I didn't hear from Hudson for the entire week after our disastrous outing with my sister and I couldn't be more grateful for that. I would've ignored his calls or texts anyway so this was best. I didn't want his pity, I didn't want him to ask questions that I couldn't or wouldn't answer.

And, if anything, that awful night showed me just how unready I was to start dating again. With Connor far from my mind it was easy to focus on Hudson's incredible body and dashing smile, but he wasn't ready for all of this, for all of me. This time I wasn't just some college girl who was ready to fall in love. I had been wounded, I had trust issues and covered it up with intense independence. Few men could handle that, especially ones with carefree, laid back attitudes.

Besides, there was almost no true indication that he was interested in me. Sure, he offered to take me out every now and then and when I was in crisis he had helped, but I didn't want to be misinterpreting his kindness for attraction. For all I knew he could've even had a girlfriend and he was just trying his hardest to make me feel welcome on this new team.

So I threw myself in my work that came throughout the week. I did everything from my pageant girls to random portrait shots in the city. I was constantly shaking hands and smiling to wide that my cheeks hurt. I felt like I had just started my photography career all over again, doing shoots for young couples in love and head shots for businesses. I spent late nights staring at my computer screen, editing photos. I would work until my eyes drooped because the last thing I wanted was to lay awake in bed, filled with dread and anxiety until I worked myself up so badly that I started to sob and couldn't sleep at all. It was an awful, painful cycle of long days and longer nights, but it kept my anxiety at bay.

But, I couldn't avoid Hudson and the guys forever. They were my highest paying customers. I faced the weekend on the mountains head on. All of my guys showed up on time on Friday, though Hudson was the last one to trickle in. When I saw him move into the ski lodge I spun away, keeping my back to the door as I pulled out all of my gear. Graydon and Jackson were the only two people that spoke as we moved outside, determining where they wanted the shots to be done today.

The shoot when smoothly enough. Graydon was convinced that today was the day to try a new trick he had been practicing on a trampoline. I was more than ready to capture the moment for him, but he landed on his stomach, winded and laughing. I was sure he would be bruised and banged up for a couple days and sore for about a week but he took it well enough.

Once it was clear that the day was over I hustled to the lodge. I hadn't even made eye contact with Hudson today, but I didn't want to risk having any kind of confrontation. Not now, not ever. Whatever happened was over, it had been a mistake to go out with him at all. Once I was inside the heated log cabin, I yanked off my camera, the neck strap probably leaving a burn mark. But as fast as I moved to disassemble everything the reality was that I was handling delicate material and I couldn't afford to replace anything if I damaged it.

By the time I was done all four of my guys had taken off the majority of their gear and were heading out the door.

"I'm gonna talk to the manager and see if we can book a portion of the hill off for next week. Then, I'll meet you at the car," Tyson said to Hudson as he walked towards the exit.

Hudson nodded but his coffee coloured eyes stayed focused on me. I snapped my eyes away, staring at my feet, wishing they would carry to my car faster.

"Penelope," he whispered, falling into step beside me.

"Yes?" I grunted, shoving open the heavy, creaking door. The outside air was a slap in the face. I almost slipped on the ice, but trucked on.

"I just wanted to check in. Your sister yanked you out of that restaurant pretty fast. I was left with so much food I didn't know what to do with it."

"Something came up." I shifted my grip on my bags, using my free hand to unlock my car. Another three steps and I grabbed the latch for the trunk.

"Something like you spilling a drink?" Hudson pressed. I had my back to him, but I could feel one of his hand curling around the shoulder strap on one of my bags. I thrust my handheld bags in the trunk, then snatched the bag out of his hand. "I think it's fair to say that you owe me another chance for that maple poutine."

At that I had to whirl around. He was pushing too hard and I wouldn't stand for it. I didn't owe him anything and just being with him had been enough to cause that disaster. I was almost a head shorter than Hudson, but I glared up at him for all I was worth. My hands were balled into fists at my side and my teeth were clenched. I could imagine that I embodied pure rage.

He just reached around me and shut the back of my car before shooting me a lazy smile.

"I don't owe you shit, Hudson," I seethed.

"Relax, princess," he soothed, stepping closer to me. I moved away, feeling the back of my car press against the puffy material of my jacket.

"Don't call me princess," I ordered. I might've been a princess once. I loved all the make up and designer clothes and nice cars. But I couldn't be that woman anymore.

Hudson lifted his arms, pressing his palms against the back window. He leaned in. I was caged in, pressed up against my car. For the first time I could smell him. It was the scent of outdoor air, pine, and masculine musk. Here, pushed up against my car I was able to study him, to really look at him for the first time. I saw the heavy set of his dark eyebrows, the subtle bump on his nose that told me it had probably been broken and the stubble on his jaw. My eyes landed on those lips and all the fury evaporated.

How long had it been since I kissed someone? Too long and even longer since I wanted to kiss someone. And now, with all the uncertainty spinning in my head I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to press my mouth to his and be the reason for that smile.

I just wanted to be wanted again.

"I'm worried about you," he whispered.

My train of thought derailed and my eyes snapped up to his steady gaze that was searching my face. The only thing I could read was worry in that tight frown.

"You left and you looked like you were ready to cry. Plus, you were nervous the whole night. If I did something to make you uncomfortable then please tell me. I can't make anything better if I don't know what happened."

"Connor," I admitted, then caught myself. "Well, not Connor, but his teammates. They dumped the drink that the bar created for our engagement all over me."

"Oh Jesus, Penelope, I'm so sorry," he gasped. "If I had known that they were there I would've taken you somewhere else."

"I knew," I confessed. "The Flames have like two hangouts in Calgary. That happens to be one of them. I saw them as soon as I walked in. I should've left then, but I didn't."

"This isn't your fault," he denied.

"It doesn't matter. That team is like a family, nothing gets in between that bond."

"Are you defending them right now?"

"No, maybe. I don't know."

Hudson leaned back, finally letting his hands drop to his sides. I felt like I could breathe properly again, but the mountain air didn't clear my head. If anything, seeing more of Hudson only made me dizzier. I knew that I shouldn't want him, especially right now, but it felt impossible not to.

"Let me take you out again. Somewhere different. I'll take care of everything," he offered. "You need to get out, to have a night when you don't have to worry."

"I don't think that your girlfriend would care much for you being out with another woman all the time," I hinted.

Hudson let out a hearty chuckle, the one that always made me feel warm on the inside. His eyes twinkled with delight. "Princess, I'm not the type to date. Come on, I'll take you out for one night, no hockey players, I promise."

I opened my mouth to deny it. Haven't I learned my lesson already? Did I want a replay of that icy drink dripping into my hair?

But, he said he didn't do the dating thing. So no matter how much I thought about kissing him when he was close to me like that it wouldn't matter. And no hockey players meant that I would be safe from any attacks. Plus, he was right. I did deserve to go out.

"Fine, but this is your last chance to really impress me," I challenged, quirking an eyebrow.

"You got it, Princess," he agreed just as Tyson started honking his car horn.