How do you show a LEO you want more without pushing them away?

“Gaining the respect and admiration of others is what makes the Leo man tick, and he has the perfect tool set to do it… Although often appearing supremely confident on the outside, most Leos are inwardly sensitive and their feelings are easily hurt. In all things they need to feel appreciated and needed, especially by loved ones.”

I’m a Libra he’s a Leo… I’ve known my Leo for six years, he feels like my other half, and he’s even told me he loves me awhile back, but I didn’t believe it at the time. I’m really sensitive myself, so I try not to rush right into things as I am easily hurt by times. The thing with us was it was never just a physical thing, it felt like so much more and it scared us. I know I must have hurt him, but he came back into my life recently. I want him to know that I’m ready to give him more and that I am not going anywhere this time, I don’t want to hurt him, but I’m actually really scared that if I tell him how I feel too soon, that I could lose him forever…I know that leos don’t like people that are passive either.

Anyway, we’ve become close again in the past few weeks, and I don’t know for sure, but I think he felt me pull away and so he sort of did the same. I became scared because things were happening really fast...If he thinks I’m not interested how would he act? I don’t want him to feel disappointed. I still am interested, but now I’m afraid he’s going to get annoyed if I send him too many flirty messages or think that I’m just playing with him, which I’m not. I want to show him that I want more and have deeper feelings for him without scaring him off right off the bat.
It’s killing me too because he’s away for work for another couple of weeks, and things would be so much easier if he was here. I trust him, but I fear rejection and abandonment. I didn’t want to get too caught up in all of this while he was gone, but seems like I have. If anyone could offer some advice while I wait "patiently", I would really appreciate it! :)