same here. told this one chick i know 9 months ago I am currently " not interested in a relationship", just want to focus on my career etc... and was actually very honest about it.
here are the stages she went through after telling her:
stage one: frustrated crying on the phone.
stage two: ignorance (on both parts) for about a week
stage three: she calls
stage four: "it's okay, let's be friends- type thing
stage five: occasional hook ups ( initiated clearly by her)
return to stage one.
But I agree, this is all mentally and physically demanding. Tried to get out of it a few times, but she's hot.... what can I do?