Search Results: keeping him interested

So I thought the guy I've been texting/sexting/flirting with and talking about life with for 2 months was just keeping me as "back up" or like trying to get nudes from me (even though he said he respected me not sending nudes.) We would just talk and have fun. Occasionally he saw pictures of me ad said I was Hot af and cute and stuff and we kinda sexted without pictures at times.
So I basically straight up told him I felt he was losing interest and what not. And he said this:
"sorry I just lost interest in you for a bit so I thought id take a bit of a break so I don't"
and I asked if he actually liked me to begin with or if things were just sexual, and if he still likes me, and he said this:
"I still have interest for you and yea lol there wasn't even that much sexual tension so yea I actually like you"
Does he actually like me?

Please read! :)

I was dating this guy for about a month and I fell real hard real fast, and he knew it. He doesn't want a serious relationship for various reasons but I did. However my mindset has changed since then and I would be open to something more casual now. (btw we did not have sex but other stuff happened).
Anyway, we stopped seeing each other because of that and he we should just be friends. It's 2 months later and now we are in non stop contact every day again. I've seen him a few times recently as well.

Yesterday, I asked if he wanted to catch up for dinner. He said yes and we spent the afternoon and late into the night walking, chilling at both his places, ordered take away and watched tv. At the end of the night I was laying on the couch with my head on his lap and his arm was over me while we watched tv. It was just such a lovely, chill night and he said I'm welcome any time. He is such a gentlemen and did not make any sexual advances so I wouldn't know what was going through his mind, but in my mind, this wasn't something I would do with one of my male friends, particularly one that I had dated in the past and wanted to keep things "friendly".

He talked to me about girls from his past that he's avoided seeing and contacting after they've stopped dating, but he still wanted to see me because I'm "one of the best" and he really loves being around me. He said I'm a beautiful woman and have a beautiful soul, that I'm kind and so gentle. The list goes on. He could have slept with me by now so it makes me think that it's not just sex that he's after, particularly after last night.

I want him like nothing else in the world but have held back so much as to not scare him away and I feel like this has worked! He is clearly interested in me to an extent.. Maybe we will date again in the future if I let this slowly build momentum again? I am quite happy dating and keeping things relaxed.

So, thoughts? Does he want to be friends or does he want more?