"it seemed presumptuous to tell you what you could or could not do. So I figured the right thing to do was to let you decide. I didn't want to insult you or pressure you by telling you what I was seeing"

You can look at this one of two ways!!! He's either clueless as a toad OR, (and I prefer this one). He's very empathetic and very clued in to a woman's need to be independent. Believe me, not many men have this ability (I'm not man badgering now), but at my age, you KNOW STUFF!!! And boy do I know stuff!!!

Years and years ago, I had a SO that was physically abusive. I was only 24 and didn't KNOW. I just assumed that because he told me what to do, that meant he cared!!!!! Now how silly we are when we don't know any better.

Some people are just more intuitive than others. It's a rare find to find that SO or even to find a special friend that respects your judgement and also respects how you wish things to proceed.

Sounds like a keeper to me!!! And in this day and age, well, that is a GOOD THING!!!