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A sexy grin stretched across his face, and she felt it all the way to her toes. “I’m everybody’s type.”

“And that’s why you’re not mine.”

The grin disappeared, replaced by confusion. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Sure it does.”

“No, it doesn’t.”

She was beginning to get the distinct impression he’d never been turned down before. “Do I really need to spell it out for you?”

“In this case, yes.”

Dorcas took a drink and set the glass on the table. “You’re a good-looking smooth talker with an overabundance of confidence. I don’t feel like becoming another name on your list of women you’ll quickly forget.”

“How could I possibly forget you?”

“See?” She made an unladylike sound as she picked up her fork. “It’s that kind of response that pegs you for a player.”

Nate frowned, obviously insulted. “I’m not a player.”

“Sure you are. What’s the longest romantic relationship you’ve ever been in and what was her name?”

The lines between his eyebrows deepened. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“I bet you’ve never lasted more than a month with a woman.”

He opened his mouth as if to argue, but then closed it without speaking a word. Clearly, he wasn’t accustomed to being called out on his bullshit. He ate two bites of food. “Even if that’s true—and I’m not saying it is—the only thing it proves is that I haven’t found the right woman yet.”

“I seriously doubt you’re looking for Ms. Right. It’s more like Ms. Tonight. That’s not me. I don’t play that way.”

Nate gave her a long, measured look. “Who burned you, Dorcas?”

“Nobody, but I’ve seen it happen to way too many women.” After watching her mother get suckered time and again, she’d gotten pretty good at spotting a silver-tongued devil from a mile away. She didn’t have time in her life for those types of games, and she certainly didn’t have time for a man who only wanted one thing.

“It didn’t happen to Nina. Or Larissa,” he said.

“They’re the exception, not the rule.”

“Maybe. Or maybe there’s a lot of good guys out there just waiting for the right woman to come along.”

The urge to roll her eyes was almost overwhelming. “Let me guess. You’re one of the good guys.”

“I like to think so.” He took another bite and chewed. “I enjoy women. I really enjoy sex. There’s nothing wrong with that. When I’m with a woman, I treat her with respect and show her a good time, and I never lead her on.”

“And what, when you find the right woman with the magical vag, you’ll suddenly abandon your horndog ways and settle into a quiet life of monogamy?”

“Stranger things have been known to happen. Besides, who said monogamy has to be quiet?” He waggled his eyebrows. “Would it surprise you to know I haven’t been with a woman in four months?”

Actually, it did. “And you haven’t exploded?”

“Shocking, isn’t it?”

Fighting a smile, she dipped a fry in ketchup and popped it into her mouth.

“So come on, what do you say? When this is all over, will you let me take you to dinner? You can even pick the restaurant.”

Damn, it was tempting. Her resolved chipped around the edges, and she found it harder to think of a reason to turn him down. “If I say yes—and I’m not saying I will—I should probably be the one taking you to dinner.”