How do you stay a strong independent woman?

I am in this sort of casual relationship with a co-worker.

It's been going on for a bout 5 weeks or so and two weeks into it he told me he's not in love with me and doesn't want to give me false hope and if not work, we would definitely be together and it would be awesome, but would end in a few months and then it would be even more painful since we would still have to work together...So he prefers not to be together.
I later told him I am no ok with some meaningless non-relationship just for sex, and I would like to try and be together and see what happens. So we're kind of doing that now, but with no pressure and keeping it casual...

And I am ok with it now. When I am in love I really focus all of my energy on that man and the relationship, and I am at this point of my life where I really want to focus on myself and my career.
But it's also nice to have someone to hug and have some romance and intimacy in life..

But I am afraid I will eventually just fall in love with him...

How do I stay a strong independent woman and just chill and not fall for him?

Any advice ladies?