Page 66 of Saltwater Cowboy

She finally looked up, thick lashes framing her unimpressed expression. “I told you—I’m not cooking.”

I smirked. “How ‘bout a compromise? I’ll handle the protein, but you do everything else.”

“No thanks.” Rose shot back.

“I thought that was a fair offer.”

She shrugged. “Not really.”

“Then I guess we’re not eating tonight.” As if on cue, my stomach growled.

Pushing off the railing, I headed toward the door. “I’m gonna shower. I’d suggest you do the same—you smell like goats and sweat.”

Rose let out a dramatic sigh. “Wow. What a gentleman. I can’t believe women aren’t lined up at your door, desperate for your compliments.”

I just shrugged, kicking off my boots as I stepped inside. Upstairs, I grabbed clean clothes and headed toward the bathroom, but before I could close the door, I heard her footsteps on the stairs—boots still on.

Then came the yelp.

“Babe, I need help!”

Instinct kicked in. I spun around and rushed into her room. She was sprawled out on the bed, hands covering her face.

“What’s wrong?”

“The boots!”

I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “What about them?”

She peeked at me through her fingers, full-blown panic in her eyes. “Wells, get these claustrophobic things off me!”

I grinned. “Did you just call me ‘babe’?”

She shot upright, glaring daggers. “Get. Them. Off.”

“What’s the magic word, Rose?”

“I’ll kill you!”

I shook my head. “Nope, not it.”

Her nostrils flared. “Wells-whatever-your-middle-name-is Calloway, get these freakin’ things off my feet. Cut them off, I don’t care!”

“I’m not cutting three-hundred-dollar boots, Sunshine.”

“Please get these boots off me!”

“Since you asked so nicely.” I crossed the room and knelt in front of her. With a nod toward her boots, I asked, “May I?”

“Hurry! I think my feet are bleeding.”

“Probably.” I gripped the top of the boot with one hand and braced the heel with the other. “Pull your foot.”

She tried, but the thing wouldn’t budge.

“Try wiggling it.” I instructed.

“It hurts!” she whined, full panic setting in.