He kept you around as someone he has been unofficially seeing for 8 months for selfish purposes.
He wanted to be able to get all of the privileges that come with having a girlfriend, without any of the responsibility.
You hung on for 8 months hoping that he would make his relationship official with you and actually make you feel like his legitimate girlfriend, but he never did.
A guy shows you that he is your boyfriend when he takes you to social functions where many of his friends, colleagues and even family members are present.
If you have noticed that this guy has already taken you to social functions like this, there is a good chance that he is already looking at himself as your boyfriend.
This guy that you met on an online dating service would show that he is your boyfriend if you notice that he doesn’t make any major or significant decision without getting your input or opinion first.