Hey, Kathy. Thank you for reading and sharing your honest thoughts. Of course, I can only speak for myself in answering your questions. For me, there has always been somewhat of an emotional connection before having sex. I can count on one hand the people I've slept with, and with at least three of those people, it was while in a relationship (two, for 2+ years).

I think it's important for everyone who chooses to have sex, to confront their expectations... even if that means not having any. I also think it's important to vet who you sleep with and set proper boundaries to protect yourself. This isn't always easy, but I do think it can prevent uncomfortable/nasty situations.

I've had one really bad experience and unfortunately, it was with someone I knew and thought I could trust. But I was still treated poorly. So, in some ways, perhaps it is all a risk.