The 18 Things Women Love Most About Sex

18 is the minimum age (in most jurisdictions, at least) at which you’re legally empowered to have sex, and that makes it the perfect number for our list of things that ladies love about sex with you. What follows isn’t really a how-to. It’s more of a woman’s why-yes.

1. Making Out

Kissing, frenching, snogging, sucking face—the prime mover of the sex world. It can make or break the chances of things going further. Nothing is a bigger turnoff than kissing someone who is haphazard, sloppily drunk, or or who is blind to body language. Strike a balance with the tongue: No tongue at all feels like junior high, too much tongue feels like tenth grade. What’s the right amount? If you have to ask…. Oh, and please close your eyes.

2.  Nibbling

Want to get your woman wet and ready? Start up top. Sucking and (lightly, for most) biting the neck and ear feels incredible, as long as you don’t linger too long. You want your lady to look like she’s been with a master lover, not an extra from True Blood.

3. The Look in His Eye When He is Ready to Throw Down, Right Then and There

Brutally hot. Some women complain about a guy who is horny all the time, but trust me when I tell you that the opposite is way worse. No one likes a meek lover. And eye contact during the act is always a good idea.

4.     Undressing Slowly

When a woman is aroused, she’s confident about the way she looks, and confidence is an attractive trait in a partner. When we’re secure enough to undress piece by teasing piece, the hot factor increases exponentially.

5.     The Rule of the Nipple

Women have tits, and we like you to play with them, suck on them and maybe even tease them with your teeth. Our nipples are also often very sensitive, as are the areolae. No twisting, please —unless we ask for it.

6.     Foreplay. Lots of Foreplay

We put as much emphasis on the appetizer as we do on the entrée. Let us luxuriate in physical attention all over our bodies, and we’ll lavish that attention back (that’s right, you gotta give it away to get it). So get exploring.

7.     Worship of the Clit

Yes, please. A very large number of women do not get vaginal orgasms, no matter how rocking their men are, nor how hard they work. So a man who enthusiastically and expertly manipulates the clitoris will achieve the best of results. And for the men out there who can’t find it: Google Maps.

8.     Seeing Your Dude Get Aroused

We know that most men can get hard sitting on their asses doing nothing, but knowing that you caused that response in him is one of the more exhilarating and sexy feelings a woman can experience.

9.     Being Naked with Your Dude

As scary as this can be (for some people), there’s something highly erotic about simply being unclothed and vulnerable.

10.  Penetration

An entirely personal sensation: a man is inside you, and you feel close to him. Nothing feels better than this. Ever.

11.  Sweat

No girl wants some random at the gym to sweat all over her, no matter how cute he may be. But to see, feel, and even taste a man’s sweat as he gets worked up in bed can be sublime.

12.  Whispering

Loud, graphic sex talk can be fun, but impassioned whispers in your ear as he takes you really push women over the edge. Just make sure you don’t say something that ruins the mood, like, “You really look like your mom right now.”

13.  When a Man is Too Into It to Even Talk

This is just as good. If all he can manage are some serious grunts and moans, we know we’re doing the job.

14.  When a Man Makes You Feel Like a Sex Goddess

It’s super-hot when a man tells you that you know exactly what to do to get him off. Everyone wants to be great in bed. And we’re more than happy to return the favor.

15.  A Hard, Fast Quickie

Remember when we said “foreplay?” Well, every once in a while, we can do without if it means we get an athletic, intense roll in the sack. Especially if we’re super-stressed out.

16.  Being on Top

A woman feels empowered being able to ride a man. She dictates the rhythm and motion, and this allows her some control during sex, which can be very sexy.

17.  The Orgasm

When this happens (and yes, men, it should be your goal for both of you to get there), it truly is explosive for us. You truly lose yourself for a moment, and the heat and abandon is just right. As for the men’s side of the deal, we women love your fluid. Messy? Yes. Not the best flavor? Oftentimes, no. But for sheer animalistic lust, having a man shoot in or on you is pretty glorious. As long as you are committed or taking precautions, of course.

18.  Afterglow

Is there a more deeply satisfying feeling in the world than post-coital bliss? Just lying with (or even on) your partner in a sweaty, exhausted, gorgeous mangle of limbs. Also, the coming back down to earth and attendant flood of thoughts and emotions. And, perhaps most important, feeling the connection of sharing something so intimate with someone worth it.