Hi Readers: And welcome to another day of chapters. Another day where I can update a lot due to the fact that I'm not working, nor am I for a couple days. However, I need to do something before we begin. And that would be to apologize for the delay I gave to my readers today. I ended up writing the chapter yesterday but didn't post it until now. But, I fixed it and that's all that matters at the end of the day. Now, how about we get started with today and get into double digit chapters?

Chapter Nine

So, he wanted to play that game; the game where he teased her by running away from their bed in his tight boxers, while leaving her there to just stare and admire his ass ahead of them going for a walk. Well, two can play that game Matt; as you see, this model here is an expert at both walking a certain sexy way…and dressing in the sexiest way possible to get a man's attention. I mean, who do you really think all those sexy lingerie ads are really directed towards? They're directed at men to try and get them to buy lingerie for their partners, lingerie that they can wear and tease for them. Hell, she even hears that sometimes they buy lingerie for their intimate partners; not that she would know, as she rarely does buy lingerie since she gets some for free through the company. But there are times where she betrays her boyfriend by buying a certain company's lingerie, his competitor Victoria's Secret. But that's only on the rare occasion when she's doing "research" for what can look really sexy, for what women want when it comes to lingerie.

Then, she reports back to Christie and tells her what the competitor is putting out, which most certainly isn't illegal, just research. I mean, maybe now it may be on the edge illegal due to the fact that she's dating the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company who owns the lingerie company that she works for. The lingerie that she decided to wear for her man, but not in a place where he can see it due to the fact that they're going for a walk with the dogs, which means that she needs to wear something on top of the lingerie to make sure that the lingerie is reserved for the man of her dreams. But still, she decided that she would still tease her man a bit; which is precisely why she's taking her sweet time in the washroom, as she wants to make sure that she looks really hot for her man. She wants to make sure that the (new) bra she decided to wear pushed up her breasts in a certain way that Matt will enjoy. And she had to say, her girls really go look quite good; especially as she made sure to undo her blouse just enough to show off.

And the truth is, she was quite surprised with herself that she even did that; due to the fact that it's December. But it's a different type of day in December, as it's abnormally warm here in Chicagoland; the low seventies to be more precise. And that's why she decided to do this, so that she could please her man as they took a walk around the neighborhood; in a place where it's actually not as cold compared to downtown Chicago, due to the fact that they aren't by the water where they live. However, that didn't mean that they were always going to be out of the cold due to the fact that the company's corporate headquarters is in Downtown Chicago; where it's more likely to be cold, which means that she's not going to be able to show off like she is right now at the office. But that's fine, as they need to be professional when they're at work. But here, they're on their own time; time where Alex wants to be very sexy with the man she loves. And that's precisely what she's going to do as they take a nice walk with their dogs: Cassie and Theo, their Terriers.

And god, they are just so adorable; especially when they take a walk. Just the way they both walk and play with each other always puts a smile on her face, but not the biggest smile that she can have; as that's when she has Matt's hand in hers while they take a walk, which is precisely what she's going to have today as they take a walk. However, Matt isn't just going to be doing it to make Alex happy; he's also going to be holding her hand as he feels a bit possessive right now due to the fact that his girlfriend looks very sexy in the outfit that she decided to wear for him. "Oh boy." Turning her head to look up in the mirror, Alex blushed as she saw Matt looking at her; looking at the outfit that she decided to wear for him, which just made her blush. The reason why she was blushing? Well, it was due to the fact that she could only imagine just how much Matt loved the sight that was in front of him. The sight of her in this blouse and skinny jeans. Still, she did doubt that she looked THAT good. "Really?" Matt nodded, smiling as he walked up to his sexy girlfriend.

After which, he walked up behind her and smiled as he placed his hands on her hips, while also tugging her body back against his chest. Wrapping his arms around her from behind afterwards, Matt smiled as he looked at his gorgeous girlfriend; while Alex placed her hands on his arms as he held her. "You like?" Bending down, Matt nodded as he whispered into her ear. "Oh, I most certainly am happy. And I hope you already know that you most certainly aren't going to be taking off that blouse later miss." Alex snickered as she heard Matt say that, as she knew right away that Matt already noticed that she wasn't wearing a bra under her shirt; a fact which is (obviously) turning him on right now. "Oh, I am so doubting whether I want to go for a walk right now." Turning around to face Matt, Alex agreed with Matt and just smirked due to the fact that she had a feeling that was the case based on the way her man was looking at her right now. And if this is how he's looking at her, then she most certainly is very happy as well. Happy to be sexy with him.

So, she decided to step close to Matt and wrapped her arm around his neck; while also placing her hand on his muscular chest, only to feel Matt place his hands on her hips this afternoon. Bending down, Alex's handsome boyfriend soon proceeded to kiss the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world. "I love you." Alex agreed with Matt, smiling as she kissed him again. "I love you too." Matt agreed with his beautiful girlfriend as she said that, smiling as he looked at the outfit that Alex was wearing for him, while also grabbing her hands and looking at her outfit. "Damn, you look really sexy right now." Alex laughed as she heard Matt say that, well aware that was the case. "Thanks baby." Matt agreed with Alex as he got close to her, while wrapping his arms around her once more; while she wrapped her arms around his back and smiled at her. She then leaned in and just smiled as she took things nice and slow with her incredible boyfriend. "I love you." Matt agreed, before backing up and extending his hand for her to grab.

And that's precisely what Alex did, she grabbed her boyfriend's hand and intertwined their fingers. After which, they both proceeded to walk out of the primary suite bathroom so that they can head on their walk. "So, you need anything before we go for our walk?" Alex took a breath. "I want to make sure that we talk on our walk. I know we've already been talking, but I guess…I just want to figure some things out. Maybe we can talk about a timeline that we want to consider for marriage and stuff." Matt agreed with Alex, as that most certainly is a conversation that they need to have with each other. "And we will talk about it, I promise. But we need to get out of here before we get a mess in the house with the dogs, as they already know that we're going on a walk." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. After all, their dogs are very smart and just somehow know when they're going for a walk, which is precisely what they're on their way to do with the dogs. They're on their way to take a walk together, which they need.

They can't always stay inside, which is why Alex is quite happy that they're going outside; other than the fact that they're also going to be going out in public for the first time as an official couple. "You know, I'm really happy that we're doing this." Matt agreed with Alex, smiling as he's happy about it too. He's happy that they're headed out as it means that they're going to be out and about, but this time as an official couple. "Out and about as an official couple, you ready for that?" Alex agreed with Matt, smiling as she grabbed his hand once more and started to lead him out of the bathroom so that they can head downstairs where the dogs are waiting for them right now. Well, at least one of them were as Alex just saw Cassie at the door. "I think Cassie is starting to get a bit impatient, as she wants to go take a walk with us." Turning around, Matt smiled while Alex spoke to her dreamy boyfriend. "I think we need to get out of here before the dogs start getting impatient." Matt agreed with Alex while cuddling up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

After which, he smiled as he kissed her forehead softly as they both held each other close and just took it easy with each other right now. "God, I am so glad that this is precisely what we're doing. But as much as I want to stay here, I think it's time for us to get out of here before those two get impatient." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as she felt him grab her hand and intertwine their fingers; after which, they walked away together so that they could go downstairs and take their two little pups out for a walk.

Walking out of the house after running upstairs to grab his wallet and keys, which he forgot, Matt smiled as he closed the door behind him only to see the woman he loves standing there with their dogs, while also looking extremely sexy in the dress that she was wearing for him. God, there's just something about the way she's standing there right now that really turns him on; something that Alex had to know, she just had to know. "I'm pretty sure that you already know what I'm thinking as I look at you right now." Alex agreed with her boyfriend as he said that, well aware that was the case. Meanwhile, Matt locked the door behind him and smiled as he made his way over to Alex. He then wrapped his arm around her and smirked as he tugged her body against his chest. Meanwhile, Alex wrapped her arms around his back and looked up at the man she loves. "So, we are going to be a bit sexy with each other on our walk." Moving his hand to the side of her head, Matt agreed with Alex and smiled as he bent down and kissed the woman he loves.

The woman of his dreams, and the woman he can truly see himself being married to in the future. "I love you." Alex agreed with her boyfriend as he said that. "I love you too, and I think I know the answer to my question now." Matt laughed as Alex asked him that question, while also getting close to his girlfriend as he wrapped his arms around her; while Alex wrapped her arms around his back, while also smiling as she felt Matt press a soft kiss on her forehead. And boy was that a nice feeling, a feeling that will always make her smile; just like she is at the moment, as she held the man of her dreams close to her. Well, only until she looked up at him and smiled as her stared down into her eyes, while also placing his hand on the side of her neck as a way to make them both very happy. I mean, how could Alex not be happy when she has this incredible man standing with her as they both hold each other close today. "Did I ever tell you just how happy you make me?" Matt agreed with Alex, while leaning in and kissing her softly.

After which, he pulled back and stared into her gorgeous eyes. "You make me very happy too, and that will always be the case. I hope you know that." Alex agreed with Matt, while grabbing his hand and just smiling as they both stood there while being very happy with each other. "God, I am just so happy right now. Happy that we're together and spending this time with each other." Matt agreed with Alex, as he felt the same way; especially about the best part, which is that this is their new life. "I'm glad that this is our new life. A life that I plan on sharing with you forever." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling at her. "Is this you getting ready to propose to me on our walk?" Matt was surprised as he heard Alex say that, as he wasn't even thinking about that. "Oh my god. Wait, is that what you're thinking is going to happen today?" Looking at Matt, Alex grabbed his hand and just held him close. "Babe, you mentioned that this is forever, and you said you want to talk. Official couple, I just thought…" Matt looked at Alex and shook his head.

After which, he stepped close to her and took a breath. "Ok. I'm sorry if I made you feel this way. Listen, what I am just trying to say is that I want this to be forever. I want you to know that I am not going anywhere, and that nothing is going to tear us apart ever again. That was all I was trying to say. But the truth is, I'm not ready to get engaged yet. I mean, I would love to be engaged to you; don't get me wrong when I say that. Just not yet, as I think it's too soon." Stepping close to Alex, Matt placed his hand on the side of her head as he stared into her eyes with the hopes that she would understand his position on this. "Do you understand." Stepping close to Matt, Alex agreed as she wrapped her arms around his back as she took things nice and slow with the man she loves. After which, he kissed her and just smiled. "Listen, how about me and you start walking? We can talk about this and just take it easy?" Alex agreed with Matt, more than ready to do just that. "By the way, we should think about supper based on the time." Matt agreed, smiling at Alex.

As he turned around, he also knew that he had to talk about Alex about how he felt about them getting engaged; how he just ended an engagement and how he doesn't want to rush it. He doesn't want to go right back into proposing because he's a bit apprehensive about his judgment right now. He just hopes that Alex understands. "Listen, can we talk about it as we talk together? I would like to just get it over with if that's okay?" Alex agreed with Matt, as she's more than okay with the two of them just getting it over with. "Of course, we can Matt." Smiling as they both started to walk down the driveway of their home, Matt intertwined their fingers while taking a breath, which made Alex believe that her boyfriend was quite nervous at the moment. "I can only assume that you're a bit nervous right now?" Taking a breath, Matt sighed as he agreed with Alex due to the fact that he is nervous right now. He's nervous over the fact that he doesn't want to let her down or just make her unhappy about his position. "Yeah, I'm a bit nervous and worried."

Alex agreed with Matt as they started to walk, smiling as she wrapped her arms around his and held his hand with their fingers intertwined, which is precisely how she wants to walk with the man she loves when they're out and about. But right now, she also knew that she had to take it easy and just make sure that her boyfriend relaxes. "Listen, how about me and you just walk in silence for a bit? Think about what you want to say, and then we can talk. How does that sound?" Smiling, Matt was quite happy that Alex offered him the chance he needs to take it easy and just think over what he has to tell her; because he knows that this is going to be a hard conversation. "I promise to try and think about how to say it without hurting you the most." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case as she walked with the man of her dreams as well as their little dogs. "Here, give me one of the leaches so that you aren't pulled in two separate ways." Matt snickered and agreed with Alex, doing just that as he welcomed the help.

Something he decided to tell her, as he wanted to make sure she knew just how much he appreciates her. "Thanks, I appreciate that so much." Alex agreed with Matt, smiling as they both started to take a nice walk with each other and their dogs. "Hey, we're a team baby. And that's never going to change. Just take a breath and figure out what you want to say to me, then talk to me when you're ready." Matt agreed with Alex as she said that, smiling as they both walked down the sidewalk in their neighborhood ahead of him talking to her. He just hoped that Alex understood what he was trying to tell her, and that he could do it in a way that didn't hurt her as that was the last thing that he wanted to do. He didn't want to hurt her because he loves her more than anything in the entire world. And if he hurt her, then he would just feel horrible; especially since he already hurt her in the past by staying in his relationship much longer than he should have. And that was his fault. Something that he can only hope he never makes that mistake again.

After thinking it over and walking in silence with Alex for a good ten minutes, Matt smiled as he finally felt like he knew what he wanted to say to her. What he wanted to tell the woman he loves, as a way to ensure that she knows just how much he loves her and wants to be with her; but just doesn't feel like it's right to propose when he screwed up in his last engagement. Yet at the same time, he knows that she's going to criticize him and try to make him feel better when he puts himself down; something he's been doing ever since he learned the truth. And that's due to the fact that he wasted so much time with his ex, time that he could've spent with her. "Ok. Before I start, I need to ask you to just let me say what I have to say." Turning her head, Alex agreed with Matt as that most certainly is something that she can do for him. "Of course, baby, I can promise you that." Matt agreed with Alex as he took a breath, while also continuing to walk down the sidewalk hand-in-hand with the real woman he loves, the woman of his dreams.

The woman he already wants to promise a future with, but just doesn't feel like he's in the right space to do so. "Ok. So, here's the thing. I want to say that I am more than ready to commit to you for years to come, so that's not the problem whatsoever." Alex agreed with her boyfriend as he told her that, having had a feeling that this is what their conversation was going to be about; how he's ready to make the commitment, just not yet. "But the truth is, I need to work on my judgment a bit first." Turning her head, Alex was shocked. "Wait, what?" Matt agreed with Alex. "That's why I asked you to give me time to explain." Alex agreed with her loving boyfriend, letting him do just that as they continued to walk with each other. "Alex, I should've known that she was faking. I should've known that Hallie wasn't pregnant, but I chose to let my eyes deceive me. I decided to just let my heart guide me, rather than my head." Alex agreed with her boyfriend, well aware that he did that as well; not that she blames him. "And I don't blame you for that."

Matt sighed once more. "How can you not blame me, when I broke your heart? I promised you that I was going to end things with Hallie, only to go back on my word and not end things with her because of a fake pregnancy; a pregnancy that never existed. For me to do that, when I already knew in my heart from the start that she was faking; I just feel like it's not the time for me to make any big decisions in my life right now. It's actually a reason why I'm thinking of taking leave from the company." Turning her head, Alex was surprised as she heard Matt say that, as that was something she never expected to hear her boyfriend say. "Alex, I made a bunch of bad decisions over the past couple of months in my personal life, some that could've cost me everything I love. I mean, there was no guarantee that you wouldn't move on; nor would I have blamed you if you decided that you didn't want to wait around and see whether I was going to choose you or Hallie. And I mean that, because I know that it's been hard. I've put you through a lot."

Alex agreed with Matt, partially at least due to the fact that he most certainly was not the one who put her through a lot. "Correction, Hallie put the both of us through a lot. Matt, do you really believe that I blame you when it comes to this? She was the one that tricked you into believing that she was pregnant with your child. I mean, what type of woman does that to a man who wants to have a baby more than anything in the entire world; only to break his heart when he learns that there is no baby, and that everything he thought was true of late was nothing but a lie." Matt agreed with Alex, seeing where she was coming from as they spoke about this. "Matt, I've told you this before; and I'll keep saying it, due to the fact that it will always be the truth. We're both victims here. We're victims due to the fact that we were both told lies." Matt agreed with his girlfriend, as that most certainly is the truth when it comes down to it. They were both told horrible lies that changed the entire trajectory of their relationship, putting a wrench in some of their plans.

Plans to start fresh with each other, just as soon as he ended things with Hallie; only for her to pull him back in and make him feel like he has to stay with her. After all, that's precisely how he felt when he learned that she was "pregnant". He felt like he owed it to her and their "baby" to stay. But now, he just feels like it was the worst waste of his time; time that he could've spent starting a relationship and a life with Alex. "I just hate that it got in our way of starting a nice life with each other." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, as that most certainly is what it did. It stood in the way of them getting the life that they always wanted with each other. "Then again, that's always what Hallie did. She stood in the way of us being with each other, trying to do so as often and as much as she could. She just couldn't let you go and believed that you belonged to her more than anybody else." Matt agreed with Alex, as that was precisely the case. Hallie believed that he owed her the world, and that's precisely what he gave to her; but she abused it.

And now, he's still thinking about her, and he hates that. "I hate that we're still thinking about this, even as we start our relationship." Alex agreed with Matt, well aware that he hates the fact that they're thinking about Hallie; when instead, they should be thinking about the relationship that they want to have with each other. "And I promise babe, we're going to think about us now. Because it's our time to be the couple who gets everything they've ever wanted in life. We get to be front and center when it comes to the news and everything. We're going to be that hot couple, who are always all over each other." Matt snickered as he heard Alex say that, before wrapping his arm around her and kissing the side of her head. "Don't tell my niece Violet that, as she'll hate me for embarrassing her in front of all of her friends." Alex agreed with Matt, well aware that was the case. "You know, I can really see you as a girl dad in the future. You'd be amazing if we had a daughter." Matt agreed with Alex, smiling at his girlfriend.

The woman he would much rather be able to call his wife. "You know, we could start working on that if we got married. I know you said you didn't want kids til' we were married." Alex agreed with Matt, as that most certainly is the truth. "Are we thinking about this? We aren't even engaged!" Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that, before deciding that now was a better time than any to just do it. Because the truth is, there's another reason why Matt wanted to take a walk today; and it most certainly was not to just get the dogs out and get exercise. Rather, it was to go propose to his girlfriend in the snow at the park. But here might as well be as good as ever, which is why he decided that he was going to do something as they continued walking, which meant that he had to let go of his hand. "Matt, be honest with me. Are we really thinking about this?" And luckily for Matt, Alex was just looking away and concentrating on the dogs as she walked away; so much, that she didn't even notice what Matt was doing. And just what was that?

Well, it was the entire reason he's been acting as if he isn't ready as he wanted to get this surprise ready. And now, that's precisely what is he doing as he dropped down to one knee; while Alex also realized that Matt was no longer right next to her as she walked the dogs. "Matt, where'd you…" Turning around, Alex was shocked as she looked at Matt. "Oh my god, no!" Smiling as he looked at his girlfriend, Matt extended his hand to get her close, which is precisely what he got. And now, she was with him. "Alex, I know that this is fast. But we've been together in secret for eighteen months. And the truth is, the timeline that we want to get married on isn't what I want. What I want is for you to be mine right now and for the rest of my life. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Alex agreed with Matt, nodding as that's precisely what she wants. She wants to be his wife. "Yes, a thousand times yes!" Smiling, Matt got up and proceeded to get close to Alex. After which, he opened the box and then proceeded to put the ring on her finger.

However, doing this wasn't the last thing he decided to do right now; other than share a kiss with her, he had something else to do. Just first, a quick kiss with his arms around her; and her arms wrapped around his neck. "God, such a great surprise." Matt agreed as he kissed Alex softly. "I have another one." Alex was confused as she heard Matt say that. "What's that?" Matt smirked as he looked at the woman he loves, while stepping close to her and putting his hands on her neck. "I don't want to wait." Alex agreed with Matt as she leaned in and kissed him softly. "Me neither." Matt agreed with Alex, smirking as he grabbed her hand and rushed off. "Let's just go do it then." Alex smirked, agreeing with Matt as they both ran home so that they could drop the dogs off and head to the courthouse; where they would become husband and wife.

Hi Readers: Just thought I'd let you guys know that I have decided NOT to cover the wedding. Rather, when we pick up; they will already be married and back at home. Instead, I will cover their vow renewal in the future when they have the big wedding. But for now, it's off to City Hall and then back from. Thanks again for reading, and how about we start this Mr. & Ms. Casey story now?