Mixed Signals or Hurt Ego? I Can’t Read Him Anymore (Capricorn Perspective Needed)
Why Is He Pulling Away While Still Acting Territorial? (Capricorn Perspective Needed)
I (25F, Cancer) have been seeing this guy (33M, Capricorn) for a few months. We’re in a soft D/s dynamic — something he introduced me to because I had never been in one before. We only see each other 2–3 times a week because of schedules, and at the gym we keep things professional. Sexually though, we’ve been very active and honestly having a lot of fun.
At first he was super consistent. He made me feel safe, seen, pursued, and emotionally we were taking things slowly but steadily. Then recently I told him I wanted to “take a break for a little.” What I meant was sexually because I was stressed, overwhelmed with work stuff, and dealing with bad PMS/period stuff. I guess he interpreted it as me wanting to stop things altogether.
Later when I asked why his energy changed, he admitted he took it the wrong way. But ever since then, everything feels off.
He still flirts sometimes, still uses D/s nicknames like “good girl,” still sends me body/bicep pics, still acts possessive if I interact with other guys, BUT emotionally he feels distant now. He barely reaches out first anymore, stopped checking my stories, likes other girls’ gym pics publicly, and when I compliment him now he says things like “No, you wanted a break.”
I tried asking directly what was going on and he replied:
“NOT AT ALL. KEEPING IT COOL NO PRESSURE!!”
Then immediately called me “good girl” again and disappeared for the rest of the day.
What confuses me is that he still acts territorial/jealous around me while also seeming emotionally withdrawn. He’ll notice my reactions if he talks to other girls and call me moody, but at the same time avoids conversations about what changed.
Part of me wonders if I hurt his ego by asking for space sexually. He’s a very masculine/high-achieving type and was definitely the pursuer before all this. I clarified multiple times that I didn’t mean I wanted to end things entirely, but now I feel like I’m walking on eggshells trying not to “mess it up” more.
From a Capricorn man perspective… is this him feeling rejected and emotionally pulling back to protect himself? Or is this more like someone slowly losing interest but keeping me around because the connection/chemistry is still there?
I’m not deeply in love with him, but I did genuinely enjoy what we had. The mixed signals are what’s throwing me off the most.