This is going to sound odd, but where do you personally draw the lines on physical intimacy between characters if they fall in the 18-20 age range and possibly get married. (One of my books is a psuedo fairy tale so ages were younger for marriage... otherwise... it seems weird to have them married so young.) I want to be realistic, but not raunchy. Actually... I don't want to be realistic and maybe that's the problem. I'd never go into details, but it feels silly and unreal to act like there isn't something between lead characters.

Wendy - i think its up to yourself what you think 'feels' right but also its important what you think is right for the 'audience'. I assume you've read twilight? there is almost no physical intimacy in that novel - yet many people see it as a sort of teen porn (i don't know how they see it that way - they barely kiss)

So, in my opinion i would be all suggestion and leave the rest to the imagination. Melissa Marr in wicked lovely had her two main characters have sex - she hinted and then faded to black. Others go into more detail, it depends really on the author and their thoughts on the audience imo.

Yeah, it really all depends. I usually try not to worry about it and just write what works for the story.

I'm working at trying to establish that balance in my WIP, too. At this point in the story it's not an issue because the two main characters are just in the stage of wanting, not getting, but by the end of the third book I'm thinking their going to reach the point of getting, not just wanting. I plan on doing more hinting and suggesting, rather than actually describing. I think it's better to leave such things to the imagination anyway.