romantic date, and leave nothing to the imagination. Include everything you find romantic, from having the door held open for you to dining in a particular restaurant. Be very detailed from the beginning of the date to the end. Then hand your partner the note and tell him or her that you’re craving a little more of this. So many people make the mistake of thinking: “Oh, but if he loves me, he should just know what I want.” But the only way to ever be sure is to tell him.
The “We” Spot
Everyone knows about the G-spot, and no self-respecting sex book should be without mention of it (we’ll get to it a bit later). But the only way to get the most satisfaction from the G-spot, and all of the other pleasure centers, is to go through the “We-spot” first.
The We-spot can be a state of mind. We talked about connection earlier— and that’s what it’s all about. Feel emotionally connected to each other and you’ll want to physically connect to each other. Over and over again.
Just for Him . . .
There are thousands of ways to show your partner how much you think about her and how much she means to you. Here’s one guaranteed to make her feel special—and give her a good laugh: Take a Sharpie and write “I love you, [her name]” across the front of your boxers. Of course, you can get much more graphic than that if you choose to. Whatever you do, just keep the message loving and sexy.
The We-spot can also be a place. Remember when you were in high school and you would need to sneak around to find a secluded spot to mess around, as home was just not an option? Even the thought of that spot way back when was enough to get your fires burning. It was secret, it was sexy, and it was all yours.
So who says you can’t have that again? Why not pick a super-romantic make-out place—a lookout point, a baseball field, a beach, a park— anywhere you can take some time out together and talk, watch the sunset, or even make out a little. You can use this spot to celebrate the good times and work through the bad. The important thing is that it’s private, that no one else knows where it is, and that it’s all yours.
The Look of Love
How much time do you spend looking at your partner these days—I mean really looking at him or her? When you were first in love, you probably couldn’t tear your eyes away—perhaps even ogling pictures of your significant other when he or she wasn’t by your side. But what about lately?
Staring is an effective, and not to mention hilarious, way to connect with your partner. It forces you to focus your attention on the one all-important place—your partner’s face. When I stare at my partner’s face I focus on features I already love, notice things I may not have seen before, and develop a deep appreciation for his dimples, his extraordinary eyes. And when I do, I feel closer to him. It’s a bonding thing. It’s also jarring, in a very pleasant way, for the other person, who’s not used to all the attention.
And you can even take it to the next level and make a game of it. Why not have a stare-off contest? Whoever wins gets a kiss, and the game gets hotter as it progresses. It’s a silly game that can bring you hours of laughter, not to mention lots of sex if you’re good at it. So be sure not to stop at one round. The more you play, the more you’ll be collecting—or giving, which is just as good.
Towel, Please
In romance, it’s the little things that mean everything, and the most ordinary situations sometimes provide the best opportunities for showing just how much you care. Here’s one that fits that bill nicely. The next time your partner takes a shower, plan to be waiting just outside the door for him or her to emerge with a fresh, warm towel you pulled straight from the dryer. And don’t just hand it off and leave: Dry them off. Tell your partner with each inch you rub dry how much you love that part—and why. By doing so, you let your partner know that not only are you paying attention to all of him, and that you love and cherish every wonderful inch of him, but that you love to pamper him because he is that special to you.
Lighten the Load
Who doesn’t want their life to be a little easier? Is there anything you can do to lighten your partner’s load and give her a little more time to herself? Maybe it’s something that will help her be more organized, like cleaning out her closet or tidying her drawers. Maybe it’s more involved than that. If it usually falls to your partner to clean out the litter box, you do it this time. If you see a laundry basket with clean clothes that your partner hasn’t gotten around to folding, get in there and fold. Take his car to the car wash or make the kids breakfast. Doing chores that aren’t typically yours not only helps out your partner, but also makes your life more interesting when you aren’t doing all the same things. And who knows, your generosity of time and spirit could lead your partner to want to do some of your menial tasks . . . or even return the favor with one of a sexual nature.
Work It Off—Work It Up
Exercise helps keep you in shape, but it also has lots of other plusses. Not only does it get your blood pumping, it releases those endorphins that feel oh-so-good. As you work out, you increase your energy level while you improve your blood flow to your genitals, which translates to a higher libido, higher levels of sex hormones, and greater sexual endurance due to an increase in muscle mass. Be active with your man in the following ways at least three times a week for forty to sixty minutes at a time, and you’ll not only look good, you’ll feel more sexy:
• running
• skiing
• biking
• swimming
• fast walking
• yoga
• jumping rope
• and, the best exercise of all—SEX.
Better body, better outlook, better sex. . . . What are you waiting for?
Breakfast Nook(y)
With all the rushing around you do every day, can you even remember the last time you sat down to breakfast with your partner? Now how about the last time it was just the two of you? It seems so basic—to just wake up a half hour earlier to enjoy some quiet alone time—and yet we still choose to hit the snooze button. But it’s time to make time, even for just one morning a week. And maybe only one of you gets out of bed to get breakfast ready and treats the other to a few extra minutes of sleep. If it’s your day, think of clever ways to add romance to the meal. For example, if you...
