Neptune's Ring (2 page)

“Do you have a place in Miami?”

“No, I stay on board the ship. No more than
we are in port, it just doesn’t make sense to lease an apartment or
house.”

“That is probably wise,” Levi said.

“Some of the staff rent a house out near the
beach and since they rotate cruises; there is generally someone
always at home.”

“What about Killian?”

Vanessa smiled at the mention of her first
mate. “Killian chooses to stay on board.”

“I believe she loves that ship as much as you
do,” Levi said.

“Yes, she does. When we take a break for the
Christmas holiday, I have to force her off the ship to go spend
time with her parents,” Vanessa said.

“Maybe this year the two of you will take a
holiday down at the resort then,” Levi suggested.

“Even if it means I have to fly again,”
Vanessa said with a smile.

Their sandwiches arrived and they enjoyed the
spicy lunch washed down with several glasses of soft drinks. After
they finished, they stepped out into the midday Florida sun to hail
a taxi. Traffic was intense and the driver wove in and out of four
lanes of traffic as he made his way quickly to the port.

When they reached the ship, she and Vanessa
climbed out of the taxi. Levi paid the fare as Vanessa stood in awe
of her ship.

“It must seem like ages since you have been
on board her,” Levi said.

“It really does,” Vanessa said, while she
admired the beautiful ship. “She looks more beautiful every time I
look at her.”

Vanessa reached for Levi’s hand as they
walked down the pier. Killian was standing on the bridge and saw
them approach, then rushed toward the ramp that led down to the
pier. She met them before they reached the ship and immediately
hugged Vanessa.

“I brought her in without a scratch,
Captain,” she said.

“I can see that, she looks great.”

“It is good to have you back on board,”
Killian said. She stepped back from hugging Vanessa and embraced
Levi. “I am so happy to see you and to have you on board with us,”
she said. “If there is anything I can do for you while you are on
board, please let me know.”

“Well I do have instructions to get you back
to the resort as quickly as possible, so maybe once we leave port
you can put a little extra speed in,” Levi teased.

“NeNe did tell me to hurry back,” she
said.

“She misses you terribly, but you never tell
her I told you that,” Levi said with a grin.

“My lips are sealed,” Killian said. “Will you
two be joining us for dinner tonight?” she asked.

“Yes, please ask Andrea to prepare dinner for
two more,” Vanessa said.

“Very well then, let me take those bags for
you,” she said as she took the bags from Levi and Vanessa. “I will
put these in your cabin, while you take a look around.”

Killian knew Vanessa well enough to know that
the first thing she would do was walk the ship once she came on
board and Vanessa smiled at her correct assumption.

“Would you care to walk with me or would you
rather rest for now?” Vanessa asked.

“I don’t want to miss a minute of your
company,” Levi said.

“I will check in with you later then
Killian,” Vanessa said as they walked to the elevators.

“Later Captain,” Killian said, as she
disappeared up the stairs with their bags.

PART TWO

Simone and Del spent the afternoon at the
pool, soaking up the sunshine and several drinks. The days Simone
had spent in the hospital had left her hungry, but her appetites
went much further than food. She had every intention of seducing
Del and was confident that her intentions would be well received by
the young woman.

“Would you join me for dinner?” Simone asked
as she sat up on her lounge chair.

“I would love to,” Del answered. “What time
would you care to meet?”

“I thought we could meet at six and then
spend some time down at the club afterwards,” Simone said.

“That sounds very nice to me,” Del said, as
she stood and offered a hand of assistance to Simone.

“We have a date then,” Simone said, as they
walked back toward the resort. “I will meet you at the dining room
at six then,” she said as she parted ways with Del.

“I look forward to it,” Del said with a smile
before she turned away from Simone.

This one will do nicely, Simone thought as
she watched the catlike movements of Del’s body as she walked
away.

Simone walked into the salon and requested to
have her legs waxed. The young salon attendant worked quickly to
remove the stubble from Simone’s legs and then rubbed her freshly
smoothed legs with baby oil. Simone enjoyed the feel of the woman’s
hands on her legs as she carefully covered her skin with the
soothing oil. She could feel the dampness grow between her legs as
the woman’s hands stroked the insides of her thighs.

“All set,” the young woman said, as she
helped Simone from the waxing chair.

“Thank you, my dear,” Simone said, as she
signed the charge ticket, giving the woman a twenty dollar tip.

“Thank you, Ms. Taylor,” the woman said as
she took the ticket from Simone. “Let me know if I can be of
further assistance while you are at the resort.”

“I will indeed,” Simone said with a
smile.

Simone took the elevator to the penthouse and
slipped out of the swim suit and immobilizer then stepped under the
flow of the water. It felt good to have her arm free for a few
minutes even though the slightest of movement made her shoulder
ache. She showered quickly and swallowed a pain pill before calling
the front desk.

“How may I assist you Ms. Taylor?” the woman
asked.

“I need a wakeup call in an hour please,”
Simone requested.

“No problem, Ms. Taylor, will there be
anything else?” the woman asked.

“Yes, please also arrange for a bottle of
champagne to be delivered around eight tonight,” Simone
requested.

“I will take care of that,” the woman
said.

“Thank you, very much,” Simone said as she
ended the call.

Simone rested against the pillows and closed
her eyes for a short nap. The pain medication worked quickly and
Simone drifted off to sleep and dreams of Levi.

Levi and Vanessa walked every deck, as
Vanessa inspected the work being done on her ship. She explained to
Levi the vast amount of food and supplies that would be delivered
for the next cruise as they walked through the pantry.

“Late tonight, a diesel tanker will pull
alongside the Sappho One and will complete the refueling process
while we sleep,” she said.

“I would hate to have to pay that fuel bill,”
Levi teased.

“I am glad I don’t have to pay any of our
bills,” Vanessa said. “The food costs alone would be enough to
overwhelm me.”

They ended the tour in the control room,
where they found Killian reviewing weather reports. She looked up
to see them enter the room.

“Welcome back,” she said. “I hope you found
everything at tip top shape,” Killian said.

“Of course I did, Killian,” Vanessa said.
“You have done a wonderful job in my absence.”

“Thank you, Captain."

“How is our weather looking for departure
Wednesday?” she asked.

“It looks we will have smooth sailing,”
Killian said with a grin.

“That is always a welcomed relief,” Vanessa
said. “What time is dinner tonight?”

“Andrea will be ready to serve us at six,”
Killian said. “Several of us are planning to take a soak in the hot
tub afterwards, if you two would care to join us,” she said.

Vanessa looked at Levi and found her
grinning. “I think that would be a terrific way to wind down after
a long day, so count us in.”

“Do you have some things you need to take
care of, Vanessa?” Levi asked.

“I could go over some of these charts with
Killian,” Vanessa said. “Do you want to go to the cabin to relax
before dinner?” she asked.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” Levi said.

Vanessa handed Levi a key to the cabin. “Do
you remember how to get there?” she asked.

“Yes, I believe I can find my way,” Levi
said. She kissed Vanessa and said, “I will see you two later,” and
left the room.

“Goodbye Levi,” Killian said with a warm
smile.

“I will see you shortly,” Vanessa said with a
wink.

Levi left the control room and made her way
to Vanessa’s cabin. She opened the door and found a vase of roses
sitting on the small bar with her name written on the outside of
the card. Levi opened the card and read the short note from
Vanessa.

My Dearest Levi,

Welcome home. I hope that you will be as
comfortable here as you made me feel in your bungalow. I am very
proud to have you sailing with us and I hope you will enjoy the
trip as much as I will. I love you! Vanessa

Levi was amazed that Vanessa knew that
sterling silver roses were her favorite as she plucked one from the
vase to smell the sweet fragrance of the lavender rose. She could
not recall having a conversation with Vanessa about roses, but she
had chosen well. The roses made Levi smile even brighter as she
clutched the card to her chest. Levi carried the rose with her as
she moved to the bed where her bag was resting. She placed it on
the bedside table and opened the bag to see what Vanessa had packed
for her. She removed several outfits and placed them on the bed,
smiling at Vanessa’s choice of clothing. She located an empty
drawer and placed her clothing there, hanging the jeans and dress
shirt in Vanessa’s closet.

The closet was filled with pristine white
dress uniforms, each perfectly starched and pressed. Vanessa looked
so handsome in her uniform and Levi’s chest swelled with pride as
she visualized Vanessa strolling across the decks of the ship so
nicely dressed.

Levi placed her bag beneath the bed and after
removing her shoes, stretched out across the comfortable bed. She
picked up the rose, bringing it to her nose and breathed deeply of
its scent. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

An hour later, Levi stirred when she felt
Vanessa enter the bed. Vanessa crept quietly beside Levi and
watched her sleep for several minutes. They were due to arrive for
dinner in less than an hour, so Vanessa leaned down to softly kiss
Levi awake.

Levi’s eyes fluttered as Vanessa’s lips
brushed softly across hers.

“It is time to wake, my sleeping beauty,”
Vanessa whispered.

Levi’s arms circled Vanessa’s body as she
pulled her down for another kiss. “I think I am dreaming,” Levi
said. She opened her eyes and said, “That was no dream, I am being
kissed by a handsome Captain.”

Vanessa smiled and lowered her mouth to cover
Levi’s with a soft kiss as her tongue probed past her lips to enter
Levi’s mouth. Her tongue hungrily sought out Levi’s and when they
touched they began a sensual dance.

Vanessa moved on top of Levi and could feel
the heat burning between Levi’s thighs as their bodies made
contact. She softly ground her hips into Levi’s wetness. “You must
have been having a good dream,” she teased.

“You were incredible, Vanessa,” Levi said.
“You had me begging for more of your sweet loving,” Levi said with
a blush.

“I will just have to see if I can make that
dream come true for you later tonight,” Vanessa said.

“I have no doubt you will.”

“Right now though, we have to get ready for
dinner,” Vanessa said. “I am going to shower if you would care to
join me.”

“I would love to,” Levi said.

They stripped out of their clothes and
stepped into the large shower. Careful not to get her cast wet,
Vanessa placed Levi under the stream of the water then moved her
back against the shower wall. She lathered up a soft washcloth and
slowly bathed Levi’s body, caressing her breasts gently with the
soapy cloth as she watched Levi’s nipples swell with excitement.
Levi looked into Vanessa’s eyes darkened with desire as Vanessa
bathed her stomach and down each side before her hand came to rest
between Levi’s thighs. Long strokes of her hand between Levi’s
thighs left her body slippery with soap and Levi watched with
anticipation as Vanessa dropped the cloth to the floor of the
shower. Her fingers moved smoothly in the soap as she teased Levi’s
lips. Levi gasped with delight when Vanessa’s fingers entered her
and she spread her feet wider to allow Vanessa full access to her
body.

“Does that feel good?” Vanessa asked, as she
curled her fingers deep inside Levi, the tips of her fingers
brushing across her G spot.

“Dear God yes, Vanessa,” Levi purred as her
body began to shake with pleasure.

“Good,” Vanessa said. “I have special plans
for you tonight.”

Vanessa slowly removed her fingers much to
Levi’s dismay. She rinsed her body under the flow of water and then
kissed her. “Start drying off while I bathe,” she said, as she
guided a pouting Levi from the shower.

Levi stepped from the shower and took a large
towel and started patting her body dry as she watched Vanessa in
the shower. When Vanessa turned off the water, Levi handed her a
towel and left the bathroom to begin dressing.

“What are we wearing?” she asked from the
bedroom.

“I am wearing shorts and a pullover,” Vanessa
said. “We can come back after dinner to change into swim suits for
the hot tub.”

“Sounds good,” Levi said as she picked out a
pair of blue shorts and a white pullover. She dressed while she
waited for Vanessa to emerge from the bathroom.

Vanessa walked from the bathroom with a towel
around her waist and stepped into the closet. She dropped the towel
and stepped into a pair of green khaki shorts and then slipped a
sports bra over her head and pulled a yellow t shirt over the top
of her head.

Levi was about to tuck the hem of her shirt
into her shorts when Vanessa glanced up at her.