First of all let me say I love being single. I have a blast and meet new women consistently, but this ones' got me in her claws and I'm looking for some clarity. I met her 3 weeks ago outside of a club/restaurant in my town, where I had gotten her number after chatting her up for a few minutes. We ended up dancing the night away and having a great time, so I told her I’d call her. Long story short is she lives 2 blocks away from me and we've hung out most every day, both her and I reciprocating equally. I have my own place and she lives with 2 others. Everything is amazing!!

2 weeks before I met her she had just gotten out of a serious relationship. Fine, OK. I still decide to go for it because she’s beautiful, a professional, and a sweetheart. They dated for 10 months and were serious. He still calls her. So now after 3 weeks of hanging out, her spending the night once or twice a week (no sex, but some hooking up), I have to hit the brakes. Just what the fuck is going on here? I definitely know she likes me, but she’s also hung up on the last dude. She doesn't want to move fast, but she wants to spend most all of her free time with me, making things move fast. I, of course, enabled this too because spending time with her is a blast until a couple of days ago.

I needed to slow down.

I let her know exactly where I stood. I told her that we should cool it because she obviously has NO idea what she wants, and that I’m really not going to really put myself out there if she’s still stuck on some jerkwad who still calls her to “check in on her.” I said I know exactly who I am, what I stand for, and that I deserve the best. I let her know that I am NOT a rebound, and that if she wants to keep spending time with me she either needs to open up a bit, slowly of course, or we should just cut the shit. She told me she doesn't want a relationship right now, I say fine. Her line of defense is “you’re only doing this because we haven’t had sex yet.” I think I’d be pissed either way. She also says things like “Well you knew this from the beginning,” and, “The biggest reason we hang out so much is because you live so close.” I flipped when she said that last one to me. So now we’re both holding back. We are still talking but WTF?

So I guess I’m seeking advice for the next step. Is there a next step? I haven’t liked anyone like this in years, I really don’t want to let it go, but if it’s what must be done, then so be it. I need you clowns. Slap me in the face with your brutal truths. Either way I come out a better man and a winner in the long run. Thoughts? Ideas?