Need a little insight on situation with Cancer man

So, I've been getting closer to a cancer man that I've known for almost 3 months now. When we first started talking and he wanted to take me out on a date, I was still seeing this gem guy. So, I told the cancer that I wanted to get to know him a little more first because I did anything. So, we spoke periodically, all the while, my relationship with the gem cooled until it finally ended. I didn't talk to the cancer for a while as I got over the gem, but out of the blue, he messaged me about a month ago and we started talking again. I finally agreed to go on a date with him, and it was very lovely. Moving on a bit, the cancer man and I have still been getting to know each other, going on a few more dates and such. The cancer is a writer and journalist, so one day he linked me to this essay he wrote, and in this essay, he opened up somewhat about his experiences with girls and how he viewed relationships (ie, he said that he often didn't go on dates with girls because he was often plagued with indecision and was worried he'd be missing a chance to date one girl while he went on a date with another -- this made me a little uncomfortable, obviously).

The last date we went on, we ended up sleeping with each other. The cancer had been worried about doing so because, "he was worried about how things would turn out, that we were at different points in our lives, and that he didn't want to jump into anything." He also told me that he really liked me and really liked being with me, and he still wanted to continue to get to know me. I told the cancer that I understood where he was coming from and that I had no desire to jump into anything; generally, I enjoyed his company and him as a person, so I was in no rush. We ended up speaking in depth about personal matters (which too me by surprise, because I rarely ever open up), which included our family, friends, relationships, and past. He told me that the girl he dated in his junior year of college for a year tore him apart after they broke up, and that he was still torn up about and healing. I kept telling the cancer that I understood where he was coming from, and that no matter where we went in life, I would look upon him fondly and I felt we would always be close regardless. He agreed.

Still, I can't help but feel apprehensive towards this cancer now. Even though I told him I don't desire to jump into anything and that I still want to get to know him, I find myself putting my guard up now. I feel like I don't know how to approach him since that conversation; it's almost like he was giving me a warning, but I told him I can be the same way at times. He still texts me and wants to see me. I guess I just need a little help understanding what he wants or where to go here. I really do like him, and I care about him in more ways than one. I guess I just don't want to find myself falling too much when the waters don't seem so clear yet.

Sounds to me like he's testing you, he wants you to express that you won't do to him what his ex did to him. It sounds like he's definitely interested, but just a little bit hesitant.

The testing sounds like a probable thing. Last night he texted me at 1 in the morning, "I'm thinking about you right now." And he asked me to come see him on Sunday; so, he's still very much interested. I am trying to go with the flow and doing a pretty good job of it; I was just unsure as to what he was really doing.