text: YES it is really love!  I believe he really does love you, but is deeply afraid of commitment.  Has he ever lost anyone who was very close to him, like someone in his family?  If so, this may be his source of a deep-seated fear.  He is most likely afraid of messing up a full-fledged relationship with you and is why he "stays close to you" but will not commit all the way.  \n\n     If he only remains "friends w/ benefits" and you reject him he can convince himself "No Big Deal" we were just friends anyway.  But if you two are an exclusive item and you reject him for what ever reason, I think that the rejection would be far to devastating for him to bare.  So he plays it safe.  Many men have the same fear of rejection we just don't show it.