There's a very good reason why Reese Witherspoon named her production company Type A: When she sees something she wants, she goes after it, even, it seems, if that something is her "Rendition" co-star Jake Gyllenhaal.

Us Weekly's new cover story delves deeper into the stars' rumored cuddlebunnies, claiming it was the soon-to-be-ex Mrs. Ryan Phillippe, 31, who pursued the more reticent actor, 26.

"Reese was the pursuer and really wanted to date Jake," reveals a confidante of the sylphlike actress. "She's known him for a while and thought he was intelligent and charming."

Chimes in a Witherspoon source to People, "[I]t was never something she thought would happen from the start. She just kind of developed this little crush over time."

Not surprising because Gyllenhaal, like the Oscar-winning mother of two, is a privacy-craving homebody, a trait that apparently caused tension during his capricious coupling with Kirsten Dunst.

"Kirsten wanted to go out and have fun and he wanted to stay in, watch a movie and cook dinner," a "longtime friend of the actor's" shares with the mag. "He's very into his work, health and family. Reese is perfect for him."

Echoes another pal of the dreamy eyed, frequently spandex-encased star to Us, "Jake doesn't want a party girl at all."

The oh-so-pretty pair is "definitely taking it slow," maintains the Reese insider to Us, evidently spending the last couple of months "trying out a courtship" to see if they're compatible.

This refreshingly cautious approach to romance has supposedly involved quiet nights at home watching DVDs, eating takeout and engaging in extended tête-à-têtes about film.

"Reese is perfect because she understands the business and also the importance of family," explains the Gyllenhaal spy. "Plus, he admires her talent, thinks she is beautiful and he respects her values. He respects everything about her actually."

That appears to include the boundaries she's set when it comes to interacting with her tykes, Ava, 7, and Deacon, 3.

"It's not like she and Jake are having sleepovers at her house with the kids in their rooms," the Witherspoon spy scoffs to Us. "She is not the type of woman to bring her new boyfriend over and start playing family."

Gyllenhaal, who in recent days has also been seen hanging out with longtime pal Austin Nichols, "finds it attractive that she's such a great mom. He really loves kids and wants a family," "a source close to both" enthuses to People.

Despite reports that he spent time with Witherspoon's adorable ankle-biters during a rumored rendezvous last month in New York, an Us insider says the meet-and-greet has yet to happen, pooh-poohing, "Meeting the kids is something very sacred to her."

And while People's Gyllenhaal operative gushes, "They're super together -- this thing is for real," yet another snitch downplays to Us that Reese is still in pieces over her October breakup from her hubby of seven years: "I don't think she is over Ryan at all."

Perhaps she'll achieve a bit of closure after hearing about Phillippe's allegedly boorish behavior during a recent night out in Los Angeles. The New York Post claims the "on the prowl" actor hit the Chateau Marmont last week with buddy Joseph Gordon-Levitt and proceeded to make his presence known to every woman within shouting distance.

"He was really obnoxious," an eyewitness tattles to the paper. "He started screaming at these girls, 'Hey, you're hot! Get over here!' The girls just ignored him."

When not purportedly practicing his rusty flirting skills, Phillippe enjoyed some one-on-one time with his doppelganger offspring Deacon. Paparazzi caught father and son walking hand-in-hand a few days back on the Los Angeles set of "Stop Loss."

Next: Romance Buzz: McGosling to Wed? Daddy Leo?