Sweet Heat

by Zuri Day

  “I’ve been there,” Marvin replied. “It’s overrated.”

  “Humph. Let me go and be the judge of that.”

  “No more judging,” Marvin declared, as the last of the food items were put away and they made their way to the bedroom. “Time for some loving.”

  Naomi followed behind him. “Agreed.”

  * * *

  Six months had passed since Marvin declared himself the cook who would take it all. From that day, he’d dreamed of being able to quit working at the Soul Spot and be his own boss. He wanted a brand that he could be proud of and to have Naomi as his assistant. As she lay sleeping and cuddled against him in one of two identical master suites, while he was wired with excitement, he mouthed a silent thank-you to the Universe. He’d believed and received, and now the day he’d dreamed of was finally here.

  It was Saturday, just after nine o’clock on Thanksgiving weekend. Marvin, Naomi, Zen, and Tat stood in Marvin’s driveway, staring at the brightly colored food truck emblazoned with SLICE, the name Marvin and Naomi had created together, spelled out within a clip-art pic of the same. Having spent the past twenty-four hours in heavy prep, the trio should have been exhausted. But they weren’t. Instead of blood, excitement ran through their veins.

  For Marvin, the moment was surreal. Over the past week, he’d been in that truck more than he’d been in his house. And he’d loved every minute.

  Naomi leaned against him, in awe of the moment, too. “Are you ready?’

  Marvin nodded. “I’ve waited on this moment for a long time.”

  “Now it’s here,” Tat said, rubbing her arms as a cloud covered the sun. “You’re doing everything right. Debuting on the biggest shopping weekend of the year. Alerting the masses through social media and marketing cards. Setting up in a killer location with two of the best cooks with whom you could ever share a kitchen.” She and Naomi fist-bumped. “What more can you ask for?”

  “Nothing,” Marvin said. He slid an arm around Naomi’s waist and squeezed. “I’ve got it all.”

  He took one last look around. “It’s time to head out, y’all. If I know my family, some of them are already up there wondering where we’re at.”

  After quick hugs, Marvin and Naomi got into the food truck while Tat drove Marvin’s SUV, which had been wrapped to match the truck. Travel from his home to the Leimert Plaza Park, where the truck would be set up, took all of five minutes. Byron had been right. The Carter Collective purchasing that home had been a wise move.

  The truck got attention from the moment it pulled up. Marvin jumped down from the driver’s side and, as he figured, saw his dad, Nelson, and Barry strolling over to greet him.

  “Why are you starting so late?” Nelson asked. “At least five hundred dollars have passed by this area just since I’ve been here.”

  “Good looking-out for me, brother. But we’ll be fine.”

  Marvin was right. When they opened the window just twenty minutes after parking, there was already a line. It formed and never ended. Nelson had to work, but Barry was instantly recruited. Texts went out for extra hands, and later, extra food. For all of their planning, the on-the-job lessons came fast and furious. Still, with Naomi on the window and Tat and Marvin executing, they emptied the truck. When they shut down just eight hours later, they’d moved every type of slice prepared. Nothing was left. Not even a lettuce leaf.

  Back at the house, Marvin and Naomi walked straight through the living and dining room area, entered the bedroom, and collapsed on his brand-new, king-size bed.

  “Ooh, baby,” Naomi said, as she reached out and touched him. “I’ve never had this feeling before.”

  “What, the feeling of running your own business?”

  “No, the one where every part of my body hurts.”

  “Oh, my poor baby. Come here and let me kiss your booboo so you’ll feel all better.”

  “Ooh, no, baby. I’m funky. Let poor baby take a shower first.”

  “Ha!”

  Marvin laughed as Naomi slid off the bed, removing clothes as she entered the master suite. He went to his chest of drawers, pulled out an envelope and set it on a pillow, then stripped and joined her in the shower.

  Bubbles slid down her ample globes as she turned to face him. He rubbed himself against her, using the suds on her body to soap his own.

  “Here, give me that.” He took the bar of fruity-smelling soap from her and began slowly gliding it over every inch of her body. “Spread your legs.”

  She did. He ran the soap between her legs and along her folds, smiling at the hitch that caught in her breath when his finger followed the path of the soap bar before sliding inside her.

  “Ooh, baby,” she cooed, pressing his favorite body part of hers against him, grinding her booty against his rapidly hardening flesh. He reached for the loofah and sponged both of their bodies, even as she turned in his arms and slid her tongue into his mouth.

  “Give it to me,” she whispered, while capturing Marvin’s dick between her thighs.

  In the moment all of the pain must have been forgotten as a surprisingly limber Naomi leaned against one shower wall and hoisted her leg up against another one. Marvin’s eyes fluttered as he walked toward her, shaft in hand, and guided it into her warm, waiting heat—slowly, in, out, again. He thrust. She swiveled. It didn’t take long. Their climax was hard and simultaneous. They finished showering, donned towels, and headed back into the bedroom, both prepared to do it again.

  Naomi brought a bottle of lotion into the bedroom. She got ready to lotion herself, but Marvin took the bottle away.

  “Get on the bed, sexy,” he ordered.

  She complied, noting the envelope as she did so. “What’s this?”

  “Your check for working today.”

  “Check? On top of the cash you already gave me? You going to pay me twice?”

  “Only one way to find out.”

  Naomi continued looking at him while her hands worked to unseal the envelope. She pulled out stationery with a travel agency’s logo on top. She saw two words, New York, and screamed.

  “We’re going to New York?”

  “You said we’d need a vacation after weathering the holidays. I thought New York would be a great getaway. Do you think you’ll have quit work by then?”

  “I don’t think so, Marvin.”

  “Why not? You saw how much money we made in one night. Once word gets out, we’ll do six figures easy, and I’m talking more than a hundred grand. More like two or three, maybe more.”

  “I know, and I believe in you one hundred percent. The one thing that has me hesitating is the expense of getting my own insurance. Okay, and maybe the assurance of a steady paycheck, too. Give me a little time, okay, before I ride-or-die with you, which you already know I will. Meantime, I’ll get these days off for sure. If they don’t let me have them, I’ll quit.”

  “What’s your boss’s name?”

  Naomi frowned. “Why?”

  “I want to call her and make sure she doesn’t give you those off days. I need you full-time, Naomi Carson. Not just in my truck . . . in my life.”

  40

  Naomi’s face was pressed to the airplane window. Her eyes shone like a kid’s. It was her first trip to New York City, and that she was experiencing it with the man sitting beside her was thrilling beyond words. A three-day weekend was hardly enough time for all the city had to offer. But Naomi planned to see as much of it as she could.

  “Babe, when was the last time you were here?” Naomi asked.

  “I think it’s been three or four years ago, something like that. A friend of mine’s wedding. They got married in Central Park.”

  “That sounds so romantic. Will we have time to go there?”

  “Maybe,” Marvin drawled. “But we won’t have time to tie the knot.”

  The plane landed. They got their bags. Marvin used a ride-share app to order a car. When it was less than five minutes away, they exited the airport to the sights and sounds of th
e city near LaGuardia Airport.

  “I’m in New York!” Naomi squealed.

  “I’m cold,” Marvin responded.

  Because it was Naomi’s first time, Marvin wanted to stay in Manhattan. Byron’s wife, Cynthia, had suggested they book through a house-sharing website instead of staying in a hotel. She assured them that not only was it cheaper, but they’d have a more authentic experience staying in a home. When Naomi had balked at the idea, Cynthia offered to handle the reservation herself and take full responsibility for their living experience. Naomi budgeted for a hotel room, just in case. They arrived to an elegant one-bedroom apartment just blocks from Times Square. Naomi vowed to never book a hotel again.

  Marvin suggested a little lovemaking to take off the chill, but Naomi wasn’t having it. She was ready to hit the streets.

  “Times Square is just blocks away! I want to see where they drop the ball.”

  “We’ll hang out down there tonight. It’ll be better then. How about we take a subway to Harlem, check out the Apollo and a few other sites, and then grab lunch at Red Rooster.”

  Naomi gasped. “Marcus Samuelsson’s place! Yes! Let me freshen up.”

  There was Alice in Wonderland and there was Naomi in Manhattan. She was in awe of everything—buildings, traffic, billboards, people—even the plethora of pigeons and trees. The subway ride was fascinating and somewhat scary.

  “It looks just like the movies! Think of everything on top of us, all of those tall, heavy buildings, and millions of people!”

  Marvin had replied, “No, let’s not think about that.”

  When they arrived in Harlem and came up out of the subway, Naomi couldn’t help but pinch herself. When she saw the Apollo sign, she almost cried. Took pictures of it from every angle. She hugged the imitation tree of hope that sat in the lobby. Marvin had to almost bear hug her to prevent her from ignoring security and running up to the stage. She grew up watching Showtime at the Apollo. With the mirror as her audience and a brush for a mike, she’d regularly slayed the competition and wowed the masses. In her mind, she’d been on that stage a thousand times.

  The weekend was a whirlwind of wow, and food accompanied almost every experience. Warm nuts, hot pretzels, and hot dogs all sold on the street. Gourmet-quality pizza sold by the slice in shops no bigger than Naomi’s closet. One could walk a city block in certain locations and take a trip around the world—Middle Eastern gyros and lamb kabobs, Chinatown’s rice noodles, and Trinidadian roti filled with beef, veggies, and rice. Naomi hadn’t eaten any of those dishes before and wanted to try them all. When Marvin surprised her with dinner in Brooklyn at Butterfunk Kitchen, one owned by a man she’d watched on Top Chef, she could have kissed his sock. They saw a Broadway show, and took a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty. They spent time in Times Square, a voyeur’s dream. Every adventure-filled day ended with love-filled nights—their laughter unending, their love real. When the trip ended, and they boarded a plane bound for California, Naomi turned to him with teary eyes.

  “Thank you so much for bringing me here, babe. This was the best trip ever, one I’ll never forget.”

  Back in California, Marvin and Naomi settled into an effortless groove. She finally made the appointment and got on birth control, and after both were tested, enjoyed regular lovemaking skin-to-skin. Three weeks after Marvin’s food truck, Slice, opened for business, news of their truck and the delicious menu continued to spread like wildfire. Naomi took a leap of faith and quit her job to work with him full-time. They were able to hire permanent part-timers. Tat and Zen continued to help with prep and peak-time service. Naomi even created part-time work for Kristy, who despite her earlier prediction was now noticeably with child. Since her cousin’s cell phone was an extension of her hand and she navigated social media like a fish did water, Kristy handled their social media blasts announcing locations where they were set up. The internet was a godsend. Customers were often standing in line waiting when the Slice pulled up.

  Life was so busy that with turkey and stuffing barely digested, Naomi blinked and Santa was headed their way. On Christmas Eve, she found herself again in Venice Beach at a sit-down dinner with the entire Carter clan. It was a family affair, but Cynthia had stipulated that dress attire was required and that the rule would be strictly enforced. Thirty people occupied three round tables set up on the home’s heated rooftop, which twinkled with lights and boasted decorated Christmas trees that were ten feet high. After casual mingling during the cocktail hour, the guests were seated. This visit was even more special than the first time, when she first met her idol Jan. This time, to her right was the love of her life, and to her left was Nana.

  “Are you okay, Nana? Having a good time?”

  “I’m fine, baby. This is all so lovely. Marvin has a beautiful family.” Nadine leaned and whispered, “I think you’ve got yourself a good man.”

  As uniformed waiters began service, Naomi looked across the table and caught Jan’s eyes on her.

  “I don’t mean to stare at you,” Jan said. “But you have such a pretty face and your skin is flawless.”

  “Thank you, Jan!”

  “I meant to tell you that the last time Doug and I came to the truck. What do you use?”

  “I don’t wear foundation.”

  “No, I meant what cleanser?”

  Naomi shrugged. “Whatever’s on the Dollar Store’s shelf.”

  The woman next to Jan chimed in. “Then you need to thank your parents, because they’ve passed on some very good genes.”

  “Which means y’all will have some pretty babies,” Jan teased.

  Marvin, who’d been talking to Doug, sitting beside him, caught the last comment. “I think so. A little Carson, a lot of Carter . . .”

  Nadine leaned forward. “Watch it now!”

  Amid the laughter came a tinkling sound. Cynthia stood, ringing a crystal bell. Conversations quieted.

  “Good evening, family. As service begins, I just wanted to thank everyone for coming and for dressing so nicely.” The comment drew the intended chuckles. “Byron and I are thrilled to have all of the people we love celebrating this, my very favorite holiday, with us. Most of you know my parents, but a few of you haven’t met them, so I’d like to acknowledge my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Hall, and my brother Jeff, my son Jaylin, and of course the reason my heart beats, Doug Carter.”

  She held out the mike, but he shook his head.

  “Who would like to offer a toast?”

  All of the Carter brothers except Nelson began to rise. “I got it first,” Byron said, laughing at Barry, who was right behind him.

  “Good evening, family. Tonight I’m in a celebratory and thankful mood, especially mindful of gifts that keep on giving. Most of you know that just a few months ago my brothers and I incorporated to do business as the Carter Collective. We . . .” Byron paused as the room applauded. “Thank you. It was a very deliberate move to own, invest, and accumulate wealth that can continue to sustain this family for generations. The market value in South LA continues to climb, and we believe it will be that way for years to come. That’s where we focused for the group’s first purchase. That home, a bungalow that has been completely renovated, is just south of Leimert Park. It’s currently being occupied by America’s newest food truck owner, and one of the best chefs to ever pick up a pan.”

  “I really am,” Marvin called out, to various reactions.

  “He won first place in Food Truck Bucks, and along with a nice cash prize was given a food truck. Along with his lady, Naomi, Marvin’s truck, Slice, has already become a must visit for people coming to Leimert Park. They’re on course to go deep into six figures their first year out. He already knows how proud we are of him. Thanks, bro, for helping the Carters shine.”

  Byron held up his hand to do the toast, but Marvin stood. “I know everyone is ready to eat, but I just wanted to add something to that real quick. A couple things, actually. One, is that the meat dishes you’ll eat tonight were pre
pared by a woman who was once my competition, Naomi Carson.” He nodded. She smiled and waved to light applause. “Two, the dessert is all me. And three, I really wanted to emphasize the value that this woman sitting next to me has brought to my business and to my life. She gave me a run for my money on the show . . .”

  “I’m still giving him a run for his money,” Naomi said, to the delight of all the women and most of the men.

  “She tries,” Marvin replied. “But seriously, it was her idea to brand the business as one where everything is served as a slice, and having that unique twist is one of the reasons people drive to wherever we are to get . . .”

  Several people joined him in finishing the sentence, “The right slice.”

  “We clicked from the very first day of the competition, so first I asked her to come and just brainstorm with me about the name of the truck and the menu. And she did. Then I asked if she would help me out in the truck, at least part-time, while I was getting everything up and running. She said yes. Business went crazy and three weeks later I asked if she would take a chance and quit her job with benefits to work full-time for one who doesn’t have benefits set up yet. She did that, too. Which goes to show that she’s crazy.”

  He laughed and dodged her punch.

  “And now, tonight, I have another question for her.”

  A low murmur spread across the room as Naomi met Jan’s widened eyes, saw Doug’s knowing smile, and felt Nana’s pinch beneath the table.

  “Naomi Carson, would you stand, please.”

  Butterflies turned flips in Naomi’s stomach. She willed her legs to stop shaking as she stood next to him.

  Marvin turned and faced her directly.

  “From the first day I met you, there was a connection.” He looked around. “No, y’all, there was a literal connection because I accidentally bumped her butt.”

  The room roared. Naomi blushed.

  “She got with me like my mama would, and I immediately thought, I like this girl.” He looked at her again, and reached for her hand. “You have competed against me, stood beside me, and got behind me and my dream. You were one of the first people who told me that you knew, without a doubt, that my business would be a success.” Marvin’s eyes became bright, his voice raspy. “You don’t know what that does to a brother, baby. To know your woman not only believes you but believes in you.”