Prelude to Foundation (Foundation, #6)

by Isaac Asimov

Dors said softly, “Hari, I want what is good for you because of what I am, but I feel that if I wasn’t what I am, I would still want what is good for you. And I don’t think I am good for you.” “Good for me or bad, I don’t care.” Here Hari looked down as he paced a few steps, weighing what he would say next. “Dors, have you ever been kissed?” “Of course, Hari. It’s a social part of life and I live socially.” “No no! I mean, have you ever really kissed a man? You know, passionately?” “Well yes, Hari, I have.” “Did you enjoy it?” Dors hesitated. She said, “When I’ve kissed in that way, I enjoyed it more than I would have enjoyed disappointing a young man I liked, someone whose friendship meant something to me.” At this point, Dors blushed and she turned her face away. “Please, Hari, this is difficult for me to explain.” But Hari, more determined now than ever, pressed further. “So you kissed for the wrong reasons, then, to avoid hurt feelings.” “Perhaps everyone does, in a sense.” Seldon mulled this over, then said suddenly, “Did you ever ask to be kissed?” Dors paused, as though looking back on her life. “No.” “Or wish to be kissed again, once you had?” “No.” “Have you ever slept with a man?” he asked softly, desperately. “Of course. I told you. These things are a part of life.” Hari gripped her shoulders as if he was going to shake her. “But have you ever felt the desire, a need for that kind of closeness with just one special person? Dors, have you ever felt love?” Dors lo...