By Laura Snyder

No matter how often it may seem to the contrary, your lover really does want to leave you breathless with desire. So, how do you tell them that what would really do it would be a pair of fuzzy handcuffs and a bottle of whipped cream?

Fortunately, there are ways to get your honey to open up and experiment without feeling too awkward or risk feeling rejected.

Scale Down

When your honey is a little reluctant to try out your wildest fantasies, the trick is to make them, well, a little less wild. If you're itching for a little domination, but sense hesitation from your lover, coming to bed with stainless steel accessories is probably not the direction you want to take. Try showing up in bed wearing a sly smile and holding up a silk scarf.

Flatter Shamelessly

Whenever your partner is even relatively close to doing what you want him or her to do, slather on the praise. Want things to be a little rougher? Compliment any hint of a take-charge attitude. To really make your point, be colorful with your compliments (more so than just "That was great. Do it again."). Lover not even close to pushing the right buttons? Flatter a move they didn't think of trying. Even if they suspect you're making it up, at least they'll know what to try tonight.

Rewind Your Romance

At some point in your relationship, it became okay to wear flannel pajamas to bed, not shave even if you knew you'd be close, and start eating garlicky food again. Around the same time, you stopped trying out new positions like you two were writing the appendix to "The Kama Sutra." To bring back that old sizzle, remind your lover of those sexy days of yore. Reminisce about those super hot experiences you've shared, relive your first date, go back to the restaurant where you shared your first kiss.

Make a Pact

If you're the brazen type, set up negotiations with your sweetie and cut a deal. You'll try your lover's craziest fantasy, if they indulge your erotic whims. Promise to try anything once and keep only the things that you both enjoy. Hey, you might find you like a little something new, too.