By Erica Erotica

In the heat of the moment, you immediately rip each other’s clothes off, tumble into bed and wake up the neighbors from two floors down. Afterwards, you both awkwardly lie in bed, sore and unsatisfied. Where did all the sexy, incredible fun go?

Let’s face it, we all don’t have more than 30 minutes, or even more than five, to spend on making sure every single sexual experience is toe-curling. But a little pre-gaming can go a long way. Put down those red cups because they’re not going to help. What I mean is kissing, petting, caressing, licking, etc. It’s everything leading up to the sex, otherwise known as foreplay.

Foreplay is extremely underestimated, right above cuddling and dirty talking. As one guy puts it, it’s a way to get your partner “all wound up.” It’s the mood-setter, the appetizer, the blowout before a date, a steal before the goal. Foreplay is the path to mind-blowing orgasms.

But you know what else? It helps two people connect with one another. They can learn what can make one tingle, and the other moan. The sex is deeper and more personal.

Many friends have commented that sex is more enjoyable, and thus pleasurable, if foreplay is involved. One particular guy said that it helps the moment transform into passion and not just some quick f***.

One foreplay connoisseur became so energized, for lack of a more appropriate word, just talking about it. He loved watching his girl overcome with excitement (no pun intended); her horniness helps raise his expectations (yes, pun intended) of amazing sex. But, being the gentleman that he is, he also noted that with foreplay the “girl gets off easier.”

In fact, the ladies I talked to all expressed the same thought. It’s true, vaginal intercourse just doesn’t always get you trembling all over (except for the lucky few). It takes more work for women, more time, more grinding, more patience.

No, women are not doomed. We just need more than insertion, to put it bluntly. We can’t go straight to the sex or else we’ll be left disappointed and sore. Besides, men wouldn’t have to buy that KY-Jelly from CVS: we come with free lubrication.

Naturally, I asked my interviewees some of the best foreplay activities. For men, giving a blowjob (or fellatio if you want to be technical) is the most obvious stimulus. But why stop there? Teasing him by sucking on his earlobes or making the slightest skin contact can make his friend jump up. Make him want you badly.

There are many more ways to make sure a woman is horny. We have breasts and vaginas. Be creative. At this part, I heard concerns about eating out (or cunnilingus). We all have our own preferences, but it’s always good to talk about them so no one gets pushed to do anything they don’t want to.

Seriously, all partners should ask each other what turns them on, what is comfortable, what is too weird, and so on. It makes sex more incredible if people are on the same level with what they want. Help each other have the best sex ever.

And if there really is no time, well, share some dirty thoughts on the way to the dorm rooms. Whisper slowly what you want done, and the fireworks will shoot up.