A Viper 'Not So' Meet-Cute

We all know Roxie Vega is looking for love in all the wrong space dives. Let’s go back to her teenage years - those coming-of-age years - and meet one of the men in her life.

He will pop in and out of her life (and her bed) throughout her adventures.

Roxie heard the pounding on the door and groaned. She wasn't sure who was there, but she knew her father, who had been up at the racetrack late last night, wasn't going to get the door. She pulled on a little nightie and didn't even have time to grab a robe. God forbid her Pops was forced to get up before he slept off his hangover. He usually had a few too many beers while waiting for his horse to cross the finish line. And then he’d have a few more if his temperamental thoroughbred came in last.

Rushing down the stairs in her bare feet, Roxie opened the door, and her jaw dropped. Their small porch was filled with the tallest, most muscular, and perhaps the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen—in a weird, ugly-sexy way. He reminded her of someone… but she couldn’t quite place from where.

The man shuffled awkwardly as he put his hands on his hips. Rosie grinned, looking him up and down. He wore a tight black t-shirt, and tattoos of snakes crawled out of his collar and up his neck. He had a couple of tears tattooed down one cheek, and his forearms were completely sleeved with intricate designs of roses, skulls, and, of course, more snakes.

“Well, look at you,” the man growled, looking her up and down.

For a moment, Roxie wished she'd taken the extra second to throw something over her tiny nightgown. But then she decided she wasn't going to be intimidated by this guy, so she stuck her chest out and gave him a real show. She saw his eyes widen slightly in shock—she did have a pretty impressive physique. Something her Pops told her she got from her mother, the one who took off before she could even form any memories of her.

The man’s eyes were fixated on her thighs, and Roxie got that feeling again, that she knew him. His light brown eyes were unusual and familiar. Was he from that dating reality show she liked to watch? Rocket to Love had some pretty rough characters. Colorful characters added extra drama to the reality show famous for unexpected conflict.

She snapped her fingers to get his attention back to her face. "Well, can I help you? I'm sure you've got the wrong place.”

"I need to talk to your father," he said, his cheeks flushing slightly.

His voice was so deep it rumbled all the way through Roxie's body. She bit her bottom lip, wondering how to deal with him. She knew this couldn't be good— no matter how much she was enjoying looking at this gorgeous specimen of a man, he was probably a thug.

Probably from one of the gangs that patrolled the track. There was organized crime going on, and she didn't know exactly what her dad was involved in, but most of the stuff that went on there was shady at best, blackly illegal at worst.

She stalled for time. “Who should I say is calling?"

“Get Buzz, for Christ’s sake.”

Roxie’s stomach churned. Buzz was her father’s nickname. Only his closest friends used it. Who was this guy, and what was going on with her? She tried flirting while she tried to figure it out.

“Hmmm. Let’s see. I betcha your name is Snake. Based on the gorgeous bit of art wiggling up your neck.”

She let a slow smile spread across her face and tossed her messy black hair. She didn’t have to try too hard to act attracted to this guy. There was something about a manly man that just did it for her. She might only be eighteen, but she’s been on a date or two already. Her father kept her fairly protected, but when he was like this—sleeping it off—and this guy was right at her door, there wasn't much he could protect her from.

"Viper," he snarled. "My name is Viper."

Roxie gave a quick laugh. "That's a bit on the nose, isn't it?”

“Just get me your father."

She cocked one hip and gave him a saucy smile. "And what are you going to do—pick me up and throw me out of the way? If you wake up Buzz, he's going to be cranky and ruin my day. So why don't you just slither on out of here and come back at a more decent hour?"

His strong, defined jaw literally dropped. She noticed he had a five o’clock shadow even though it was only 7 am in the morning.

"Look—" He stepped closer to the doorway, allowing his bulk to loom over her. "Little girl, I don't want to hurt you."

Roxie refused to step back. “I’m no little girl. We're probably the same age."

He shook his head slowly. "You don't know who you’re dealing with here.”

She squinted at him, finally placing where she knew him from. "Didn't you go to high school with me?"

He wrinkled his nose. “No.”

It came to her. She’d only known one guy who wrinkled his nose when he was uncomfortable.

“Yes, you did.” Roxie gave a low wolf whistle. "Vince. Oh. My. God. Look at you. Been pumping weights and getting some ink."

His shoulders deflated a bit. "Roxie Vega. Look, I don't want to hurt you, but I really do need to talk to your dad. He owes some bad people a lot of money."

She shrugged. "Get in line."

"I really do need to talk to him."

"Do me a favor, Vince—just come back a little later. Like around noon.” She grinned. "Remember when we shared that smoke behind the portable at school? I think you tried to kiss me, but you weren't successful."

He wrinkled his nose again.

One thing that hadn’t changed was those eyes—those light brown eyes. She'd had a crush on him back then, but didn't want him to know because he was so full of himself. Even though he might not have been as muscled or as powerful as he was now, he'd always been a lure for the ladies. Look at him—he was a specimen.

"How's your mom, Vince?”

Roxie might not have had a mother growing up, but that was better than the kind of one this guy had—a drug-addicted harlot who used to send Vince to school with suspicious bruises.

A quick flash of pain crossed his face. "Both my parents are dead. We're not talking about that. Get your dad.”

They had a bit of a stand-off. Her violet eyes meet his in an unflinching stare. Something travelled between them. Something electric and hot. Roxie felt a bit woozy, but didn’t look away.

Finally, Vince-Viper- whatever he was called these days- gave a final nose wrinkle and blinked, ending the stare fight. “Come on, Roxie, I promise not to hurt him.”

She felt slapped and took a step back. Vince wouldn’t hurt anyone, but this new version of him, Viper, might. It was time to handle this guy.

Forcing a sexy pout, she purred, "Just come back in a few hours."

"All right." A slow, predatory look slid across his face. "But I have one requirement."

"What's that?" She didn't like the look on his face—it was almost hungry, ferocious.

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "You give me that kiss you denied me behind the portable all those years ago."

Shivers ran up and down her spine. He was so close to her. Fear and attraction fought in her belly. He smelled good—like pheromones and Old Spice deodorant and just pure man. She caught her breath, turned, and looked him straight in his eerie, intense eyes.

"No," she said, and slammed the door shut.

The next Roxie Vega tale drops next Wednesday. Find out what happens with Viper! Does he come back later, or tear the door down in the next scene?

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