Mixed messages from a new guy

Long post but in desperate need of opinions.

So I recently started seeing this guy I’ve known in passing for a few months. We had a cute beach date with two mutual friends who are a couple. Ended up having a super nice time. Chatting like we’d been besties forever. Cuddled up watching the new season of stranger things and got steamy in the bedroom later. After he stayed and cuddled the whole night and walked me to my car in the morning. We texted for a few days then he proposed a one on one hike with my dog. Overall it was fun we talk so easily about everything even deep stuff.

Now at the halfway point of the hike he says he’s “not looking for anything serious” and “just got out of a long term relationship”. He goes on to say he really likes me and thinks we get along really well and have tons of stuff in common but doesn’t want to mess things up. He said he would still like to hang out and even proposed another outing with the friend couple.

Just looking for some outside perspectives. I played it cool because we had literally an hour to hike back but it honestly stung a bit. I feel like every guy who’s ever said this just wanted to keep me on hold as a booty call. The way he acts when we’re together and him wanting to keep doing things together and with friends makes me wonder.