His touch... it was everything she had been longing for and it shocked her in her heels to feel how gentle it was. She drew in a deep breath, feeling the pride of his hand upon her. It felt good that he actually looked at her after so long. He did look rather pleased, which turned her smile a bit coy. She said nothing as he praised her and Karie...<i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00b3b3">No. Its Elena now...</span></i>Elena gasped in surprise and sheer delight when he drew her close against him. She missed the feel of his warmth and the strong muscles of his gorgeous body. To feel his hands like this instead of punishment made her wonder why she hadn't complied to him sooner. It felt so very worth having done so.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00b3b3">"Your... oooooh!"</span>It suddenly clicked and she issued a small giggle. His smack on her behind made her give a small shriek before the sound of heels quickly moving along the ground could be heard. She felt... happy. Not like she'd been brain washed, or made to feel something that was not there. Elena knew the difference now. This was more that a high from his blood, though she did feel the tingling of need between her legs at his mere suggestion. She was eager to receive his new reward.<br/><br/><i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00b3b3">He doesn't seem that different and yet... he finally seems willing to see me, to even simply touch me. No more Mr. Imincharge mongrel who beats a dog rather than uses positive reinforcement.</span></i>Well, that certainly seemed to have changed. Though, she didn't like to think of herself as a dog, a mere pet. There was no question as to her role. The bond did a nice job of taking away the hate with her surrender. Yet, she did not feel so much a thing so much as merely his inferior. Elena did not mind such, for being the boss was not exactly the job she would have chosen for herself. Her dreams had long been stolen from her.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00b3b3">All of it seemed like a lifetime ago rather than just two weeks. Goodbye pub, and Cookie, and Meagan... and father. </span>No longer would she be able to visit his grave, the pain of such loss was felt keenly to the point she had to grip the banister of the staircase once she was inside. Her grief suddenly was felt tenfold and she had to stick her fist into her mouth to silence the sob she suddenly felt.<i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00b3b3">Focus on Galos...</span> </i><br/><br/>His face came back to mind, the strong jaw, his luscious lips, those eyes that could tear her down while igniting a flame of passion within her at a single glance. Her pain began to subside and so she hurried up the stairs to head to his room. Elena ignored the stares of the servants and guards. Would they know of what had just occurred? It did make her wonder, but not right now. Her plan was to remove her shoes and her dress before he was able to reach his quarters. It wasn't to be suggestive, it was merely because she had soiled it and the shoes were... prettier than they were comfortable.