Am I just being stupid, or would you be irritated too?

Get on Topic Please.

Illusions,

Let me start by saying that I completely agree with you about what you said concerning "trust" and "control." My intention was never to control her or manipulate her -- I know well enough that good relationships are not built because one person is forcing the other to act a certain way.

What it comes down to for me, though, is straight up logic. There is a big difference between the feelings that you have for a significant other and the feelings that you have for a friend. So why, knowing that a man is after you because he has feelings for you and not because he wants to be your friend, would you continue to be a "friend" towards him? He clearly has feelings for you, most likely sees the friendly activities you engage in in a totally different light than you, and he's either biding his time or trying to think up a way to break up your current relationship. Where is the practicality in remaining friends here? I could understand if you were just lonely and wanted somebody to hang out with, or if you were just desperate for attention (Not talking about you personally here!) Or, perhaps, is it simply a matter of give-and-get? Maybe there are benefits or rewards for being friends with him (Not talking sexually here either.) I guess, what it comes down to is -- what's the point? Why go through that entire mess with someone instead of just making it very clear that you're not interested in him? And isn't it fair to your boyfriend that you don't go around inviting this kind of behavior and leading on guys that are interested in you? -