How do you handle when a girl says she wants to take things slowly?

I've been out with this girl once and we've made out and grinded on each other. Her friends really liked me. She visited me at work (I work on-campus) and stayed on campus until I finished. She told me her friend was having a birthday and that I should come. Last night on the way to the club, she says she wants to take things slower (in regards to me kissing her after dropping her off after she visited me at work - not the first time we've kissed). At first I ignored her, but she kept prodding in the silence. She told me not to get upset and kissed me on the cheek. This is where I think I failed. I said I'll just drop her off and she can have fun with her girls. She said no, citing how would she get home. I suggested she could go with her friend (who lives relatively close to the club), or I could give her cab money. She adamantly said she just wanted to go home and that I ruined her night. The nice guy in me rationalized going to the club would not be a good idea if she wanted to "take it slow". I feel like I could have handled this situation better and a feeling of caught with my pants down.