Does he still love his ex?

Okay, well I have been dating this guy for about 4 months. On about our 5th date, he confessed to me that he had a previous relationship with a girl he was completely in love with. He told me that he had known her since childhood, fell in love with her in highschool. She apparently left school and he went and joined the military but couldnt get her off his mind in 3 years. He looked her up and started regular commuication with her. At first she wasnt interested, but he said she eventually realized how much he loved her, and they started a romance. This went on until she left him for another man who could help support her children. He told me that was several years ago, but they still email occasionally. He told me he lost his virginity to her and probably never would have if it wasnt for her. My boyfriend is very shy, and treats me wonderful, but I sometimes feel he keeps a distance. Recently, I (I am such a bad person) couldnt resist the temptation to look at his messages when he left his computer open. He has email her since we have been together, no mention of me, just going on asking her how she was. It was pretty innocent, but he has never said the love word with me... and I just feel like he might be setteling with me. He is 32 and I am 27... I really like him... does anyone have experiance with this sort of thing?