The Bachelor star Matt James has explained why he told Rachael Kirkconnell that he was falling in love with her so early into his televised journey to find love.

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Matt didn't waste any time dropping the L-word on The Bachelor's 25th season, as he told apparent new frontrunner, Rachael, that he was "falling in love" with her during their first one-on-one date of the season that aired on Monday night's episode.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' SEASON 25 BACHELORETTES ANNOUNCED! MEET ALL OF MATT JAMES' LADIES! (PHOTOS)

The Bachelor and The Bachelorette leads, however, tend to shy away from expressing their true feelings of love until the end of a season in order to maintain a level of mystery throughout.

"Having not been part of The Bachelorette before I was the Bachelor, I didn't know the rules and regulations of how to use that word," Matt, 29, told Us Weekly on Tuesday.

"And so, whenever I felt something, I said it. And I only said things that I meant and felt."

Matt therefore suggested his The Bachelor season is as genuine and real as it gets.

"For me, if [the word 'love'] got tossed around a few times, it's because I felt it. And if it doesn't, then that means that connection hadn't blossomed to that point yet," Matt revealed.

Matt said of the L-word, "No one forced me to say that," adding that "it just felt right" to say it to Rachael.

Matt went on to explain what it was about Rachael that caused him to fall for her so early into the process.

"A lot of it was off that first interaction we had Night 1, where what she chose to use her time with me to speak about was very intentional. And it wasn't something that wasn't going to progress our relationship," Matt gushed.

"And then what I saw on the first group date -- and I'm referring to all these instances that aren't one-on-ones, because that was how our relationship was lived out, you know, I hadn't had that one-on-one time with her yet."

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)

Matt continued, "And when I had that day to spend with her and really get to know her better, it just affirmed everything I had already felt."

Rachael's one-on-one date with Matt was a shopping spree in which she got to pick out multiple dresses. After a fancy dinner that evening, Matt also kissed Rachael in a horse-drawn carriage.

Rachael admitted to Matt she struggles to be vulnerable, but he assured the bachelorette that she didn't need to do or say anything to grab his attention when standing in a room with the other women.

"The butterflies have not stopped since Night 1... The nerves have not gone away at all," Rachael shared. "I am already completely falling in love with you, and I want to walk out of here with you. I want to start my life with you, and I hope that will happen."

Matt then shared with Rachael in reply, "You're not crazy because I feel the same way."

"Rachael, I'm falling in love with you too," Matt continued with no fear or hesitation, "and it is scary to say, but when I'm with you, it just feels right."

Matt told the cameras he could envision himself getting down on one knee and proposing marriage to Rachael at the end of his season.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS) 

"When I look at Matt, I see the man I've been searching for and praying for and waiting for," Rachael told the cameras after their date.

"I can easily see [myself] spending the rest of my life with Matt. I've been waiting my whole life for this guy, and he's here!"

Although Rachael is the first woman on the show with whom Matt has said he's falling in love, Matt has been shown developing deep connections with multiple women -- including Bri Springs and newcomer Michelle Young.

Matt also seemed smitten with Abigail Heringer and Kit Keenan on Monday night's episode.

Click here to read spoilers on Matt's The Bachelor season and find out which bachelorette he picked and ended up with at the end of his journey to find love on TV.

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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