There's more to great sex than just the sex itself. If the secret to great sex were simply a man inserting his genitals into a woman's, procreation would be a lot more boring. As with everything else in life, sex is best when in combination with other little things. Regarded by themselves, they may not be so great, but done in perfect complement to each other, they totally extend the pleasure. A lot of these extra little touches are nice to try during foreplay, but they can also be incorporated into the act itself. So what are these little things? Well, most of the time you or your partner probably does them instinctively in the act of passion. But, just to be safe, we will be discussing some of the finer ones. All right, let's begin. You and your partner begin to make out — the usual spots hit are the lips and neck. It's a no-brainer that kissing the neck feels good. But instead of just kissing, gently rub your tongue up and down your partner's neck. This will do two things. Initially, it will induce a tickling feeling, which will then become a sort of erotic tingle. It will also arouse your partner even more because of how you are teasing him or her with just the lightest of all touches. Kissing and sucking are also good as well, but there are side effects there. As nice as a hickey may feel, it does leave a little love gift, so make sure your partner is okay with having a mark afterward. Another great spot to hit is the ear. Did I mention great? Let me rephrase it: The ear is to the head as the clitoris is to the vagina. Playing with your partner's ears — nibbling and swirling your tongue — is a major turn-on. Another more indirect turn-on is that the close proximity will allow your partner to hear your breathing. For good measure, try whispering into his or her ears — sweet nothings are nice, and if your partner's into it, some dirty talk would be a good fill in. Yet another thing that never fails is also some head play — that is, playing with your partner's hair on the top of his or her head. If you've ever been to one of the kiosks at the mall and used those spider-looking contraptions called head massages, you know the ecstasy that it brings. So run your hands freely through the hair, varying the pressure. The thing to remember is not so much pulling the hair (although that can also be hot) but really paying attention to their scalp. Slowly work your fingers from cupped together to spread out, like how they do it at the hair salon. It's very relaxing, yet erotic at the same time. Now it's time to flip them over and head south. Straddling them while they are faced down, then kissing their upper and especially lower back is a nice add-on. Since they are facedown and cannot see you, there's an added degree of mystery and excitement, as well as relaxation and a feeling of comfort. By all means, feel free to add in some shoulder massages while you're at it. Up until now, we've basically been going from up to down. Now, it's time to 180 and start the other way. We have now arrived at the foot. Foot fetishes are out there, and you'd be surprised how many kinky things you can do with feet. Unfortunately, I'm not going to go that route — maybe another time. Soft massaging and some kissing here will suffice for the general population. Let's move on to the legs. The legs are one of the most neglected parts of the body during sex. It is definitely a good investment to pay attention to them once in a while. Knees are an especially sensitive part of the leg. I don't know if this has ever been scientifically proven or not, but according to urban legend, caressing people's knees will give them one-ninth of an orgasm. Whether or not this is true, it still feels good and is something to always keep up your sleeve. Also, never underestimate the pleasures of the inner thighs. Although it's most common for a guy to kiss a girl's inner thighs, it feels just as good for a guy's thighs to be kissed. Definitely, take your time on the thighs. And what about going the extra mile in setting the mood? I'm not going to tell you to have an elaborate bed strewn with red roses for your lucky guy or girl; I'll do you one better. Incorporate anything vanilla into the scene. Vanilla is a natural aphrodisiac, and if you try it, you'll know why. Vanilla candles are nice and romantic. You could try spreading vanilla ice cream all over your partner and licking it off ("Varsity Blues," anyone?). An even better idea is to get vanilla-scented massage oil and work your wonders. Or, you could have a post-sex bubble bath — vanilla-scented of course — and then go at it again. Get creative. So all those little things are not trifles at all; in fact, they make or break good sex. While sex is good in itself, these little wonders make it orgasmic. Jenny Kalaidis is a freshman intending to major in communication arts and journalism. Curious about how to add a special touch to your sex life? Send questions and comments to [email protected].