Reading FDS is empowering, like my daily dose of sunshine. Thank you my lovely community - you have taught me how to be strong, to value myself, and to stick with my standards.

And I would really love to have your advice on this.

Situation: I met this person, D, through school. He is mid-thirties, vet, grounded, nice-looking dude. We have had chats here and there, but nothing serious... Yesterday we had a school-wide party. I ran into him at the party, started talking, had good conversations. He expressed that he was attracted to me (hands on my waist, sticking with me throughout the night, introduced me to his classmates). Alcohol was involved, although neither of us were sloppy drunk. We flirted all night, it was going well, until he asked me if I wanted to go to his place and take another shot. After we got to his place, we hung out a bit, and then we made out. At this point, I was attracted to him, but I wanted to send the right signal that I wanted something more serious, not another meaningless hookup (I need to connect with someone emotionally before feeling horny). So I paused him, told him that I am attracted to him but didn't feel like hooking up, and asked him to text me to hang out sometime. Then I left his place.

I am glad that I did what I did - what I used to do was to go with the flow - it was nice to feel loved, validated, and wanted at the moment. But last night I decided to set and stick with my boundary, and wanted to express that I wanted to make this a more serious thing. But I also worry he'd perceive me as too conservative, and I would never hear from him again (I do like him).

My questions is twofold: (1) did I do the right thing? and (2) how would you express that you wanted something more serious/meaningful without sounding disinterested?

I really appreciate your help.