Search Results: guys being protective

Met a guy at work about 3 months ago (Blake). we became fast friends The attraction was there soon after Next week he invited me over to watch his favorite show, we had some drinks, cuddled & fell asleep
We’re both straightforward people & extremely comfortable talking about anything Once we stayed up talking all night about ourselves that ended with us kissing
We both expressed how we’ve been hurt in the past & don’t want relationships Few days later, he got tipsy & called me over He was upset & told me how he thought I would eventually hurt him I set him straight & we fell asleep
We got closer, jokes & flirting of us sleeping together began I’m 25 and virgin; came to realize long ago that life isn’t fairytale but knew I wanted to lose it with someone I cared deeply for & cared as much for me. Blake was that person. I brought it up to him. He asked why him. I told him I liked him pointing out our mutual attraction & us being friends already. He didn’t text me for a few days but acted normal at work, but was more touchy. So I figured, he’s thinking hard about it.
he gave his answer, yes. I went to his house nervous but determined. He was outside sitting & told me to join him. He came straight out & said he was worried how I would be after & if I was sure I didn’t want to wait for someone else. I reiterated that neither one of us wanted a relationship. Long story short. We went for it. He took care of me. No fairytale but no horror story either.
Everything after that changed. We’re touching & flirting with each other all day everyday at work, over text & after work. He began to get protective (especially around our other male coworker), holding my hand, calling me babe. We slept together a few more times. Each time more emotional. He got drunk another night & told me “I’m friend zoned, you friend zoned me”.
Truth, I like him & open to a relationship with him. But I tend to believe people when they say something, respect their decisions. So lay it out to him or not?