My boyfriend has bad breath when he wants to kiss me?

He usually doesn't. I always have gum in my mouth. And he HATES gum or anything minty which is why he won't take a mint or something if I were to offer it to him. I almost puked today, he was gonna french kiss me (as usual) and I could totally smell morning breath it was nasty. I told him I was sick and he shouldn't kiss me and then he was like,"Awww I don't care, I'd still kiss you..." What do I do?! I don't wanna tell him flat out his breath is terrible cuz that'd be awkward.