I keep getting mixed answers for this question from Users, please help?

So the guy kind of had an idea that I liked him and he got me to admit it, only to tell me that he wants to remain friends and see what happens. It's hard to do, I feel like he's keeping me on a leash, or that I have to prove myself or something. I feel like it's completely unnatural. I can't be friends with him, i really wnat him in my life, but I want more, but I dont wnat to give him the ultimatum. So I tried the "No Contact rule" and he's contacted me to hang out a few times, Ive said no. Then a month later, he contacts me with a random question, I answer it then ask him how he was, he never responds (on chat), so like 7 mins later, I log off. Am I wrong, or smart for not falling for his schemes? What is he thinking? Should I contact him?