Sweet Heat

by Zuri Day

  “Always running that mouth,” he replied, his eyes still glued to her berry-colored kisser.

  She licked her lips seductively. “You like it.”

  Marvin’s dick jumped. He laughed and turned to cover the movement. “Girl, quit playing!”

  “Who says I’m playing?”

  “So you’re not playing? You really want some of this Marvin magic?” Marvin ran his hands from shoulder to thigh. “Careful with your answer, Juicy, because if you say yes there’s no going back.”

  “The question isn’t whether I want some of your magic, as you call it. The question is whether you’re man enough to handle”—she rolled her hips—“all of this.”

  “Whoa! Watch out there now. All day and all night, baby!”

  “Alright then, player. I like your confidence.” She pulled out her phone. “What’s your address?”

  “Can’t happen there, babe. I live at home.”

  “At home as in, with your parents?” Marvin nodded. Naomi frowned. “How old are you?”

  “What difference does it make? I’m twenty-seven. My parents needed my help and I moved back home to give it to them.”

  That was a slightly creative take on the truth, but it was Marvin’s version and he was sticking to it.

  He pulled out his phone. “Give me your number, and your address.” Hearing no answer, he looked up. “That’s all right. All talk and no action. A big tease. I knew it would be hard to back up all that junk in your trunk.”

  Naomi quickly rattled off her address. “Be there tomorrow, seven o’clock sharp. We’ll see who can back what up.”

  “Why tomorrow? Let’s wait until the weekend, Sunday. I’m off and can at least take you out to dinner, or to the movies, do something fun.”

  “Let’s handle this situation like grown folk, okay? We both know the kind of fun that’s on our minds. Tomorrow,” she repeated, turning to walk away as she took two fingers and pointed from her eyes to his. “Your only chance. You don’t show up, I’ll know why.”

  Marvin watched Naomi walk away, a contradictory bundle of daring machismo and feminine wiles. He worked on Wednesdays and on top of that was looking forward to his first Sunday off in several weeks. None of that mattered now. Scrolling his contacts, he punched in Donald’s number. The boss would no doubt love switching shifts with him and being off the whole weekend. Marvin knew working both Saturday and Sunday, easily the restaurant’s busiest days, would be an exhausting, nonstop cooking inferno. But he was pretty sure he knew something else. Naomi Carson would be worth it, and then some.

  11

  The next afternoon, Naomi stood just outside the 99 Cents Store, taking her break and talking on the phone.

  “Tee, cuz, I really messed up this time.”

  “Why, what happened?”

  “I invited Marvin over.”

  “Ooh, girl, that’s great! You’re finally going to let a man clear the cobwebs.”

  Naomi chuckled and slowly shook her head. “You’re silly.”

  “I’m serious. How is that messed up?”

  “Did you forget where I live? With Nana?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Obviously Marvin did, because when I got on his case about living with his parents, he didn’t say anything about me living with her, even though I told him that first time on the phone.”

  “It’s Wednesday. Doesn’t Nana go to Bible study?”

  “Yes. That’s why I insisted he come over tonight. He wanted to wait until this weekend when he was off. Make it a real date by going out and everything.”

  “And?”

  “That’s not what this is. I don’t want to date Marvin!”

  “You only want to screw him.”

  “Exactly.”

  “So you can focus on winning the food competition.”

  “Yes. Are you being sarcastic?”

  “Are you being stupid? As much as you like this guy? Do you think you can be with Marvin sexually and still keep it casual when you see him in public? Keep your emotions in check and your heart out of the equation?”

  “Yes.”

  Naomi said this with conviction, but wasn’t so sure. She glanced at her watch and headed inside the store. “Look, break’s over. I’ve got to go.”

  “Stop overthinking everything, Naomi. In fact, don’t think at all. Just go with the flow and try to have fun. How long has it been?”

  “You mean for the real thingy instead of a toy dingy?” They both laughed at that comment. “Too long.”

  Naomi had tried hard not to remember that tragic fact, that she was in a forced celibacy and hadn’t had sex in almost a year. At least not with a human. It made her sound pitiful, undesirable, unwanted. As though something was wrong with her and right with all the women who jumped in a different bed every month, or every week, for sexual thrills. After the bad luck she’d had with the last lover, puny-penis crazy Vic, she’d felt better off sticking with her dildo Mr. Big. She could come, then roll over without thinking about whether or not a man was trying to use her or whether she’d awaken with a present that only penicillin or some other pill could cure. And then there was the minor detail of her living arrangements. Nothing could put a damper on your sex life like living with Grandma.

  The afternoon passed quickly. Naomi stopped by the store on the way home; bought some drinks and snacks, just in case he felt like munching. Thought about cooking something but nixed that idea. Nana usually did the cooking on weekdays. Naomi didn’t want to rouse suspicion. Yet when six fifteen came and the elder missus was still sitting in her favorite rocker watching a In the Heat of the Night rerun, Naomi began to worry. What if Nana didn’t go to church that night? She hadn’t even given that possibility any consideration. And while she’d not lied about her living arrangements, she hadn’t corrected Marvin’s assumption that she lived alone. Figured Nana wouldn’t be there and didn’t see the need. Figured she’d explain if and when asked directly. Which would be in about forty-five minutes if he arrived at seven, as she’d demanded, and Nana answered the door.

  She muted the television and left her room. Went into the kitchen, poured a glass of water and sat on the couch.

  “You going to church tonight?”

  “Why, you want to go with me?”

  “No, not tonight, Nana.”

  “I don’t see why not. You haven’t given the Lord His time in a month of Sundays. He gave you that job promotion and you haven’t even stopped to say thanks.”

  “I thanked Him!”

  “Not in person, you didn’t.”

  “You’re the one who taught me that the Lord is everywhere.”

  “Yeah, but that don’t mean you can’t go by His house for a visit every now and then.”

  “You’re right, Nana. But not tonight.” Naomi stretched and tried to feign a yawn. “You going?”

  “I don’t know. Been feeling tired all day today. Hope I’m not coming down with something.”

  “Sounds like not feeling well is all the more reason to go to church. Doesn’t the pastor pray over the sick at the midweek service?”

  “Yeah.” Nana sighed, picked up the remote and turned off the TV. “You’re probably right. Might be the devil trying to stop me from getting my blessing.”

  Or the Lord trying to keep me from getting mine! Naomi looked at the window, tried to keep her face neutral. Inside she was about to do the happy dance.

  Nana got up from her rocker and walked over to kiss Naomi’s forehead. “Thanks for encouraging me to go to church. The next time I offer you encouragement, let your reaction be the same.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Nana hated to be late for anything, which is why Naomi felt fine telling Marvin to arrive at seven. Yet it was a quarter to seven before Nana’s Buick finally pulled out of the driveway. Barely time for Naomi to jump in the shower, then slip into a loose maxi that was easy to remove.

  Fourteen minutes later, the doorbell rang.

  Marvin not only showed u
p on time, but by her watch he was one minute early. She took one last look in her bedroom mirror, ran her fingers through a new loose do, and went to the door.

  “Didn’t know if you’d show up.” She stepped back to let him in, then stopped. Where’d you park?”

  “In the driveway.”

  “Do me a favor and park on the street.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I asked you. Park over there,” she continued, pointing across the street. “I don’t need the nosy neighbors in my business.”

  “What do you care what the neighbors think?”

  “I don’t. Now go move your car. Hurry up!”

  Marvin gave her a look before turning around to do as she asked. He returned and came through the door with a plastic bag in hand, which he held out to her. “Sorry it isn’t in a wine sack. Didn’t have time to make two stops.”

  “No problem. Nice of you to bring something to drink.” She pulled out a bottle of sparkling wine, reading the label as she walked into the kitchen.

  Marvin followed behind her. “I figured you’d like Riesling. Most women do because of the—”

  “I’m not most women,” Naomi interrupted, rounding on him and getting in his face. “But thank you.” She gave him a peck on the lips.

  * * *

  That closeness was all the proximity Marvin needed to do what he’d wanted to do ever since he’d first seen her, seen them. Ever since she’d fixed those ample smackers to deliver the sarcastic “excuse you” after he’d bumped her backside. He placed a hand behind her neck and another one around her waist. Pulled her tight, covered her lips with his own and jabbed his tongue into her open opportunity before she could object or say anything at all. Flicked his tongue against hers, a silent yet forceful, even urgent invitation to stop yakking and start smacking. Start snacking. Delicious attacking. To show her what he came working with, and how he could turn her on. He eased the bottle out of her hand, blindly sought the counter to set it on, and once that hand was freed used it to grab the Carter-catcher that had teased him ever since he first saw it; accidently met it before he met her. That juicy, delicious, breathtaking ass. Palmed as much of it as he could, pressed it into his hardening shaft. Felt her nipples begin to pebble against his chest. Girl wasn’t wearing a bra. Was there anything beneath that flimsy dress? The question begged an answer. He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. To see that, like his, hers were heavy with desire.

  “Want to take this into your bedroom?”

  Naomi obviously thought she could show him better than tell him. Took his hand and led the way. Through his desire-induced haze Marvin vaguely scanned the home he’d barely noticed since Naomi greeted him at the door. Nice place, but he was struck at how different it looked than how he’d imagined her home would be. He’d expected bright, loud, explosive colors that matched her personality. The home had an older, conservative vibe. Had she inherited it from a loved one, maybe recently, like this morning?

  No time to think about that now. They were in Naomi’s room. Obviously Naomi. Incredibly so. Bright yellow curtains that matched a geometric-patterned comforter. Noticed only because it’s what Naomi backed up to and fell on, bringing him with her. Down on the bed wasn’t anywhere he didn’t want to go. He’d dreamt of how it would feel to be on top of all her loveliness. The best of his fantasies didn’t come close. Her breasts and stomach cushioned him in a way that was made for loving. Caused his dick to harden, lengthen, and beg to be freed from its boxer cage. Marvin was ready to oblige it, but he wanted to savor the moment, too. Wanted to slow things down. They had all night. He eased to the side of her, where his hand was free to roam what his torso had just experienced.

  “Damn, girl. You’re coming with it! Talked that talk and now you’re walking the walk.”

  “Uh-huh, thought I was playing, didn’t you?”

  “I was hoping you weren’t. You’re everything and more than I thought you’d be.”

  “Hmm. Now I see you’ve got my problem,” she responded. Pulled on his shirt. His zipper. His belt.

  “What’s that?” he asked, placing his hand on hers to still quick, sure movements.

  “Too much time talking when there are other uses for that big wet mouth.” She returned to the task at hand, ridding him of his garments.

  “Why are you rushing though?”

  “Because I want some dick, okay? Do you have one or is that a cucumber poking my thigh?”

  Marvin burst out laughing, even as he reached for the zipper with which she still struggled. “Definitely not a vegetable,” he replied. “That’s a roll of pure beef you’re feeling. Grade A at that.”

  He rolled to a sitting position, then reached down to untie and remove his sneakers. Naomi took the opportunity to remove her maxi. Marvin looked over to see her lounging on her side wearing nothing but a thong.

  Lord. Have. Mercy. Top-of-the-line juicy on full display. Breasts for days. Wide hips, an expanse of creamy thigh that went into buttocks that he was sure had their own zip code. It was time to quit playing and get down to business. He figured they could have foreplay and pillow talk before the second round. Standing up just long enough to remove his jeans, he crawled onto the bed and eased off his boxers. His thick, curved manhood stood at the ready. So was Marvin. He eased himself down, gently, beside Naomi. Pulled her close and covered her mouth with his own. He treated her soft, cushy body like an instrument—stroking her chords, playing her keys. His tongue went on a journey from her mouth to her neck. Then shoulders, and on down, until it found what it searched for, a plump, dark nipple to pull into his mouth. He did so with relish, even as his hand traveled south to another set of lips. Slid a finger between them and felt her dewy desire. Heard her gasp with delight when he flicked her pearl. All the encouragement he needed to take his mouth to where his fingers had traveled, where they’d felt evidence of a body more than ready. He scooted down. She shifted her body and let her legs fall open. Exposed the small swatch of satin covering her goody box. That sexy black thong, as cute as it was, proved no match for Marvin. A quick yank and it came away from her body. Any protest she’d planned for his tearing her clothes was silenced when he plopped his face between her thighs and began nibbling her heat like a hungry man ready to dine. His tongue flicked her pearl—skillfully, playfully, mercilessly—before parting her thick folds and lapping her love juice like honey from the comb.

  He felt her legs begin to shiver. Unintelligible murmurings cascaded from her lips to his ears as he continued the delicious assault.

  “No.”

  “Yeah, baby. Let it go and take the ride.” Just beyond the thighs he held, the thighs that muted sound as they pressed against the sides of his head, came a scratchy kind of drone near the bedroom window.

  “No!”

  “Um-hmm.” Marvin plunged his tongue inside her, over and again. Encouraged her to “come for daddy” after each lick.

  Naomi’s body bucked, almost lifted off the bed, even as she pried his hands away from her thighs. Her movements were jerky, almost frantic, as though she was coming and going at the same time.

  “Stop!”

  Marvin did, immediately, and rolled over on his back. Hers wasn’t the usual reaction after inducing an earth-shattering climax, but then again, Naomi wasn’t your ordinary girl.

  “Crap! I knew I heard something.”

  Marvin opened an eye and saw Naomi on her knees, squatting low, peeking between closed blinds.

  “It’s Nana!”

  “Who’s that?”

  “My grandmother! She’s home early!” Naomi scrambled off the bed and reached for the maxi that lay in the heap of clothes on the floor.

  “She lives here?” Marvin asked, reaching for boxers, jeans, tee, and hurriedly pulling them on, during which a vague memory of her telling him that wafted across his mind.

  Good thing for that memory, because Naomi didn’t answer. She’d raced to the other side of the room, to a dresser that held several perfume bot
tles on a mirrored tray. Grabbing one, she yanked off the top, began to spray herself and the room. Marvin stepped left to avoid her waving hand but took a blast of Angel Flowers to the chest.

  “Dang it, Naomi. Now I smell like a bouquet!”

  “Better than smelling like booty,” she hissed.

  Both turned to the sound of a door opening. Naomi shushed him with her eyes and placed a finger to her puckered mouth. Neither was needed. The terrified expression on her face was enough to shrivel Marvin’s dick and shut him all the way up. For several seconds he forgot to breathe. Hell, he’d never felt this frightened in his mama’s house, even when he had to hide a naked classmate in his closet overnight.

  “Get under the bed!” Her whisper was soft yet frantic. Low but urgent.

  “What?”

  “Under the bed!” This time pushed through gritted teeth with an expression that translated to got-dammit-I-mean-now.

  Why did he have to get under the bed? The door was closed. Did her grandmother have x-ray vision?

  “Why?” he quickly mouthed, even as Naomi placed determined hands on his back and pushed him toward the bed.

  “Because your car is out there. She’s going to knock!”

  Marvin glanced down skeptically at a bed that looked less than a foot off the floor. “I can’t fit under there.”

  “Naomi!”

  Naomi’s eyes widened. She grabbed Marvin’s shirt and he’d later swear she channeled the strength of Hercules because she placed her hands on his shoulders and almost forced him to the floor. Only stiff arms and pride kept him off of his knees.

  “Naomi, you back there?”

  The sound of heels on hardwood hastened her tugs and his movements.

  “Girl, wait!” Marvin glanced around the room. Spotted a door and moved toward it. “I’ll get in the closet.”

  “Girl, you hear me calling you!”

  The voice was close. Too close to make a run across the room.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m here!” Naomi shoved him down again. His knee hit the floor with a sound Marvin knew would cost him tomorrow. He did a tuck and roll that would have made a gymnast proud, momentum aided by a final heave-ho when Naomi lowered the bed skirt and plunked down in front of it just as a light tap on the door signaled time was up.