How can I talk to my best friend about this?

My best friend and I have been talking for a year or so everyday. literally everyday… I’ve liked him for a long time. Before we even started talking again. About three years ago I met him in a band that was just getting started. I take pictures for this band and would hang out with them. I had a small crush on him but never really thought about it. I had boyfriend after boyfriend till one day, at a show, when I was helping the band take there equipment off the stage, I noticed he wasnt to happy. At that time I had a boyfriend. But wanted to break up with him… One day after the show we just started to talk. He helped me get over my boyfriend and have the guts to break it off with him. That boyfriend was my longest relationship… four months. sadly. Im 18 years old and hate waiting on guys. I usually give up liking someone after a week or two. My best friend is 21. And its been one year now that I’ve liked him and havnt gone out with another guy since my last ex. I still cant believe im still waiting for him… We play games like cod4 xbox live and wow. I help him with his problems and he always helps me.
Hes the only person I trust and truly care about. I cant even look at another guy without feeling guilty. I told him how I’ve liked him before. But that was months and months ago.now im starting to just kinda feel like im wasting my time. But I just cant get him out of my head… Hes the only person in the world that matters to me, that I feel like I can just be myself with and nothing else matters… I cant be mad at him for anything… I don’t know…

We have kissed and I gave him something I can never get back. I’ve never felt like this for anyone. I dont even know how to describe it… I want to tell him so bad how I feel. One night we were talking. and he asked me what do I think about being single? and I told him I hated it. Then he said, well dont you like the freedom? and I said no, not really ,it hurts to see happy couples and being alone… And he said… well what makes those couples so different from us? we act like them, do things they do… and I agreed. … my heart wouldnt stop racing…

I dont know how guys think. I know hes a shy guy. I love his family and his friends. They are all so nice to me. When I go to bars or places I dont feel safe at with him. I know hes there and I feel so much better. Hes helped me with guys that have tried to hurt me in the past, hes made me believe in god again. Im happy with myself and never felt better. I dont know what I would do if I ever lost him. Hes the greatest friend I’ve ever had. Hes never hurt me once…

I just need to know… How can I tell him how I feel? Should I ask him out? or just wait it out some more. Because if its not ment to be, then im happy with him as my best friend. what should I do?

please help…