2 comments/ 18418 views/ 4 favorites Racers Ch. 01 By: Mygypsy In a futuristic world messages and packages are delivered by teams of motorcycle riders. These teams are composed of 6 riders. The leader, the mechanic, two protectors and a "racer", a high-speed specialist and a replacement racer for if the original should be injured. These teams are highly regarded within society holding an honoured place in society for without them industry would grind to a halt as communications ceased. * Cheandra walked beside Mace as they entered their home compound, she was aware of Ryker storming after her angrily, she continued walking even though she knew he wanted to speak to her. "Cheandra! Next run you will wear your armour!" Ryker ordered angrily. Cheandra stopped and turned around to face him. "I will not wear the armour, it restricts me too much. I ride better without it." Cheandra said tightly. "You'll do as I say." Ryker warned "Your damned lucky you didn't end up with more than a sore leg when that bike rammed you trying to get the package today." "That wouldn't have happened if the bike wasn't running rough." Cheandra snapped then turned away and headed after Mace. "Mace, my bike needs checking, it was running rough today." She said as she caught up to him. "I'll get right onto it." Mace said as he stopped at the shed were he kept his tool box and collected it, he headed back out the way he had come passing Ryker and the other team members as he went. Cheandra got herself a cold beer from the icebox as she passed through the kitchen on her way to the main lounge room, she sat back in her usual arm chair and took a deep drink from the bottle. Ryker stalked into the room and stood looking at her. "Team meeting at the table." He said then headed back to the kitchen. Cheandra went to get to her feet then settled back with a sigh, her gaze on the metal and leather lounge opposite her. In less than five minutes Ryker came storming into the room. "Team meeting now!" "Why bother? I know what went wrong today, my bike was running rough." She said lazily. Ryker glared at her angrily, if it had been one of the males defying him it would have been a simple matter of reasserting his dominance but with a female it was different, physical confrontation between the sexes was very limited. Cheandra listened to Ryker stomp into the kitchen and the resulting faint sounds of conversation, she stretched her right leg out in front of her gingerly and winced as the thigh muscle pulled uncomfortably. The truth of the matter was the knock she had taken on her thigh had been more severe than she had let on to any of the males although she was sure that Mace was aware that the hit had been harder than she had let on. When her bottle of beer was empty she got to her feet reluctantly and headed to the kitchen to put the bottle in the garbage, she stopped inside the doorway when she saw that the men were eating without her, angrily she began grabbing plates away from the men. "What are you doing eating in my kitchen without me?" She demanded angrily as she reached for the plate in front of Ryker. He got to his feet and grabbed the plate back as he faced her over his breach of etiquette. "Leave our food alone." He warned in a voice soft with menace. Cheandra glared at him outraged but wary enough not to try to take his plate. "This is my house!" She reminded him angrily. He was in command on the road and in general but the house was under female domain and as the only female of the team she was in charge of the house. Ryker bared his teeth in an unfriendly smile. "Only two weeks until all teams meet up for comps." He reminded her. Cheandra was silent as she watched him through narrowed eyes, while he hadn't come out and said he was going to be looking for a replacement for her he was warning her of the possibility. "But Che is the ..." Tristis started to say but fell silent at a look from Ryker. "We had better finish eating if we intend to go out tonight." Ryker stated as he sat back down. Tristis and Burtie reached for the plates Cheandra had taken from them but stopped when she turned her gaze on them, Ryker put down his fork and went to stand up. Cheandra backed off several steps, she held his gaze for several seconds before going to the cupboard and getting herself a plate. She dished herself up a plateful of food before moving to the far end of the table to sit down, the men resumed eating but the atmosphere was tense as Ryker and Cheandra exchanged glares whenever she lifted her gaze from her plate. "Fixed your ride best I could but I need to pick up several parts in town tomorrow." Mace said as he walked into the room, he became aware of the tension between Ryker and Cheandra and glanced from one to the other before getting himself a plate of food. "I got some liniment you can use on that leg later." Mace said, as he sat down not to far from Cheandra in an attempt to draw the group together if only in appearance. Cheandra didn't look up from her food just merely made a non-committal sound as she ate, and when the four younger men got to their feet and put their plates in the sink she didn't show any sign of being aware they were leaving the room. ...................................... Mace and Cheandra were in the lounge room looking over the route for the next delivery in three days time on a rather large map when Tristis, Burtie, Ryker and Zack returned later that night with two young teenage girls who obviously had not long come of age. A young pretty blonde was all over Tristis and a red haired girl was flirting with both Zack and Ryker. Mace folded up the map and returned it to the cupboard where it was kept and looked over the two girls. Cheandra stretched back in her chair and made herself comfortable. "Drinks all around?" Ryker asked and all but Mace and Cheandra agreed. When Ryker returned from the kitchen he had drinks for everyone, Cheandra accepted hers without a word and took a small sip. Tristis and his girl sat on one of the couches and Tristis was soon kissing her and fondling her openly, Zack and Ryker were flirting with the other girl who was looking somewhat shy and unsure of herself. The lights in the room dimmed and Cheandra looked across to see Mace turning the lamps down to a soft glow, she turned her attention back to watching the others, quite often one or more of the men bought home a woman and it was not uncommon for the men to have sex with the woman even while others were in the same room. Ryker smiled at the attractive red haired girl who had introduced herself as Mizty. "Why don't we make ourselves comfortable?" he asked and glanced at an empty sofa. Mizty glanced at her friend who was straddling Tristis's lap while they kissed hotly. "I'll, um... we really should go home. We got a curfew" Mizty said uneasily. "I'm team boss, I can explain for you." Ryker said as he stepped close and put his arms around her before lowering his head to kiss her. He slid one hand down her back to cup her arse as he pulled her body against his arousal; she tensed in his arms with a gasp and began to struggle. "Ryker, she ain't interested let her go." Cheandra ordered as she realised the girl wasn't a willing participant, none of the men had ever forced their attentions on an unwilling woman even though riders from other teams had on occasion. Ryker slowly lifted his head to glare at Cheandra, oblivious to the struggling girl in his arms. "Let her go." Cheandra repeated as she got to her feet. "You offerin' to take her place?" Ryker asked in a hard tone. Cheandra took in his dark aroused gaze, his eyes roved her lean body hungrily and an unfamiliar emotion twisted in her stomach while fear had her looking away. "I'm off to the Galaxy's End" she told Mace as she discarded her drink and skirted around Ryker who was still watching her in challenge, at the doorway she looked back at Ryker, Burtie and Zack who were watching her closely. "Mace!" Cheandra demanded. Mace got to his feet and followed her somewhat reluctantly. "That little blonde is hot." Mace said as he walked past her. Cheandra looked at Ryker and Mizty one last time before following Mace and slamming the front door on her way out. Racers Ch. 02 Note: In a futuristic world messages and packages are delivered by teams of motorcycle riders. These teams are composed of 6 riders. The leader, the mechanic, two protectors and a "racer", a high-speed specialist and a replacement racer for if the original should be injured. These teams are highly regarded within society holding an honoured place in society for without them industry would grind to a halt as communications ceased. * Cheandra led the way into Galaxy's End, the bar favoured by the bike teams of the local area. "Malt beer." She told the barkeeper before turning and surveying the occupants of the bar. "Looks like every team is represented tonight." Mace said as he came to stand beside her at the bar. "Don't worry about what Ryker said about the comps only being two weeks away. Even he wont break up the best team." Mace said "No-one has beaten us the last three years, heck they aint even been able to get close to us." Cheandra took her drink from the barkeeper before looking at Mace. "And he's the only one who can change it." Cheandra said dryly as she raised one eyebrow. "I know he's been rubbing you against the grain the last few months but the Crescent Moon team has been hitting our team pretty hard for the last six months or more." Mace said in defence of their team leader. "Whatever." Cheandra said as she turned away from him, she glanced at several groups before heading to a quiet group in one corner. The group of six men and two women were the main members of a rival team called The Pumas. "That red bike of Clover's is a sweet ride." Cheandra said as she sat down. "Wait until it's customised." Shad the mechanic for The Pumas said. "The rest of your team was in earlier." Chevron commented. Cheandra studied him for a moment; he was the leader of The Puma team, several years older than her and quite handsome. "Yeah, well they're busy." Mace said as he joined them, he noticed the way that Chevron was looking at Cheandra so he moved his chair closer to hers. Chevron glanced at the older man then looked back at Cheandra; she sent him a shy look before lowering her eyes. "Comps are coming up" Shad said. "Wouldn't mind running two groups in our team." Chevron said quietly. Mace glanced around from one face to another of the team, he had heard rumours that The Pumas were looking to recruit more riders. "Up for a friendly game of billiards?" Shad asked as he met Mace's gaze. Mace glanced at Cheandra she gave a slight shrug. "I'll wait here." Cheandra told him. Cheandra watched the two men go across the room to where pool tables stood. "Want to go have a look at Clover's bike?" Chevron invited. Cheandra looked at him startled, rival team members were never allowed near the all-important bikes. She glanced towards where Mace and Shad were setting up their game. "Well?" Chevron asked. "Sure." Cheandra said, she got to her feet and followed Chevron from the bar, she was nervously aware of Clover, Dion and Zeb following behind her. Chevron stopped not far from a sleek red bike and turned to face her, he eyed her with interest, as she stopped not far from him, she was tall and well toned. Her face had a touch of the exotic with high cheekbones; almond shaped eyes slanted slightly and full lush lips. Oh yes, definitely attractive Chevron thought. "You happy in your team? Looking for other possibilities? Cause if you are we're looking for more riders." Chevron told her. "I'm loyal to my team" Cheandra answered without hesitation. "Hmm." Chevron said thoughtfully, his head tipped to one side as he eyed her openly. "You're not stuck to Mace's side and you weren't with the other's earlier." Chevron said, his tone almost intimate, he watched as she crossed her arms over her lower ribs but remained silent not contradicting him. "Want to come back to the den with us?" Chevron asked. Cheandra studied him for several moments, she thought about Ryker, for the last two and a half years she had been waiting for him to approach her but nothing had happened, it was past time for her to move on. "Maybe with just you." Cheandra said softly as she stepped up to him and placed a hand on his chest. "Just you" she said softly. Chevron put his arms around her and crushed her against him as he lowered his head to kiss her. Cheandra turned her face up to his and opened her mouth beneath his; she slipped both arms up around his neck and arched into his hard body. Cheandra vaguely heard angry shouting but it didn't register until she was jerked away from Chevron roughly, she turned towards whoever had grabbed her, it was Mace and he was outraged. "... stupid, stupid. Ryker is gonna go berserk over this stunt!" Mace raged at her. Chevron stepped between them and Mace glared at him. "Get to my bike." Mace ordered. "You right boss?" Dion asked Chevron, who was trying to catch hold of Cheandra without taking his eyes off Mace, Cheandra reached out to Chevron's searching hand and stepped closer when he caught hold of her. "She stays with me." Chevron growled aggressively. "Cheandra! Get to my bike now!" Mace ordered. "I want you to come with me." Chevron said softly with a glance over his shoulder. "I'll be back probably sometime tomorrow." Cheandra said to Mace. Mace watched her for several moments before turning away and heading towards his bike angrily, he couldn't understand why Cheandra would have anything to do with a member of another group but she was clearly going to spend the night with Chevron. He turned around when he reached his bike. "Ryker is not going to like this!" Mace warned. "As long as I'm back before our next run he probably wont even notice that I'm gone while the red head and blonde are there." Cheandra shot back as she wrapped her arms around Chevron's waist. Racers Ch. 03 In a futuristic world messages and packages are delivered by teams of motorcycle riders. These teams are composed of 6 riders. The leader, the mechanic, two protectors and a "racer", a high-speed specialist and a replacement racer for if the original should be injured. These teams are highly regarded within society holding an honoured place in society for without them industry would grind to a halt as communications ceased. * Cheandra climbed off the back of Chevrons bike, she waited for him to get off the bike but he was talking to Dion quietly. Clover and Niah got off their bikes and walked over to her. "Come on, lets go inside. Chev will know where to find you when he wants you." Clover said then added with a giggle "And he will want you." Cheandra went inside with the two other women and looked around the large room with interest. "Is that an old air hockey table?" Cheandra asked with interest. "That is one use for it." Niah agreed. "Here come the men." Clover said when the loud sound of footsteps and masculine laughter came from the entry hallway. Chevron walked in ahead of Dion and Seth, he walked straight up to Cheandra and glanced down at her leather pants. "Your team done a run today?" "Certainly looks that way." Cheandra said with a touch of sarcasm. "Hmmm, spirited." Chevron remarked with a smile. "The more spirited the better the ride haven't you always said." Shad remarked as he settled himself comfortably in a large over stuffed chair. There was smothered laughter from some of the others, as Cheandra looked around she realised that she was to be tonight's entertainment just as the two girls were for her own team. "Why don't you loose the boots." Chevron said. Cheandra laughed softly but reached down, unfastened her boots and took them off before glancing at Chevron and then walking over to him. She knelt in front of him and began undoing his boots, he reached down and unfastened the front of his jeans. "Stay on your knees." He ordered quietly. Cheandra watched as he freed his cock, he was already hard and fully erect as she took hold of his shaft. She held her mouth a hairs breadth away from him as she let her breath waft over him for several seconds before brushing a light teasing kiss under the head of his cock, then she began to work her lips and tongue down to the base of his shaft before licking back to the purple mushroom shaped glands at the head of his cock. She moaned softly as she swirled her tongue around the head of his cock before swiping her tongue over the slit that already oozed a drop of pre-cum, her breasts felt heavy and achy while a moist warmth was growing between her thighs. Cheandra tilted her head back slightly so she could glance up at Chevron to gauge his reaction to her ministrations, his eyes were dark with arousal and his breathing heavy. Cheandra smiled up at him as she swirled her tongue around the glands before opening her mouth as wide as possible and engulfing the head and half the shaft. Chevron watched as her head bobbed up and down as she applied herself to the task enthusiastically, her mouth felt warm and moist as she endeavoured to get her lips down to the base of his cock. Feeling the first tingle of pressure and tightening of his balls that warned him he would come soon he reached down and forcibly pulled Cheandra's mouth from his cock. Chevron watched as she licked her lips and lilted her head back so she could look up at him with heavy lidded eyes, he reached down and took a handful of hair to gently urge her to her feet. Once she was standing up he grabbed her around the waist, picked her up and dumped her on the air hockey table and pushed her down onto her back. He was rough as he unfastened her leather pants and jerked them off her hips and down her legs with difficulty before pulling them off her feet and tossing them behind him. He paused for a moment to take in the sight of the small triangle of material that covered her pubic mound before pushing her legs apart impatiently, he slid his fingers beneath the side of the material and grinned as he found her hairless folds. He trailed his fingers through the moisture before withdrawing his hand and lifting it to his nose to sniff. "They were too busy with those little girls to see to you were they." He said as he reached down and unfastened the front openings of her jacket and top so he could push them aside to bare her breasts, he leant down and took one rosy nipple in his mouth and suckled greedily, Cheandra gasped as she arched into his mouth. "What makes you think I wanted one of them?" Cheandra gasped as he turned his attention to her other breast. As Chevron suckled her breast hard he ran a hand down over her stomache and worked his fingers under the material of her underwear, he slid his fingers between the moist folds and found the hard knob within. Cheandra bucked beneath him as he rubbed his fingers over her clit, she pushed against his shoulders until he lifted his head to look at her and she reached up behind his head to pull him down into her kiss, she reached one hand out to stroke his hard cock as he kissed her hard. Chevron pulled away from her and caught the hand that was threatening his control, he pulled her wrist up above her head before capturing her other wrist and glancing over at Dion. "Give me a hand here." Dion walked over to the end of the table above Cheandra's head and reached down to grasp her wrists and pin her arms above her head. Chevron reached down and tore the wet material from between her legs, he positioned her hips on the very edge of the table and put her legs up on his shoulders, he guided his cock to her opening and without any further ado pushed into her with one hard deep thrust. Cheandra gave a startled gasp of pain at his sudden entry but as he began pumping eagerly pleasure quickly overcome the pain of his rough entry. She flexed her legs and hips as she moved in rhythm with him but Chevron laughed and shook his head at her. "No, I'm in complete control." He said as he grasped her hips and held her still so he could control the depth and angle of penetration. "Fuck you!" Cheandra panted. Chevron laughed as he slowed his movements, he could feel her body jerking as he teased her. "No, its fuck you." He said, he could feel the tremors in the walls of her cunt and knew she was close to coming, deliberately he stopped his movements and Cheandra whimpered in frustration. "Want to cum?" he asked "Yes!" "What do you say?" Cheandra glared up at Chevron, he moved just enough to cause her body to become a little tenser with anticipation. "Please let me cum!" Chevron laughed down at her for a moment before releasing one leg and moving his hand down so he could rub her clit with his thumb as he began thrusting hard and fast. He felt her tense beneath him then ripple after ripple went through her cunt surrounding his cock, feeling his own climax about to explode he pulled out of her and covered her stomache with his cum. Cheandra felt Dion release her wrists and she arched her body as she looked back over her head to see what he was doing, Clover was beside him and disappeared from Cheandra's line of vision. Chevron lowered Cheandra's legs and she turned her attention back to him, he held a hand out towards her, Cheandra grasped his hand and he helped her into a sitting position before lifting her from the table. She swayed slightly and caught hold of his shoulder to steady herself, he slipped his arm around her waist and guided her to a large recliner chair, he sat down and pulled her down onto his lap. Cheandra glanced across at Clover who was busy giving Dion a blow job then at Shad and Niah who were fucking doggy style over the arm of the over stuffed chair. Cheandra looked over her shoulder at Chevron and got to her feet so she could climb back onto his lap facing him while kneeling astride his lap, she lent forward and met his gaze. "I think one of us has too many clothes on and it's not me." She grinned at him. "Maybe." Chevron said lightly. "What is SHE doing here? I don't want her in the house!" An unexpected voice thundered from the entry hallway. Chevron felt Cheandra tense beneath his hold on her shoulders and he turned his head to look at the doorway, two other members of his team stood just inside the room, the man in front was Drac, the teams racer. Behind Drac stood Fargo his male lover. "What is SHE doing here?" Drac repeated angrily. "What do any of us bring a woman here for?" Chevron asked him calmly. "She's a rider for the Legendaries if you aint aware of it!" Drac declared angrily. He used the term rider instead of racer meaning it as an insult. Cheandra got off Chevron's lap and turned to face Drac. "I am Numero Uno Racer." Cheandra told him scathingly. Drac looked her up and down and curled his top lip in scorn at her state of undress. Cheandra turned and retrieved her leather pants from where Chevron had let them fall, she swiftly put them on and fastened them before straightening her top and jacket, the top was ruined but the jacket fastened easily. She didn't look at Chevron as she headed to where she had removed her boots, she turned around cautiously at the sound of footsteps before pulling her boots on. "I'll give you a ride where ever you want to go." Chevron told her. Cheandra didn't reply as she turned and headed from the house. "I'll be setting you straight on some things when I get back." Chevron told Drac angrily before following Cheandra. Racers Ch. 04 In a futuristic world messages and packages are delivered by teams of motorcycle riders. These teams are composed of 6 riders. The leader, the mechanic, two protectors and a "racer", a high-speed specialist and a replacement racer for if the original should be injured. These teams are highly regarded within society holding an honoured place in society for without them industry would grind to a halt as communications ceased. I have tried to make this chapter longer for those readers following the story. * Chevron pulled to the side of the road and stopped allowing Cheandra to climb from the back of his bike. She staggered as her injured leg took all of her weight. "You alright?" Chevron asked concerned. "Just a bit stiff." Cheandra brushed aside his concern. Chevron kicked the stand down and got off his bike, he took his helmet off and caught Cheandra by the upper arm when she would have turned away, Cheandra looked at him warily as he stepped closer to put his arms around her. He felt her tense within his embrace as he gently placed his cheek against hers, he held the gesture of affection for a couple of seconds before releasing her and stepping back. "Maybe you will come home with me another night and finish what we started tonight, you might like the privacy of my room next time." Cheandra didn't let her surprise show as she met his level gaze. "We will see what the future brings." She replied before turning and walking towards the pathway to her house, she paused at the fence line to look back at Chevron to find he was standing beside his bike watching her go. Cheandra took a deep breath and mentally braced herself before opening the front door, the light in the main room was on but no one was there, she pulled her boots off and left them by her favourite chair before heading for the bathroom. She turned the shower on and adjusted the temperature before stripping and stepping beneath the warm stream, she washed quickly and efficiently before turning the water off and reaching for a towel which she wrapped around herself and tucked the end in the top. Her leather pants needed to be sent out for cleaning she decided with an annoyed look and her top was ruined, buttons lost and buttonholes ripped, only her jacket had escaped unscathed. Wrapped only in the towel and carrying her jacket she headed for her room, in the main room Tristis was heading towards his room with two bottles of drink. "Your in for it, Ryker was madder than mad when Mace turned up without you." Tristis told her as he eyed the curves revealed by the damp towel. Cheandra gave a grin and lifted one eyebrow "Does it look like I'm worried?" Tristis shook his head and headed for the hallway to his room. "Tris, did the girls get to go home?" Cheandra asked before he was out of sight.. "Shari is in my room and Mizty is in Mace's room with him and Ryker. She wasn't too interested in leaving once Ryker started getting real friendly with her." Tristis told her just before he was out of sight. Cheandra frown as she went into her room and shut the door before removing the towel and reaching for the shorts and singlet top she usually slept in. Just what she needed she thought angrily, having to listen to the sounds of sex in the room next to hers while her body was still half aroused from her own interrupted pleasure earlier. As if on cue the soft sound of voices came from the other side of the wall beside her bed and a few moments later the rhythmic creaking of a mattress, Cheandra rolled her eyes in frustration as she sat on the side of her bed and turned on the bedside radio before laying down and stretching out on her back. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Cheandra awoke the next morning with a dull throbbing headache from the noise of the radio while she had slept, she sat up with a groan and reached over turning the radio off. Her injured thigh protested as she swung her legs off the bed and stood up, between her leg and her head she decided on a hot shower to hopefully make her feel somewhat better. The sounds of an argument in the kitchen greeted Cheandra as she stepped out of the shower and she groaned with dismay as she dried herself and hurriedly dressed. "What is going on?" Cheandra demanded as she limped into the kitchen. Tristis and Ryker turned to face her, Tristis had an anxious look to him and Ryker was angry. "I want Shari to move in. If that's alright with you that is." Tristis said. "Leave it until after the comps then move her in where ever you are." Ryker ordered angrily. "Who are you to say who can move into my house?" Cheandra demanded as she glared at Ryker angrily. "We have enough problems as it is without any outsiders making things more difficult!" Ryker snapped. "And where did you get to last night? You didn't come back home with Mace. Don't you give any consideration to his feelings?" "Where I was is my business and there is no reason I have to worry about Mace. " Cheandra declared. "Is it necessary to start fighting this early in the morning?" Zack asked as he and Burtie walked into the kitchen bleary eyed with sleep. "You'd better go ask her permission before you start complaining in her house!" Ryker said sarcastically with a pointed look at Cheandra. The throb of her headache deepened slightly and Cheandra broke off eye contact with Ryker as she limped to the fridge and opened the door. "Who wants breakfast?" she asked as she began placing eggs and steak on the kitchen counter. "You doing potato hash with that?" Burtie asked hopefully. "Can do. Who else wants hash?" Cheandra asked as she glanced from one man to the next. "Yeah, me." Both Tristis and Zack were quick to say. Cheandra quickly and efficiently got steak and potato hash cooking with eggs waiting close by for last minute cooking. "I want flapjacks." Cheandra stopped what she was doing to turn around and look at Ryker with disbelief. "Flapjacks? I'm cooking everyone else steak an hash and you want flapjacks?" "Part of your responsibilities with the house is looking after your team isn't it?" Cheandra gave him a disbelieving look before turning away. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mace could feel the tension as soon as he walked into the kitchen. The other five were sitting down eating breakfast and Cheandra looked up with a stormy expression at the sound of his footsteps. "What do you want, steak, hash an eggs or flapjacks?" She positively snarled the last word with a glare at Ryker. "What ever is easiest for you." Mace answered as he noticed that the majority of Ryker's flapjacks were burnt around the edges. Cheandra rose from the table and dished up cooked steak and hash, placed the plate in front of Mace, then set about frying several eggs for him. She carried her food over to the counter by the stove and ate as she watched the eggs cooking. "What time did you get back this morning?" Mace asked her between mouthfuls of food. "About two I think." Cheandra answered tightly. "Two-thirty." Tristis supplied. Mace looked at her raised eyebrows, he knew she had expected to stay out all night. "Tell me about your little friend." Cheandra directed at Tristis. "She's eighteen. Her father is a local merchant, owns his own store. She has two older brothers and a younger sister, her mother works for one of the local bakeries. She can ride a bike fairly good for a girl, she may be interested in riding in a team." Tristis supplied the information. "Useful connections." Mace commented and glanced at Cheandra, it was solely up to her if another woman was allowed in the house and mostly up to her if a woman was to stay there and Tristis had mentioned earlier that morning that he wanted his girl to move into the house with him. "Which store and which bakery?" Cheandra asked sounding slightly annoyed but trying to stifle it. "West Street Place, Cordell & Smit Bakery." "Your leg bothering you?" Mace asked when he noticed she was limping and received a glare for his concern. "I been hurt worse." She snapped. "I'm having a look when your finished in here." Ryker ordered. Cheandra glared at him but there was really no way she could object, if she was injured it could effect the entire team. She checked that the eggs were cooked and reached for Mace's plate. "Just be a moment." She told him as she turned away and dished the eggs onto his plate before returning it to its former place. She remained standing as she finished her meal, she placed the plate on the sink and glanced at the table to see if anyone else had finished as well. Once all the men had finished eating all but Mace left the room while Cheandra cleaned up, Mace continued to sit at the table watching her. "You were expecting to stay out all night last night, what changed your mind?" Cheandra remained silent as she worked, she had no intention of talking about what had happened between her and Chevron with Mace. When there was no reply from her Mace knodded to himself before leaning back in the chair best he could. "Looks like young Tristis is getting serious about this girl." He commented. Cheandra didn't do more then knod as she began wiping the table clean, once she was finished that Mace got to his feet and attempted to take her by the upper arm. "Back off!" Cheandra fairly growled as she pulled away from him. "You had best let Ryker check that leg out." Mace urged in a soothing tone. "Anyone would think that I am incapable of telling if I have been hurt or not the way you two are carrying on. All I need is a day or two taking it easy. But no, you's are determined to make a major case out of it!" Cheandra complained as she limped into the lounge room and found Ryker waiting there for her. She took one look at the hard look on his face and pushed the loose sweat pants off her hips and turned sideways so he could see the side of her leg where she got hit by the other bike the previous day. Ryker frowned as he saw the multi coloured bruise that mottled the smooth skin of her thigh, just by looking at it he could tell it was very sore and probably not a little stiff. He stalked over to her when he saw the bruises on the side of her upper hip and recognised them as marks let by a bruising grip, most likely done during sex and clearly new, probably only from the night before. "Is the soreness from the bruise or from whoever fucked you last night?" Ryker demanded angrily as he plunged a hand between her upper thighs and his fingers sort to slip beneath the edge of her underwear. Cheandra gasped in outraged surprise and went to slap his face but Ryker caught her upraised hand with his free hand then her second hand with his other hand when she tried to hit him a second time. "Stop it you pair!" Mace snapped as he grabbed Cheandra from behind and pulled her away from Ryker. He knew them both well enough to know that neither would back down from the other and a physical confrontation between the two of them would upset the harmony of the team while working. He restrained Cheandra when she would have struggled to get free and it took nearly a minute before she calmed down enough for him to let her go knowing that she wouldn't try to slap Ryker for the insult he had dealt her. He was aware of the other three younger men having walked into the room and eased Cheandra further away from everyone else. "Straighten up your clothes." Mace said quietly. Cheandra glanced up at him angrily but did as he said. "Zack, your running the package next run." Ryker said as he watched Cheandra for a reaction. Determined not to give him the satisfaction of showing just how much he had pissed her off Cheandra kept her facial expressions under control as she watched Ryker silently. Zack looked from Cheandra to Ryker and then back to Cheandra, he swallowed nervously and gave a slight knod. "How about we go for a ride into town?" Mace asked her quietly. Cheandra gave a curt knod and headed for her room. Several minutes later she limped back into the main room in riding gear, she ignored the others as she headed outside. She was standing beside Mace's motorbike waiting for him when he came outside. "Shall we go check out how well Tristis's girls family store is doing?" Mace asked her as she put her helmet on. "Go to the bakery where her mother works so I can check things out there." Cheandra replied. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mace could tell that Cheandra was still angry as they stood outside of the Smit Bakery, she headed inside without a word and left him to follow behind her. "What dessert pies do you have today?" Cheandra was asking the woman behind the counter when Mace walked in. "We have Apricot, Apple, Apple and Cinnamon or Brambleberry pies today. Deep dish or regular." The woman said with a pleasant smile. "Would you like to try some?" She asked and motioned towards a serving plate with a clear lid on it. "I wouldn't mind trying the Apricot pie." Mace said. "You're always hungry." Cheandra laughed softly but she reached for a piece of the offered samples. "That's the Apple and Cinnamon. All pies were made fresh this morning." Cheandra thought she noticed a resemblance to Shari around the woman's eyes. "Mmmm, good." Cheandra said with relish. "Did you make this one?" Cheandra waved her hand towards the sample plate. "I make all the pies with help from my two daughters. Are you interested in savoury pies as well? We have some very nice Curried Chicken pies today." The woman said and indicated a tray of hot pies on display. "You got Beef pies as well?" Mace asked. "I would have to check if they're ready yet." The woman said and disappeared into the room behind her, she returned followed by a girl pushing a trolley loaded with hot pies, she bore a strong resemblance to Shari. The girl would only be a year or two younger than her sister. "I'll take eight Beef pies and a dozen of the Curried Chicken pies. A deep dish Apple Cinnamon and an Apricot pie." Cheandra decided. Mace pulled his wallet out and glanced at Cheandra. "We can pick them up on the way home." Cheandra told him and moved away to look at the cakes and pastries on display while Mace paid and arranged to pick the pies up later. "Well what do you think?" Mace asked once they were out of the shop and well out of hearing range. "Doesn't matter either way what I think does it?" Cheandra said dryly. "Your decision if the girl moves in or not." Mace mentioned. "Are we going to the other store or not?" Cheandra asked sharply. Mace took a deep breath and headed towards his bike, obviously Cheandra was still in a bad mood and he had no intention of being on the receiving end of her displeasure. Racers Ch. 05 In a futuristic world messages and packages are delivered by teams of motorcycle riders. These teams are composed of 6 riders. The leader, the mechanic, two protectors and a "racer", a high-speed specialist and a replacement racer for if the original should be injured. These teams are highly regarded within society holding an honoured place in society for without them industry would grind to a halt as communications ceased. I've managed to make this chapter longer for those following this story. * It was a pleasantly warm evening as Mace, Cheandra, Tristis and Zack headed off to Galaxy's End on their bikes with Cheandra riding behind Tristis. The bar was relatively busy when they arrived and seated themselves at their preferred table, Tristis headed to the bar and ordered drinks for the group before returning to sit down and look around the barroom. "Looking for the blonde?" Mace asked. "Her name's Shari" Tristis said. "What did you think of her family?" He directed the question at Cheandra. Family connections were often very important for team members, family connected the riders to their communities and provided help for the more mundane tasks around the team compounds. "Was I supposed to do more than make sure we had a decent lunch even though I was out all morning?" Cheandra asked dryly. Tristis looked away disappointed, he had hoped that Cheandra would consider his request to let Shari move in with him. Stifling his disappointment he smiled as a waitress carried a jug of beer and a tray of glasses towards their table. "Think we can finish this jug before Ryker and Burtie get here?" Mace asked as the waitress placed the jug of beer on the table and began to pass out glasses. "Don't see why we can't." Zack said as he poured himself a glass of beer. Cheandra took a long drink of the beer that Mace had poured for her and lent back in her chair with a contented sigh. "No hard feelings about me being on for this next run I hope." Zack said quietly. Cheandra forced down a sense of irritation and glanced at Zack. "How about we forget about that?" Zack gave an eager knod and glanced around the room looking for another topic of conversation, the arrival of another team of riders caught his attention. "Mace, do you know that team?" Zack asked curiously. "Skeeter Squad." Mace said quietly. Cheandra turned her head to look, it was the team Mace and her had been in four years previously before Ryker had invited them to join his team after the annual competitions. She watched as the team made their way to the bar, there were the three men and one woman who had been in the team with her and Mace, as well as two riders, a couple, she knew by sight and one woman she didn't know at all. "Wonder what they are doing in town." Tristis said thoughtfully. A tall, solidly built handsome blonde rider separated himself from the group and headed towards their table carrying his drink, some kind of spirit in a small shot glass. "Mace you sly old dog! Chea, wow babe! Your all grown up now. And might I add beautifully at that?" "Brayton. What are you doing in these parts?" Mace asked as he got up to shake the other man's hand. "You best head back to your team Brayton, that young brunette is glaring over here. Don't want to upset her." Cheandra said. "Not jealous are you?" Brayton smirked. Cheandra looked him up and down dryly and shook her head. "Way I remember it, nothing worth getting jealous over." Brayton glared at her for a moment before nodding towards Mace, turning on his heel and walking back to the bar. "Nice way to treat an old friend." Mace said. Cheandra gave a faint laugh knowing that despite the past friendship between Mace and Brayton, his attention towards her would not go down well with any of her team. She looked up with interest as Clover and Dion entered the bar, she watched the door hopefully for several moments but they were alone. "Looks like everyone' starting to turn up." Zack said as another team wondered in. "Here's the boss." Tristis said lightly and Cheandra glanced up to see Ryker and Burtie walk in talking with Chevron, Niah, Shad, Drac and Fargo. Cheandra felt a pang of disappointment as Ryker and Burtie headed over to join them while Chevron, Niah, Shad, Drac and Fargo joined Clover and Dion at the bar. Ryker sat down and looked at the empty jug in the middle of the table, he shook his head with a grin. "Looks like you's are at least one drink up on me already." He said with a chuckle. "I'll go order another jug and couple of glasses." Cheandra said as she got to her feet, then headed towards the bar, she slipped into the free space between Clover and Drac to order the drink. "All the team's out tonight." Chevron remarked from the other side of Drac. Cheandra looked towards him and nodded when he met her gaze, she gave a slight smile then turned her attention to the barmaid who spoke to her. "Maybe later you can escape the watchdog for a while." Chevron commented softly as she turned to head back towards the table. Cheandra paused to glance at him and gave a slight shrug of her shoulders before continuing on her way back to the table. "I see your one time lover is here tonight." Ryker said as she sat down. Cheandra looked at him startled, wondering if he had caught the byplay between her and Chevron before remembering that Brayton was in the Galaxy's End. "Yeah, Bray came over to say hallo when he first got here." Cheandra said coolly. "You mean Cheandra and Brayton . . ." Tristis said startled and let what he had been about to say trail off. "Didn't you know Cheandra was Brayton's woman for a little while not long before her and Mace joined our team?" Ryker asked Tristis. Tristis glanced towards Cheandra then at Mace and shook his head. "I thought Chea had always been Mace's woman." Zack burst out. Ryker glanced between Mace and Cheandra, after last night he was sure there was something wrong between them but everything seemed fine on the surface, maybe Mace didn't mind Cheandra having another man now and then. Heck, Ryker thought. If Cheandra were his woman he sure wouldn't let her go looking else where. Cheandra exchanged a wry look with Mace and looked away with a half smile, her gaze wondered around the room out of habit. There now was quite a few different teams sitting at various tables enjoying a few drinks, she noticed that the Pumas were seated not far from them and every so often Chevron glanced her way, she turned her attention back to her team mates to find Ryker watching her closely. "Any idea of how long Brayton has been in town?" Ryker asked. "First time I saw him tonight." Mace said. "How about I just go over there and ask him?" Cheandra asked as she made as if to get up. "Stay with your team." Ryker growled with a glance towards Mace to see how her remark affected the older man. "Shari just walked in." Tristis said, "She's with her brothers." A trace of disappointment sounded in his voice. Cheandra turned her head to look where Tristis was looking and saw Shari with two men who had a strong family resemblance to her. "Why not ask them all over here?" Cheandra said. Tristis grinned at her and got to his feet, she watched as he walked over to the trio and spoke to them, he shook hands with both men and shortly all four came over to the table. Ryker got to his feet and went over to the bar to order more beer and glasses, he returned followed by the barmaid carrying the beer and glasses. Cheandra got to her feet and headed towards the toilets. When she came out of the cubicle Clover was waiting at the washbasin. "How about we start up a friendly game of cards?" Clover asked. Cheandra paused for a moment as she considered the idea then shook her head regretfully. "Got some team business going on at the moment." Clover knodded and followed Cheandra back out to the bar. Cheandra returned to her seat and looked at Shari's brothers with interest, she sipped her fresh drink as she listened to the conversation flowing around the table and noticed that Shari looked somewhat anxious as she glanced between her brothers and Tristis. Growing bored she looked around the room and found Brayton watching her, he raised his glass in salute before taking a mouthful, Cheandra smiled faintly before looking away. "Going to see who's out the back bar." Cheandra said as she got to her feet carrying her drink and heading out to the backroom by herself. Brayton was standing in the doorway watching her when she turned to head back to the table, he smiled and took several steps towards her as she eyed him warily. "How about we go for a ride for old times sake?" Brayton asked with one of his sexy smiles. Cheandra felt the well remembered tightening in her stomache as she looked at his handsome face, she shook her and gestured towards the bar. "What about your girl out there." "She's not you Chea. None of them have been you." Brayton said softly as he walked towards her slowly. "No Brayton. Everything I felt for you you killed, as surely as . . ." Cheandra's voice trailed off and she shook her head as if troubled by her thoughts. She walked around him and headed back to where her team sat and reclaimed her seat. "No one interesting out the back?" Zack asked but Cheandra was watching Brayton intently as he walked back over to where his team sat and she didn't realise that Zack had spoken to her. "Cheandra!" Mace's voice broke into her thoughts and she looked at him inquiringly, she realised that Tristis, Shari and her brothers had left while she had been preoccupied. "We're going to the bar down the west end of town. Do you want to come along?" Mace asked yet again. "I'm going to stay here a while longer." Cheandra decided. Both Mace and Ryker looked over towards Brayton, they had both seen him follow her from the room before and then he had came back into the room only moments behind her when she had returned. A sound of irritation came from Ryker and Cheandra glanced his way, the urge to disturb him as much as his presence always disturbed her coiled in her stomach and nudged the back of her mind. "It would be no trouble for one of us to drop you back at the compound." Ryker said. "Are you telling me to go back to the compound?" There was a hard edge to Cheandra's voice. "Not here, not now." Mace murmured softly and Cheandra looked at him. He was right she realised, a public bar was not the place for another clash with Ryker. Cheandra sighed softly and gave a faint knod. "Some one give me a lift back to the compound?" Cheandra gave in to common sense. "Want me to stay with you when I drop you off?" Mace asked concerned. Cheandra shook her head as she looked down at her hand that held her drink, she really wasn't in the mood for company and just wanted to be alone. She put her drink down and pushed it away towards the middle of the table before looking at Mace. "I'm ready to go when you are." "Meet you over there." Mace directed his comment towards the other men. As Mace walked beside Cheandra across the barroom he put his arm across her shoulders and cupped the point of her shoulder in his hand and gave it a slight squeeze in a gesture of comfort before letting his arm drop back to his side. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Cheandra was silent as she poured hot strong coffee for the other team members, today was delivery day for a package to a large company nearly three hours away from their home compound, just an average length run but Cheandra felt an uneasy roiling in her stomach. She looked at Zack where he sat blowing across the top of his cup to cool his drink, fighting down the urge to demand she be allowed to do the run she turned away and placed the coffee pot on the stove to keep hot before turning back to glower at the others angrily. Ryker glanced towards Cheandra but avoided her eyes, he could almost feel the anger coming off her in waves but said nothing, and he didn't want to get into an argument with her over his decision to have Zack run the package today. He looked across at Mace who was calmly eating the breakfast Cheandra had cooked and then glanced at the watch on his wrist. "Ok, lets get our armour on." Ryker announced as he put his half empty mug aside. Tristis, Burtie and Zack pushed their chairs out from the table and reached for their protective armour. Heavy reinforced pads were strapped on to protect arms, shoulders, torso's and legs. Ryker was busy strapping on his own protective armour, only Mace who would follow behind at a more sedate pace did not put on the heavy protection. "I should be doing the run today!" Cheandra was finally unable to contain her frustration. Zack looked towards her uneasily and hesitated doing up the straps that held the thick pads around his ribs, he looked towards Ryker for instructions. Ryker slammed his fists on the tabletop and got to his feet angrily, he glanced at Zack and gave him a faint knod. "Your on today." Ryker said firmly then looked at Cheandra. "When I get back we are going to settle for once and for all who is the leader of this team and who decides who rides and who doesn't." "Why wait? You've got me replaced!" Cheandra said angrily with a gesture towards Zack. "Mace, control your woman. I am not dealing with her shit at this moment! There are more important things then her over inflated ego and her temper tantrums." Ryker warned in a savage growl. "YOU'RE not dealing with MY shit?" Cheandra yelled in angry disbelief. "I don't care whose house it is. Shut the fuck up." White lines appeared between his nostrils and the deep grooves at the corners of his mouth as he controlled his fury and kept his voice normal. "Calm down an . . " Mace began as he got to his feet hurriedly. "Keep out of this." Cheandra said as she turned her head and glared at him before looking back at Ryker. " Don't ever tell me to shut up in my own house and if you were not such a stupid bastard you'd have realised a long time back that Mace is not my man so there aint no way he can control me. So fuck you!" Cheandra said in a tightly controlled voice before turning on her heel and storming from the room in a controlled fury. Ryker watched her leave the room, his blood roaring in his ears in his anger. He heard the front door slam and moved to the window so he could watch her storm out to her bike and leave in a shower of flying gravel. His eyes narrowed at he thought about her parting shots, he turned his head to look at Mace thoughtfully. "Boss?" Tristis asked quietly. "Come on, we got a job to do. Every one knows their piece so lets get to it." Ryker ordered briskly . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Cheandra rode around undecided on where to go for a while before heading towards the Pumas den, finding most of their bikes parked in the shade she looked for Chevron's bike before turning her bike off and putting the stand down. She tucked her helmet under her arm and walked to the door, she stood there uneasily for several minutes before finally knocking. The door was answered by Niah who was laughing and talking to someone behind her, her laughter died as she saw Cheandra, Niah studied Cheandra for several seconds before half turning away from her. "Chev, visitor." Niah called in a cautious tone. Cheandra could hear footsteps approaching the doorway and then she could see Chevron behind Niah, Niah stepped back and then disappeared from sight, Cheandra could hear her walking away. "If I invite you in will Ryker and the team turn up on my doorstep?" Chevron asked. "They're busy. Out of town busy." Cheandra said. Chevron studied her for several moments, he knew by her answer that the team was doing a delivery run and yet she was here. "Come in." Chevron finally invited her. Cheandra walked through the door he opened for her and followed him into the main room, everyone in the room stopped what they were doing to look at her, gradually they resumed what they were doing. Chevron motioned for her to follow him and headed for his room, Cheandra hesitated in the doorway of his room looking around unsure of exactly why she had came to the house in the first place. Chevron pulled his boots off and made himself comfortable sitting up against the headboard of his bed, he motioned towards a large comfortable looking armchair on the side of the room closest to the door facing the bed. "If you don't want to stretch out with me make yourself comfortable there." He invited. Cheandra moved to the chair and sat down on the edge of the seat somewhat uncertainly, she perched there uncomfortably for a few minutes. "I might be interested moving to another team." Cheandra stated. "So there's a reason your not Racer today?" Chevron asked. Cheandra gave a faint knod and moved back into a more comfortable position in the seat of the chair. "Ryker and I don't get on to well, we haven't for a while now." She admitted. "Ryker pissed off because your warming Mace's bed instead of his?" Chevron asked as he ran his eyes over her boldly. "Are you joking? Ryker has never been interested, and Mace. . I had no family, my Marm died when I was small and I never knew who my Da was. Mace, well Mace sponsored me into the Skeeter's when I started to show how good I am on a bike." Cheandra explained. Chevron sat watching her silently for several minutes, he'd often wondered at the seemingly offhand bond between Cheandra and Mace. And as for Ryker, Chevron was no fool, he had recognised Ryker's interest in Cheandra on several occasions when the other man had thought himself unobserved. Finally Chevron knodded as he steepled his fingers in front of his chest and lowered his chin to rest on his fingertips. "Why come here today?" Chevron asked. "I came here because I wanted to be here, in here, with you." Cheandra finally said. "Lay down beside me while I have a sleep." Chevron said and patted the bed beside him. Cheandra watched him silently for a few moments before she pulled her boots off and moved to the bed, she stretched out beside him on her back and lay motionless as he moved to lay down beside her. "Roll onto your side with your back to me." Chevron instructed. Cheandra did as she was told, she tensed when he rolled onto his side and cuddled against his chest in spoon fashion, one arm around her waist. "Close your eyes and have a bit of a sleep." Chevron's deep voice said near her ear. Racers Ch. 06 In a futuristic world messages and packages are delivered by teams of motorcycle riders. These teams are composed of 6 riders. The leader, the mechanic, two protectors and a "racer", a high-speed specialist and a replacement racer for if the original should be injured. These teams are highly regarded within society holding an honoured place in society for without them industry would grind to a halt as communications ceased. Cheandra woke as Chevron got off the bed, she rolled onto her back and watched him from half closed eyes, he glanced her way and smiled when he saw she was awake. "I'll be back in a few minutes." He told her before leaving the room. Cheandra stretched and looked around the room curiously while she waited for him to return. "Miss me while I was gone?" Chevron asked as he walked into the room and to the side of the bed she was on. He climbed onto the bed, covering her body with his as he settled against her comfortably, Cheandra opened her thighs and he settled his hips in the cradle of her hips and rocked against her in a steady unhurried motion. Cheandra gave a soft sigh of pleasure and lifted her knees so that he came into closer intimate contact with her body, she began to move in rhythm with him. Chevron watched her face as he lay propped up on his elbows, his hips moved against hers and he heard her breathing become heavier. "Hope you don't have anything against a bit of daylight fun." Chevron said as he rolled off her body to lie beside her. He slowly pulled her t-shirt from the waistband of her jeans and pushed the hem of the shirt up so that he could run his hand over the smooth skin of her lower ribs, his hand gradually worked its way up under the edge of the shirt as he traced circles on her skin with his fingertips. Cheandra gasped softly and arched against his hand as his fingers brushed against a sensitive nipple, she opened her mouth slightly and ran the tip of her tongue over her suddenly dry lips. Chevron smiled at her as his hand became still for several seconds before he worked his way down to the fastenings of her jeans at her waiste, he took his time undoing the stud and zipper before slipping his hand beneath the opening of her jeans to run his fingers over her lower stomach. "Not in any hurry are you?" He asked softly as he smoothed a hand over to the side of her waist then down to cup the curve of her hip. He tugged gently so she rolled onto her side facing him, their bodies touching from chest to thigh. "Slow and gentle would be good." Cheandra agreed as she ran a hand up his forearm to his muscled shoulders. "Good." Chevron said before lowering his head to brush a light kiss across her lips. Cheandra opened her mouth tentatively as he kissed her lightly. His lips moved over hers in a whisper soft caress before moving up to kiss each eyelid in turn. When his lips brushed the hair over her ear Cheandra shuddered slightly and Chevron laughed softly before exploring the shell of her ear and then slowly trailing his lips across her cheek to her lips. Cheandra sighed against the light brush of his lips and pressed her body to his more firmly as she opened her mouth inviting him to deepen their kiss. As Chevron deepened their kiss he slid one hand down her back and pressed their bodies together firmly, he cupped her bottom in his hand and pulled her hard against his aroused cock. Cheandra moaned softly as she slid her top leg up over his thigh to hook her heel behind his leg before pushing against his chest and breaking off their kiss. She sat up as she tugged her t-shirt off over her head then lay back down and wriggled her jeans off her hips to lay naked beside him. "Fuck you got a hot body." Chevron growled huskily before hurriedly pulling his shirt over his head and then standing beside the bed to quickly shed his jeans. Cheandra eyed his body off with interest, his shoulders were broad and well muscled, his stomach flat and his hips lean. His chest was hairless but a few dark hairs were to be seen around his navel and they thickened to a fine line that lead down to the mat that surrounded his aroused penis, dark hairs were scattered over his muscular thighs. He grinned at her as he moved onto the bed so that he was kneeling between her spread thighs. Cheandra looked down at him, breathless with anticipation, his mouth formed a lopsided grin before he lowered his head slowly towards her, she felt the soft brush of his breath over her sex before his tongue flicked between her folds tracing the moistness leaking from her slit. Cheandra gasped, a small moan of pleasure coming from her lips as Chevron found the hard nub of her clitoris and covered it with his lips. Chevron held her clit gently but firmly between his teeth and rolled his tongue over it from bottom to top, Cheandra gasped and pushed her hips at him as pleasure shot through her body. Chevron hummed softly and moved one hand so he could trace the growing moistness between her outer lips, as he sucked, nipped and flicked at her clit. He ran his fingers up and down over her opening in slowly increasingly firmer strokes until his fingers pushed against the now swollen opening without actually entering, Cheandra's body twitched with every touch and soft little sounds of pleasure came from her throat. Slowly, teasingly, Chevron eased the tip of one finger into her moist passage to the first joint. Cheandra whimpered and attempted to push onto his finger more but Chevron laughed softly as he began stroking between her moist folds once again. Cheandra jerked her knees up level with his shoulders as she clamped her thighs together and attempted to roll away from him. "Enough is enough! Either you want me or you don't!" Cheandra snapped in frustration. Chevron pinned her body to the bed beneath him, her legs were turned to one side and her face turned away but he brushed several light kisses across her averted check. "Cheandra, look at me." Chevron coaxed. Cheandra turned her head reluctantly, her face flushed with unsated desire, her eyes holding a hint of caution. "Cheandra, I want to spill my seed within you. I want to have you as a mate." Chevron saw the surprise flash deep within her eyes for an instant before she controlled her surprise, her body had tensed beneath his and he sensed her withdrawal even though she was physically unable to move away from him. Amongst the riders no male rider spilled his seed within a female rider unless she had given him permission and had indicated she wished to become his mate. There was no such taboo when riders bedded women from the ordinary population, in fact the other women were often willing and eager for riders to cum in them and gain prestige by giving a rider a child. Pregnancy was seen as a complication for a rider and increased the dangers a woman faced while riding, so while pregnant the woman stopped making delivery runs, few of the women returned to active riding after having a child instead settling to have several more children. "No Chevron, I do not want a mate at this stage and it is too early for us." Cheandra said firmly but gently. She really liked Chevron but at the same time she was still a little unsure of her feelings for him. Chevron sighed and lowered his head to rest his forehead on hers, after several moments he brushed a light kiss against her lips but Cheandra remained unresponsive. "You can trust me, I won't force a claiming on you." He said softly and rolled off her to lie beside her on his side. Cheandra went to get off the bed but Chevron pulled her back down and held her against his chest, she struggled slightly at first but when he rolled towards her pinning her with a leg over hers she stilled and lay tensely in his embrace. "I won't force a claiming on you." He tried soothing Cheandra but she remained tense within his hold. He knew it was not unheard of in circumstances such as theirs for the man involved to take the female by force and refuse to pull out before cuming, creating the possibility of pregnancy to tie the woman to him against her wishes. "Let me go." Cheandra growled between gritted teeth. Chevron released her and sat up running both hand back over his head. Beside him Cheandra swiftly rolled away from him, stood up and grabbed her clothes before moving well out of reach to pull her clothes on. "Stay around for a while so we can have a chat." Chevron urged quietly as he glanced at her wary face. "I'm leaving. If you want to talk we can meet at The Galaxy's End tomorrow night." Cheandra said. Chevron quickly reached for his jeans, he followed Cheandra from the room still fastening them as she left hurriedly. When he reached the main room she was well ahead of him and would clearly get to the front door before he caught up with her. "Niah, Clover, stop her!" Chevron called and both women got to their feet hurriedly to stand between Cheandra and the front hallway. Cheandra came to a halt and turned so she could see everyone in the room, she watched Shad and Dion with dread as they got to their feet and took several steps towards her. "There a problem boss?" Shad asked Chevron in his husky voice. "No, I just want to talk to Cheandra before she leaves, sort out a few things." Chevron said as he halted several feet away from Cheandra who was eyeing everyone very warily. "We can talk tomorrow night." Cheandra said tightly, her voice taunt with tension. "I just want to straighten things out a little here and now." Chevron told her. "I want to leave now!" Cheandra snapped, her attention fully on him for an instant. An instant was all it took for Shad to reach her side and grabbed her by the upper arm, Cheandra immediately began struggling to get free. "The boss wants to talk to you." Shad growled. "I thought you said I could trust you!" Cheandra snapped at Chevron as he stepped forward and caught her other arm. "You can. I promise I won't force a claiming on you." Chevron yelled back at her. There was instant silence in the room and Dion, Clover and Niah took several steps towards them. Seeing the reaction of his team Chevron sighed and looked back at Cheandra who clearly thought she was going to be forced to become his mate. "I asked Cheandra to be my mate. She said no. And I don't want a mate who doesn't want to be my mate." Chevron said softly as if he was only speaking to Cheandra beside him. Shad released his hold on her arm and stepped back several paces with a knod. "I'll see you tomorrow night at Galaxy's End." Chevron told her firmly. "Let me go." Cheandra demanded with a distrustful look around the room. Chevron gave a sigh of regret and released his grip on her arm, Cheandra immediately slipped past Niah and Clover as she headed for the front door. She was on edge and turned around to face the room hurriedly as Dion shifted on his feet, she backed towards the door the last few steps and hurried to get outside. At her bike Cheandra didn't pause to put her helmet on, she kicked her bike to life and rode off with her helmet on the seat in front of her. She travelled several miles and made certain that no one followed her before stopping to put the helmet on. Realising it was time for the midday meal and knowing she would be eating alone she headed for the bakery Shari's mother worked in. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Cheandra flicked the collar of her thick riding jacket up to ward off the light rain that had started falling as she walked across the road and into the bakery. There was a good crowd of people lined up buying their midday meal and Cheandra stood back while the main rush of people were served before she stepped up to the counter. Shari looked up and recognised Cheandra with surprise, she smiled nervously as Cheandra met her gaze. "Hi Cheandra." Shari said then wondered if she had spoken out of place. Tristis had explained that Cheandra ruled the house and he had to check with her and get her permission before Shari could move in with him like they both wanted. Shari swallowed nervously as Cheandra opened the front of her jacket due to the warmth of the shop. "Shari, what's the best pie on a day like this or do you have soup?" Cheandra asked. "We have a nice curried lamb pie today." Shari replied. "Sounds good, I'll have one of those and a pot of coffee thanks, I'll be over at one of the tables." Cheandra said. "I'll bring it right over." Shari told her with a nervous smile. Cheandra settled herself at a small table by the window and waited for her food, Shari hurried to get the food and coffee to her fearing she would somehow upset Cheandra. In her rush Shari accidentally knocked over the coffee pot as she placed it on the table and Cheandra narrowly missed being scalded by the hot liquid. "Am I in danger of wearing the coffee Everytime you put it on the table at the house or only this once?" Cheandra asked evenly. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Shari babbled then fell silent as what Cheandra had said sunk in. "I . I .." "You do want to move in with Tristis don't you?" Cheandra asked as Shari stuttered. "Y. . yes I do!" Shari said eagerly as she regained her composure. "Well finish your normal hours here, get enough stuff for overnight and turn up at the house. Tristis can help you move in tomorrow." Cheandra informed her. "Thank you! Oh thank you! You don't know how much this means to me!" Shari said happily. "Could I have another pot of coffee?" Cheandra asked as she looked at her food. "Certainly, I'll get that right now." Shari said and hurried off. Cheandra set about eating her pie and barely looked up when Shari returned with a fresh pot of coffee and cleaned up the spilt coffee. Shari hurriedly cleaned the table then went back to work behind the counter, she was impatient for the last of the midday crowd to be served and leave so that she could take time to tell her mother her exciting news. Finally it was quiet enough for her to disappear into the back to see her mother and tell her the news. Cheandra finished the last of her coffee and got to her feet, she paid for her meal before heading from the shop. Outside it was raining steadily, she fastened her jacket and made sure her collar was up before hurrying across to her bike. She headed to the home compound and parked her bike in the large shed out of the rain before making her way to the house using the covered pathway, once inside she discarded her wet outer clothing before heading to her room and changing into clothing she preferred when around her house. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Cheandra could hear the members of her team before they entered the house, they were laughing and obviously pleased with the way the days work had went. She heard the front door swing open and one of them stomp through the house in their boots, she frowned angrily and turned so she could see where they stood, it was Zack. "You had better not be tracking dirt through my house!" Cheandra hissed in warning. The smile faded from Zack's face as he looked down at his boots, glad to see no dirt or mud he turned around and headed back to the front door to leave his work boots there. "We're barely in the door and you start." Ryker said as he walked into the kitchen. Cheandra gave him an angry look but turned away without saying a word, she listened to the others walk into the room and knew by the slightly hesitant sound to their footsteps they were expecting another argument between her and Ryker. "Cold beers in the fridge. Anyone want something to eat? Supper won't be ready for another hour or two." Cheandra said as she walked to the large pantry. "Ah! A cold one sounds good." Mace said in approval. "I could go a thick sandwich about now." Tristis said hungrily. "Yeah, same here." Burtie agreed. "Ok sandwiches then." Cheandra said as she took two loaves of bread from the pantry and carried it to the table before getting butter, pickles, relish and a platter of roast meat from the fridge. "Mace can you carve some meat for me?" Cheandra asked as she began slicing thick slices of bread from a loaf. Mace grabbed a can of beer from the fridge, opened it and took a deep drink before placing it on the table and taking the knife Burtie handed him from the counter top. Mace concentrated on slicing thick chunks from the roast beef while Cheandra started spreading the slices of bread with either relish or pickles. Shortly there were enough sandwiches for everyone and Cheandra cleaned up while the men ate. "I want a bed put in the biggest of the spare rooms by my room " Cheandra said with a glance at Mace and Tristis. "My snoring finally getting to you?" Mace joked and Cheandra gave a slight smile. "Yeah, something like that." She agreed, she wanted to keep Shari's moving in as a surprise until she turned up. She was relieved to notice that Ryker seemed satisfied with the sandwich he had, she was getting tired of having to be on the defensive all the time. "We got another job on tomorrow." Zack said still excited. Cheandra glanced towards Ryker for confirmation, he was watching her with the shuttered look she was coming to know and hate. "Zack you done so well today you can run the delivery tomorrow as well." Ryker announced. Cheandra stopped wiping the table to look at Ryker, just the look in his eyes told her he was waiting for her to say something to him, taking a deep breath she smiled coldly. "So I guess that leaves me free to go out by myself tonight." She said tightly. "No. We are all going over tomorrows ride, we have to do all the planning tonight." Ryker informed her. Cheandra turned away and checked on the food in the oven, even though she knew it didn't need watching or tending, she slammed the oven door before turning and walking from the room. Racers Ch. 07 Cheandra was in no mood to talk or even listen to the others talk about the ride the team had to do the following day. Ryker's decision to take on a job at such short notice was out of character and made Cheandra feel uneasy about the following day. She glanced at the small watch she wore and saw that it was nearly time for Shari to arrive. Wanting to have the room ready for her to move into Cheandra headed back towards the kitchen where the others were talking. "I need that bed moved now." Cheandra said firmly. "Can't it wait?" Ryker demanded in irritation. "I need it done now!" Cheandra snapped angrily. "It can wait. Now sit down so we can discuss the ride for tomorrow." Ryker ordered. Cheandra glanced towards Mace hoping he would catch on that it was important she get the bed put in the room. Seeing no help from that quarter she sighed and turned towards Ryker trying to keep her temper under control. "If the bed gets done now I will sit down and talk about the ride you have on tomorrow without any arguments." Cheandra said tightly. Ryker lifted his head to study her closely, he realised the bed issue was an important one for her. "No arguments? You'll do as I say?" Ryker demanded. Cheandra gave a curt nod of agreement. The look of annoyance on her face turned to anger when there was a loud knocking at the front door. Mace got to his feet and went to answer the door. "Hey Tristis! Someone here for you!" Mace called happily. Cheandra watched as Shari preceded Mace into the room, she carried a small bag and Mace carried a larger one. "Welcome to your new home." Cheandra said. "The men were just about to put a bed in your room for you." Shari looked at Cheandra confused. "I thought I would be moving in with Tristis." "You get your own room, your own space. You are thinking of becoming a rider aren't you?" Cheandra asked. Shari looked at Tristis shocked. "I...I..." Shari was unsure of what to say. "Come with me. Tristis can go pick out a nice bed for you." Cheandra said as she took the younger girl by the arm and guided her towards the bedrooms. "Life as part of a team is different to what you're used to. But don't worry; I'll explain it to you. Firstly, you have your own room. Your own space. No one can enter without your permission. It is entirely up to you where you sleep and with whom. But it is your choice if you want to have sex with one or more of the men. In the house what us women say goes, we are in charge. Outside of the house Ryker is the boss. Any and all of our team will protect you and I from other male riders. We can socialize with whom ever we choose but mostly relationships are kept within teams." Cheandra said as she stopped inside of the large bedroom beside her own. Shari looked around the large room taking in the large amount of hanging space for clothing and a rather comfortable looking large chair. "This will be your room. I have the room we passed with the closed door. In this house my room is the only room you may not enter. Although it does go down better with the others if you ask before you go in their rooms. Now there is one thing I will warn you about, Ryker will probably try to get you to let him have sex with you. You don't have to if you don't want to but be aware he will probably try to seduce you. He's team leader so he is Alpha." Cheandra said evenly. "You will be expected to help me run the house but I don't expect you to stop working in the bakery just maybe cut down on the time you're there." Shari nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. Shortly there was a knock on the wall beside the door and both women turned around to face the door. "We've got the bed." Mace said from the doorway. Shari stepped aside and Cheandra glanced her way. "They are waiting for you to tell them to bring it in." Cheandra said softly. "Oh! Bring it in here please." Shari rushed to say. Cheandra watched as Mace, Tristis and Ryker carried in pieces of the bed and began setting it up. She noticed that Ryker looked over Shari pretty thoroughly before setting about helping the others. "Come give me a hand checking on the food I'm cooking." Cheandra said and headed for the kitchen. In the kitchen Cheandra checked on the food in the oven and added two trays of dough that she had set aside to rise. She glanced over her shoulder at Shari as she shut the oven door. "We like fresh hot bread with most of our meals. The men eat plenty of meat, I suppose that is one thing your not used to having a lot of." Cheandra commented. "We managed to have meat every second day. Sometimes there was even enough left for the next day as well." Shari said proudly. Meat was mostly in short supply and only those who could afford to pay high prices for it got to have meat regularly. "Are you and Tristis going to be mated?" Cheandra asked. "Doesn't it mean we are mated with me moving in?" Shari asked startled. "No, it means that I have accepted another woman in my house, with my team. Riders are mated if they are trying to have a child. Some riders sleep only with one partner and claim they are a couple." Cheandra explained. "Oh, I .. um.. " Shari was lost for words for several moments before she lifted her head to glance at Cheandra. "Can I ask what you think I should do?" Cheandra was silent for several moments as she looked at Shari. She was very close with Tristis and wanted for him to be happy. "We got the bed set up." Ryker said as he walked into the room. He walked over to Shari and moved around her; he looked her over with a roguish grin. Cheandra bit back the urge to tell Ryker to leave Shari alone, she realised with a start that she was jealous of the attention he was paying her. "I'll show you where I keep the sheets and bedclothes. You can fix your room up a bit before we eat." Cheandra said as she headed for the hallway near the bedrooms the men used. "You're welcome to share my bed if you don't want to make your bed tonight." Ryker said in a coaxing tone. Cheandra clenched her teeth so she didn't say anything as she heard Shari making shocked little noises. Cheandra knew him well enough to know that he had probably patted her on the rear as she walked past him. Suddenly Shari let out a startled squeal and brushed past Cheandra. Cheandra spun around to face Ryker; he had a wide grin on his face as he glanced towards Tristis who was glowering at him darkly. "Come on Chea, show Shari where the stuff is so she can escape to her room." Mace said from behind Ryker. "How many times do I have to tell you to use my full name?" Cheandra demanded angrily as she turned and hurried to the storeroom door. Behind her she could hear Ryker chuckling and knew he would use the shortened version of her name that she hated. "How long before we eat.. Chea?" Ryker asked. Cheandra ignored him as she sorted through folded sheets to find some to fit the bed that had been moved into Shari's room. She passed the sheets to Shari then selected several warm blankets. "Come on, I'll help you make the bed." Cheandra said, as she turned away from the shelves of folded bedding. "Don't be like that." Ryker scolded as Cheandra refused to rise to his taunt. He laughed softly as he watched the two women retreat to the bedroom that Shari would be using as hers. * * * * * The meal had been tense with Ryker alternating between making advances to Shari and stirring Cheandra by using the shortened version of her name that he knew she detested. Cheandra was washing the dirty dishes while Shari dried them and Mace helped by showing Shari where everything went when put away. Ryker had the map laid out on the kitchen table and everyone else was gathered around as Ryker went over the route. Zack was careful to keep the table between himself and Cheandra as her temper became more and more in evidence thanks to Ryker's actions. At present he was standing where he had quick access to the doorway into the lounge room incase Cheandra decided to take her irritation out on him. Cheandra finished the cleaning up and washed her hands before pouring herself a mug of coffee, she took the drink and walked over to the table. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and looked up to see Zack watching her apprehensively. Anger that he had the job of Racer the following day warred with anger that Ryker's dislike of her was indirectly affecting Zack. Tristis caught the look Cheandra flashed Zack and then Ryker and moved around the table to where Shari was finishing the work she had been doing. He slipped his arms around her waist from behind and she started nervously as she glanced over her shoulder to see who it was. "Oh Tris! You gave me a start!" Shari exclaimed with a nervous glance towards Ryker who had stopped what he was doing to watch them. "Unless I miss my guess he wants to give her something and it sure aint a start!" Ryker said with a grin at the other men. A faint sound of annoyance came from Tristis and Ryker looked over at him several seconds before indicating the map on the table. "Okay, let's all concentrate on the job tomorrow ... here's the route we shall be riding..." Ryker began outlining the ride for the following day. Cheandra frowned as she realised that they would be riding on one of the most dangerous routes that left plenty of chances for an ambush to take the package that would contain the item they were delivering. She glanced at Tristis and Burtie who would have the job of protecting Zack during his ride but neither of them seemed concerned. "It seems straight forward." Burtie remarked. "That route is full of places perfect for trouble! Either pick a safer route or let me ride Racer!" Cheandra snapped. "Zack is riding tomorrow and that is final." Ryker said in an ominous tone as he glared at Cheandra. "Zack doesn't have the skill to ride that route with someone hot on his back wheel!" Cheandra declared hotly. "No one will be expecting us to take that route when it is seen Zack is riding instead of you and that is where we will have the edge." Ryker said calmly. "I'll ride tomorrow!" Cheandra stormed. "No you will not! I will not have you riding injured and I will not have you riding when I can't be sure of your loyalties!" Ryker said angrily. Cheandra stared at him in silent outrage; there was not a sound from any of the other riders as Cheandra and Ryker glared at each other. "My loyalties have always been with my team!" Cheandra said hotly. "You expect me to believe you have no loyalties to who ever fucked you the other night?" Ryker demanded angrily. Cheandra sneered coldly at him as he regarded her with distrust. "In all the time we have been in the same team you have never once ensured I had reason to keep my loyalties with this team! In fact in the last year you have done all you can to drive me from this team! You don't want me in your bed but you sure as hell don't like the idea someone else might!" Cheandra snapped with cold disdain before walking from the room. Ryker walked to the doorway and looked for her but she was already heading out the door with her helmet. He turned back towards the others and glanced around the table at their faces. "I never tried to bed her out of respect for you Mace." Ryker said to the older man. Ryker glanced at Tristis who had his arm around Shari who was visibly upset by the argument that had just taken place. "And that is why you don't go bedding riders from other teams." Mace said dryly. "Or everyone starts doubting your loyalty." Ryker looked at Mace with a hard expression. "Are you saying I'm out of line?" Ryker asked angrily. "No, just telling it like it is. I don't want to see the team fall apart." Mace said evenly as he waited for Ryker to realise that the comment had insinuated that Cheandra was involved with another rider. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Cheandra rode her bike through the buildings that made up the town then headed for the open road. The bike's headlight picked out the road as she sped along, long familiarity enabling her to travel down the road at top speed. Finally the whine of the engine as the bike climbed a steep hill in top gear broke through Cheandra's anger and she changed down gears until the bike slowed and she stopped on the crest of the hill. A cold breeze blew against her face as she took her helmet off and ran her fingers through her short hair before looking back the way she had came. She watched as a formation of bike lights moved along one of the roads below and knew that some team was making a delivery. The knowledge set her thinking about her own team and she put her helmet on with a sigh. Trouble or not she knew she had to return to the compound to be there to cook breakfast for the team in the morning. Deciding to cut across country instead of stick to the road Cheandra switched her bike to hover mode and started down the side of the hill. The powerful bike sped down the incline onto the flat valley below and Cheandra could not resist the urge to race across the flat ground at high speed. She almost didn't see the narrow gully in time but her fast reflexes showed why she was the top Racer as she spun to the side before turning and jumping the bike over the gully where the ground was the smoothest. A fence proved no obstacle as she spun the powerful bike in a tight circle before bringing it to a near stop. The front wheel rose up the post and suddenly the bike was airborne as she gunned the powerful engine. The landing was bumpy but Cheandra was laughing as she eased the bike onto the road once more. The lights were on in the main rooms as Cheandra pulled her bike to a halt in front of the house and shut off the engine. Almost reluctantly she began to walk inside, pulling her riding gloves off as she went. The warm air inside the house was a welcome change to the cold air outside as she stepped inside the door. In the lounge room Burtie and Mace were talking quietly as she walked in and both glanced over at her before resuming their conversation. Cheandra walked over to her favourite chair and sat down, she took her time removing her boots as she listened to the men talking. "Where are the others?" Cheandra finally asked. "Tris and Shari are in his room. Zack and Ryker have gone to bed. About time we headed there too." Mace said. "His Lordship still in a bad mood?" Cheandra asked. "He is going to make you pay for your insolence you know." Mace told her. Cheandra gave a faint sound of disgust before getting to her feet. "Well I'm going to bed. Turn off the lights when you turn in." Cheandra walked to her room and shut the door behind her; she hesitated for a moment then grabbed clean clothes and headed for the shower. She cursed when she found there was no hot water left and hurried to wash under the icy cold stream of water. She dried herself briskly before pulling her clean clothes on and heading for her room once again. In his room Ryker listened as Cheandra moved around the house, he smiled to himself when he heard her swear knowing she had just found the water cold. He rolled onto his side and listened as her footsteps travelled lightly past his doorway on her way to her room. His body hardened uncomfortably as he imagined her slipping beneath her covers, her body naked and still damp from the shower. With a groan of unfulfilled desire he rolled over and tried to find a comfortable position to fall asleep. The image of Cheandra damp and naked in her bed refused to leave him alone as he tried to go to sleep. The smell of fresh brewed coffee woke Ryker and he climbed out of bed as he became aware of noises from the kitchen. He pulled his riding clothes on and headed for the kitchen ready to do battle with Cheandra over who was riding as Racer today. In the kitchen he found both Cheandra and Shari cooking plenty of food while Tristis and Burtie sat at the table drinking coffee. "I hope your cooking flapjacks." Ryker said as he helped himself to a cup of hot coffee. "Flapjacks, steak, eggs and hash. Please yourself what you eat." Cheandra said dryly. "Last lot of flapjacks you served up were little better than charcoal!" Ryker told her. Cheandra turned around to face him angrily, she was just about to lash out at him verbally when Zack came into view in the doorway and halted when he saw her anger. "Come in, have some coffee and a feed. Then I am going to check your armour myself and make sure your outfitted properly! I will not have it said I let one of my team go out not wearing the right gear." Cheandra said tightly and turned back to the food she was cooking. Zack walked into the kitchen hesitantly, he didn't want to get caught in the crossfire if Ryker and Cheandra started arguing again this morning. Cheandra paused to pour Zack a cup of coffee and fix it with sugar the way he liked it before placing it in front of his usual chair. "What do you want to eat?" She asked with a quick glance his way. "Whatever you got cooked." Zack said quietly as he moved to his seat and reached for his coffee. Cheandra grabbed a plate and filled it with his preferred steak and eggs before placing it on the table in front of his chair. She turned back to the stove and began dishing up plates of food as the men moved forward to take their food. When Mace came into the room he was immediately aware of the tension in the room but was glad to see that both Ryker and Cheandra seemed to be avoiding an argument. He saw the tight smile Cheandra sent his way and grinned in return, he also saw the quick glance she gave Zack. "We need to finish eating and get underway." Ryker announced as he helped himself to a second serving of food. "I don't think I can eat anymore." Zack said pushing his half eaten food away. "Go get your riding armour on so I can make sure it's fastened properly." Cheandra ordered as she dished food up for herself. Ryker was silent as he watched Cheandra eating when Zack left the room. He was ready to intervene if Cheandra started harassing Zack. Mace felt the tension in the room escalate when Zack returned in his full protective armour over his riding gear. Mace glanced at Ryker as he got to his feet and moved closer to where Cheandra had approached Zack. They all knew that Cheandra had the right as Racer for the team to step in and forbid Zack to ride in her place. Cheandra carefully checked each buckle that held the protective padding in place on Zack's body. She tested the tightness of each item and moved his arms to ensure he had full-unimpeded movement. She took a step back and lifted her head as she glanced beyond Zack. Ryker was watching her closely while all the others stood back uncertainly. "As you said, Comps are only a week or two away." She said to Ryker before turning away. "Make sure you have a good feed ready when we get back this afternoon." Ryker ordered. "You've got to be jesting! I will be out all day checking to see which teams are looking for a new Racer or who is aiming to form a new team." Cheandra said declaring her intentions to leave the team. "Will you be looking to leave as well?" Ryker asked Mace with a frown. "I haven't been planning to." Mace said levelly. Ryker glanced between Mace and Cheandra, he wanted to stay and see how serious Cheandra was about leaving the team but there was the pressing need to do the delivery run. "Come on everyone! We got a job to do. Every one knows their piece so lets get to it." Ryker commanded with one last angry glance at Cheandra before leading the way from the house. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Cheandra and Shari cleaned up the kitchen before Cheandra gave Shari a lift to the bakery where she worked. She dropped the younger girl off without a word before heading off on her bike. Deciding to keep her options open she rode past several bars frequented by different teams and pulled into the parking lot of one when she saw the familiar bikes of Skeeter Squad. She got off her bike and took her time removing her helmet and gloves as she studied the bikes in front of her. Finally with her helmet and gloves tucked under her arm Cheandra headed inside the already busy bar. Racers Ch. 07 Cheandra walked up to the bar and ordered herself a small malt beer and took her drink over to a table by one of the windows. She wasn't alone for long before Drac and Fargo walked in together. Drac ignored her when he noticed her but Fargo gave her a brief nod as he followed his lover to a table not far from her. "Well well well! What are you doing here by yourself?" Brayton asked as he came and sat opposite her. Cheandra regarded him silently for several moments. "Rumour has it your team was doing a run today." Brayton said when she failed to respond to his question. "Well then the rumours would be true." Cheandra said quietly. Brayton raised an eyebrow as he watched her silently for several seconds; finally he leant to the side as he done a quick check for obvious injuries. "How many Racers are on your team these days?" Cheandra asked quietly. "There would always be room for you...I could be persuaded to bring you into the team before comps even." Brayton said dropping his voice to an intimate tone. Cheandra eyed him coolly. She was aware of the strong physical reaction she had to him. It would be no trouble to encourage him or fuck him to encourage his wanting her back in the team. It wasn't as if multiple sex partners were uncommon among the team members. "High and mighty as ever I see." Brayton said with a grin then warned, "But there would be no having the old guard dog along this time." Cheandra raised her drink to her lips and took several slow long swallows aware of Brayton's eyes on the smooth pale skin of her neck as she swallowed. Cheandra placed the bottle on the table between them and licked a small drop of moisture from her bottom lip with a leisurely sweep of her tongue. Brayton felt his groin tighten as he watched her tongue flick out to remove the drop of moisture then disappear from sight. He raised his eyes from her lips and found her watching him closely. "Your team keep you well satisfied?" Brayton asked as his gaze wondered down over her exposed cleavage. He had to admit to himself that she had certainly matured nicely since she had left his team. "I spent four years with them haven't I?" She asked softly. "That you have." He admitted wryly. "But why are you off today by yourself when the team is on a run? Why aren't you riding?" "The boss decided he wants to give the other Racer some experience." Cheandra said dismissingly. Brayton smothered a laugh knowing there had to be more to it then that but he also knew Cheandra would not say. "Give me the run down on your team." Cheandra invited huskily. "Maybe later." Brayton said as his eyes dropped to her cleavage once again. Cheandra took another drink and knew that his eyes were on her throat once again as she swallowed. She remembered how he had paid a lot of attention to the sensitive areas on her neck when they had been together. Slowly she trailed the cold glass down her neck and into her cleavage knowing it would leave a trail of moisture behind. Brayton groaned huskily and licked his lips as his gaze remained on her slender neck. Racers Ch. 08 Cheandra followed Brayton to a more private area of the bar, she was aware of two of his team members following them and knew that Brayton wouldn't send them away if she asked him to. "Let's see how serious you are about joining my team." Brayton said as he turned around and faced Cheandra. Cheandra smiled as she walked up to him and slid her hands up over his chest to rest on top of his shoulders. "The question is how bad do you want me back with the team?" Cheandra asked before leaning close and kissing him on the lips softly. Brayton groaned against her mouth and pulled her hard against him as he kissed her hungrily, he moved one hand down to cup her bottom and pull her hard against his arousal. Cheandra wound her arms around his neck as he reached down with both hands and picked her up and let her clasp her legs around his waist. Brayton moved a few steps so that he could hold Cheandra between his body and the wall. He raised his head to look down at her and she smiled up at him. He allowed her to slide down his body slowly to stand on her own two feet before moving back slightly to start pulling at the front of her jacket. Remembering he had no patience when undressing her she pushed his hands aside and unfastened her jacket and top before pushing him away slightly. "I'll take my pants off, but you got to be quick, I ain't putting on a display for anyone." Cheandra warned him. "I'll take my time." Brayton said as he watched her pull off her boots and drop her jeans. He stepped forward and reached out to run his hands up her ribs to cup her breasts. He rolled her nipples between his thumb and forefinger before pinching them lightly then lowering his head to take one nipple in his mouth. "You want my ass?" Cheandra asked softly. Brayton raised his head to look at her, he enjoyed anal sex but it was one thing she had not let him indulge in very often while they were together. "Turn around." He ordered gruffly as he released her. Cheandra kicked her jeans aside as she turned around to face the wall and braced her hands on the wall. She held still as Brayton slid his hands around her waist then up her body to cup her breasts as he moved closer to her. He trailed his lips down the side of her neck and nibbled at the top of her shoulder before moving his attention back up to just below her ear. He moved one hand down over her stomach to trail his fingers over her woman's mound and between her moist folds. His fingers found her wet slit and played in the moisture there causing her to gasp and jerk before he found her clit and began to stroke it. Cheandra groaned as she pushed her hips back against him, he laughed softly and withdrew his hand from between her thighs. She felt his hand brush her ass cheeks as he unfastened his jeans. Brayton grasped Cheandra by the hips and urged her to step back several steps before pushing between her shoulder blades so that she bent forward at the waist. He reached between her thighs from behind and guided his hard cock into her slick passage. Cheandra gasped with surprised pleasure as he thrust into her slowly working his way deeper and deeper until he was entering the full length of his cock before retreating to advance again. She groaned in frustration and pushed back against him as he withdrew completely and he laughed softly near her ear. "And I always thought you weren't keen on taking it up the ass." Brayton said just before he thrust hard against the rosebud of her arsehole. "Fuck you!" Cheandra squealed as he buried himself in her back passage to his balls. Brayton wrapped his arms firmly around her waist and held her against him as she gasped and tried to pull away from his cruel invasion. "Take it easy!" Cheandra protested as he began moving before her body could become accustomed to him. "Always did like fucking your arse." Brayton grunted as he increased the speed of his thrusts. Cheandra hung her head as she braced herself against the wall; the pain of his entry was starting to turn to pleasure as she managed to relax her inner muscles. Brayton released his hold of one hip to slip his hand down under her stomach and down to her moist folds. His fingers the hard little nub that was her clit and he stroked it knowing she would need help to orgasm with him in her arse. Cheandra ground back against his hips as his fingers played in the moisture between her thighs, she groaned in disappointment when he withdrew his hand and grasped her hips hard as he began pounding into her frantically. She felt him stiffen then she felt the hot rush of his release deep in her bowels. Slowly Brayton withdrew from Cheandra's back passage, he staggered several steps away before leaning against a small table and tucking his deflated cock back into his pants. Cheandra straightened up and looked around for her clothes as she began to do her top and jacket up. She quickly pulled her jeans and boots on before heading to the toilet to empty the pressure from her bowels. When she came back out Brayton was waiting nearby and she followed him back out to the bar where she gingerly resumed her seat. Cheandra glanced around the room and noted the number of riders that were there, she was well aware that the news that she had been with Brayton would most likely precede her back to the house. She was not surprised to see Chevron, Shad and Clover sitting at the table with Fargo and Drac. "More drinks!" Brayton called happily to the waitress before resting one arm across the back of Cheandras shoulders. "We might have to start a second team." Brayton said with a grin as he looked at his team members. Cheandra noticed that one of the women was careful not to look at her as they sat at the table and when the drinks arrived. Clearly she was the current Racer for the team. "Looks like a celebration." Chevron remarked as he stopped by the table. "Just a former team getting together for the day." Cheandra said as she glanced towards him. Brayton watched Cheandra and Chevron with interest, he recognised the look in Cheandra's eyes as she looked away from Chevron. "So your hedging your bets are you?" Brayton asked with a glance towards Chevron. Cheandra met Brayton's eyes calmly but said nothing for a few long moments. "Call it what you will. I'm looking for the best deal for me." She told him coolly. "That's fine by me." Brayton said. He thought that Cheandra had come to him because she still felt the old feelings she had for him when they had been in the same team. "Come and have a drink with us." Chevron invited her. Cheandra shrugged Brayton's arm off her shoulders and got to her feet, Brayton slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close to kiss her neck and grope her breasts before he let her go. Chevron led the way to the table where his team members sat without saying a word. He took his seat and watched as Cheandra settled herself on a stool beside him somewhat gingerly. "Does this mean you found a team you would rather join?" Chevron asked. Cheandra didn't answer him as she watched Drac staring into his drink without looking at her. "It means I will not be forced to do something I do not want to do." Cheandra finally said as she turned her head to look at Chevron. * * * * * It was nearly noon when Dion and Niah hurried into the bar. Niah glanced around then headed straight over to where Chevron, Cheandra, Shad, Clover, Fargo and Drac sat. "The Crescent Moon team hit your team during the run today. Your stand in has been hurt real bad." Niah rushed to say. Cheandra jumped from the stool sending it flying as she raced for the door without a word to anyone. Outside she climbed onto her bike and started it without bothering with her helmet and gloves, she sped away from the bar before Chevron reached the door as he followed her. Cheandra made the journey back to her home compound in fast time. There were already several of the team's bikes as well as a flat bed truck out the front of the house as she pulled up. Cheandra brought the bike to a halt, stopped it and got off in one smooth movement. "Where's Zack?" Cheandra demanded as she raced into the main room where Tristis and Burtie were standing uneasily. Tristis glanced towards the room that Zack used as his bedroom and Cheandra hurried towards it. She paused in the doorway as she saw Ryker and Mace working on Zack as he lay on the bed without moving. Mace paused to look over his shoulder to see who it was in the doorway. "How bad is it?" Cheandra demanded as she moved into the room and to the bedside. "His right leg is real bad, maybe some broken ribs and what else we're not sure yet." Mace said "His head?" Cheandra asked as she began looking closely at him. "His helmet saved his head." Ryker said and looked at her. "I need help setting his leg and I want you to check his ribs as well." All of the team members had been trained for first aid and taking care of any injuries that a fellow rider might sustain. Gently Cheandra began to run her hands over his ribs through his shirt, she grimaced as she found five broken ribs before she turned her attention to his collarbone. "His arms and shoulders are fine, it's his leg and side where that lout Greig smashed into him with his bike." Ryker spat angrily. "He's the one who hit me the other day." Cheandra said as she ran her hands lightly down Zack's injured leg and he groaned even though he was unconscious. Realising how badly the leg was broken she glanced up at Ryker to find he was watching her levelly. He glanced at Zack's pale face without a word. They worked silently for nearly ten minutes before they were satisfied with the leg and the job they had done setting it. Ryker helped remove Zacks soiled clothes so that Cheandra could start to wash him with warm water that Mace bought in. Ryker and Mace left the room silently as Cheandra set about her task. She was careful not to bump his leg or touch his broken ribs firmly. When she was satisfied that he was as clean as she could get him she packed dry towels around his groin and covered him with a blanket taking care to use a chair to prevent the blanket resting on his broken leg. Cheandra carried the basin of dirty water out to the bathroom and tipped it down the drain before rinsing the basin out, she then headed through the house looking for the others. She found them in the kitchen where they were eating roughly made sandwiches and drinking cold water. "Zack will need someone with him at all times until I'm sure he's okay." Cheandra said as she reached for a sandwich. "And I want the town healer to come take a look at him." "That will cost credits and Zack doesn't have a lot of credits." Ryker interjected. "I'll pay for it if necessary. I don't want to see him with a lame leg." Cheandra snapped. "Chevron was here earlier. I sent him away." Ryker told her. Cheandra turned towards him outraged. "Who are you to send my visitors away from my house?" She demanded. "Your team leader." Ryker replied flatly with an irritated look on his face. "And it has got back to me that not only are you keeping company with him but that you were also seen today with your old lover. Is there anything going on I should be aware of?" He asked in an ominously quiet voice. "Nothing that concerns you." Cheandra said turning away from him. "I am the leader of this team, anything anyone of you do concerns me!" Ryker snapped. Cheandra refused to respond to his reply and Ryker watched her angrily. "Zack is injured, we have just lost the first package in several years and you're going to start defying me?" Ryker demanded angrily. "I refuse to be bossed around in my house by any male!" Cheandra snapped back at him. Ryker came around the table and Cheandra backed away several steps deciding that she didn't want a physical confrontation with him. "If your thinking of lining up another team you can forget it. You are a part of this team and that is the way it stays." Ryker ordered. "First you don't want me on the team and then you're saying I get to stay?" Cheandra asked with disbelief. "Maybe someone should make sure you got no reason to stray." Ryker said as he walked towards her. Cheandra hurried to put the table between them when she noticed that the others were between her and the doorway and were taking far too much interest in what was happening for her liking. "What no-one here to your liking?" Ryker asked as he followed her around the table. Cheandra went to keeping circling the table but Tristis and Burtie moved closer to the table and she turned to face Ryker considering him the bigger threat. Ryker grinned as he saw Cheandra's reaction, clearly she considered him the only one able to boss her around. He continued towards her and watched as she backed towards the wall only to stop still several paces away from it, clearly she wasn't going to let him corner her with no place to go. Cheandra watched Ryker stop several paces away from her with a tingle of excitement. She knew he planned to use an old method of having to start sleeping with her to try to stop her interest in men from other teams. Scolding herself that she should have known this would happen she watched him as he began to move towards her once again. "Time you learnt who is really boss." Ryker told her as he ran his eyes over her body. "All it will mean is your stronger than I am." Cheandra said as he stopped when he was nearly touching her. "I will not go into the comps with my team in tatters." Ryker said before lowering his head towards her. Cheandra trembled as she wondered if she should allow him the intimacy of resting his cheek against hers but then the choice was out of her control as he began nuzzling the side of her neck. She felt his hands rest lightly on her hips and she stepped closer hesitantly as she raised her hands to rest against his chest. His hands slid around to cup her bottom and pull her against the hard ridge of his arousal. "Did Brayton have you today?" Ryker asked softly as he continued to nuzzle against the side of her neck gently. Cheandra didn't answer his question and after a few minutes of exploring her neck with his lips and tongue he nibbled on her ear lobe. "You can tell me, I won't be angry." Ryker coaxed softly against her ear as she shuddered from his touch. "I let him fuck my arse." Cheandra answered quietly. Ryker rewarded her response by turning his head and kissing the corner of her mouth lightly, liking the feel of his lips she turned her head and brushed her lips against his. Cheandra became aware of his hands massaging her arse as he pulled her against his hips rhythmically. She slid her hand up his chest and onto his shoulders allowing him to do as he liked with her. Ryker turned her around in his arms so that her back was against his chest as he raised his hands to cup her breasts through her clothing. He could feel her nipples bead into hard little nubs against his palms as he massaged her breasts gently. Ryker lowered his head to trail his lips down the side of her neck and grinned to himself as he felt her shudder against him. He lowered one hand to undo the fastening of her jeans and began to ease them down off her hips slowly. His hand encountered the bare flesh of her hip and he slid his hand across her stomach just above her woman's mound. Cheandra gasped and reached down to push her jeans completely off her hips and then she shook her legs one at a time to work the jeans down her legs. Ryker moved his hands down her body slowly, taking time to caress her hips and thighs as he worked his way down to her boots. He felt one of her hands clutch his shoulder as he lifted one of her feet to ease her boot off before turning his attention to her other boot. "No need to hurry is there." Ryker said softly against her neck as he resumed caressing her breasts. Cheandra didn't reply but moved towards the table to brace her hands on a chair as she leant forward pushing her hips back towards him. Getting the hint Ryker unfastened his jeans, freed his erection and moved into position behind her. He reached down and guided himself between her spread thighs to glide between her slick folds without actually entering her. Cheandra gasped and began to move with him as he thrust backwards and forwards across her clit and slick entrance teasing her. Her body was still half aroused from Brayton's efforts earlier and in no time she was squirming and pushing back against him hard; wanting him to enter her. Ryker reached around her hip and under her stomach to flick her clit with his fingertips, she gasped and then made a soft sound of complaint as he continued to tease her. Cheandra pulled away from him and turned to face him but Ryker merely chuckled and forced her to turn around so she was facing away from him once again. When Ryker went to resume thrusting between her moist folds she pulled away and Ryker laughed before grasping her hips tightly and entering her in one quick thrust. "That's it!" Cheandra groaned with pleasure as she pushed back against his hips. "Lean forward more." Ryker ordered with a grunt as he pushed on the small of her back gently. Cheandra leant forward using the table to steady herself as Ryker continued to thrust into her strongly. She felt a grip on her wrists and glanced up to see Burtie and Tristis grasping her wrists, suddenly she found herself sprawled forward across the table and she felt Ryker's hold on her hips tighten as he continued to thrust into her. She felt her climax start to build low in her stomach and tighten into a coil that sent tendrils of pleasure upwards to her breasts as well as down towards her pussy where Ryker's cock continued to pound into her. "I'm nearly there!" Cheandra warned him then gasped as her orgasm rose through her in a swell of sensation. "Hold her!" Ryker commanded when Cheandra tried to pull away from him as she felt his cock start to swell inside her. Cheandra fought against the hold of all three men as she realised what was happening, then it was too late as she felt the warm wet flow of Ryker's release deep inside her. "You rotten bastard!" Cheandra yelled as she continued to struggle but she was unable to escape their hold. Finally she stopped struggling as the futility of her situation sunk into her mind. Ryker had very cunningly tricked her into letting him fuck her so he could ensure her continued presence in the team by claiming her as a mate. She felt him close his mouth on the side of her neck and felt him sucking at her skin to leave his mark on her. Ryker wrapped his arms around Cheandra's waist as he made a love bite on her neck to proclaim her as his. When Tristis and Burtie released their hold of her wrists she straightened up and attempted to pull away from him but Ryker had a firm grasp on her. He continued to hold her until he felt his limp member slip from her body. She had ceased fighting his hold and he released her to move away quickly. Cheandra turned around to face him angrily. She grabbed the nearest item, a cloth and threw it at him before grabbing her jeans and stalking from the room. Ryker followed her to her own room and walked boldly into the room after her. "Get out of my room!" Cheandra yelled as she turned around to face him. Ryker ignored her as he walked up to her and caught her in his arms, she fought him briefly but soon stopped when she realised there was no way she could break his hold on her. "Calm down now. We're going to have a rest." Ryker told her as he guided her to the side of the bed. "Let me go!" Cheandra ordered and resumed her struggles. Ryker released her only to toss her onto the bed and climb on beside her. He caught her when she tried to get off the bed and pinned her beneath his body. He nudged his hips against hers as he felt himself begin to harden again; he was surprised that so little time had passed since he had planted his seed in her body. Racers Ch. 08 "Want to play do you?" Ryker asked as he tried to unfasten her top to expose her breasts. "Get out!" Cheandra yelled as she struggled to stop him but he was too strong and soon had her stripped naked beneath him. He managed to shrug out of his own clothing and then took pleasure in once again arousing her body as he played with her breasts and reached towards her groin. Cheandra continued to struggle against him even as he slid into her eager body, as he moved against her she stopped struggling and after several long moments she began to move with him. She could feel every ridge and bump on his thick long manhood as he moved within her and she gradually began to respond to his caresses. Ryker lifted his head to look down at Cheandra as he moved strongly against her. She felt tight and wet around his shaft and he took his time as he rolled his hips in a circle instead of pumping in and out of her body. "Damn you!" Cheandra swore as she lifted her legs and hooked her heels behind his thighs. Lost in the sensations of his fast approaching climax Ryker merely grunted as he began thrusting against her hard and fast. He reached under her buttocks and grasped her arse in his hands as he buried himself deep inside her as he spilled his seed into her once again. He was aware of her shuddering with her own climax as the last drops left his body and he collapsed onto her spent. Racers Ch. 09 Here is the next instalment of Racers. Sorry about the length of time between chapters but the characters from my other story took over. MYGYPSY * * * * * Ryker lay behind Cheandra spooning her as she dozed after their bout of sex on the bed. When her breathing deepened and he was sure she was asleep he got off the bed, covered her with one side of the blanket she lay on and reached for his jeans. He was doing up the waistband as he walked out into the main room where Tristis and Mace sat in chairs talking quietly. "Where's Burtie?" Ryker asked. "He's in with Zack." Tristis answered. "Is Cheandra all right?" Mace asked as he glanced past Ryker as if he expected her to follow him from her room. "She's asleep at the moment. It might be wise if you lot clear out when she gets up, she will be very upset." Ryker said. "I said it would be silly to take it as far as you did. Cheandra won't take this calmly, she'll fight you all the way." Mace warned. "Oh she'll fight me alright but she won't be able to do a thing about what I done." Ryker said gravely. Mace shook his head but remained silent as he looked away from his team leader. Ryker watched the way Mace reacted and knew that there may be some objections from the other man in the future over what had transpired not to long ago. "Tristis can you go to the town healer and get her to come here? The sooner she sees Zack the more chance she can help him if at all possible." Ryker said as Tristis got to his feet. "Okay, I'll go do that now. What do I offer her in way of payment?" Tristis asked. "Say Cheandra asked that she be allowed to come and help treat Zack." Mace told him. "Yeah, that should do it." Ryker agreed. He watched as Tristis left the room and then he looked towards Mace before heading back towards Cheandra's bedroom. Cheandra was still asleep when he entered the room quietly and stripped off his jeans, he climbed onto the bed behind Cheandra gathering her into his arms when she started to wake up. "Lay back down and sleep." Ryker ordered as he pulled her down onto the bed. Cheandra struggled for a few moments until she realised that there was little chance of escaping his hold. She looked over her shoulder angrily. "Let me go and get out of my room!" She demanded. "Now is that any way to talk to your mate and we just been mated on this day as well?" Ryker chided as he caught her arm in self-preservation. Cheandra made a sound of disbelief and tried to elbow Ryker but he held her securely and prevented her attacking him in any way. Finally she gave up and stopped fighting him. "Now that is better." Ryker told her as he pulled the edge of one of the blankets over both of them. Cheandra remained silent as she lay in his arms on her bed. The alcohol she had consumed and the warmth of the day soon combined to have her dozing in his arms as they lay there. Ryker lay on the bed thinking about what he had done. He had been attracted to Cheandra for over a year now but he had not made any moves on her as he had believed she was with Mace. When he had learnt that there was no relationship there he had intended to pursue her but the happenings of today had fast tracked his plans. With Zack injured he could not chance loosing her as a Racer and he did not want her to take up with either of the men it was rumoured she had been with today. Cheandra made a soft noise in her sleep and he loosened his hold on her as she rolled over to face him on the bed. He studied the mark he had left on the pale skin of her neck and nodded to himself as he lowered his head back onto the pillow and closed his eyes. * * * * * Cheandra rinsed the cloth out in the basin of cool water and wrung it out before replacing it on Zack's forehead. His face was flushed with fever and he was sleeping fitfully. It was two days since the incident that had seen his leg badly broke and since then infection had set into the wound just above his knee. In that time Ryker had reinforced his claim on Cheandra each night, he had removed the door to her room to prevent her locking him out of her room. She had become very angry with everyone including Shari and she lashed out verbally at anyone who gave her the slightest provocation. Only Ryker braved her moods and spent time with her but it seemed to no avail and only appeared to anger her further. The only person she seemed to have any patience with was Zack who was suffering from an infection induced fever. Cheandra spent more than her share of time looking after him, bathing him to try to bring the fever down as well as trying to get him to swallow some of the soup she had on hand all the time for him. "How is he doing?" Ryker asked quietly from the doorway. Cheandra sent him an irritated glare before turning back to her patient. "His fever still hasn't broken. I fear the infection in his leg is getting worse." "Do you think the healer could help him?" Ryker asked as he walked into the room. He placed a hand on Zack's forehead and frowned at the heat that could be felt through the damp cloth. "Do you think I am not trying all I know to help him?" Cheandra hissed quietly. "I was asking if you want help nursing him." Ryker answered tightly. Cheandra turned her face away as she took the cloth off his head and rinsed it in cool water once more before squeezing most of the water out of it and replacing it on his head. "I am going out for a little while. Mace will be here if you need anything." Ryker told her before he left the room. Cheandra didn't answer his comment or acknowledge the fact he had left the room. She was still upset over the fact that he had turned to her to keep the team together not because of any feelings or attraction he felt for her. Soon it became clear that nothing she could do was having any effect on the infection in Zack's leg or the fever that was stealing his remaining strength. Admitting defeat Cheandra got to her feet and headed out of the room to find Mace. He was in the main room working on a piece of wood he was trying to carve into an ornament. "You have to go to the healer and ask her to come here or send some medicine for an infection in Zack's leg where it was cut "I'll go now." Mace said as he got to his feet. Cheandra watched as he grabbed his helmet and gloves and left the room, sighing heavily she turned and headed back to Zack's room. She was still there when Ryker returned to the house shortly afterwards and walked to the room when he was unable to find Mace anywhere. Cheandra looked towards the doorway hopefully but turned away when she saw it was only Ryker. "I have had his riding leather jeans repaired for when he is well again." Ryker told her quietly. Cheandra turned her head to look at him silently. They both knew that the chances of Zack being able to ride again where slim as his knee joint was badly damaged and would probably heal stiff. She turned her face back towards Zack's fever flushed face and nodded silently. Ryker turned and left the room, when he returned a few minutes later he carried a cup of coffee and a plate of sandwiches. "You need to eat." He ordered softly as he placed the cup and plate on the little table by the head of Zack's bed. Cheandra opened her mouth to argue but shut it again as she realised that she had not eaten that day and it was well past the noon meal hour. Thankfully she reached for a sandwich and bit into it with hunger, she quickly ate the food and turned to the drink thankfully. "I have sent Mace to the healer." Cheandra admitted. "I always knew you would do what is best for Zack." Ryker told her gruffly. Cheandra sent him a sour look but was heartened to hear that Ryker had faith in her ability and desire to care for her team members. She got to her feet, picked up the empty plate and cup then headed for the kitchen knowing that Ryker would take over watching Zack. She set about preparing a roast for the night meal and had it sitting in a slow oven when Mace returned with the healer. "You wish me to treat your team member?" The woman asked Cheandra. "Yes, my skills are not able to cure what ails him." Cheandra said to her. The older woman nodded thoughtfully before looking Cheandra in the eye. "I will try to cure the injured rider but I can not promise that my skills will be able to make his leg work as before." She told Cheandra. Cheandra led the way to Zacks room and then stood back and watched as the healer began to examine Zack's leg. "I will need warm water to wash the wound. Hot water to clean my instruments and a lot of clean rags." The healer said as she unwrapped the wound above his knee. She shook her head when she saw the infection that made the knee swollen. Cheandra hurried to the kitchen to ensure that the water was put on the stove to heat then headed to the linen storeroom to find a clean sheet to tear up for rags. When she returned to the sick room the healer was bathing Zack's chest with cool water to try to reduce his fever. "Make a tea with these herbs and sweeten it with honey if you have any." The healer told Cheandra as she handed her a packet of dried herbs. Cheandra hurried to do as she was told. When she returned carrying the herbal tea both Ryker and the healer where working on Zack's injured leg, he lay motionless on the bed, his face colourless. Cheandra was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee when the healer came out of Zack's room; she walked through the house until she found Cheandra. "I have done all I can for your team member. I would ask that some new medicines be picked up for me in payment." The healer asked quietly. Normally a healer could not afford to pay to get supplies delivered by a rider and the normal way of passing along supplies meant aging which was generally not desirable. "We will be happy to pick up your medicines for you." Cheandra assured her. "The rider will never use that leg properly again. Already the knee is stiffening up." The healer told her. "I will give you a lift back to your house." Cheandra said as she got to her feet. "Should you not stay and look after the injured?" The healer asked. "One of the others will watch him. We all look after him." Cheandra tried to explain. * * * * * Cheandra checked the dressing on Zack's injured leg then replaced the bedclothes; she washed her hands thoroughly then checked his forehead to see if his fever had returned. "How is he?" Mace asked from the doorway. Cheandra turned her head to look at him with a frown and Mace took several steps back ready to leave if she was angry. "His fever has went down and now he sleeps," Cheandra said levelly before turning back to the motionless form in the bed. "How is his leg?" Mace asked quietly. "The infection is nearly gone but the knee will always be stiff," Cheandra said faintly. An injury such as Zack had was sure to end the work of a racer, a rider needed full mobility for their dangerous work. "We must find something for Zack to do to earn his place in the future." Cheandra said quietly. "You need to talk to Ryker about what Zack can do from now on," Mace said evenly. Cheandra gritted her teeth as she turned away, having to ask Ryker for anything was not an option she wanted but she also knew that as leader it was up to Ryker to assign Zack a job he could do from now on. "Mace, you sit with Zack so I can go and start the evening meal cooking." Cheandra said decisively as she got to her feet and headed for the door. Mace moved back so Cheandra could go past him before entering the room; he went to the chair she had been sitting in and sat down. He rested his booted feet on the edge of the bed and leant back so he was comfortable. Out in the kitchen Cheandra set about preparing steak to marinade so that it would be tender when cooked. Next she tossed vegetables in a spice mix and then put them in a slow oven so they would cook slowly taking up the flavours of their coating. She checked there were plenty of cold drinks to choose from before setting to work on making bread dough. Once it was mixed she set it aside and looked around the kitchen; she was pleased to note that Shari had kept the kitchen neat and tidy while she had been occupied looking after Zack. Cheandra was sitting at the table when Tristis and Shari walked into the house and Shari made her way to the kitchen. "I got off from work an hour early to cook the meal," Shari said as she saw Cheandra watching her. "Get yourself a drink and sit down, I got the meal started." Cheandra said as she pushed the chair closest to her out from the table. Shari kept darting uneasy looks her way as she poured herself a cup of cold juice and sat down hesitantly. Cheandra noticed Tristis standing in the doorway watching her with narrowed eyes, trying to work out if she was about to chastise his girlfriend for something. "I am sure you will be pleased to hear Zack's fever has been down all day," Cheandra said to Tristis before making a waving motion with her hand to send him from the doorway. "I won't be far Shari," Tristis said with a pointed look at Cheandra before moving out of sight. "I notice you have kept my house and particularly my kitchen clean while I have been nursing Zack," Cheandra said softly. "I thought it was the least I could do with Zack injured and Ryker ..." Shari broke off not sure what she could say. "Ryker being a bastard? Get used to it, Ryker is a bastard." Cheandra said tightly. Shari looked down at her hands but didn't say anything. She had actually found Ryker easy to get on with; sure he had made several advances to her but he always stopped when she protested his attentions. "As I was saying, I am happy with the way you have helped around here." Cheandra said evenly. "It's my home now so that means I am responsible for helping look after the house." Shari said with a smile. Cheandra looked at Shari startled, Shari obviously hadn't been told that it was not her house but Cheandra's and as such Cheandra had say over who done what in the house when. "As head female it is my place to tell others what tasks or duties they have in my house. Doing the chores while I was preoccupied shows me you could be a very useful addition to this team. Has Tristis started to teach you to ride a Racer's bike yet?" Cheandra asked. "Your team discussed it the first meal after Zack was hurt but Ryker said it was best if it was left to you to teach me to ride." Shari said quietly. Cheandra frowned with annoyance but pushed it aside. She got to her feet and checked on the food cooking; added the tray of dough to the oven then headed for the door. "We are going out to the shed where the bikes are kept to see what condition the bike Zack used to use is in. Come, it will be your bike from now on." Cheandra ordered with a glance back over her shoulder at Shari. Shari followed Cheandra uneasily; she knew that Ryker and Burtie were out in the shed working on the bikes. Cheandra walked out into the compound around the house and frowned when she saw that the bike shed was wide open, she stalked across to the doors and walked into the shed. "Hey, what are you doing out here? Is there a problem with Zack?" Ryker asked as he turned to face the doorway and saw who had entered the shed. Cheandra stopped in her tracks, outside the house she had no protection from Ryker and he could order her around all he liked. "I came out here to see what condition Zack's old bike is in, Shari will be riding it from now on." Cheandra said with a hint of challenge in her voice. "Good," Ryker said, " we need a second Racer. How is Zack doing? His fever down yet?" Cheandra glanced from Burtie to Ryker and then at the bike Zack used to ride, "His fever has been down since just before sunrise, it's stayed steady all day. There are signs that the infection is beaten as well." "I had Mace fix the bike the day after Zack's accident," Ryker said as he leant leisurely against one of the benches. He couldn't help noticing how jumpy Cheandra was around him and hoped that with time she would grow used to him. Cheandra stared at Ryker for several moments before turning her attention to the bike; the paintwork had many scratches on the side facing her showing the force of the crash. "Tomorrow you can work with Shari on her riding, today you are to rest after looking after Zack." Ryker told her. "I don't need to rest, I need fresh air." Cheandra snapped. "You are not in the house now, you are in my territory so don't think you can defy me!" Ryker told her and started towards her. Cheandra backed several steps before she could stop herself and then halted as she gritted her teeth, "You can not intimidate me," she muttered as he came to stand in front of her. "What?" Ryker demanded in a soft menacing voice. "Nothing," Cheandra said faintly as she took a step backwards. Ryker followed her and stroked his hands down the outside of her arms feeling her flinch as he touched her. Cheandra attempted to back away another step but Ryker grasped her upper arms firmly. "I thought you said you wanted fresh air," Ryker said in a low voice. "I got to keep an eye on the food cooking," Cheandra grasped at any reason to escape him. She didn't want to have a confrontation with Ryker as she knew he would push his advantage and inevitably win any argument. Ryker grinned as he realised that Cheandra was smart enough to avoid a confrontation. "Go watch the food then, I'll be talking to you tonight." Ryker told her. Cheandra shot him an angry look but managed to control her urge to make a sharp comment, she knew that his version of talking would entail her having to submit to his physical desires. She had no intention of letting him know that she was enjoying his attentions each night; her only complaint was that he had claimed her to prevent her leaving the team not out of any desire on his part. "I need to go and check on Zack," Cheandra claimed to get away from him. "Go then; I won't stop you doing your duty to the team." Ryker sneered. Back inside the house Cheandra breathed a sigh of relief when she went to check on Zack and found his temperature still down. She returned to the kitchen to check on the food cooking and to put some thin soup on the back of the stove to warm. The evening meal was a tense affair; Cheandra noticing for the first time how her reaction to the forced claiming was affecting her team. Everyone kept a discrete watch on her especially when Ryker was near her and they kept their distance at all times. Cheandra treated the meal like the celebration it should have been with Zack on the mend and tried to ignore the way Ryker kept crowding her or reminding her in subtle ways that he had claimed her as a mate. When Cheandra had the kitchen cleaned to her liking she retreated from the main rooms to head to her room. She paused in the doorway cursing the missing door for a few seconds before heading into the room to gather clean clothes so she could have a shower. "I though I'd find you here," Ryker said as he walked into her room without invitation. "I didn't say you could come into my room!" Cheandra snapped angrily. "I'm your mate, remember," Ryker chided almost jeering. Cheandra took a deep breath and turned away from him; she was tired of fighting with him all the time and didn't want another fight. Ryker walked into the room and up behind Cheandra; he was on his guard in case she turned and took a swing at him or lashed out backwards in an attempt to keep him away from her. "What no fight?" Ryker asked as he slipped his arms around her waist and nuzzled against her neck. He felt Cheandra stiffen in his grasp and thought for a moment he had goaded her into fighting. Racers Ch. 09 "I've seen what it's doing to the team." Cheandra said flatly. Ryker raised both hands to cup her breasts as he pressed his hips against the back of her body knowing she would feel his hard shaft against her arse. "What? Don't want to destroy the team? Seems to me like a few days ago you were ready to just walk away from the team which would have destroyed it." Ryker said tightly near her ear. Cheandra attempted to pull away from him and Ryker laughed as he easily subdued her struggles. "I would have waited until after the comps!" Cheandra protested when she finally ceased struggling. "It didn't look that way, I done what I had to to ensure the team remained intact." Ryker said as he forced her onto the bed. Cheandra struggled briefly but soon stopped when it became clear Ryker wasn't going to make her submit to him at least not immediately. Ryker moved from his position holding Cheandra down to stretch out beside her warily when she remained passive for several minutes. Cheandra remained motionless for several minutes before rolling onto her stomach and looking at Ryker warily. "Umm, Boss there's a messenger at the door, wants to talk to you." Mace interrupted from the doorway. Ryker looked over at Mace distractedly for a few moments then looked back at Cheandra where she lay watching him guardedly. "I'll be right there," Ryker said decisively as he got to his feet and headed for the door. Mace remained in the doorway watching Cheandra; when she sat up and glanced his way he nodded once in acknowledgement of her rank before speaking. "Ryker only done what he believed he had to for the good of the team," Mace said before leaving. Cheandra sat up slowly and looked at her clean clothes where they were scattered on the floor, she shook her head with annoyance then got to her feet and picked up the clothes. She headed out towards the shower and glanced towards the main room as she heard Ryker's tread. "Rider's! Meeting now," Ryker called. Cheandra headed for the main room and looked around as the others found places to sit or stand. "What is it Boss?" Tristis asked from where he sat with Shari in his lap on the long lounge. Ryker looked around to make sure everyone was in the room before speaking, "We have a run tomorrow, we need to go over it tonight and then again in the morning." He said with a glance that encompassed all those present. Cheandra sighed and tossed her clean clothes into her favourite chair, "I'll make sure there's plenty of hot chicory and cinnamon to drink," she said as she turned towards the kitchen. "Leave it you're tired, let Shari do it." Ryker said evenly. Cheandra turned to glare at him and went to tell him to leave her run her house but stopped when she became aware of the tenseness of the others in the room. "Shari, can you see to the drinks." Cheandra forced the words out levelly without any hint of her anger. "I'll do that now," Shari hurried to do as Cheandra had said. Cheandra watched Shari hurry into the kitchen and then turned her attention back to Ryker. Ryker met Cheandra's gaze levelly and gave a slight nod in acknowledgement of her change in attitude. "Okay it's a run we're all familiar with; to the western end of Mezeron city. Lancaster building, usual contact on that end for you Cheandra. Does anyone want to see the maps?" Ryker asked. "Any preferred secondary route to our usual?" Cheandra asked. "I was thinking a run over the desert, it's faster and less rough. Someone needs to stay with Zack but we need both Protectors and Lead rider but we can get by without a Mechanic if necessary." Ryker said then quickly added, "That is unless you have someone in mind to look after Zack." Cheandra regarded Ryker through narrowed eyes for several moments but had to concede that what he had said was the most logical and practical way to go; abruptly she gave a curt nod. "Mace can look after Zack, no need for Shari to miss work and the credits she would earn for it." Cheandra agreed. "We all know enough to be able to keep our bikes mobile."