How can I tell my best friend how I feel about him ually?

I am a 17 year old male. I am deeply deeply in love with my best friend. To put it bluntly I want to have with him. I am not only physically attracted to him but like I said I am in love. He has dropped a few hints about being interested, i.e. having an when i touch him sometimes, but other times he tells me he is straight and will never be gay. I do not know what to do. How can I kiss him just to see how he feels about it?