Please don't take this post as e-bragging, or anything of the sort; I'm truly looking for mature advice. Serious responses from critically-minded individuals would be appreciated.

I'm afraid of success. Specifically, I'm afraid to break girls' hearts. I have in the past and it feels terrible.

Approaching, seducing, the whole dance, is something I'm very capable of. I'm competent in meeting and dating girls, but feel that empathy (of all things) is holding me back.

While ultimately I want to find one girl to spend my life with, I'm not holding my breath in the meantime. There are so many beautiful girls out there that I would love to dance with (in a metaphorical sense).

Generally, I can tell if a girl is the long-term type quickly, but sometimes I need more time to assess. So it's not right of me to tell the girl right away I'm "not looking for anything serious" - when in reality I honestly can’t tell for sure. I don't want them to get their hopes up, but at the same time don't want to hold back my passion for them.

How can I let them know gently, yet firmly, when I do know, that I want a romance with them (be it short or long term), but not a serious long-term monogamous relationship? I don't want to lead them on, but at the same time want to have great experiences with them.

To state the obvious, sex can be a powerful thing for girls. Particularly, if the experiences she has with a guy are unlike the men she’s dated before. I'm not saying that some girls don't like sex without the relationship part (I get that many do), but inevitably some want more – and sometimes they fall hard when they know they can’t get it.

Please no responses about the "provider vs. lover" dynamic [e.g. just act more aloof and keep a distant vibe, etc.] I feel this question is more complex. Any mature insight, again, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post.