I love my best friend, he likes me, how can I make him like me more or love me?

I'v been best friends with this guy for about a year and a half, we have dated before, but it didn't last that long, shortly after I started dating another guy, we dated for 11 month it ended about a month ago. The whole time I was dating this guy I still had strong feelings for my best friend, he gave me more attention than my boyfriend had, he complimented what I wore, and he is just so sweet to me. The more time I spend with him and the more we talk the stronger my feelings get for him, I think I'm falling in love with him, my heart pounds in my chest when I talk to him, I feel giddy and happy. About a week ago in one of the classes we had together we were watching a movie and him and I sit next to each other, I put my hand on his and he didn't move, so I moved my hand more into his, still he didn't move away so I slid my fingers to they were joined with him, he squeazed my hand, my heart started pounding in my chest, I sware I could here his next to me. After class we didn't say anything, At the end of the day I asked him if he liked holding my hand, he told me he wouldn't hold someones hand if he didn't like it, or them. He then told me he's liked me for a long time, even when I was dating my ex. I went home that day very happy. Tho, he had told me he doesn't want to commit to anything because he is afraid of hurting me, since in the past I have been sexually and emotionally abused and I get hurt easily. It made me sad when he told me that. How can I get him to realize I'v gotten stronger because of my past, that it's hurting me more that he wont commit to me, than if he did ... I really like him, I think I'm in love, what can I do to show I'm strong, that he means alot to me and how can I get him to like me more?? Maybe love me.