How do I ask out a male friend?

I’m a female, 44, single for a long time. There’s another single guy in my town, whom I find attractive, but I’m nervous for some reason to ask him on a date. We work in the same field, and if it didn’t work out, it would probably get awkward. But im really needing some intimate contact! What do I say to him? All this feels very juvenile, and makes me self conscious. I would be into dating him, but he’s never made a move toward me on his own. How do I broach the idea of dating without ruining the friendship?