This song's meaning is very transparent. The guy denies that it is not love. He needs the girl's love. He wants her to stay because he loves her. Why would a guy want a girl to be by his side if it's not love? He is afraid to have an exclusive relationship with the girl because he is not ready for this kind of major commitment. He is afraid that if they try to be a couple, it will not last and it will only break his heart and the girl's heart. He is afraid to get hurt. But being hurt is part of being in love. So he is content with having the girl by her side. The girl makes him feel loved.
To AQUAGIRL 18,
It seems you are madly in love with him. Unfortunately, he is not ready to commit. It's up to you if you want to have this kind of physical relationship with him.
Hope you guys have a heart to heart talk.
The disadvantages of this kind of physical relationship without commitment, if it ends it will break both of your minds, hearts, and souls. Because even if you tell yourselves that you don't have a commitment with each other but this physical relationship has been on going for months, your minds, bodies, and souls had become one from the start.
Hopefully, all things will work out between you guys. It's right to use our hearts but it is also wise to use our minds.