Hey guys, sorry that this contribution is rather long, but I really think it is necessary so that you can see the whole picture. I could use some advice, because this chick is driving me crazy.

Alright, here's the situation. I'm going out with a model. A totally natural-looking, drop-dead gorgeous 25-year-old. No bleached hair, no solarium tan, no breast implants. Just naturally beautiful young lady. I met her in a bar a week ago and everything went just perfect. We made some jokes, I acted real laid-back. Then I just told her I would see her later and returned to my friends. I did not really give a damn then. Later that night me and my buddies were just about to go elsewhere so I thought I would get her number before. Well, there were two other guys buying champagne for her and her friend. Obviously hitting on them real hard. I might have been slightly inebriated and I had balls of steel. Just came up to them and asked for her number. She gave it to me no problem, much to the silent amazement of the two guys who had just spent a small fortune on the drinks.

Some days later we went out and I just realized that the other night I had not quite appreciated her beauty. We talked and from what she said I started to realize that I was not exactly the sort of guy she usually dates. She has dated some local so-called celebrities (like athletes, local politicians etc.). At times it was a bit of a nuisance when she talked about her ex driving a Ferrari and another ex a BMW X6. Do not get me wrong, I do not feel like a loser AT ALL. I'm a lawyer, but I am fresh out of school and it's gonna take me like 10 years to get there. Right now I cook at home so that I do not spend too much money in restaurants and I ride the bus to work. And here she is talking about her last vacation in Spain in a 5-star hotel. I did not let that bother me too much - after all, she has not achieved that much herself. She had rich boyfriends while her job was to look pretty. No need to feel intimidated there.

One of the most important things I have learned is to calibrate my game. With sevens and eights you should be somewhat careful not to go overboard on negs and not to come across as a jerk. When you are out with a ten (let alone a ten like this one), however, you can be a bit more liberal in that respect. I was always very playful, I did not challenge her in a mean-spirited way, but I did call her a spoiled princess, accuse her of being too picky etc. I constantly made fun of her in a plethora of different ways. I could tell that she was having fun. Being used to guys kissing up to her, she was glad to have met someone who acted like he did not need to ingratiate himself. As a coup de grace I used the "we could never be together" routine: "you know, you have a really strong personality, you are used to having your way. But so am I. We would kill each other in a month. Blah blah..." That night no kiss close, just a peck on the cheek.

The next day she texted me first. We set up another date and met a few days later. Exactly the same scenario. I was so cocky and funny that I would make David deAngelo proud. No shit. She was laughing all the time. We had a real good time. I was trying some kino escalation, but unfortunately to no avail. It was as if I got stuck in the friendship zone. But seriously, I have no idea how I got there. I was miles away from that bland, uncontroversial and repressed AFC I used to be at times. Throughout the second date I just wanted to make some IMPACT, to be rather percieved as a jerk than a nice guy. And she would laugh, she would punch me in the shoulder, but she would not put her arms around me. That night I tried to kiss her and she did actually kiss me with a little bit of tongue, but she made it real short, like a second or so.

Then I said what the hell and did not text her for a couple of days. She texted me on Friday that she would stay in town rather than visit her parents in another city. I replied that she should come over and I would cook something for her. But regrettably she turned that down. She was like "hey, let's go have dinner somewhere downtown. I'm gonna treat you!" So last night we went to a real nice place and had dinner and she paid. She was as gorgeous as ever and I was as much of a jerk as I possibly could. But once again I failed to elicit any kino from her. When we parted I got that short french kiss, but that was it.

So my question here is: WTF is happening? She obviously smells that I'm into her. She also wants to hang out with me. Am I in the friendship zone? Is she trying to take this slow? I just don't know what more I can do. Now I'm thinking about just taking my time. I will sleep on it, not call for a couple of days, and try not to look needy, although I'm afraid I've already revealed my cards. Any suggestions?