please help! feel horrible!10pts?

Okay so basically ive been in a huge **** hole the past few years. i got out and i became like in a good state. I loved Life and became more confident. I started to flirt more . And one was with this one guys (lets call him Will) he was a good friend who allways had a thing for me . But we stopped talking when i was in a bad state. So i began to flirt and he liked it. We talked every day. Called each other for hours laughing Our asses off. He kept telling me he had deep feelings for me and i said i do too but im not ready for a relationship . Now, will keeps saying he loves me... i feel horrible. Im not leading him on saying i love him too. i say stop . Just i feel bad. also when were in public hes very pretective and when other guys whistle or hit on me he grabs by side and pulls me closer. Its cute but bc of my past i dont want to be in a relationship and im scared. Please help. i cant brake his heart):