I will agree with you in some ways... but KOTOR is much more trying to be an epic movie in game form where the choices you make impact the outcome somewhat. Epic movies almost always include romance on some level. It may not work out, it might just be flirtation, but it's there. The romance works in the first one because of the redemption theme. It works in the 2nd because the exile is supposed to be weaving these incredibly strong connections with all of her team members and influencing their behaviors. How would that not get a little romantic, even if just one sided.
Now, when it comes to the third, if they don't want to include any romance at all, I would mostly be ok with that, as long as they were tying up the story nicely. However, us girls like romance. And quite honestly, if they're going to put the half naked chicks in for the guys, they can at least put in a little romance for us. Especially since we got cheated on the last two.
Oh, and I would be ok with that included romance having horrible negative impact on the story line... mostly...