Steve was feeling good. No, not just good. Absolutely fantastic. It was like he was whole again. He smiled broadly as he pulled on a robe and looked down at Kayla, who was still sound asleep after their late-night activities.
Kayla the perfect nurse, Steve thought. My baby knows exactly the medicine I need.
His euphoria left him when he saw the bruise on her face. How had he done that to her? To Kayla, who he loved more than life itself? And even after he had hurt her, when he should have been comforting her, she was the one who had comforted him, making sure he knew that she did not fear him, that she loved him, and that wanted him.
Steve sighed. He had so much to make up for and he was going to start by trying to show Kayla how much she meant to him. He slipped out of the room and made his way downstairs. He was going to surprise his Sweetness with breakfast in bed. Steve chuckled at the thought. It would be nice to have a meal in bed that he actually wanted to have.
Shane was already in the kitchen, sitting on a chair next to the counter, eating and giving some instructions to Worthington, when Steve arrived. Oh, this is going to be fun, Steve thought. He made a point to increase his swagger a bit as he entered.
"Good morning, everyone. I hope you are all having as good a morning as I'm having." Before Shane could answer, Steve turned to Worthington. "Could you fix us some fruit and maybe a little toast? I've got the little lady upstairs and want to bring her breakfast in bed." He watched out the corner of his eye as he added, "She had quite an exhausting night last night."
Secretly, he laughed as he saw Shane pale in response. As Worthington turned and began preparing a tray, Steve leaned against a counter and faced Shane.
"So, Master Donovan, giving any instructions to the help today? Must make you feel like quite a big man." Steve smirked. "Makes up for other things that might be lacking."
He could tell that Shane was uncomfortable. Good. After what he pulled, he deserves it.
"Look, Steve, about last night-"
"Nope. Not listening," Steve said. "Don't want to hear a word you've got to say, dude."
Shane shook his head. "I just want-"
"Hey!" Steve said, sharply. "I said save it. I don't want to hear any of your words, Donovan. That's all they are - just empty words." He turned toward Worthington. "How's it coming?"
"Just a moment, Master Johnson."
Steve grinned at Shane. "See, I'm a 'master' too. Of course, there are some areas where I'm more of a master than others." He chuckled as Shane shifted in his chair.
"Steve, we need to talk," Shane said.
"No, we don't - and especially right now when I've got my Sweetness lying in my bed waiting for me." Worthington brought over the tray and set it on the counter in front of Steve. He took it. "Thanks, Worthington." Carrying it, Steve walked over to where Shane was sitting. In a low voice that only Shane could hear, Steve said, "You'll never know how good this feels, dude. Remember that. I'm the only one who will ever know."
Shane slammed the counter with a fist and started to get up, but Steve was already near the door. "Ta ta. Cheerio, old chaps," he said as he walked away.
Damn that felt good, Steve thought. He had just put Donovan in his place and they both knew where they stood. There could only be one top dog, and they both knew it wasn't the owner of the house.