Dip 'n Dots
One-Shot
Kathryn Meyer never thought ice-cream could attack, until the day she met that spiffy business man.
It had started out as a normal day – but don't they all start off normal? – when she woke up, brushed her hair, ate, brushed her teeth, then got dressed for work. Yet, she always knew that working at an ice-cream stand was never quite normal.
But, as she looked up into the vanilla ice-cream smudged face of said businessman, she gaped in horror. What had she done?
His black tousled hair, now flaked with cold cream, shone brilliantly against the sun's rays. Shimmering gray eyes glared down at her as they slowly pinpointed the offender, who looked rather pathetic with her little cap aloof, covering one eye.
Kathryn Meyer vouched that, on that day, that vanilla ice-cream hated her.
But, the horror to the story wasn't that she had made a huge and utterly demeaning mistake. Oh no. It was the fact that she had, while on the job, smacked right dab into some high-class businessman, and then planted a huge vanilla cone into his face.
Embarrassing indeed. At the moment, Kathryn was wondering if his eyes were glaring at her, or the offending vanilla cone she held in her trembling hands.
And the other fact was, the unmistakable one, that he was utterly drop-dead gorgeous. Even with ice-cream smudged across his cheeks and matted into his raven tousled hair.
Kathryn wanted to die right there on New York's uncomfortably hot sidewalk then and their, rather than face his wrath.
Struggled to find words, Kathryn could only fumble and pull her headphones from her ears. Now that they were out, she thought the mysterious man could hear the music pumping through the incredibly tiny cords.
She closed her eyes, taking a mental sticky note to never again to listen to music on the job. Never ever again. This was becoming much to cliché for her taste. Girl runs into guy, then guy gives said girl the evil eye.
The man was doing a damn good job on his part.
"Um – I…let me get that!" She stuttered. Kathryn reached over the cart, dumping the sopping cone on the surface, and grabbed a towel. It was the least she could do.
She squinted against the rays of sunlight maneuvering around his face, momentarily blinding her. She raised her hand to wipe away the offending cream, noting his high cheekbones as she worked.
"I was distracted," She supplied, not liking the look he gave her as she used her finger to swipe up a bead that tarnished his complexion. "My music – it can be a tad distracting…oh, crap! Your hair! I was dis – "
"You've made it clear you were distracted." He smiled under her lips. It wasn't the thin, dry smile she had been expecting, no. It held amusement and humor in it. She watched the dimple crease into his cheek, almost entranced by it.
"Right. I have." Kathryn reached up, on her tiptoes, and began brushing and padding the now beige stained towel into his hair. "I'm so sorry. I should've been paying attention – "
"And we've made that clear to." The stranger stated, peering over his shoulder, gazing for a moment at New York's morning traffic. "But, I and curious about something. Give me an answer?"
"Um – sure." She said. He licked his lips before replying. "What is it you need?"
"I'm curious, by nature," then he winked, "what were you listening to. I seem to recall you…dancing to your music. Curiosity killed the cat," he shrugged slightly, an amused gleam in his eyes.
"Er – I don't really think that's relevant." Kathryn pursed her lips together in agitation. Just how long did ice-cream take to wash out?
"Mhm," He licked his lips, watching her brilliant green eyes flash in embarrassment every few seconds. "Vanilla. I have to admit, it's not my favorite flavor, and it doesn't really suit me." The tang of the sweet cream rested on his tongue before dissolving.
He peered down as Kat's fingers moved to his nose, flicking off the flecks of vanilla. He zeroed in on the headphones that were sitting lifelessly over her shoulder, one stuck under the strap of her apron. He captured one with large fingers.
"Ah," he murmured, popping it into his ear. "Goodnight and Go. Imogen Heap. Charming." The stranger flashed a white smile, tilting his face down slightly, catching the annoyed glance Kathryn shot at him.
"Sir, I have to ask you to give me back my headphones. I'm trying to clean you up…back to your spiffy suit-clad self." Kathryn sighed but it sounded more like a hiss. Music was her private sanctuary. Men knew no boundaries, it seemed. Or personal bubbles.
Stupid, annoying, nosy man.
He merely shrugged as she held her palm out, silently demanding for the headphones. "Hey, I did say curiosity did kill the cat, but I never said what life it was on." He smirked, holding it up, letting it dangle just beyond Kathryn's reach.
The vanilla stained and fragranced towel went unnoticed as it fell to the sidewalk.
"What do you want, sir?" She exaggerated 'sir,' letting it run off her tongue, trying to evoke the fact she was getting rather annoyed. She stepped closer, watching as he licked his lips subtly, his eyes dancing with an uncharted challenge. "Does the little business man want a free vanilla-willa cone?" She taunted easily.
With a breeze, her hair slashed out across her face, and a few tendrils lashed out to tickle his chin. Little did Kathryn know, the spiffy man knew behind the sweet, cool smile she was dropping her guard.
A few seconds later, she found herself iPod-less. It had been thieved from her apron. Bearing her teeth, Kathryn stepped closer, but he merely mirrored her steps, only backwards. A smirk was spreading across his face as he scrolled through countless songs.
"Ska?" He questioned, finding the band known as 'Reel Big Fish' cut across his path. "People still listen to this? And I thought I was alone. Ranging from classical to a tad of punk. Music is an interesting way to get to know a person, eh?" He laughed, moving his thumb over the blue metallic paint.
"Okay, seriously," she huffed, forgetting about her ice-cream stand. In the back of her mind, she knew she should've been forgetting about this, but what man had the nerve to humiliate her twice in one day? "Give it here. I'm really sorry for spilling ice-cream all…over you. Is this some sorta punishment?"
He flicked a glance at her. Businessmen shouldn't have that mischievous look in their eyes. Normally, they had the dorky Harry Potter glasses and nerdy atmosphere that seemed to follow them like a little black cloud of bad luck.
And they were supposed to be smart. Why couldn't he just give her the iPod and be on his merry way?
"Hmm. I guess in it's own way it is. You dart me with ice-cream, and I steal your iPod. Fait enough for you," he glanced at the back of the handheld, "Kit-Kat?" A smile softened his features for a moment, then the smirk was replaced as he walked back a few more paces, putting a good distance between them. "I presume that's short for 'Kathryn?'"
"None of your business!" Kathryn snapped, her cheeks burning. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the many curious and annoyed looks of customers gathering around her ice-cream stand.
And this man was between her music and her job. Such a petty and hard choice.
Giving a harsh sigh, Kathryn ran her hands through her hair. "Take it! I don't care! CD players aren't that old! I can use that! CDs aren't a thing of the past, mind you!" Kathryn pointed a menacing finger at him. "Oh! And, guess what! I take back my apology!"
"Can't do that. Already said and done." The smile broadened. As if he was wearing a hat, he tipped the imaginary brim of it at her. "And I think I will. Hopefully we meet again, but minus the ice-cream cone."
Kathryn watched in disdain as he licked his lips thoughtfully.
"But I must admit," he seemed to be choosing his words as he turned on his heel, "I prefer chocolate to vanilla."
Kathryn gaped at his sauntering finger until he disappeared from sight.
The bloody nerve of men.
…
The blue iPod sat on his desk, next to the golden bar that read 'Gabriel Shyer.'
Gray eyes glittered and he leaned back in his chair, looking at the handheld in amusement. Gabriel had managed to figure out her name was indeed Kathryn Meyer. Firstly, from the way she blushed, and how the iPod read 'Kit-Kat Meyer.'
He glanced up as the door swung open. Anna came bustling in with a new tailored jacket, almost a replica to his old one, which was still smothered in ice-cream at 1.00 Cleaner's.
"Here, put it on." The stout woman commanded in her 'no nonsense' tone. Gabriel had come to respect Anna on a high level. "Did Pete already give you a collared shirt? Good man…" She trailed off, handing the jacket to the raven-haired man.
"Thank you, Anna." He smiled, slipping his arms through. "And I did say I had a job of extreme importance too."
"You're not going to make me higher strippers for your brother's next birthday party, are you? That was absolutely demeaning!" She wagged an accusing finger at him, her brow furrowed. "I thought your father raised you better than that."
Gabriel could see the ghost of a smile on her lips. He shrugged. "It was merely payback, you see. Justin sent me a beekeeper…with bees. You know I'm absolutely terrified of them."
"And you sent Justin strippers that popped out of cakes for…?" Anna pursed her lips, turning on her heel, motioning with her hand for him to follow.
Another shrug. "Justin was afraid that girls had cooties, and I had to be the one to prove him otherwise."
Anna's phone rang out as they passed through the doors. She retrieved it from her pocket, shaking her head. "I'm getting too old for this, Gabriel. You do realize your brother is gay, I presume."
A hearty laugh rippled from his chest. "It made his party a hell of a lot more interesting, to me."
"Your charm wears thin, Mr. Shyer."
They fell in step with each other, side by side. "Aw, you're finally warming up to me, Anna. My hearts beats truly for you."
"Please get on to the point, Gabriel." Anna huffed, turning a corner. She was making her way down the hallway, down to the receptionist's desk. They would have to work this out for Gabriel themselves.
"I need you to find a certain someone for me." Gabriel said, looking around. "It's amazing that I don't even remember this hallway, and I own this whole damned company."
"You're a man of many talents, Gabriel. Who would you like Helen to find?" She stopped at the large mahogany desk, tapping her nails across her surface, grabbing Helen's attention.
Green eyes narrowed in annoyance as she picked up the vibrating phone, jerking her head to her intern, Melanie. Helen cradled the phone against her shoulder, nodding and murmuring answers as she took notes on the computer.
"Ah, Melanie," Gabriel nodded, holding out his hand. "A pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, Mr. Shyer." She nodded professionally, taking his hand lightly. "What can I do for you today?"
"I'd like you to look up Kathryn Meyer, the woman who so kindly speared me with an ice-cream cone today." He grinned. He took the pen and notepad from the intern's hands, taking it into his own hands to write down her name.
"Would you like me to file a lawsuit against her, Mr. Shyer?" Melanie asked again, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. She smoothed out her skirt just as Gabriel finished with the pad.
"Heavens, no. I'd just like you to track her down for me…and while you're at it, see where her ice-cream cart is located throughout the week. It seems that I'm in the mood for some sweets."
Melanie peered at his skeptically over the brim of her specs. "Anything else, Mr. Shyer?"
With this task done, he made to turn on his heel. But instead, he pressed a thoughtful finger to his chin. His eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Sir?" Anna prompted, ignoring Helen's seething glances as she took calls.
"And Get…hmm…" He trailed off, grinning.
…
One week without seeing that boyish workman was like heaven for Kathryn, even when she got the few occasional glances from her customers. Some even had the nerve to ask what happened on that fateful Friday. Bu most of them were kids, who in other words, had no other options in summer rather than to torture her.
With her apron in hand, Kathryn walked down the street, humming happily to her internal radio, since her iPod had been snatched away by the hands of evil itself.
And she still didn't know the guy's name!
New York's streets were alive and buzzing around eleven every morning. Kathryn began to realize, that when she moved there years ago, that New York's cabs and cars never really slept either.
Today was no exception she realized. Her eyes narrowed as she saw a moving van parked around the corner. No. Her corner, where her ice-cream stand was. Her eyes narrowed as she threw her apron over her shoulder and tied her hair back.
She'd give them a fight.
Kathryn broke out in a run as she neared. Pushing past people, her kind demeanor dropped as she saw the side of the moving van. His face was painted across it, sporting a charming smile. Whoever he was, Kathryn reasoned as she slowed, gaping, he had a lot of money.
Narrowly avoiding a tree, Kathryn trotted towards the men unloading the truck…heaving another ice-cream stand. She spared the truck another glare, cursing the man who stole her music to hell and back.
"Oh, Kathryn, darling, how nice of you to make an appearance. I was wondering when my competition would show up."
Slowly, Kathryn turned on her heel to glare at him. Gabriel caught the malice in her eyes as he leaned on her cart, lounging and loitering.
But, before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Who the hell are you and what are you doing back here? Did you come back for your cone?"
"Gabriel Shyer." He sauntered toward her, holding out his hand. "The pleasure's mine." When she didn't take his hand, he took to draping a arm around her shoulder. Kathryn rebelled by pushing him away.
"What do you want, Gabriel?" She asked, sighing. "Want to sue me for destroying your suit and your dingy wig? Go ahead, but give me my iPod back and let me get back to my work. In peace."
"A wig? Was that all you saw of me? I guess I'll just have to give you a better view, my little ice-cream cone." Gabriel grinned, gesturing. His dimples seemed to just morph his face perfectly, even though Kathryn refused to acknowledge them.
"What do you think you're doing? You may have a bunch of cash, but that doesn't mean you get to torture me. Wasn't my ultimate humiliation enough for you?" She stressed, running her hands through her hair.
Curious customers watched their confrontation with smiles and laughter.
"You don't know who I am?" Gabriel asked, slightly shocked. Did this girl live under a rock all of her life.
"Gabriel Shyer. What's so special about you?"
"I now own my father's cooperation. Shyer Corp. Ever heard of it?" Gabriel watched her with curious eyes. He arched a perfect brow.
Kathryn ignored him and picked up her apron, tying it around her waist. "So what? You've got a rich family name. I'd like to get to work, without looking at your face all day." Kathryn jerked her head at the moving truck angrily.
"Even if I do move that, you'll be looking at me from across the street, until you warm up to me." Gabriel crooned, waving at her as he left her in awe and annoyance.
Oh, the irony.
…
For another week Kathryn had to greet Gabriel Shyer with a fake smile.
After the day he made his stunning appearance, Kathryn had gone home and done her research on the supposedly well-known man known as Gabriel Shyer. After countless hours of tapping and slapping the laptop, she came to her stunning conclusion.
He was an absolute git and had all the money in the world.
His father had been one of the most cherished minds, supposedly being a scientist and all – one she had never learned about herself, either. Or, maybe she hadn't been paying attention in biology class? Naw. She made good grades. Her ice-cream cart was something her parents did. She wanted to uphold that tradition.
…Even if it did mean she would have to eventually converse with the overly friendly man known as Gabriel Shyer.
But, she did realize her customers had somewhat dwindled. She assured herself that it was mere curiosity of her opponent. That was it. That was all. Nothing more to it. Kathryn was just overreacting.
Just a bit.
With her scoop in hand, Kathryn dug it into the rocky road ice-cream, and produced two scoops for her most loyal customer, Aleck. Pursing his lips, he glanced over his shoulder. They had gone to college together, and became good friends.
He turned back, his blue eyes traced on her face. "That's the guy?"
"Yup." She shrugged, trying to show of a casual flair. "Gabriel Shyer. Did you ever hear about his father, Rupert Shyer? The scientist?"
"Well, duh." Aleck gave her a pointed look, like she was crazy. His blonde hair covered his eyes. "Everyone has. If you haven't, you must've been living under a God damn rock all of your life."
Dully, she wagged the scoop in his face. She wanted to beat him with it. "Hey, play nice."
Aleck snorted softly, but all in all, gave her a small smile. "I'm gonna be late for work. I'll see you later?"
"Sure. Have fun."
Ten minutes later, Kathryn felt another presence in front of her, blocking the sun. She knew who it was, so she kept her head down and drummed her fingers against the cart, making a rhythm.
"You know, as the manager of this cart, I'm going to have to complain to you about your service." Gabriel grinned cheekily. He never looked so flawless. With his black hair in disarray and his lopsided grin, he was the picture next to the definition of innocent.
Sadly, if only they knew.
"Why is that?" Kathryn groaned, lugging herself from the chair. Looking around, she noted that there weren't as many people on the street. Brow tendrils lashed around her face.
"Because you ignore me and only me when I come by. I'm truly hurt. I came by to buy some of your ice-cream." He said, clutching his hand over his heart. Such a drama queen…king.
"Fine. I'll be nice this one time. What do you want?" She snapped, grabbing the scoop again.
"Chocolate. Three scoops."
"You realize that you have your own little ice-cream stand, don't you? Cone or cup?" Kathryn asked, bending over to grab it. "And it'll be two forty-nine."
"Pricy, eh? But I'll have a cone." Gabriel asked, digging into his pocket.
"Not when you own the whole wide world, isn't that right, Mr. Shyer?" Kathryn mumbled under her breath, but he still heard it.
"Not the whole world, love. Just most of it." Gabriel smiled, handing her the money. He didn't quite touch her skin, but it was close enough for her to feel a shock. He noticed her slow retreated. Probably as to not attract anymore attention.
She handed him his ice-cream cone carefully, so as to not touch him again. Kathryn didn't like that feeling in her stomach, that nervous yet somewhat enjoyable one. Giving him the evil eye, she watched him start to turn.
But then it happened.
He was then in front of her, a breath away. Kathryn's mistake was that she held her ground, instead of running. An arm snagged around her waist, pulling her a bit closer.
And then the ice-cream cone was smeared across her face. Tangled in her hair, dripping from her lips.
His chuckle brought her out of the trance, and out onto the attack.
"How dare you, Gabriel Shyer!" She screeched, struggling against the arms that held her. "Get off of me, you dolt! Let me go!" Her eyes narrowed as she brought her hands up to wipe away the cream.
Sticky. Ew. That's gonna take forever to get out.
"Oh, hush. I think it's only fair I get my revenge, and then you can be on your way. Shall I?" Gabriel asked, tilting his face down, his raven tendrils obscuring his eyes slightly. He brought his free hand to run down her cheek, gathering up some chocolate.
Then he kissed her.
It was terrifying, the fact how mind-blowing it was. Kathryn kept her eyes traced on his, seeing the humor in his eyes. His lips were gentle—persuading even. Deciding to play along a little, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Might as well give them a show.
Then he broke away, but only a breath away. His eyes lazily scanned over her face. Her arms stayed locked around his neck as she watched him. His expression gave nothing away.
"I told you that I preferred chocolate to vanilla." He said, with all seriousness.
And when he walked away, Kathryn held a smile on her lips.
…
When she woke up the next morning, she found him waiting at her front porch, seven AM sharp, holding a box of chocolate Kisses.
Somewhat startled, somewhat flattered, Kathryn nodded at him. "What brings you here, Gabriel?"
Without her consent, he barged into her house, looking around. "Kiss?" He asked with a smirk. He held the box out, and with some difficulty, she took it. "And I see you got the ice-cream out of your hair."
"And I see you found your way to my house. How did that come to be?" Kathryn closed the door. When she saw his eying her appreciatively, she tightened her robe.
"Your friend – Aleck – told me. Supposedly I had good intentions. Not very sure where the boy got that from." He flashed another charming grin. He seemed to be chalk full of them.
"Aleck likes to trust everyone." Kathryn giggled slightly, putting the chocolate on the table. "Are you here to humiliate me more?"
"Of course not. Just to take you to breakfast, unless you'd like another face full of chocolate."
"Don't forget I got you first." Kathryn smiled, turning to go into her bedroom. "But, Gabriel, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. Shoot."
"Why did you kiss me?" Kathryn asked, turning completely, not really expecting an answer.
There was a moment of quiet bliss before he answered.
"That damned sweet tooth of mine. Can't keep my hands to myself." He grinned, following her and catching her around the waist.
When their lips touched, Kathryn couldn't help but be thankful for spearing him with ice-cream, even when he was the most powerful business man in the world.
Wait, no. He own most of the world. Not all of it.
Well, for now, he owned her heart for a few blessed moments.
A/N: This is a late Christmas present to my cousin, The Shadows' Sunrise. :D See? I finally got it done. I don't like some of it, so revising and re-editing is in order here!
Reviews are appreciated!
1.04.08: Edited slightly. :)