When/how to say i love you???

My boyfriend and I are very very close, we've been together since March and let me tell you I have NEVER been in a relationship like this one. We regularly make love, smoke together, listen to music together, watch movies together, practically even pee together! You couldn't pry me from his side if you tried! He keeps dropping hints, saying things like "I just like you sooooooooo so much" and "feelings I've never felt this string before", and I know he feels the same way I do, but he just won't say it! The way he looks at me and smiles and gets all blushed and quiet just totally gives it away! He's very shy, and I think he feels that he'd put me off by saying it "too early" (because he can't read signals very well, I have to be very forward with him to express things), but I don't know how to get it out of him! I don't want to say it first, because if he isn't ready to say it then I assume he isn't ready to hear it. We have never argued before, never had anything negative between us ever, and I know in my heart that I do love him! Any advice ladies???