Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 87856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Patrick: You study STDs?
Imogen: Behavioral economics. The nexus of economics and psychology. And I'm undergrad. I'll be a senior next year. But still. Why beat around the bush?
Patrick: I like that.
Imogen: Thanks. I think.
Patrick: Don't think. It's a compliment.
Imogen: I'll take the compliment, but I'll definitely think.
Patrick: Right. You are a scientist. I like Jurassic Park. Where's that leave me?
Imogen: Who doesn't like Jurassic Park?
Patrick: It's not painting scientists in the best light.
Imogen: Sure it is. People do good for science. People do bad for science. It's like anything. You should read some of the old psychology studies before there were serious ethics. They were messed up.
Patrick: Anything interesting?
Imogen: A lot interesting, but nothing sexy.
Patrick: I like interesting too.
Imogen: I'm sure you've heard of the Milligram experiments? Testing people's obedience by asking subjects to shock an unseen patient, even as they scream or beg for mercy.
Patrick: It sounds familiar. What's the verdict?
Imogen: Most people follow orders. Those who don't tend to be less agreeable in general. That's another personality metric, one of the "Big Five." (Mine is low. Which means I don't compromise as easily, but the flip side is I don't compromise my integrity as easily either). Or they don't see the experimenter as a person in an elevated position. Other scientists, doctors, professionals.
Patrick: I can see that.
Imogen: It has a certain common sense to it when you look at the history of the world. Or when you reflect on your own experience. We all feel the weight of what other people expect us to do.
Patrick: Is that an issue you've had with men?
Imogen: I don't like being expected to perform certain acts.
Patrick: Anything in particular?
Imogen: Really?
Patrick: I can guess, yeah, but I prefer not to make assumptions.
Imogen: Or… you want me to say something else.
She's so sure of herself. I love it.
Patrick: I want you to tell me what you like and what you don't like, so we both enjoy ourselves.
Imogen: Even if I don't like your favorite things?
Patrick: You don't know my favorite things.
Imogen: What are they?
Patrick: I asked first.
Imogen: I don't like being expected to do anything, period. Men usually expect one thing: head, even in situations where they'd never expect sex. It's not that I don't like it. Well, I don't really know if I like it, honestly. It was just okay with my ex. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.
Patrick: That's fine.
Imogen: Really?
Patrick: Why wouldn't it be?
Imogen: Because men like blow jobs.
Patrick: So?
Imogen: So? Isn't it… disappointing?
I really like her.
Patrick: I enjoy receiving, yes, but I prefer to give. And there's plenty of other things I enjoy.
Imogen: It's not off the table. It's just it feels more personal to me. I'm not sure if I'll want to do it in a casual relationship. Maybe. But if I do, only if we're exclusive and we're both safe. I know the STD transmission risk with oral sex is low, but I'd rather not worry.
Patrick: I'll get tested this week.
Imogen: Has it been long enough you're sure?
Patrick: Yeah. But we can take it at whatever pace you want.
Imogen: Is this how these conversations normally go?
Patrick: No. Most people leave all this unsaid. But this is smarter. No crossed wires.
Imogen: People don't think it's sexy.
Patrick: Maybe it's not as sexy as reading someone's body. But it's way hotter than realizing you overstepped because someone didn't want to say no. Or letting someone overstep because you don't want to correct them.
Imogen: Has that happened to you?
Patrick: I hope not. But when I was younger, I was dumber too. I didn't see things as clearly.
Imogen: That's true. I agreed to things I wasn't comfortable with because I thought I should.
Patrick: Did someone push you?
I already want to deck the asshole. And I'm not a violent person.
Imogen: No. Not the way you mean. Only the expectations. The social pressure. Women are as bad as men. There's this sort of "Oh, you don't do that?" vibe. "Are you not cool? Are you a prude?"
Patrick: Men are like that too.
Imogen: Right. And men don't always want sex, all the time, any way, anyone, just because they're men.
Patrick: Don't spread that too widely.
Imogen: Our secret.
Fuck, I really, really like her.
Patrick: What are you into?
Imogen: I'm not sure, actually. It's been a while.
Patrick: Happy to help you find out.
Beyond happy.
Patrick: We can experiment as much as you want.
Imogen: I was actually thinking that. It probably sounds ridiculous, but it helps me to put things in scientific terms.
Patrick: A hookup experiment?
Imogen: Exactly. We try new things. I find what I like. If it's not too imposing on you.
Helping her figure out what she's into?
What a gift.
Patrick: Hell yeah. What should we do first?
Imogen: I still like the idea of morning sex.
Patrick: That's perfect. But if you spend the night, I'm not going to be able to wait until the morning.