A Confusing Capricorn Man

So...I have been on a few dates with a Capricorn man, and I am a Virgo woman. He is 37, and I am 33.

On our first date we met up for breakfast, but ended up hanging out together for the next 24 hours! He wanted to know everything about me...my past relationships, family, what I want in the future, etc...things that people generally would not discuss on a first date. He asked about my children's father, and wanted to know details, too. Because I am a pretty honest and up front person, it was not offensive to me, and we had some really fabulous discussions...I let him know quite a bit about myself and my past.

Second date, we meet for dinner and then end up hanging out until 5pm the next day! He brought me coffee in bed, and we chatted for hours on end...actually, we stayed in bed until well after 2pm and he cancelled a work meeting (I did not ask him to do that, just noticed he did so mentioning it). That evening, I had also met a few of his friends before we left dinner, and he put his hand on my arm while we were chatting with them...he will often reach out to hold or caress my arm/hand in public. Again, when we spent time privately together, he wanted all of my details and past and secrets...really intense conversation. He shared some of his past heartbreak, and even cried a little to me while I held his hand.

We have slept together (did on our first and second date...I know, I'm terrible), and over the weekend he went for a walk with me and my daughter to the park, and he invited us back to his house so that she could play with his dog and instruments (he is a music education professor). He wrote me a few minutes after we left to tell me how amazing she is, and how he believes that I am a fabulous mother.

Also, though, he has told me throughout the course of our conversations that he sometimes uses beautiful women to feel good about himself, and also lamented about a relationship that ended suddenly for him a few months ago. He has also asked a few times how he could be a great friend to me, and said that he would really like to be my friend. He has also, oddly, said things like..."Why go to grad school in your town when you can come here and go for free as my partner?" WTF!

I, myself, am a teacher...but am also a single parent and have a lot of past history. I find his behavior very confusing and impulsive, and told him that I do not want to be someone's stepping stone. I also told him that I believe he may have a little too much going on emotionally and asked him for some space and to not contact me for a bit.

I'm getting mixed feelings in my gut...he is coming on very strongly, but also making statements that indicate to me he really just needs a friend. Problem is, he is someone that I could really like if I allowed myself...but I'm scared that he is simply flighty, immature and unsure of what he wants. Also, that I may simply make him feel good about himself because I am a single parent, etc. and he is a professor (he seems to have a bit of an ego/savior complex)...maybe like he is "slumming it" with me.

I'm a very logical person, and can cut off ties pretty easily if I need to...but can't tell if I am being irrational cutting him out (because of my past abuse), or if my gut (which says to cut him out quick...like right now before he can hurt me) is right.

I suppose I am wondering if cutting off contact is an appropriate response to this? And why the hell does he behave so emotionally erratic...bringing up children and marriage, etc. in the first few dates, but also telling me about women who hurt him recently?? Is he crazy, or am I, or are we both?