Guy situation... what to do, what to do?

Guys can be very confusing!

I've been friends with this guy for about a year. We've recently developed attractions to each other and been hanging out a lot. We haven't hooked up or anything but I guess you could call our hanging out "dates".

He recently explained to me the reason he hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend yet.

When we first met I had a boyfriend and he liked me a lot but he controlled his feelings for me since I was already taken and then labeled me as just a "friend".

Now we can really get to know each other and he is so used to that friend label that he has a hard time seeing me any other way. He did say he wants to be in a relationship with me though. He has also said lots of sweet things to me..

Should I take this explanation as a hint to move on? should I be patient because he'll probably ask me out once we've hung out a little more?

If anyone can read this signs, especially you males out there, thank you so much for answering!! :)