Basement Files: Sex tricks

The October issue of Cosmopolitan magazine offers a fun feature called "Ten Hot Sex Tricks to Drive Your Man Crazy!" Today, as part of an exclusive preview for Mercury readers, we offer a sneak peak at the hot and nasty secrets that are spicing up the sex lives of today's Cosmo Girl.

The Nose Knows

Sarah, 27, investment banker, New York City

Dave and I have been dating for two years and we're always looking for ways to keep our sex life fresh and fun. We've tried every possible sexual position, but our absolute favorite is when I'm on top. I love the power and control of it and Dave says watching me writhe atop him is the sexiest thing he's ever seen. Sometimes I'll pin his arms over his head and stare deeply into his gorgeous green eyes. But other times, when we're really into it, Dave will close his eyes and concentrate solely on his pleasure.

That's when I like to bend my forefinger and middle finger into a little shepherd's crook, as if I were making quotation marks in the air. Then I like to slide my fingers on either side of his nose, squeeze gently, and then pull my fingers roughly away. The unexpected roughness of it always startles Dave and his eyes bolt open. But before he can open his eyes, I quickly slide my thumb between the two bent fingers and say, "Look, I've got your nose."

He always looks so hurt and vulnerable as he peers first at his detached nose and then searches the features of my face for a hint of motive. I guess if he were thinking clearly, he'd realize my fingers should be soaked in blood and speckled with cartilage shavings, but through the haze of lovemaking he sees only the inexplicable detachment of his nose. Sometimes, stray tears will leak from his bewildered eyes and rush along the furrows of his crow's feet toward the pillow. That's when I bend to kiss his forehead, push my fingers once more against his face and whisper gently, "There, it's back now."

It's such a turn-on for me that he trusts me enough to pull his nose off of his face. I don't know too many men who will allow themselves to be that vulnerable. And to me, that's the secret to real sexual intimacy. Complete and total trust.

Water Nymph

Caitlin, 29, hair stylist, Miami Beach

My boyfriend and I are totally into the water. Just about every weekend you'll find us surfing, body boarding or racing our matching Sea-Doos. As you might guess, some of our hottest lovemaking begins in the shower. I love to stand behind him and run my soapy hands over his broad chest, sculpted abs and well...you know...lower. Other times I won't touch him with my hands at all. I like to press my body against his back, letting my lips crawl up his neck to his right earlobe and whispering all the nasty things I'm going to do to him when we get to bed.

Just as his head swoons to the right, surrendering to my hot, sexy breath, I like to tap him insistently on the left shoulder. His head swivels immediately to the left, desperate to find the person who's just joined us in the shower. When he discovers there's no one there, he turns again and meets my eyes with that sheepish, boyish grin that always melts me. I guess it's not much of a trick, but I know that, just for a second, he thought we were gonna have a three-way. Trust me, nothing's hotter than that.

Gotcha!

Molly, 32, stay-at-home mom, Ventura, Calif.

Call me old-fashioned, but I just love the missionary position. I love the feel of Stan's weight on me. There's something so primal, so sexy about being possessed in that way. I like it best when Stan pushes up onto his arms and his thrusts become more hurried and forceful. I let my eyes fall to his powerful chest and slowly let my brow furrow with concern.

Then I'll say, "Stan, honey, is this new?"

"What," he'll say, still lifting into me with his savage passion.

I'll let my index finger drift up to his sternum and push it gently against his sweaty skin. "This thing here...it's just so dark and irregularly shaped."

As Stan looks down to see what I'm pointing to, I like to lift my hand quickly and cuff the underside of his nose. "Made you look," I say. It always seems to make Stan kind of mad, but I'm sorry, I simply won't apologize for my powerful, earth goddess sexuality.

Quickies

Barbara, 21, student, Dallas

My boyfriend and I love to videotape our lovemaking. Whenever Jared turns to pose in front of the camera, I like to hold two fingers up behind his head. Later, when he sees himself on tape, it's like he has devil horns. I'm serious. It's so hot.

Karen, 24, writer, Seattle

I love to run my hands through Sean's hair whenever he's going down on me. When the pleasure becomes almost unbearable, I like to stiffen my back muscles, lift my hips free of the bed and grasp his head firmly. Just as Jared thinks I'm nearing my orgasm, I like to go limp in his arms and say, "Hang on, something's..." Then I let my fingers swirl against his right ear, and, with a flourish of my right hand, say, "Look, it's a shiny new nickel!" Sean always gives me this pained look, like he's thinking, "Jesus, Karen, I thought you were really getting close." Poor thing. But then I say, "It's okay. Here, you can keep it."