Thread: "I love you" too soon?

I've been dating someone for about a month and a half, and after about three weeks in, he asked me to be his girlfriend and we slept together.

About a week ago, he called and said he had a confession. He came to the realization that he had a drinking problem, and that he loved me and didn't want there to be any secrets between us if we were going to go forward with this relationship. He said I was one of the best people he's ever met. That "you have no sin in you." I told him I also loved him and we both said it several times over the past week.

Then, after having to pry it out of him for the past 2 days, he told me tonight he thinks he said it too soon. That we haven't been dating long enough to say it.

He's still affectionate/touchy feely with me all tonight. Before we had that talk, wee went out and he reached down to hold my hand while we were walking. He was sad when we said goodbye tonight (we only get to see each other on weekends because he works til 2 AM Monday-Thursday). I texted him goodnight when I got home tonight and he did as well.

I'm very inexperienced when it comes to men and relationships. I don't know how to "play the game", as they say. I don't know how to interpret things. I have had one other serious-ish relationship before where I was pretty much phased out. I am terrified of this happening to me again. I don't know what to do with what he told me tonight. Part of me is devastated and feels like I'm getting jerked around. Another part says to give it time and let it play out.

Any advice would be wonderful.