"I agree, Alyss. For me, I don't ever see it about 'fucking;' there's always an element of caring for me. I have to be drawn to, attracted to the person in some way. But because we've made love, it doesn't mean we're ready to make a life-time commitment to each other."
He swirled the little bit of rootbeer still in his mug around before venturing into deeper water.
"Take you, for instance. You and I." He looked her directly the eye.
"If you and I found we were attracted to each other, I'd love to get closer to you. Kiss, make out, see what develops. If at any point either of us wanted to stop there, we would." He raised his eyebrows as a way of saying, Okay?
"And yes, I find you attractive. You are very cute, even beautiful, and I find you to be a fascinating, interesting person. I'd love to get to know you better. And if that would mean physically, as well as mentally and emotionally, I'd be very cool with that."
At this point, he was ready to get cussed out or hit. But at least she knew where he stood.