Think I read your post a couple months ago about the net/ebay thing, he sounds safe to me and a decent chap but you know him better than any of us. Trust your instincts.
A neutral venue for first date (if it's that) would be better and a backup plan for a friend to call you an hour in, for a made up emergency if you needed it!
He may not be a pub/drink kind of guy, think you're over analysing a bit but at least you're wary about it. Perhaps he picks up on your feelings and doesn't want to make it seem like a date to you.
As for motives, and sexual or friendship level, what are your feelings on this one? do you like him in a sexual way or just as a friend?
Honesty is the best policy, just talk to him about how you feel. If he's only a friend to you, you'll soon know if he feels the same way too after you tell him that!