A sexual encounter is,

Sex is physical. Sex is lust. It's hormones raging, it's attraction, it's chemical, and it's a natural body reaction to someone you are attracted to. Sex can be MORE than all of this, and should be...but that involves intimacy. Sex on it's own merits is a great physical feeling. But for any lasting connection, it requires the emotion and the trust and connection behind the scenes. Kind of like a play...you can have the actors on stage saying their lines and making the motions, but until the stage is set, it looks like just a bunch of words and motions.

A intimate encounter is,

Intimacy is more about your emotional connection with each other. It's different to everyone, so I don't think I could really describe what it would be to you...I just know how it feels to me. It's something that gives you strength, it's that warm feeling inside when you think about that person, the fact that you can't help but smile when they cross your mind, and it is something to build on. It's an almost tangible connection with another person that builds in your heart and your mind. And if you find the right intimate connection with someone, the physical can wait.