Shared vulnerability.

We talking about just regular sex, or that special kind of sex? There is a difference to me, if it's just sex. Than there is nothing better than an orgasm, that's the goal of having sex. If it's that special kind of sex than I would have to say, the connection you make with your partner, that is the number 1 thing about sex.

The gentle kissing at the nape of the neck, biting the earlobes, kissing forehead, cheek, nibbling on the lips all while slowly penetrating...
Fingers intertwined, pinned down, in control, feet forcing calves apart. Pressing pelvis firmly to pelvis...
The hairs standing up, small goosebumps...
A lot of things are very good compared to the climax.

Good exercise

The smell of him--sweaty, showered, sore, pumped, happy, sad, whatever. It always make me smile. It's what I just about miss most.

Endurance.

Intimacy and contentment. Not wanting to move.

Taste, smells the physical exhaustion.

Power exchanges.

The intimacy and the brief no walls barred connection. Sometimes that’s better than the sex.

I would say the feel of certain things. Like my neck being kissed or the slight tug of my hair. My favorite is the feel of his stubble between my legs. And of course, the 10 seconds of cuddling afterwards, lol. I do like my space.

I am bad, sex can start 8 or 10 hours before the orgasms start. So the whole seduction thing, it can begin while you are driving to a destination. I was 4 hours into a 6 hour drive once and the lady I was with got very insistent and we pulled off the highway onto a dead railway crossing, she couldn't wait any more. Even in the bedroom, why rush it, orgasm means you are nearing the end, even if multiple, it is still the home stretch of what could be a marathon.

I consider an orgasm to be one of the many good things - but not necessarily the best thing.

It's the touching, the kissing, the skin-on-skin all over, the heat, going from intensity to laughter, the wonderful exchanges that can occur when lovers are imaginative, edgy and willing ...

Sex.

the loveydovey

Snuggling in the afterglow.

The touch of naked skin, the kissing intimacy and closeness, seeing the other person's face when they orgasm, the scent, the afterglow... the ordering of pizza afterwards

edging

Closeness
I won’t do one night stands anymore
Don’t need a gf title but want to feel pretty certain I’ll see them again

Exposing yourself.

...psychologically!

Being able to share some intimate time alone with the one you really care about