The courtship was exciting, of course. The newness, the exploration, the adventures. It all added up to a heady experience, each of them pulling deeper and deeper into the other. After a while, to the surprise of neither of them, things settled down into a comfortable relationship. Many years of marriage allowed them to find out about themselves and their goals and desires. But there was the challenge of sameness that threatened to destroy the thrill. Date night was designed to fight that.
Date night responsibilities shifted from him to her and back again. This time, it was his turn. He liked to make it spontaneous; otherwise, date night became the sameness it was intended to combat. He mentioned in the morning that they had a date, allowing her to anticipate all day long. He said they would be dining at Le Petit Chat tonight. He didn't mention the limo. It was an extravagance, he knew, but that was what date night was all about.
Her eyes widened when she saw the limo. The driver opened the door for her and she went out of her way to show her stunning legs to her husband as she got into the car, pulling her dress up a bit more than necessary. His eyes showed the hunger she had hoped for. The ride to the restaurant was quiet, but the messages were loud and clear. The gentle touch, the silent nod, the quick smile, and the blazing eyes said all that was needed.
The meal was impeccable, as always. It was one their favorite restaurants, although they rarely found time to go. He admonished her to have only one glass of champagne; there was more to the evening and he wanted her to be alert and attentive. A few courses were brought out and they inhaled the aromas of the food, smiling warmly at the taste, and thought of dessert. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, she thought, but she set her sights lower.