Straight up talk required?

I like this friend and he says he likes me,but we play it cool.I am quite shy and although he is a big flirt with others, he never flirts with me.We maintain a weird status quo of knowing we like each other, but staying just work colleagues.On social events we both come together,even kiss,then back to strangers again.He did this one thing that used to hurt me though,he would ask me to meet up with him and our friends before a social do, then sit with other better looking women for half the night,then come after me.I let him know that wasn't good enough and he immediatley corrected that,but I remained shy.So who is at fault for still not having a relationship?