I can see how this would make my mind go to the same place as well. Actually, as I was reading, I thought his way of saying it was kind of encouraging to those kinds of thoughts. There's definitely a palpable difference between, "I don't have physical intimacy with you because I have no physical intimacy with clients", and "I don't have physical intimacy with you because it's a bad idea." Even if someone is intending to mean one by saying the other... it feels different.

Like, I generally limit my one-on-one time with male friends, even ones to whom I am not and never will be attracted, because I just don't want the boundaries to get squishy or any mixed messages to be unintentionally sent. But I particularly limit (and often totally avoid) one-on-one time with male friends with whom there may be a spark of chemistry, because it's a bad idea. The principle is the same, but the feelings behind them are slightly different.

I'm glad you've come to a level acceptance about your relationship with T, and hopefully this little perturbation will settle down again soon. Personally, I think he ought to be careful using language like that, since it really can be unsettling. That's just my opinion.