TL:DR Pulled the trigger week 2 and misfired. I really like her and afraid to again after week 5.

First of all, I am a long time lurker and have posted a few times on another account... this is a throwaway. I think this subreddit is amazing and it’s really encouraging how help everyone is with each other.

My background: I am recently single, sort of (5 months). I am 26 and just got out of a 7 year relationship engagement that ended with her cheating on me and leaving for another man. Whatever, I am over that. I’ve had a good three month therapy session with a great Doctor who has helped me put my life back in order. I have never had trouble approaching or talking with women, even though I have never dated before, I have a very flirty personality and talking to people and making friends comes pretty easy for me. My friends love bring me to bars because within about 20 minutes of entering a joint, I’ll have combined several groups of people (usually a group of girls with my group of guys) into a conversation. I won’t toot my own horn, but I am a pretty good wingman.

With that said, thats about all I am good at. I like the analogy of, I can start the car, but can’t put in in drive. I have been on dates with seven women since I have been single. Some good, some great, and some horrible. I feel like that most end the same way, sort of out on a limb. I don’t know how to take the next step.

Situation backstory: About four weeks ago, I was out with my stepsister, same age, same personality, ect... the female me. We were out just to have a good time. It was a Friday night and the Tuesday before I had a horrible date that ended terrible. Top it off with two shitty days at work. Friday rolled around and I was ready to get drunk.

We were out in a town I have never been, and ended up talking with a two really cute girls my age. I’d say HB8 and HB9.5. I ended up talking with them for almost the entire time we were at that bar. About an hour into our conversation, I don’t remember how, but HB9.5 and me start to kiss. A real quick one, but a nice one. When last call came around, we were standing outside and we kissed again. I asked for her number and she gave me it. I pulled a move I picked up from here next. I was a little worried it wasn’t her number. I don’t know why, must have been a paranoid drunk. I said “Okay, now i’m going to call the number so you have mine. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for both of us if your phone didn’t ring?” It did and we both laughed. We kiss one last time before we part ways. I hopped in a cab with my sister and crashed.

Fast forward 2 weeks. We have been hanging out every other day. Been on several dates that all ended with hour makeout session in my car or on later dates, sex. Two weeks after we met, we went to a late soccer game, then met some of my friends at the local Oktoberfest. We had a good time and we crashed at my place. This was the first time she had spend the night at my place. Boy after sleeping next to someone for 7 years, I sure felt nice. In my slightly drunken state I brought up a conversation we had earlier about how I should introduce her to my friends. I am entering the state that I am having trouble with We were laying there and I said, “I guess I could call you my girlfriend”. She didn’t really respond and we both fell asleep. The next morning I brought it up and she basically said it was too soon. She liked what we had, but needs more time. I said thats fine.

Fast forward another 2 weeks (last weekend): We have been on several more dates, all like before, lovely dinners, great conversation, car sessions, and sex. I really like this girl. Not just physically, but I feel my self developing emotional connections with her. Before I sort of alluded to her that I was interested, but dropped the topic when she said she wanted more time. This last weekend we took a mini road trip and stayed a small B&B on an island. Saturday, we were just standing by the water, leaning on the split-wood fence listening to music from my phone. (She loves country music, so that alone won me over). Every other song I’d grab her and start dancing with her. We stayed at this spot for a good hour/ hour and a half. Near the end, I was leaning on the fence holding her in front of me resting my head on hers, just soaking up the sun. Then she looked up at me, and said “thank you for this, I am really happy right now”. I said “Me too”. And we kissed. We left shortly after and drove about 3 hours home. She stayed over and we had a lazy Sunday. I haven’t seen her since, but honestly, she is all that I think about. Of all the girls I have dated the past few months, she, hands down, tops the cake.

So here I am, wondering how to move forward. I really like this girl, but I pulled the trigger once, prematurely. I am afraid to again because I don’t want to come off as needed, clingy, fill in the blank. How do I move forward. Should I just let things play out and hope that eventually things work out or do I pull the trigger a second time?

Thanks seddit!