My partner does both. If he sees something in someone (regardless of age, sex, looks, whatever) and they are looking for mentorship, and he believes he can be of benefit to them professionally, he will help them. He goes out of his way on a regular basis and is incredibly generous and kind.
someone like yourself, who is basing your view of it off a negative experience like with your dad (understandable), might think he must be after something but he is just naturally that way. His sister is too.
In the best cases, he has helped people, and made loyal friends who are now themselves taking on senior mentorship roles in their industry.
in the worst cases theyre just not nice people and he will professionally end the relationship.
But that’s what makes me preeetty certain OP’s husband just has the hots for this woman. I would never question my partner’s relationship with someone because I know he would mentor a woman/man/young/old etc. He would also have clear goals set out for their professional development. And doesn’t want to be in touch more than he needs to - he’s more of a therapist style relationship meaning there to listen and guide but not going to be divulging things about himself other than the basics or work related stories, and also not going to be wanting to rush to anyone’s rescue. If he happened to be out with a woman and they needed to get home or whatever, again, I know he would do this for anyone not just her so why would I question it?
And if I said I didn’t like how close he had become to someone, he would auto-correct his behaviour immediately. if he didn’t then I’d worry.
If a man is not this kind of man by nature and experience, but they randomly start using words like ‘mentor’ and playing the put-upon-hero but only about one woman who they blatantly would find attractive, then yes…I think all roads lead to ‘he wants to sleep with her.’