Sarah Shahi's big break? Her role as smoking-hot lesbian DJ Carmen de la Pica Morales on the snarky Showtime soap opera The L Word. Nobody was complaining. "I am well aware that men think women having sex with women is hot, but to me it was a job," she says. "Though my boyfriend would joke, 'I know most guys wouldn't want you to bring your work home with you, but you go right ahead.'"

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleader-turned-actress is taken, but freely shared what she finds sexy: "I like a man who can come out and say he's nervous on the first date," she says. And a good fight: "It shows you have your own mind. I know everyone jokes about how makeup sex is hot, but it is. It's about forgiveness and emotional connection. A man who's capable of that—well, that's the kind of man I like."

Sarah's Tips:

• Mind your manners. "Keep the sarcasm to a minimum on a first date, especially if it's directed at her. Also, be nice to the waiter and open doors."
• Surprise her in surprising ways. "On my birthday, my fianc? told me to look at something the bartender was doing, and when I looked back, diamond earrings were sitting there, in their little box. It was wonderful he gave me the gift like that."
• Don't try it. "Women have a witch sense. I had a dream that an old boyfriend of mine was cheating on me. A short time later, I opened up his glove compartment and a box of condoms fell out."