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“I’m not sure I can,” Molly sighed.

“Come here.” Carmen gestured for Molly to join her in the oversized armchair she’d been curled up in all evening. Pushing up from her seat, Molly wandered the few feet that separated them. It should feel weird squashing up next to a woman she hardly knew, but as her body settled snugly next to Carmen’s, the only thing she felt was the tug of sleep pulling her under.

???

The crick in Molly’s neck reminded her she was no longer in her twenties. Gone were the days of crashing on a couch. No, Molly needed her king-size memory foam mattress now. God, what she wouldn’t give for a massage. The image of Carmen’s hands rubbing the sensitive area on her neck thundered like a freight train through her mind. A sudden heat rose from deep inside, touching every nerve in Molly’s body. Jesus, she was on fire.

“You’re red as a tomato, Mol,” Bessie commented, perching a tray with Darren’s breakfast at the end of the bed. Molly noted she was alone. Carmen was no longer snuggled up in the chair. Darren still slept soundly.

“What time is it?” she yawned, stretching her neck from side to side. In lieu of a massage, a few neck exercises would have to do.

“Nearly eight, love. I’m glad to see you got a few hours of sleep.”

“Mmm,” she mumbled, still in the fog of slumber.

“Carmen slept well too.” Molly couldn’t have missed the amusement in Bessie’s tone even if she tried.

“Good,” Molly replied, her eyes unable to meet Bessie’s.

“Mmm, she looked super comfy with your head on her boob.”

Molly’s eyes shot up. “What?”

“Yeah, I nipped in earlier just to check on you all, and there you were. Two peas in a snuggly pod.”

“It’s not like that,” Molly protested. “I couldn’t relax last night after everything and Carmen was just comforting me.”

“No need to get worked up, Mol,” Bessie grinned.

“I’m not getting worked up,” Molly hissed.

“Ah, told her you found her groping Carmen’s breast,” Enid called softly from the doorway.

“Yup,” Bessie replied, chuckling. Molly was most certainly the color of a tomato now.

“Oh my God, I was not groping anything.”

“Not what I heard,” Enid sang.

“You are the worst, both of you.” Ignoring their animated laughs, Molly peeled herself out of the chair and peeked over at Darren. His face was a mix of black, blue, and green. His lip and eye were swollen.

“He’ll be alright, Molly. A few days of rest and relaxation, he’ll feel good as new.”

“I hope so,” Molly sighed.

“Come on, let’s grab some breakfast.” Enid didn’t leave her much of an option. The little old lady was stronger than she looked. Molly nearly tripped over her own feet as Enid scooped her by the wrist and tugged her out of the room.

“Morning,” a chorus of voices rang out. Molly smiled warmly in return, her eyes instantly gravitating to Carmen, who had her back to the room. Was she cooking pancakes? Cooking pancakes in tight jeans and an even tighter t-shirt. Oh, that undercut was effective in turning Molly’s thoughts R-rated.

“Hey,” Molly cooed, instantly chastising herself as she stood next to Carmen, peering over at the frying pan currently cooking two fluffy pancakes.

“Hey. You look well-rested,” Carmen replied, her face a picture of calm. Clearly, she wasn’t having the same thoughts as Molly. Even though she’d been asleep, Molly could feel the contours of Carmen’s body. The swell of her breasts. Wowzer.

“So you’re saying I look less trash panda now?” Molly laughed.

“Definitely. Although I wouldn’t rule out the trash panda look just yet. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day,” Carmen laughed. Molly squinted, her brows furrowed.

“Is there something happening?” Molly racked her brain. Apart from making sure Darren was doing well and checking off a couple of things to do on the ranch, she couldn’t remember anything else scheduled. Nothing that would make her day long.