Star...you said, " I've always had a knack for reading people - my problem is I don't listen very well to my gut feelings."
That has been true for me as well, and when my gut tells me I'm being lied to, I start feeling anxiety mostly. While I'm sure there are nice, honest men out there, my exp has been with the dishonest sort, and I'm not exaggerating. I've always gone into a relationship with the best of intentions, working for the good of both, but that has not been the case with the other, in my experience. I would rather be alone than feel the kind of doubt (self-doubt as well) and anxiety that this has produced.
Patty