TL;DR at bottom.

Backstory: Still new to PUA community - in no way am I calling myself one. I've recently read Models, No More Mr. Nice Guy, and Corey Wayne's 3% Man, and I'm ready to start applying these principles. I'm 26 y/o and although it's not my first time dating, I have a new, refined perspective on dating and self-improvement. All aspects in my life are in order. My new approach is heavily based on these books since they've given me a wake up call and a formula to work with. I'll be tailoring their technique to suit me and the women and situations I encounter. Anyways, lets get this started!

I matched with a girl on Hinge (dating app) last week and she initiates the conversation. I reply with playful push-pull banter for a few days and then set a date. Wednesday morning she agrees to meet for drinks on Thursday night. At this point I don't contact/communicate with her until we actually meet up (something I learned from 3% Man). She got to the bar first and called out to me. We introduce ourselves and I tell her I'll get our first round.

I let her do 80% of the talking while I fill in the rest. What a good strategy to get a girl to not only talk but open up. Turns we have similar tastes in music, hobbies, and religious upbringing (both of us are no longer religious). It was easy to lead the conversation with our shared interests - the alcohol helped too. At this point, I knew I was getting attracted to her. She offers to get the next round - I saw that as an investment on her part IOI if you will. We bounce to bar 2.

About a 7 min walk to bar 2. A rat/squirrel scurried across the sidewalk and she got visibly startled. I playfully hug and reassure her that everything's ok. We hold hands until we get to our next stop. I escalated kino at a good opportunity and that wasn't forced.

Walk in, sit down, and she hangs her purse on those bar hooks which was by my leg. Her doing that while brushing my knees/ legs was escalation on her part? Anyways bar 2 she's talking just as much. She tells me the age she first had sex despite neither of us talking about it. Looking back, I think I should've steered into sex-related topics just to probe her and establish some sexual rapport. Anyways, more kino on her part, she puts her hand on my arm or leans on my shoulder anytime I say something funny. I also lean into whisper into her ear a couple times just to make her feel more intimate with me. We get hungry and bounce for pizza.

Holding hands again, short walk to pizza. Talk a bit, I hold the ring on her hand and ask about it. more blah blah blah. I also look her in her eyes, shift to her lips, back to her eyes whilst subtly licking my lips. Both our eye contact is strong. We walk out and it's the end of the date. I tell her it was fun and we should hang out again. She agrees and tells me to msg her on Hinge so she can give me her number. I hug her, we walk away, and as we're walking, we simultaneously look back at each other. I reach out to grab her arm, pull her in, and go in for the kiss. It felt good and I knew at the point I was attracted to her. We break, she goes into her Uber, and I call mine.

On the ride home, I open Hinge to see if other girls msg'd me back - no intention to msg her for the number yet. She already msg'd her number with a kissy face emoji. End Scene.

I was gonna wait a couple days to msg her. But since she did that part already. I msg'd her the next day "(her nickname) hey it's rrreow_gh, save my number."

I felt that was a good solid first date. Hella nervous at first for sure. But she opened up in a way that made me feel comfortable with myself too. It lacked sexual banter, not that we needed it then, but I felt a little tension would've made things more interesting. Possibly needa lead it there at our next date. I already have an idea for our second date and I want to build on my success. My questions are:

  1. How do I further escalate kino for our second date? Should I aim for a f-close next? or continue building rapport?
  2. How do I broach the subject?
  3. Any constructive criticism for my techniques? feel free to add anything

TL;DR: 1st date went well, text book success and I want to build on a small but meaningful victory. Questions above.

Mind you, I also have another friend I keep "on the side" and I'm trying to set up a potential date with another girl.

I feel pretty good, confident actually that our second date will be just as good, if not better. Thanks in advance for your input. This journey means a lot to me and I hope others can benefit from this as well. Cheers!