Ways to make new-man sex amazing; why let first-time fear foul up your carnal connection? Cosmo found out how to transform that initial awkward encounter into an erotic experience. (Lust Lessons).

* No matter how sexually experienced you are, hitting the sheets with a new guy ranks at the top of the list of potentially heinous moments waiting to happen. Stomach-churning stress sets in, your confidence crashes, and you can feel like a nervous virgin all over again. But that doesn't mean you're necessarily doomed to new-lover letdown. "Sleeping with a new man is like learning how to ride a bike," says Jean D. Koehler, Ph.D., certified sex therapist with the Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. "It can be awkward not knowing exactly what to do, but it's also thrilling."

So don't torture yourself with performance anxiety. These new-man nooky tips from sex experts and satisfied first-timers will help exterminate your angst and bring you as close as possible to toe-curling carnal perfection.

passion prep

* "Before I leave for the evening, I sit around with a glass of wine and think about the times I've had incredible sex with an ex. That gets me relaxed and aroused, which lets me put out a come-get-me vibe right from the start. It also helps to push any nervousness to the back of my mind." --Carla, 31

* "I walk around nude as I'm getting ready for my date. It's kind of like rehearsing for the main event, and it helps to get me in the mood." --Rachel, 28

* "The first time I'm with a guy, I make sure that the sex essentials--massage oil, condoms, tissues, lube--are right next to my bed. Then I can easily reach for them without interrupting a crucial moment, and since I don't have to get up, I avoid showing him the dreaded rear-end view." --Allison, 28

* "I like to start the party before the guy and I even get together for the evening by sensually touching myself as I moisturize or take a bath. That way, by the time we actually end up in the bedroom, I have a head start on feeling sexy and confident, and the great sensations I'm already experiencing are enhanced." --Lenora, 29