Elizabeth Harmon | That’s What I Like About You, Pt. 1

Conflict drives romance, but my favorite scenes to write (and read) are those that show the hero and heroine discovering why they’re perfect for one another.

Whether it’s hot sex, similar histories, or realizing they’re more alike than different, the moment when the hero and heroine make their first real connection, brings the feels that make me fall in love with romance.

Because of it’s short length, my new release, HEATING IT UP: A Red Hot Russians novella, offered a unique challenge. Widowed artist Nora and Russian adventurer Alexei don’t have months to fall in love, it has to happen in just three days. Attraction sparks when they’re trapped together during a storm and grows as Nora decides to help Alexei save close-knit Antarctic outpost he calls home from closing. But will the truth about Nora’s role in Amity Bay’s demise doom their romance?

Though Nora has her secrets, these five things help her see that Alexei is the perfect man.

He loves the outdoors- Nora’s military family lived all over the world, and one of the places she loved most was the icy but beautiful island of Greenland. When she comes to Antarctica, she encounters green icebergs and a mysterious whale found nowhere else, plus a handsome man eager to be her tour guide.

He appreciates her engineering smarts and her artistic side- In college, Nora fell in love with an aerospace engineer who encouraged her to excel in the challenging field of sustainable architecture. Alexei admires the state of the art guesthouse Nora designed, even if her “evil genius” could mean the end of his beloved research station. But he’s just as taken with her drawings of icebergs, penguin colonies and the quaint town he calls home. When he suggests she exhibit her work, it means the world to Nora.

He’s compassionate- Grief over her fiance’s death two years before has driven Nora to shut herself away in the deserted guesthouse, where she intends to spend the long, dark Antarctic winter alone. When Alexei insists he return to town with him, it sets up a battle of wills, but he doesn’t win it by belittling her or forcing her out. Instead, he opens up about his own tragic loss, to gently coax her out of hiding.

He follows his dreams- When Nora learns about Alexei’s childhood fascination with Antarctica, even as he grew up poor in rural Siberia, she admires his determination to live a life of adventure and discovery. She’s also inspired to help save the station, and give more kids a chance to follow their dreams too.

He’s rugged but gentle. And a great kisser! Tall, blond and broad-shouldered, Alexei is big and strong, but with a sweet smile and hair that’s always a little messy. Being in his arms, melting into his searing kisses begins to heal Nora’s sadness, and though a part of her wants to take things further, emotionally, she’s not quite ready. When she tells him about losing her fiance, and then her job, Alexei understands and is willing to give her the time she needs. If only she could be honest about the rest of her story.

The first thing she noticed was that yesterday's sad vulnerability was gone. Now his ice-blue eyes were flinty and determined as he strode inside. She remained by the door, hand on the knob, ready to show him the way out. Yet she sensed that sending him away wasn't going to be so easy this time.

"You're too late," he said.

"I beg your pardon?"
"Fifteen years ago some New Zealander became first woman to winter-over solo. Maybe you already know that. Or maybe you don't care, because we both know that's not the real reason you're holed up in here." She winced. He knew she wasn't being honest, but not to what extent. Burdened by guilt and too deflated for battle, she sighed and leaned against the door.

"You’re right it isn't."

"Nora..,” the gentleness in his voice felt like a caress. "Staying here alone doesn't hurt Herbert Quinn, it only hurts you. And it hurts me too."

"How's that?"

"Because to keep you secret, I have to lie, not just to IFAR, but to the people who work for me. People whose trust I don't take lightly. Staying up here not only puts you in danger, but also them. This what your brilliant boss forgot. Down here, people survive because they depend on each other. If one of the systems failed in bad weather, or you had an accident, computers and Vancouver would be useless. Someone would have to put themselves at risk, and come to help."

Most likely, that someone would be him. Even with blizz lines strung, making such a trip could be life-threatening. Fear tightened her throat as she considered how it would feel to mourn another man she cared about.

"I know you’ve lost much," he said. "And while I know losing a fiancé is different, I understand the hurt of missing a person I loved dearly."

“That woman who lied to you?” she demanded, shocked and angry.

“No,” he said. “Not Natalia. I’m talking about my mother. For a long time, I felt like she was the only person who understood me. But when I came here to Antarctica, I found others like me and a place to belong. In time, the pain was not so bad. Up here all alone, you don't have that."

"No," she whispered.

"Ask yourself if this is what he’d want for you. I don't think it is. I know that if I was gone... and the woman I loved was left behind, this isn’t what I’d want for her."

Her fingers twitched on the doorknob, and she thought of ordering him out, but didn't. In her heart, she knew he was right. Even if she weren't drifting through darkened rooms in a ruined wedding gown, she was teetering dangerously close to Miss Havisham territory. In the process, she was putting others in danger. The weather was turning, and soon the months of darkness would come. It was time to decide where she would spend them.