Why is he talking to me if he rejected me?

So I was dating a guy last year who rejected me quite brutally and unexpectedly. I hit him up and we met, had lunch and stuff. We continued to meet a few times the same week and he’d be available each time I asked. We just talk, eat and watch tv shows together. Its interesting because his reason for dumping me was because he didn’t find me interesting enough for him, and he just said last week that he likes having conversations like we do with other girls he likes. He heard through a mutual friend that I found him ‘simple’ and ‘just like any other normal man’, and he did not appreciate that at all. So it seems to me that he is trying to prove himself to me this time around, as friends, that he is in fact unique.

Now here is my problem: I am in love with him. I am being more careful this time around and trying not to create any conflicts as I did before. We get along much better and we got to know each other better too this time around. Though we are friends, and he had told a mutual friend that he didn’t like me much (as the reason for dumping me). So I am concerned! I can’t comprehend what he wants out of this either. It doesn’t seem to be just friendship honestly, especially when there is intense romantic tension between us each time we see one another.

Another question is this: Can one like another after they tried and it didn’t work out for them? I’m wondering if he ever would want to be with me.

I know my path is dangerous, but I’m enjoying being with him even platonically than never talking to him in my life. It keeps my life grounded! I was miserable without him.

Thank you!