Can't Deny the Heart

Summary: Alternate version to the original story. Takes place morning after Kayla nurses Steve after Victor's goons beat him up.

Rating: PG-13

Beta by: Slynn6776

Notes: This is an alternate version. Its one of my favorite things to do, to create a "what if" story. This version is changing history of Steve and Kayla. I do this with full respect to the canon but I had this plot bunny in my head for some time and I had to see how it would play.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this stuff. But man, if I did...

On the way to Kayla's loft, both Steve and Kayla reflected on how quiet the other was being. Steve's mind was running a mile a minute. What happened back at Victor's had been something he had never dared to dream. Not just kissing Kayla but her response told him she wanted him too, it was too good to be true How could this amazing, caring, gorgeous woman even want to touch him, much less kiss him? Steve had seen hints of Kayla's passion but what happened in the pantry surprised him. Knowing now that she was just as passionate in the physical sense as she was when arguing with him was causing Steve to fight back desires stronger then he felt in a long time. He wasn't sure walking her up to her loft was such a good idea yet he couldn't bring himself to leave her either.

Meanwhile, Kayla's silence was her debating whether she should confront Steve on what happened or run away. Most of Steve's attitude towards her up to this point had been easily dismissed by Kayla as a man who enjoyed making a show of himself for shock value. He also knew exactly how to push Kayla's buttons to get her angry and she fell for it every time. Now Steve had found another way to get her worked up and she was really worried it meant no more to him than his usual behavior around her.

No man could kiss like that and not feel something, Kayla thought. Her logical mind argued with it though, concentrating on his trying to intimidate her, saying those horrible remarks, blowing in her hair, and usually mocking everyone he saw. Daring to glance at him, thoughts of him saving Bo, his vulnerability with the patch, the roses and what he could do in the kitchen was defeating the logical points of her mind.

Sweetness, I'm an expert at two rooms in a house, and the kitchen is the other one.

Hearing Steve's voice in her mind increased her will to be home already. She needed to be alone to think about this, being around Steve was too distracting. The only problem with getting away from Steve was it meant getting away from Steve.

Arriving at the door to the loft, Steve waited for Kayla to get off the elevator and he followed. Watching her unlock the door, he fought back the will to touch her. Realizing he actually was still holding her purse, he waited until she faced him to hand it to her.

"Oh," Kayla said surprised, "I had forgotten...it was nice of you to carry it."

"Yeah, well, Hope nearly threw it at me, so I had no choice," he said while still staring purposely not making eye contact.

Kayla wanted to take that as a sign. Talking to Steve was one of the most impossible tasks any sane person could attempt, but before she could stop herself, she said, "We need to talk. Talk about what happened."

Hearing Kayla say that, Steve felt bothered. Thinking her matter of fact tone meant she was going to give him the brush off, Steve's ego answered her, "I didn't think it was talking that you wanted to do, Sweetness."

Kayla felt heat flush inside her. "Stop it, Steve. There was more to that kiss then just...then just..." Kayla struggled for the right words.

"Sex?" Steve said with a smile. Watching her eyes light up reminded him of the fire he felt back at Victor's and his body took a step towards her, inside the loft, "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Don't come in here!" she said quickly. Too quickly. If Steve came in she might not be able to get him to leave and when that thought appealed to her she moved to fight it by keeping him out.

Steve, hurt by Kayla's outburst, realized he was being foolish for even being around Kayla, much less expecting anything else. Glaring at her, he took a step back, "Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Brady. I didn't mean to overstep by bounds. I guess it's okay to maul me in a pantry, but once we are on your turf it's back to me being scary Patch."

"I would never call you that," Kayla said, "and I'm not scared of you. I just want to talk to you about..."

"Don't worry about it, Sweetness," Steve said, turning his back on her. He was getting in the elevator, knowing he needed to get away from Kayla as fast as possible. "If you think you are the only girl who can keep me company for the night, you really are naive."

Seething now, Kayla said, "Fine, go pick up one of your many girls. Call them next time you wind up getting beaten up!"

"I will!" Steve yelled back, then closed the elevator door.

Kayla slammed the loft door. She then threw the purse down onto the counter and held her head. She held back tears. She hadn't wanted to send Steve away like that. How can she be arguing with him one second, and then getting the kiss of her life the next? How was she supposed to know who Steve really was if he kept giving her these confusing signals?

Steve stood in the elevator letting the tears come. It was better this way. Kayla was not his type anyway. He wasn't good enough for her, but she would probably drive him crazy anyway. Stepping out of the elevator, Steve didn't believe that thought anymore than he thought he could fly, but it was all he had to keep him going.