Ladies and Gentleman (if there any on here with your SC other) I need your help

Jaimee
Question No.#1
My partner said that we don't communicate very well with one other and the stimulation or the interest ain't there and it wasn't never there when we first met each other.
I told him that this is something that I never did or had in my life, so it's going to hard for me and after I said that to him and I role him my whole story about my life and what I been through for the past 8 years or more. That I'm a woman that been miss treated in so many different levels and beat up by the father's of my children been told that I was ugly and I wasn't nothing and if it wasn't for them I won't have nothing and no one would want me. Also that I was a dumb as shit and been called all types of names u could think of (even names that people make up now). So I just stop doing what I was doing for myself and took care of my kids and as well for me I just shut down and they had me believing that I was that and I was nothing and no one wanted me. After years went by I became the type that started not to trust no man and not to fall in love, when that time comes down that I fall back from them for months and run into them months later. So I told him that it's hard when my time is tied up with kids and working and so please just be patient with me and give me time and I'm going to make time for you......
So I'm asking for a answer to help me communicate and show stimulation or interest in him???
Question No.#2
What can I do if I'm really feeling my partner in every way. I trying to be the best partner and friend but I want more like a trust, loyal and be relationship with him and not just friends with benefits.....
For example: his personality, his sense of humor, his looks, his body mass, and many more to go through and not only that to trust him....
Should I be open with him and not keep my feeling hidden from him and just let it rock until it happens for us to be one????
What can I do better to get to the next step of our relationship?