After 4 dates, no signs of seeking physical contact
I (41M) met on a dating app a woman(45). She initially contacted me, had a great chat on the app. Went for a first date beggining of april. Second date was beginning of may, third was tuesday and last one was yesterday.
We texted all the way through this to keep in touch, with more intensity in the last 2 weeks or so.
I would like the relationship to go further (holding hands, kissing). It didn't happen on the first 3 dates, which were in public spaces. I let it pass, not wanting to make her inconfortable. Last one was at my house from noon to late evening. We had lots of opportunity to get closer, but her nonverbal always seemed closed (haven't changed from 1st date, not agressive, not uninterested, just not seeking attention). We went boating, landed on a tiny island just the 2 of us, I stood next to her, feeling that the moment was perfect but she got back on the boat. Tried to reach to her later in the evening she kept her hands to herself. After dinner, she sat on the couch at an arm's distance and I couldn't "strategise" to get her closer.
The thing is afterwards, she told us that we'd see each other in 10 days, as she's a whole week away in vacations.
I reached to her this morning with an open ended question, she answered as usual, maybe taking a bit longer than her usual reaction time.
I find it kinda odd that after 4 dates, including a 9 hours one that nothing went by at all.
I would love to ask her if I'm reading the situation about her nonverbal communication correctly or is she just taking her time (which would be fine by me, my bio said that I would like to take my time).
I'm afraid that opening this door might provoke something that I wouldn't want such as her being turned off by my question but at the same time, she might tell herself that I'm taking my sweet time with this and might loose interest.
Any thoughts ?
EDIT : the conversation are always good and interesting, never had a dull moment with this girl up to now.
edit 2: swapped girl for woman. sorry, English as a second language.
for those asking why huge gaps between dates: she had 2 trips planned back to back and we have custody of children without a lot of common free time.
thanks to all for the advice!!