I finally told my boyfriend that I want to date other

HI Jen
I finally told my boyfriend that I want to date other people. I said this after I came back from a second date with someone and felt guilt and realized I could not continue without telling him.
I don't necessarily want to go out with this guy on a third date, I just don't like the idea of being a "cheater".
Much to my surprise, it really hurt me to tell him this. He thought we were at a point at our relationship where we wouldn't be thinking of dating other people. We have dated for a few months.
I told him that I was thinking of dating other people since before my divorce was final and that if he is the guy for me long term, than it would be hard to screw up a good thing. I reassured him that he was not the reason. He is a decent , caring , loving guy who is always there for me. I just don't feel over the moon chemistry. That does not mean I feel no chemistry. We create good chemistry together and we are comfortable and warm with one another. I told him that I would have regrets if I didn't do it and that it is hard to find decent people out there, that I made a mistake in the first half of my life and I do not want to do that again. That is if we become more serious, that I would want to know that I made the choice to be with him.
I feel bad about a few first not so great dates I went on without telling him. I will never tell him. I care about him too much.
Feeling guilty for the few dates I did go on and bad for hurting him with wanting to see others.
Dee