“Don’t be skittish. I won’t hurt you, Bethany.”

He spoke her name slowly, deliciously. “I don’t know you.”

Although she could envision numerous X-rated scenarios with Caleb, she was completely inexperienced when it came to men and didn’t know where to start. One of her lifelong fears was being dumped and rejected, so guys looking for a one-night stand were not her type. No matter how irresistible. She wouldn’t be able to handle the emotional aftermath.

Caleb raised an eyebrow. “I saved your life. Or don’t you remember?”

She couldn’t help but smile. “Right. How could I forget.”

The entire world faded away, leaving just the two of them, the lone light from the diner and a connection she hoped wasn’t one-sided. He looked into her eyes like she was something special, and she started to believe it. It was a high she’d never experienced. Maybe the whole love-at-first-sight thing wasn’t so farfetched because, right now, she felt like fate had brought them together.

“Let me buy you jewels.”

Bethany snorted then stopped herself when he didn’t laugh along. His shoulders were squared, his jaw strong. The man was serious.

“Is that how men around here flirt?” Maybe it was. This town was so far off the grid, it was nothing like she’d ever experienced.

“Sorry, I meant, let me date you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I had you in my arms.”

She wouldn’t waste a chance to date a man like Caleb. He was raw, untapped masculinity. He probably had no clue how beautiful he was. She hated the conceited pretty boys in the city.

“A date?”

“Well, a second date. I considered the coffee you bought me to be the first one.” Now he smirked, a barely-there smirk, but it made her pussy clench. Something devilish swirled in those gray eyes, and she hoped she was making the right decision.

“I can see that.” She bit her bottom lip, impossibly attracted to this man.

“Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it,” he said. “I’m new to dating.”

“You’re new to dating?”

“Why is that surprising?”

She shrugged. “Never mind.”

“No, really, please tell me,” he said.

Bethany would probably embarrass herself at some point if they went on a date. Better for him to see what he was getting into before they made plans. “Well, you’re like a nine and I’m more like a three.”

He narrowed his eyes. “A nine and a three…”

She waited for him to say something, preferably to make her feel better. It seemed to take forever until he spoke again.

“Sorry, I’ve got nothing. Is it a riddle?”

She couldn’t help but giggle, trying her best not to let it out. This town was something else. It was refreshing to be around a down-to-earth man not tainted by the world.

“I mean you’re a nine out of ten, and I’m a three out of ten. You could do a lot better, so I can’t help but feel suspicious.”

“In that case, you’re a ten out of ten, Bethany. I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful or desirable in my forty years. I’ll do everything in my power to make this work.”

Her breath caught. She’d been good at gauging fake people in her life, and he sounded sincere. Should she mention the huge age gap? She wouldn’t offer that she was only twenty-five just yet.