There are three sorts of silences between partners. One is a comfortable silence born of many years companionship and friendship where words are not necessary.
The second silence is an uncomfortable silence, triggered by misunderstandings and arguments.
The third type of silence is a bored silence, and I wonder if this is what has happened to you? Although you stay you still like him, perhaps you just don't have enough in common for a relationship to be sustainable on a long term basis. Just because he was formerly a friend does not necessarily make him a good permanent companion. If you feel you have to make all the running in the conversation and you've only just started to go out together, imagine what hard work it's going to turn into in a few years time. Perhaps he just a man of few words or not a very good conversationalist. However, now you're getting to know him more closely, this is what he is actually like.
If the situation is really getting to you, perhaps you really are just not suited?