Make your romps more romantic: every carnal connection can benefit from tender sex. Here's how to increase the intimacy in your lust life.(The Hot Issue)

* There's a lot to be said for ravenous, bed-bouncing booty. But getting more intimate between the sheets can bring your bond to new heights. "Romantic sex engages your mind and emotions, not just your body," says Douglas Weiss, PhD, author of Intimacy. "Because you're linked on so many levels, it's more of a three-dimensional experience and less of an athletic adventure."

And surprise, surprise: It can be as hot for your guy as it is for you. Don't believe us? In "The Cosmo Sex Survey" on page 110, 84 percent of guys said sex is better when there's an emotional connection. To bring that romantic element into your routine, follow this simple advice.

Set the Scene

Creating a sensual, relaxed mood is a key component of sweet, tender sex. First, turn off your phone to prevent any coitus interruptions. Then spray a libido-lifting fragrance like lavender on the linens, and light some candles. "A bit of soft light allows you to maintain eye contact," Weiss says. "Being able to see each other's face will ensure you stay connected throughout the experience."

Another must-have for soulful sack sessions: time to relish kissing, touching, and being together. For a supersensory erotic encounter, graze your hands all over each other's skin. "This kind of slow barely-there touch builds up an electrical charge throughout your bodies," says Aline P. Zoldbrod, PhD, author of Sex Talk.

Have Slow, Steady Sex

It's easy to be swept up in that can't-wait-to-climax whirlwind. But romantic romps aren't about racing to the ...