"He held Galen to a walk because Mollie felt too good leaning against his chest. He wrapped one arm about her waist and drew her even closer. She tipped her face back to look at him. "We made a good team tonight, didn't we?" He thought they'd make a good team every night. If she would consent to a different type of partnership. He squeezed her a little tighter. "We made an excellent team. Thank you for coming." "I'll come whenever you need me, Jacob." Her face looked so earnest. It seemed only natural to bend down and touch his lips to hers. "I fear I'll always need you, Mollie." He whispered the words in her ear, low and gruff. Then he kissed her again. Urgent. Breathless. A kiss that conveyed all his words could not. Her lips responded, softening under his onslaught. Her fingers tangled in the hair at his nape as she turned to accept his kiss more fully. A warmth that defied the predawn coolness suffused him. This was his woman. Galen meandered to a halt at his master's lack of attention, then shifted restlessly. The sideways motion brought Jacob back to his senses. He eased his lips away from Mollie's and stroked his hand over her hair. Her dazed expression made him smile. One of these days, he really ought to try kissing her when their feet were on the ground."