“I was dating this girl and we had great chemistry and when I tried to make a move she said that exact line. Yet she still flirts and talks to me and I’m not sure if I should move on, or wait. I’m not in a hurry to get in a relationship so I can wait, but I don’t wanna be played either.”

You:

“How do you know when a woman is rejecting you or actually wants to take it slow?”

Still you:

“I was dating this girl and we had great chemistry and when I tried to make a move she said that exact line.”

She said, “I want to take it slow.”

Again, you:

“I’m not in a hurry to get in a relationship so I can wait … .”

You just answered your own question. She’s not rejecting you until she says she’s rejecting you or cuts off contact.

Flirting is what it is. It’s a way to feel sexual and romantic without committing to relationship statuses and/or partnered sex (with all of their scary, exciting, and tangible risks, both physical and emotional). Enjoy it as the lovely activity that it can be and expect no more out of that kind of interaction.

Don’t pressure her with a timeline. You’re probably being assessed for your ability to delay gratification and listen. If you’re a man, be aware that many men rush their romantic and sexual agendas, putting unnecessary and potentially dangerous pressure on their love interests. Also (again, if you’re a man), please know that there are plenty of men in the exact opposite scenario that you are (dating women who want to get to business quicker than the men are comfortable with). I don’t want you leaving this forum thinking this is a thing “girls”/women do. And I definitely wouldn’t resort to calling her a “tease” or anything like that because that plays into the rape culture ethical people are trying their damnedest to fix.

If later on you find out she wants romance and/or sex with you and you’re both ready, then congratulations. You met her criteria. Enjoy yourselves.

If later on you find that she doesn’t want romance and/or sex with you yet and you’re not satisfied with that answer, move on with as little rancor or regret as possible. It just didn’t work out, that’s all.