@Divorced w 3 you can take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt but gonna say anyway fwiw.
I think @Be made some great points.
Also, it's like I said earlier either to you or OP but many of you guys are great at initially pulling and getting the first date, but unable to maintain and move forward after that.
You said you need HER to show interest before you're able to escalate with higher IOIs yourself.
Why? You had a great date, she was all over you physically but not ready for sex which is understandable and typical of women 30+ who have had some experience and as
@BeExcellent said, have no interest in being another notch on your belt.
Based on that, why can't you just assume she's highly attracted and interested, why do you need her to initiate and chase?
One of the issues I'm seeing is admittedly you're not used to dealing with women 30+, your preferred demographic is early-mid 20s.
Well, 30+ women are not going to respond or behave like women 20-25 who have less experience and will chase.
So in that sense I agree with what
@Dr.Suave said, she may be too old for you.
I'm wondering how you were able to build attraction and intimacy with your ex wife?
I mean she fell in love with you, and I assume vice versa, that required you to be
vulnerable. An emotion you appear to be uncomfortable feeling and expressing.
Even re something as indicating your strong interest after the first date.
Think about it. She asked you to text when you got home. You were tired so didn't.
Not even something as simple as "
hey I'm home, had a great time, exhausted gonna crash, talk to ya soon."
Then the following day, your first text was "thanks for the hat."
I mean WTF man, really?
I'm sensing fear in your posts, wtf are you so afraid of?
If all you want is the bang, then my advice is forget about this girl and move on.
But IF you really like this chick and want something more, a bit deeper than merely a bang, another notch, then consider my words, and @Be's, step the hell up and stop being so afraid. Take a damn risk.
Take or leave.
Ciao.