This is somethings i am working on. When reading this keep in mind that i am not only talking to You but also myself. in fact when reading any advice or hearing an advice i try to keep in mind that the person giving the advice is often also talking to him or herself.
This is an area of my life that Like you I need to address. I have wrestled with this for some time. Does telling someone how you feel about them make you needy? or clingy? Maybe but does it have to? This may or may not help. First get strong with in yourself. Let her know how you feel. If you are strong then your words and body language will not project needy. I have been doing this with a woman that I am very much in love with. Does she love me? No , she is guarding her heart. Could she let herself go? I think so. She needs to 'test the water" in her own way at her own pace . If she can't find those feeling for me within herself . if they are just not there .Then yes I will hurt and will be very sad. The pain will be there and i will own my pain. It is just another part of being human. No matter what I had that gift of being able to Love someone. I had all those emotions that are so real. You may love her yet it is your love. Own it! express it. Cherish it for what it is. if she also has feelings for you or at least in a place that she is open to letting those feelings flow into her heart. That's wonderful. If you can talk to her in an honest, tell her how you feel. Let her know about your your joy and your fear. Tell her from a place of straight , Not some pretend macho straight , But from a real place of inner strength. What does it matter if she is 1/2 way around the world or in the next room. if it is real then the two of you will find away to make it work. I wish you the best.