Sex/Life is a series all about the secret sexy business of couples, throuples, exes who still fuck for some reason, LDR darlings, polyculites, and any other kind of amorous grouping your perfect heart can fathom. We send them nosey questions, they record themselves answering them, and we transcribe that conversation for all of us to enjoy. All names have been changed and any identifying details removed.
Noa (32) and Jules (30) are a pair of queer New Yorkers โ Noaโs a singing, performing, bike-riding waitress living in Manhattan; Jules is currently a job-searching admin who makes a mean banana bread and has a soft spot for Brooklyn queer rec sports. They’ve been dating for a year and a half, are polyamorous, live separately (by choice, not logistics), and describe their sex life as intense, evolving, and deeply shaped by a top/bottom dynamic.
And this is how they fuck:
What was your sex life like when you first started dating, and how does that differ from now?
Noa: When we first started dating, our sex life was really good. We had great chemistry right away, but I was a little scared to be open about what I wanted.
Jules: I could sense that, but I didnโt know what you were holding back.
Noa: Yeah, I didnโt even know how to bring it up at first. But then I told you โ I wanted us to have a Daddy/Baby Girl dynamic. I wanted you to be Daddy.
Jules: And once you said that, everything just made sense. The chemistry we already had suddenly had a shape.
Noa: It unlocked something for me. Like, emotionally and sexually, it gave me permission to fully show up as Baby Girl. I felt safe, I felt turned on, and the sex got way hotter โ almost instantly.
Jules: Same for me. I like taking charge sexually โ I like initiating, leading, setting the tone. And being called Daddy during sex? Yeah. That works for me.
Noa: And calling you that just drops me into this headspace where Iโm totally present. Like, Iโm not overthinking anything. I just get to feel and respond.
Jules: It also helped clarify how we wanted to interact physically. Like, I’m the one guiding things a lot of the time โ youโre responding, receiving, asking. That rhythm works really well for us.
Noa: And even though Iโm mostly in that Baby Girl role, I still feel powerful. Itโs not passive. Sometimes Iโm telling you what I want or how I want it, and youโre making it happen.
Jules: Yeah, youโre definitely a power Baby Girl. Thereโs still a lot of intention and presence in how you show up in that role.
Noa: I think thatโs why it works. Itโs not about play-acting โ itโs just who we are in bed, and giving it a name helped us own it.
You live together โ how does that impact your sex life?
Noa: We donโt live together โ weโve only been dating a year and a half. And I know for a lot of lesbians thatโs basically a lifetime, but we both really like living alone.
Jules: Yeah, and when our leases were up, it was still too early to move in together. We even considered living across the hall from each other โ there was an open apartment right across from you โ but even then we were like, โThatโs probably too soon.โ
Noa: Living separately has been great for our sex life, honestly.
Jules: Totally. We get to yearn for each other. Every time we see each other, it feels fresh and exciting.
Noa: Like a hot, slow burn. Iโm never sick of you.
Jules: Distance makes the heart grow fonder.
If you’re parents or caretakers, how has that impacted your sex life?
Noa: Weโre not parents, unless you count the four cats โ two each.
Jules: And weโre not planning to have kids, which I think will positively impact our sex life forever.
Noa: Weโll be able to have sex forever! Woo-hoo.
Do you have a top/bottom dynamic?
Noa: Yeah, we do. Youโre Daddy and Iโm Baby Girl.
Jules: Iโm usually the top, and youโre usually the bottom.
Noa: That dynamic was something I was more drawn to from the beginning. You didnโt totally know that until I brought it up.
Jules: Yeah, I didnโt realize thatโs what you were wanting until you said it. But once we named it, it really clarified how we already were with each other.
Noa: You naturally take the lead. And I naturally likeโฆ giving over to that. Being guided, responding to what youโre doing. Itโs really satisfying for me.
Jules: I definitely identify as a top-leaning switch. Especially at the beginning of sexual relationships, I tend to top. I usually donโt feel ready to bottom until I feel really safe and comfortable with someone.
Noa: And Iโm kind of the opposite. I default to bottoming, but I can top sometimes once I feel secure. But even then, Iโm what youโd call a timid top.
Jules: A whispery little top. But yeah โ our dynamic works. We fall into it really naturally. And even though we say top/bottom, I think itโs more about the energy. Whoโs leading. Whoโs holding the space.
Noa: Exactly. Even when Iโm bottoming, I can still be a power bottom. Iโm often saying what I want, what feels good, and kind of steering things that way.
Jules: And thatโs hot. Itโs not about whoโs doing what physically โ itโs about whoโs holding which role. I think people misunderstand how layered that can be.
Noa: Yeah. Being Baby Girl doesnโt mean Iโm passive. It means Iโm giving you control โ but with intention. And that dynamic just feels really good between us.
Do you feel like your sex drives are well matched?
Jules: I think they are. Honestly, you might be the first person Iโve dated who has a stronger libido than me.
Noa: Really?
Jules: Yeah. Itโs kind of a new dynamic for me, but in a fun way. I feel like Iโm keeping up with you.
Noa: Thatโs so interesting. I didnโt know that! But yeah, my past relationships โ especially with men โ I never wanted to have sex. Itโs wild how much I want to have sex with you.
Jules: Weโre definitely well matched in that way.
Noa: Weโre super compatible. And thatโs so nice.
What are some things you like or donโt like to do during sex?
Noa: Iโve always loved oral, but Iโve realized itโs kind of essential for me. Like, if someone doesnโt enjoy giving oral, itโs probably not going to work.
Jules: Youโve said that before. And itโs not that you want it every time, but you kind of expect it to be part of the experience โ like, it’s baseline.
Noa: Totally. I just think itโs hot. And with you specifically, it feelsโฆ right. Like our bodies are made for each other.
Jules: It really does feel like that. You say that a lot when Iโm going down on you.
Noa: Because itโs true! Iโm like, โOh my god, this is exactly whatโs supposed to be happening.โ
Jules: Thatโs so cute. For me, Iโm not super into penetration. Iโve enjoyed it in the past, but these days I rarely want it.
Noa: And I do like penetration. I also like butt stuff, but youโre less into that on yourself.
Jules: I donโt hate it โ itโs just not something I seek out. And I feel like the older I get, the less interested I am in that kind of sensation.
Noa: Fair. Oh, and biting โ someone bit me kind of hard at a party the other day, and I didnโt love that.
Jules: I bite you sometimes, too. Probably too much?
Noa: A little. I donโt mind a soft bite, but Iโm not into pain. Like, a light spanking is fun, but anything more than that, and Iโm out.
Jules: Same. Iโm not a sadist. I donโt want to hurt you โ I just want to have fun.
Noa: Same. Not to yuck anyoneโs yum, but that kind of play just isnโt for us.
Jules: Also โ poop stuff? Hard pass.
Noa: Yeah, no scat play for me. Iโm down to try most things once, but not that.
What are some things youโd like to try (or try again)?
Noa: Weโve done some group sex, and thatโs been fun. Iโd definitely do that again โ with you.
Jules: Same. Iโd like to explore more rope stuff. Flogging. Shibari.
Noa: You were learning how to tie me up.
Jules: Yeah, and Iโd want to get better at it! Someone told us how easy it is to cut off circulation if you tie too tight. That kind of scared me.
Noa: Me too. We should learn more before we do anything serious.
Jules: Definitely. They said to always have scissors nearby in case you need to cut someone out quickly.
Noa: I follow people who do suspension and hang from ceilings โ it looks amazing.
Jules: Yeah, but you need a whole setup for that.
Noa: Weโd probably need to go to a professional. I donโt think weโre there yet, but Iโm intrigued.
Jules: First step: buy rope.
How important are orgasms to your sex life?
Jules: Weโre having a lot of orgasms, but theyโre not the most important thing for me. I just want us to feel good and be connected.
Noa: Yeah, we orgasm most of the time, but not always. Sometimes I fall asleep before itโs my turn. Like a man.
Jules: Most of the time we both come, but if we donโt, itโs not a big deal.
Noa: Weโre good at checking in. If one of us doesnโt finish and wants more, weโll do more. If not, weโre fine. No one takes it personally.
Jules: No ego bruises here.
What role does masturbation play in your sex life?
Noa: We only recently started masturbating in front of each other. I do it a lot โ high sex drive over here.
Jules: I donโt really masturbate often.
Noa: Wild. But youโve started watching me do it, and thatโs fun.
Jules: Yeah, itโs hot. Itโs like, why would I do it when youโre right here?
Noa: And when youโre watching, you usually get involved pretty quickly.
Jules: True. Iโd be curious to watch you masturbate all the way to completion sometime.
Noa: Like the Tootsie Pop owl: how many licks untilโฆ
Jules: Crunch. Exactly! I also donโt really watch porn.
Noa: Weโve never watched it together. That one time we tried, I got too shy.
Jules: Porn just doesnโt do it for me. It feels so fake, it pulls me out of the mood. When I do masturbate, I donโt watch anything. I justโฆ think.
Noa: Youโre just using your thoughts?! Thatโs amazing.
Jules: If Iโm masturbating, Iโm already turned on. I donโt need extra stimuli.
Tell us about your favorite or most memorable time youโve had sex together.
Noa: Obviously the group sex was memorable because it was new. But one time we were at your place, and we were super tangled up and close. You were holding my face and said, โI feel so connected to you.โ It was beautiful.
Jules: I remember that. It felt out of body โ like we were physically together but also spiritually fused.
Noa: It really felt like our bodies were meant to be with each other.
Jules: Not to get too woo, but yeah. We were deeply connected.
Noa: I write about our sex all the time in my five-year journal. Like, โhung out with you โ amazing sex.โ Sometimes I just write โsex.โ
Jules: Those are the mediocre ones?
Noa: Not mediocre โ just less memorable. But even our regular sex is so good. Itโs kind of ridiculous.
Jules: I do think we have really, really good sex.