“He’s interested in you.”

Touching your thigh is a foundation in the flirting book, especially when you’re both having a good time. It’s often his way of saying, “I really enjoy spending time with you, and I want to make it clear that I’m interested in you.” Physical contact is often the first step to breaking the touch barrier. Touching your thigh is especially romantic when you’re in a car together. If he’s driving, his range of motion is limited, so touching your leg is a common gesture.

“I want to protect you.”

If a guy likes you, he may feel protective of you, or like he needs to protect you — it’s a way of representing he cares. By touching your leg, he may be trying to let you know he’s decided to take it upon himself to protect you.

“I want to take our relationship further.”

Sometimes, you and the guy already know that you like each other, but haven’t yet entered the intimate stage. If he touches your thigh, it may be his way of asking, “Can I touch you?” and this is your chance to answer. If you both say yes, then congratulations! You’ve just moved your relationship from “talking” to “physical contact,” and things can get more tough from there.