When Buffy had finally said those three words that he'd been longing to hear ever sine he'd realized his feelings for her, part of him had assumed she was only saying it because he was going to die. However, there was still part of him that wanted so badly to believe her, but despite the fact that they'd become much closer emotionally in the months days leading up to his "death", how could she ever really love him after he'd tried to force himself on her? That had been his lowest point and he still hated himself for it. How could she possibly forgive him for that?
As he gazed down at Buffy, blue eyes following the path of his hand as it moved along her hair then flicked to her face, searching her eyes for the truth; needing to know that what she said was what she meant. The last thing he wanted was to go back to where they'd been in Sunnydale before he'd gotten his soul. Back to him loving her and her using him. "You know it does, Buffy."