The titles are not very inspired: The Billionaire's Secret; The Billionaire and his Cinderella; The Italian Duke's Darling; The Tycoon's Nine-Month Secret; The Boss and the Maid and The Billionaire's Affair. I cannot imagine Ze reading that, particularly the spicy scenes. My cheeks heat up as I picture him in my mind, book in hand, eyes narrowed as he reads the more risqué scenes, since there's no way those are clean romances.

"You like rich men. They are rich," he adds with a noncommittal shrug. "Not as rich as I am, of course," he makes sure to add. "You will not find someone richer."

"And what did you learn about dates from them?" I ask as I pick the top book from the stack and flip through it.

Big mistake!

My blush intensifies as I spot passages highlighted with notes in the corner. I only need to read a few words involving wetness, fingers, and moans to realize the type of passages he highlighted. I can't make out the scribbled notes on the margins, but I quickly close the book, not wanting to know more.

"It is an event during which a male and a female go out for a meal or an otherwise engaging activity whereby they have fun together," he quotes a definition as if he's spent eons researching it.

"You omitted one thing, Ze. Dates are for people who have a romantic interest in each other. We are friends," I emphasize. Although I don't think he sees me that way, I want to make sure he knows where we stand. Since he's been reading romance novels and has shown an interest in physical intimacy, it's a good way to remind him that our relationship is pure friendship—nothing more.

His eyes flash at me.

"You are my person," he speaks slowly. "You will go on a date with me. We will have...fun." He gulps down, the word fun burning on his lips as he barely keeps himself from cringing as he utters it.

"I thought the word fun wasn't in your vocabulary." I raise a brow.

"It is not," he quickly answers. His eyes widen before he amends. "It was not. I am willing to make a concession. For you."

"Ze. I am tired. It's late. I want to go to sleep," I explain gently. "I'm human after all, and today was a lot."

He stares at me for a moment before he slowly nods, though disappointment pulls at his features.

"Tomorrow. We will go on a date tomorrow."

"I promised Thea and Wyn I'd spend time with them since Wyn's ball is quickly approaching," I quickly make the excuse. Nikki would not appreciate me going on a date with another man. A low sound erupts from Ze's chest. His pupils become larger, the purple of his eyes intensifying as streaks of black and silver fight for supremacy.

"The day after tomorrow," he adds after a moment of deliberation.