I'll try to make this as concise as possible and elaborate on any questions that might be asked.
I am 25, he is 33 and we have known each other for 2 years through an MBA class of mine. He has been in the US for the past 8 years (school and coaching). We have been friends and had "friend dates" on numerous occasions throughout the last 2 years as well as several mutual friends. There has always been some sort of attraction there on both of our parts but due to my family having many exchange students when I was younger I saw the different struggles that can occur due to cultural differences and such I didn't see him as anything more than friends. (basically i put up a wall even if there was attraction). Plus I was a little concerned about the age (although that was not as big of an issue) Through those 2 years there were several times he asked me out on dates but I'd only agree to the ones that were in a more relaxed environment and that were things 'friends would do'. Through these friend dates we talked in great detail about love, life, beliefs, culture, etc.
We have a lot in common and both seem to like oneanother but never really pursued it. I have always been the type to act with my head and not with my heart. So now he has just over 1 week left in the US before he goes home (most likely for good) and he asks me if I want to go skiing with him. I agree to go and it ends up being just the two of us. We have a great time and everything went great, converation was great, we laughed, we sang, we had an amazing time. The chemistry was pumping and so once we got back neither of us were really ready to part so we decided to watch a movie. Before the movie starts out of no where he plants a big one right on me....and although i was sort of shocked, it felt SOOO RIGHT! So we watched the movie as he held my hand and rubbed my head, right after the movie I was about to head out and of course there was another kiss, which lead to one of the hottest make out sessions I've ever had...everything felt so right about it, there was no awkwardness or anything...
So the next day (sat) he said one of his friends and his boss/friend's kids wanted to go skiing on sunday and asked if I wanted to join . I did and we had another great time. This is when I realized that I really think I like him and on multiple levels and that although my intentions the previous night were "what do i have to lose, I don't want to look back and think what if, or was there something there" Now I'm in a situation where I at first wanted things to be friends, but now I actually want more.
So he indicated that he intends to spend his next 5 evenings here doing something with me and he has already made plans for us for friday and saturday nights.....and I couldn't be happier but I'm so afraid that this is all just going to cause more hurt and pain when he leaves. If it was not hard enough to see a good friend leave, it will only be harder too see a great friend and lover leave. My heart says to see him and go for it and see where it will go even if that means a LDR, but my head says that I should distance myself. I truly feel that he could be the one for me. At times I felt this even before the kiss but "didn't allow myself to think that it was even an option" I am trying to read into things as little as possible but it's hard to not look at the fact that we use to hang out once here and once there and now he is wanting to spend all of his remaining time with me when I am sure there are tons of people he should be spending it with. I'm very flattered but just don't know where to go from here. Oh and on top of that I got pretty sick on Monday and ended up getting a cold sore, so he know's that we can't even kiss...yet he is still putting in all this effort, and it's pretty clear that he really likes me for me.
We haven't really talked about, "whats next" and I'm sure it will come up in the next few days, but I'm not sure what the right course is to take. Do you try the LDR? Do you back off now? Was this a mistake? Do you think this could ever really work? Anyone have a similar experience, what did you do and how did it turn out? What should I expect? Do you think the culture and/or age will be a problem or is a red flag of some sorts?