He told me he loves me?

a guy I dated last year for about six months-I broke it off with him because of various reasons-either way, recently he contacted me and we went out last nite and I have always been fond of him, he cooks for me, and is really sweet- and has his own house/own business and we had together last nite- i don't know if I'm in love with him- but it was pretty intense, it was real sweet- he told me he missed me and i guess i did too..he wants to see me more often too- well afterwards he looked at me and shocked me by telling me this- "I just want you to know that I love you-as my friend and confidant." ok.... well that shocked me-i thought i didn't hear him say those three words- i mean most guys don't say those three words- and he wants to spend more time with me as well. but i didn't tell him i love him back. i couldn't because i'm not sure what i feel now, only that i care for him- so i said thanks to him. i mean i guess i want to know if this guy is in love with me- or just loves me as a friend? i mean we have 2gether so what did he exactly mean "my friend and confidant'?"