Is This What It's Like to Date a MAN?

I could easily go into shock at this very moment. I think I have stumbled upon one of those rare, very rare creatures that we call a Real Man. They're like an endangered species. I should start from the beginning.

I've been attracted to one of my coworkers since almost the moment we met. He comes off as very quiet, but when you get him to open up and talk to you, he has a wicked sense of humor. And there is just something else about him, I still don't know what it is, that draws me to him. But I soon found out he had a girlfriend, so I backed off.

Fast forward almost four months. I'm very friendly (thou shall not flirt w/male coworkers) w/my male coworkers. And I always try to talk to Sean. I found out he and his girlfriend split. Mmk. Interest peaked again. Much to my surprise, I realize he's flirting w/me. Then last week he asked me if I played Rock Band. I told him I've only played GH, but I really want to play RB. So he invites me over.

Now I'm really surprised.

So I get his number, and find myself even more surprised. Sean at work is very different from Sean not at work. And he's flirting a hell of a lot more. He just moved into a new place and isn't completely unpacked, so RB at his place anytime soon is out of the question. Instead, he comes to my place to play GH. We ended up playing for like 2 hours straight, and then spent another 2 hours playing Burnout.

And yes, brwnsuga, I did behave myself.

I learned quite a bit about him. His ex-gf of 5 years is Asian, and they've been apart for about 5 months. This isn't good news, and I immediately want to back away and regulate whatever is happening between us to friendship. The last guy I was w/was in a similar situation. And if there is one thing I learned from him, it was the signs that said "I'm still in love w/my ex!" The refusal to talk about her, the pictures of her in his cell phone. Sean is not over his ex, and I refuse to let myself fall for a man in love w/his ex.

So I slowly broach the subject and try to make it clear that I'm not interested in being his rebound or his fuck buddy. Again he surprises me. He's been completely straightforward with me. He admitted that he'll always love his ex but understands that they don't work as a couple. He's looking for something fun, but that doesn't mean he's looking for a fuck buddy. He just wants to see where things go without diving head first into it.

That is 100% cool with me.

I almost don't even know how to react to him. I've never met a guy who can so effectively and maturely communicate his wants while not playing those stupid games that most guys play. I'm surprised, intrigued. The whole situation has caught me off guard. He's the first white man I've ever been attracted to. I'm thinking he's the first real man I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.