Going out with a needy guy?

I've recently started going out with this guy (we'll call him Thomas). I knew him through friends of friends and we get on really well. He's sweet, good-looking and funny but JEEZ is he desperate. He's a year older than me and he texts me non-stop asking me to go out at ridiculous times. My parents can be kinda strict sometimes and we don't live that close so its difficult to meet at such short notice. He badgers me constantly, even when he knows I'm busy. I like him and everything, but he's really needy and I can't stand being crowded, especially as I'm not up for anything really serious. What can I do, cos it's really stressing about it?