Jaguin's Love: Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 8 by S.E. Smith Page B

creatures staring at each other with a mixture of confusion, resignation, and flat-out goofy expressions was too much for Sara. She burst into a fit of giggles that soon had them all laughing.

Chapter 9
     
    Jaguin scowled at Carmen. His gaze flickered between her face and what she was holding in her hand. Reaching out, he took the small box from her.
    “How will this make her like me more?” He asked in confusion, staring down at the brightly wrapped package.
    “It’s chocolate. Sara mentioned earlier that one of the things she missed from Earth was the chocolate. I happen to have a lifetime supply thanks to Creon. I was having a major chocolate attack before we left. I don’t know how he did it, but Creon had a ton of it delivered to Paul’s ranch before we departed,” Carmen explained.
    “But… This was a gift from your mate,” Jaguin said, frowning at Carmen. “You should keep this.”
    Carmen shook her head and pushed Jaguin’s hand away. “Trust me, I have more than enough,” she said with a smile. “Besides, I think Sara could use it more right now.”
    Jaguin looked skeptically at the package. “You are sure this will make her happy?” He asked, looking up at her face again.
    Carmen chuckled and nodded. “Yes, trust me,” she promised.
    “Thank you,” Jaguin responded, his expression clearing when he saw Creon walking toward them.
    “Jaguin,” Creon greeted. “How is your female doing?” He asked before he grunted when Carmen elbowed him in the stomach. “What?!”
    “I’m not even going to tell you how condescending that sounds,” Carmen retorted with a roll of her eyes. “That female has a name and it is Sara.”
    Creon grinned. “I know what her name is. I also knew I would get a reaction out of you,” he teased, bending forward to brush his lips across hers before he wrapped his arms protectively around her waist. “I feel the girls moving. They are anxious to see the world.”
    “Not as much as I am to see them,” Carmen murmured, turning in his arms and wrapping her own around Creon’s neck.
    Jaguin shook his head and turned to leave Carmen and Creon alone. It was obvious they had already forgotten his presence. He glanced down at the small package in his hand, turning it over thoughtfully as he walked toward the room that he now thought of as his and Sara’s.
    Just as he stepped off the lift, Carmen had stopped him to hand him the delicious treats. He wasn’t sure how they were supposed to break down the fragile barrier that Sara tried to erect between them earlier. At this point, he was willing to try just about anything for another kiss.
    He stepped into the room, frowning when he saw it was empty. Disappointment washed through him and he instinctively reached for the symbiot wrapped around his arm. He knew waited, staring out the window and turning the box over in his hands. He felt as nervous as a youngling waiting to sneak a quick peek at the girls in the village for their first dragon races. He ran a hand through his hair.
    So much for the fierce warrior, he thought in disgust. I’m more like the ….
    All thoughts deserted him when Sara suddenly appeared in the doorway. She gave him a nervous smile before stepping into the room. Jaguin swallowed and ran a damp palm along his pants leg.
    “You look tired,” he stated, wincing at his thoughtless words.
    Sara released a self-conscious sigh and pushed her hair back from her face. She was wearing the blue cloth pants that she liked and a red blouse that hung loose around her. His brow furrowed when he noticed that she was wearing only socks.
    “You have lost your shoes?” He asked, puzzled.
    Sara chuckled. “No, I didn’t lose my shoes; and yes, I’m tired. I’m still having difficulty sleeping,” she admitted in a husky voice. “The memories… I can’t seem to control them.”
    Jaguin’s eyes darkened with concern. He opened his arms. Sara didn’t hesitate. She stepped into his arms and hugged him in