How to get a guy at work to get past rumors and expand your relationship..?

[catriona]

There's a guy at work that I like and it unfortunately became very well known that I like him because I would blush or get nervous every time he came around me. It's been several months since this happened but people still pick on both of us about it. People will actually go as far as saying that I'm all depressed and crap when he's not there and it's so not true, but almost everyone on our shift tells him things like this. He is a very complicated person, not secretive, but keeps his business to himself. We tend to hang out at work and he talks to me more than anyone else. (He'll actually talk to me first) I see a different side of him than everyone else does and I can always get him to smile. He always makes eye contact when we talk. I sometimes find him looking at me. He sometimes says unexpected things that seem like they might be flirty. I can't tell if he's actually interested and the situation is wrong because people can't keep their damn mouths shut, or if he's just being nice. Just being friends with him would be fine. I just really enjoy his company. But I'd still like to know if there might be a chance. He's also 9 years older than me and I sometimes think that might be an issue for him as well. Any advise would be appreciated. I've never been so nervous and yet so comfortable with a guy before and I don't really know if I should find a way to talk to him about it or just let it go.