Does He Like Me As More Than a Friend?

Me and my guy friend (Ekud) are both have known each other for 4 years. We go out every Friday night and hang out at the mall...most of the time we see a movie and then go out to dinner. We fool around alot, meaning, we are really touchy feely and make dirty jokes about each other and stuff and he told me he only acts like that with me and none of his other friends (whom most of them are girls). Many friends of ours have asked if we're going out, but we say no. And the way he says no is if it's like, no we'd never go out, but, when we're alone together, we both flirt with each other...at least I think he flirts with me. Sometimes at dinner he'll play "footsie" with me and we just act like we're going out...so...idk if he does like me and is afraid to tell me, or if he really is just fooling around...and he gets real jealous when guys hit on me and says he's going to beat the crap outta them. So, does he like me? If he does but is too shy to say how can I let him know that I like him 2?