Neptune's Ring

by Ali Spooner

  “No, I think we are all stuffed after a large dinner,” Liz said.

  “Alright, let me find out what the rest want and I will call an order in,” Levi said.

  Levi left them to go to the telephone and call NeNe. She and Killian wanted cheeseburgers and Karen had already said she wanted a club, NeNe informed her. Levi ended the call and phoned the kitchen to place their orders.

  When she returned to the bar where the group was sitting she heard Vanessa ask, “Do you really think a fantasy room would stay busy?”

  Levi smiled at the conversation. “If it didn’t work, then we could just convert it back to a luxury suite.”

  “That is true,” Liz said. “The more I think of it, the more I like the idea though.”

  “It would definitely provide a niche in the business,” Cass admitted. “I have seen a few in my travels and they always appeared booked well in advance, so they must be fairly popular.”

  “Is it Saturday yet?” Nat asked, as she bounced in her seat.

  “Not yet, My Dear, but it will be here soon,” Liz said, with a smile to her lover. “I can’t remember when I have seen you so excited.”

  “When we opened Venus, I was this excited,” Nat said.

  “That’s true, I don’t think you slept at all that week,” she teased.

  “How long will we have at the island?” Cass asked.

  “We are scheduled to fly back at five,” Liz said.

  Nat saw Levi’s eyes open in surprise.

  “We have already asked Susan to cover for you Saturday,” Nat said.

  “Ok then,” Levi said. “That will give me another night with that sexy Captain of mine,” she said, with a wink to Vanessa.

  “That should give us plenty of time to survey the property and discuss the purchase information with Cat,” Liz said.

  “This is going to be so much fun,” Levi said. “I can’t wait to see the resort and the house. I know the photographs don’t begin to do justice to how they really look.”

  “Probably not,” Nat said. “The house by itself and the property would be worth a small fortune, so hopefully we can work this deal.”

  “How much faith do you put in the story of the island being haunted?” Cass asked Liz.

  “I think the story is embellished to a point as urban legend, but I can’t rule out that Van Buren is not in some way responsible for the young woman’s disappearance. He seemed to be quite a despicable character.”

  “Would you think that there would be any danger to staff or guests?” Cass asked.

  “That, I cannot answer,” Liz said. “We will just have to wait and see for ourselves, but from everything Cat has told me, the events that have spooked the construction workers were all harmless pranks and nothing that could be construed as dangerous.”

  “That’s encouraging,” Cass said. “I think we could deal with harmless pranks and it may add some mystique to the resort to be harmlessly haunted.”

  “Very true,” Nat said, as she wiggled in her seat.

  “What I would really like to know is how are you going to keep Nat busy tomorrow to keep her from exploding?” Vanessa teased.

  “I am going to have her busy looking at flooring and furnishings for the resort on the internet,” Liz said. “I am not sure it won’t intensify her excitement, but at least if the deal works out, we will be that much further ahead on the plan,” Liz chuckled.

  “Clever,” Levi said, as she shot a wink to Liz.

  “Nat will you take over the bar for a few minutes while I take Levi outside,” Liz asked.

  “Sure babe,” Nat said, as she looked curiously at Liz.

  “We will be back in a few then,” Liz said, as she took Levi’s hand and walked outside.

  Levi remained silent as they walked, curious though of what Liz wanted from her. When they reached the steps leading down to the beach they sat and Liz turned toward Levi.

  “In all the excitement over the island Nat and I have neglected to inform you of something,” she said. “Simone was discharged from the hospital and is back on the property until Sunday morning when she is scheduled to fly home.”

  Levi looked at Liz and smiled. “Thank you for telling me so I won’t be surprised to see her.”

  “Levi, there is more,” Liz said. “Simone has taken up with Del and now with Del and a young woman by the name of Petra. They have been spending quite a bit of time together let’s just say being romantically involved.”

  “Simone involved in a threesome?” Levi said.

  “Yes, I am afraid so,” Liz said. “Tonight and tomorrow should be the only time you would cross paths with her, since you will be gone most of Saturday and she will be out of here on Sunday.”

  Levi smiled warmly at Liz. “I can handle this Liz. I won’t claim to be completely over the hurt Simone caused me, but I have chosen to be committed to Vanessa and establishing a long term relationship with her.”

  “That is very good news, Levi, but you know how devious Simone can be, so stay alert,” Liz warned. “Nat has pretty much given her the riot act over her behavior, so hopefully Simone will enjoy her little fling and be out of our hair for a while.”

  “Let’s hope you are right,” Levi said. “I am so tired of her drama.”

  “Likewise,” Liz said. “I just wanted you to be aware so if they show up at the club tonight, there are no surprises for you.”

  “Thank you, Liz, I really appreciate that,” Levi said.

  “So, things are going well with you and Vanessa then?”

  “Oh my goodness yes, Liz, she is such a wonderful woman,” Levi said. “I never dreamed I could feel so deeply connected to anyone.”

  “That’s a great feeling isn’t it?”

  “One I hope to feel for a long, long time,” Levi said.

  “I know you haven’t had much of a chance to talk yet, but do you think you and Vanessa will be interested in investing in the resort?”

  “I am all in and I think she will be in at least financially,” Levi said. “I don’t think Vanessa is ready to leave the sea yet.”

  “Well I have every confidence we can still make it work as long as you are on board,” Liz said.

  “I have everything crossed that I can cross,” Levi teased.

  “I just hope Saturday gets here soon. I know Nat probably won’t sleep at all tomorrow night,” she said with a grin.

  “Bring her down to the club and I will knock her out,” Levi said with a devilish grin.

  “Oh no you don’t I have my own methods for wearing her out,” Liz said as she nudged Levi’s ribs with her elbow.

  “Well I can’t argue with that,” Levi said, then stood to walk back to the club. “We better get back before Nat comes looking for us.”

  “Or she poisons someone trying to mix a Slow Grind,” Liz chuckled.

  “Good point,” Levi said, as she helped Liz to her feet. “Thanks again.”

  When they returned to the club, Levi ran Nat from behind the bar by popping a towel at her behind. Nat howled with laughter and joined Vanessa, Liz and Cass at the bar.

  “How about that Tropical E you promised me Levi,” Cass said.

  “I am so sorry Cass,” Levi said as she poured the drink and placed it in front of her friend.

  “Mmm, this is good,” Cass said. “I think I could get addicted to these.”

  Dinner arrived and Nat took over the bar while Levi and Vanessa joined NeNe, Killian and Karen in an empty booth for their dinner break.

  “Well damn,” Karen said.

  “What is it, Karen,” NeNe asked.

  “You all have cheeseburgers and I have a club,” she said. “Those look so good.”

  “They taste very good too,” Levi teased, as she took another bite of her burger.

  “From here on out Levi just order me whatever you are having,” Karen said. “Your food always looks so much better,” she said with a grin.

  “That makes it easy, cheeseburgers every night,” Levi said, with a he
arty laugh.

  They ate their meals and made plans to meet on the beach the following morning for some sun and a few drinks.

  “I need to get up early and drive down to the hospital in the morning,” Levi said. “It’s time to get rid of the blue monster,” she said, as she held up the cast.

  “I might not recognize you without the cast,” Vanessa teased.

  “Oh really,” Levi teased back. “I bet Killian would still recognize me.”

  “Yes ma’am I would,” Killian snickered.

  “Some First Mate you are turning out to be,” Vanessa said as she punched Killian’s arm. “I thought I taught you to always agree with me.”

  “Yes, Captain you did,” Killian said. “But, you didn’t ask the question,” she said, and roared with laughter.

  “See what you are getting yourself into NeNe?” Vanessa warned. “Total insubordination, I tell you.”

  “I am enjoying every minute of it too,” NeNe said.

  Vanessa shook her head. “I just don’t understand you young whippersnappers,” she teased.

  “I will explain it all to you later,” Levi promised.

  “Fine then,” Vanessa said with a smile.

  “That’s my last song, so I had better get a move on,” NeNe said. “Come sit with me later?” she asked Killian.

  “You bet Babe,” Killian said, then kissed NeNe.

  It was almost ten and when Nat walked around the bar to stand beside Liz, Liz said, “I think I am ready for a Slow Grind.”

  “Barkeep, you heard the woman, one Slow Grind please,” Nat said.

  Levi smiled back at Nat. “I don’t think she had the drink in mind, Boss.”

  Nat looked back to a grinning Liz.

  “She is right baby, I would rather have one of your slow grinds,” Liz said.

  “By all means ladies, we shall see you tomorrow,” Nat said, as she offered Liz her hand.

  “Keep the money bag tonight Levi,” Liz said, as she stepped off the stool and followed Nat out of the club.

  Levi watched as a handsome young lady approached the bar and stood between Vanessa and Cass.

  “May I help you?” Levi asked.

  “Actually, I was wondering if you would mind if I stole one of your mates for a dance,” the young Aussie said.

  “Be my guest,” Levi said, and watched as the young woman looked at Cass.

  “May I have this dance beautiful lady?” she asked.

  Cass blushed profusely, but accepted the hand the young woman offered.

  “Now that was smooth,” Levi said. “Did you catch that accent?”

  “Did you catch the blush on Cass’ face?” Vanessa answered.

  “That was kind of hard to miss,” Levi chuckled. “I think the temperature went up a few degrees.”

  “I should have asked for a dance before Nat and Liz left,” Vanessa said.

  “I have a dance planned for you much later,” Levi said, as her eyes sparkled at Vanessa.

  “Now I do like the sound of that,” Vanessa said.

  Levi looked up at the crowd coming in through the door. The smile she was wearing for Vanessa turned into a scowl as Simone, Del and Petra entered the club.

  Vanessa knew without turning who had just entered the bar. She leaned across the bar and took Levi’s face in her hands and locked eyes with Levi. “I won’t stand by and allow her to hurt you anymore,” she said.

  The smile returned to Levi’s face. “She can’t anymore, baby, I have someone much better in my life now.”

  Simone paraded her crew passed the bar with not even a glance in her direction which was fine with Levi. Del waited until they were seated in a booth and then walked up to the bar to order drinks.

  “Hey Levi,” Del said.

  “Hi Del, what can I get for you?”

  “I see you have a new drink on the menu.”

  “Yes, a Slow Grind may I get you some?” she asked.

  “That is a very appropriate name, yes so let me have three please,” Del said with a cocky grin to Vanessa.

  Levi poured the drinks and handed them across the bar to Del. “Enjoy,” she said, with one of her best smiles.

  “I fully intend to,” Del said, with a smirk and walked back to the booth.

  “She makes my skin crawl,” Vanessa said, as she watched Levi.

  “A good match for Simone,” Levi said, as Karen rolled up with a drink order.

  “Two dozen Tropical E’s please,” Karen said, as she plopped down next to Vanessa. “You know I have lost ten pounds since Levi arrived,” she said to Vanessa.

  “She keeps you busy huh?” Vanessa said.

  “She keeps coming up with these drinks the ladies would kill for,” Karen said with a wink. “I am already halfway through my second set of wheels,” she teased.

  “Just think of the wear and tear you are saving your feet from,” Levi said with a chuckle.

  “That’s true and my tips have tripled since you arrived, so I guess I had better be thankful,” Karen said.

  “That’s the spirit,” Vanessa said, as Karen rolled off with her order.

  Vanessa caught movement out of the corner of her eye and saw Del, Petra and Simone walking to the dance floor. She looked past them and saw Cass and the Aussie dancing close to a slow song that was just ending and she smiled to herself. When she turned back to Levi she said, “You know I think I would like a slow grind too. One for now and another later,” she added with a grin.

  Levi mixed the drink for Vanessa and handed it to her lover.

  They watched as Cass and her friend walked back to the bar and Vanessa slid onto a different stool so they could sit together.

  “Levi and Vanessa, this is Trina,” Cass said.

  “Nice to meet you ladies,” Trina said with a warm smile.

  “Welcome to Venus Rising,” Levi said. “What are you drinking?”

  “I have fallen deeply in love with your Tropical E’s, Trina said.

  “Two TE’s coming up then,” Levi said, as she poured the drinks and placed them on the bar.

  “Thanks love,” Trina said, as she took a drink from the glass.

  “Where are you from?” Vanessa asked.

  “I just flew in from Sydney today,” Trina said. “At least I think it was today, all these time zones have me so confused.”

  “They can be rather disturbing,” Cass said.

  “Do you travel quite a bit Love?” she asked Cass.

  “I have done my share,” Cass said.

  “Well I hope if you make a trek to the land down under you will consider me your personal guide,” Trina said.

  “I would like that yes,” Cass said.

  NeNe cranked up the music and the crowd went wild on the dance floor. The club was packed and every few minutes the doors would open and more women would come in.

  “Would you ladies excuse me?” Levi said, as she walked across the dance floor to open the double doors to extend the bar to the outside patio area. She was weaving her way back through the crowd when a hand reached out and grabbed her arm.

  Vanessa saw what was happening on the dance floor and stood up from her stool. She was about to take a step toward the dance floor when Cass placed her hand on Vanessa’s elbow.

  “Levi can handle Simone,” Cass spoke calmly to Vanessa.

  Vanessa turned to look at Cass and there was fire burning in her eyes. Cass smiled at her and Vanessa knew she was right, that Levi was more than capable of dealing with Simone and she returned to her seat.

  Levi looked up to find that it was Simone who had grabbed her arm and stopped her on the dance floor.

  “Join us, please,” Simone said.

  “No thanks,” Levi said, then started to walk away.

  Simone grabbed her arm again, more roughly this time and the anger in her eyes glared at Levi.

  Levi calmly took her hand and removed Simone’s hand from her arm.

  Simone’s eyes bored into the back of Levi’s head as Levi was stopped by anoth
er guest and she danced in a group with them for a few minutes before she walked back to the bar.

  “Simone,” Del shouted over the music.

  Simone’s head whipped around to look at Del, anger still very obvious in her body language.

  Del pulled Simone close to her body. “You have all that you need right here,” Del said.

  “You are right,” Simone agreed, as she turned her back to the bar and resumed dancing.

  “Would you take a walk on the beach with me, Cass?” Trina asked.

  “I would love to,” Cass answered.

  “It was nice to meet you and Levi,” Trina said, to Vanessa and then she led Cass from the bar.

  “Where are those two going?” Levi said when she walked up behind Vanessa.

  “For a walk on the beach,” Vanessa said. “Looks like a great night for it too, the moon is full and the seas are relatively calm.”

  “Maybe we should take a stroll after I get off work,” Levi said.

  “We are going to stroll right up to your room,” Vanessa said with a smile.

  “That is a much better idea,” Levi grinned.

  The rest of the evening passed without incident and Vanessa was silently relieved when Del, Simone and Petra paraded themselves out of the bar near midnight. She sat on the bar stool the entire night talking with Levi between orders and found herself quite stiff when Levi’s shift ended. When she stood and stretched, Levi smiled warmly at her.

  “Do you need help with that stretching?” she teased.

  “As a matter of fact, yes I do,” Vanessa said to answer Levi’s question.

  “See you tomorrow night, Susan and have a great one,” Levi said, as she tucked the money bag under her arm and took Vanessa’s hand.

  “You too,” Susan said then watched the two lovers leave the bar.

  Levi placed the money bag in her small closet safe and returned to the bedroom to find Vanessa starting to undress.

  “Not yet,” she said as she walked to the sound system to turn on slow music. “I have a dance to collect on.”

  Vanessa smiled. “Yes, you do.”

  Levi stepped into Vanessa’s arms and their lips met for a slow, sensual kiss as they moved to the rhythm of the music. She could feel Vanessa’s hands stroking down her back causing her arousal to soar. Her tongue danced in Vanessa’s mouth while her hands cupped her ass, pulling Vanessa’s body into hers as they ground their hips together during the dance. Levi softly moaned when she felt her nipples grow hard as she moved against Vanessa’s body.