The Heiress's Billionaire Wildcard

Chapter 5

"Wow, Cali! You have to see this view!" Brittany's voice soared over the salty breeze, pure joy spilling from her as Chad, Amy, and their crew parked their rented motorcycles along the stunning coastal path.

Cali’s heart thudded in her chest, but not from excitement. Chase lingered in her thoughts, and she barely managed a nod. They had been riding since breakfast, but the merciless sun now beat down like a punishment, each ray feeling like a personal attack.

"Can we get out of this oven before I start frying?"

"Your wish is my command, Princess!" Chad grinned, throwing a mock bow.

Cali stopped short, her annoyance sparking like a live wire. She ripped off her Celine sunglasses, eyes narrowing. "Stop. Never call me ‘princess’ again. Got it, Chad?"

Only he calls me that.

Chad blinked, clearly taken aback by the fierceness in her tone. “Uh, sure, Cali.”

Defensiveness prickled at her skin; she hated how that endearment felt like a brand. A reminder of Chase. “Ready to go?”

“Right away, Cali.” Chad's attempt to fire up his motorcycle met a harsh failure, the engine sputtering like a dying animal.

“Seriously, Chad? What’s wrong with your bike?” Brittany crossed her arms, frustration bubbling in the heat.

“I don’t know! It just won’t start!”

“Why don’t you grab Josh’s ride, and I’ll hang back with Chad? You can get help,” Amy suggested, her voice casual yet firm.

“No, just wait. I’m sure it’ll start soon, right, Cali?”

Cali could feel the sweat trickling down her temples, the heat wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket. Every passing second felt like an eternity, and her patience thinned.

Then, a roar sliced through the air. All heads turned to see a sleek Ducati Monster 821 cutting through the horizon, gleaming black and unapologetically powerful, a stark contrast to their pitiful rentals.

But it wasn’t the bike that caught Cali’s attention; it was the man riding it. Before he even lifted the visor of his helmet, a rush of recognition flooded her.

"Problems?" Chase's voice came out muffled, yet the casual confidence was unmistakable.

"Looks like Chad's motorcycle skills are a little... lacking," Brittany teased, a knowing glint in her eye. She caught Cali's gaze, an unspoken understanding passing between them—something had happened between Cali and the god on that bike.

"Yeah, it’s the ride that broke down, not me," Chad shot back, his embarrassment painting his cheeks crimson.

Chase chuckled, the sound rich with amusement. "Hop on, princess. We’ll get this sorted out."

“Cali hates—” Chad tried to protest, but Cali was already making her move, striding towards Chase's Ducati with determined steps.

“Stay put, Chad. We’ll find help,” she called over her shoulder, her heart racing in a way that had nothing to do with the heat.

“Oh, don’t worry about us. Just go get us some help,” Brittany added with a sly smile, a wink lingering in the air as Chase revved the engine, the sound vibrating through Cali’s bones.

Before Chad could finish his sentence about the ‘princess’ title, they were off, Chase and Cali disappearing into the horizon.

* * *

"And here I thought we were getting help," Cali quipped as she dismounted the Ducati.

"Cellphones, princess—a modern marvel," Chase shot back, smoothly retrieving his iPhone. He tapped a few buttons, his demeanor unruffled. "Jay, send Manu or Arii to Crestview Point. We've got a guest wrestling with a motorcycle."

Standing beside him, Cali couldn’t help but notice how magnetic he was. Chase had this effortless charm, a self-assured presence that felt like a breath of fresh air after the parade of dull dates she'd endured.

"Not now, Jay. We’ll catch up later."

The wind picked up, ruffling his already tousled hair. A dangerous impulse flared inside her—the urge to run her fingers through those messy strands. Was it as soft as it looked?

From this angle, she caught the little crinkles at the corners of his eyes—proof laughter came easily to him. His nose had that perfect slope, striking just the right balance between sharp and soft.

Her gaze traced the strong lines of his jaw, each angle a testament to a hard-earned strength. But it was his lips that truly drew her in, the way they moved—smooth, self-assured—made her imagine what they’d feel like against her own. Would they taste as tantalizing as they appeared, heady and forbidden?

"Calista..." Chase's voice voice interrupted her musings, snapping her back to reality, only to discover him gazing at her, equally engrossed. "Those thoughts seem pretty dangerous."

“Sounds like fear to me.”

"I'm past mere 'thoughts', princess. Action's my thing. What about you? Need mommy's permission?"

His tone danced between teasing and a challenge, making her question her own independence—was she still living under the shadow of her legendary mother?

There was a crackling chemistry between them, an electric current pulsing in the air that threatened to consume them both. The age gap loomed like a storm cloud, ominous yet thrilling. Chase wasn’t the type to play by the rules; a casual fling wouldn’t faze him. But something about this fiery heiress had a grip on him.

In her presence, he felt a precarious balance of peace and chaos, like standing on the edge of a cliff, daring to take the plunge.

Then, just like that, fire sparked in Cali's gaze. She had an edge to her, a sharpness beneath that polished exterior, and she knew how to wield it.

Closing the distance between them, she matched his height, their faces inches apart. Her hand brushed against his thigh, a teasing caress that set his pulse racing like a runaway train.

“Mommy’s not here now,” she purred, her breath a sultry whisper against his skin. “What are you going to do about it, pretty boy?”

Her fingers lingered, a deliberate tease that aroused every nerve ending. “Oh, I think you know exactly what I want,” he replied, his voice a low growl, thick with lust.

“And what if I’m not ready to give it to you?”

“Then you’re playing a dangerous game. Because the more you tease, the more I want to pull you closer.”

She stepped back, keeping the heat alive, laughter spilling from her lips—a sweet sound laced with challenge.

“You think you can handle me, Chase? I’m not just some pretty face; I bite back.”

“I’d expect nothing less,” he countered, confidence rolling off him in waves. “But trust me, I’m more than willing to take the heat. It’s part of the thrill.”

“Thrill? You sound awfully sure for someone who hasn’t even scratched the surface.”

“Why don’t you let me show you how deep this rabbit hole goes?” he suggested, stepping closer, closing the gap between them. “You might just find it’s more addictive than you think.”

Her breath caught; addictive was exactly what she was scared of. “Is that so? And what makes you think I’d want to take that leap?”

“Because you’re here, right now, with me.” The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, thick with meaning. “You’re just as curious about what lies beneath the surface as I am.” Just as he leaned in, ready to taste her lips, she slipped away, leaving a trail of curiosity in her wake.

“So, why are we really here?”

He chuckled softly, forcing back his desire despite the heat radiating between them. This was clearly her way of getting under his skin. “Princess, princess. Such a tease.”

She descended the sandstone and clay steps leading to the beach, nonchalantly slipping off her yet-to-launch, Hope-labeled leather sandals worth a cool eight hundred dollars—her own design.

“You brought me here for a view that I could easily enjoy in the comfort of my villa? I didn't step out of an oven into another just to be roasted alive.” She intentionally pushed boundaries, testing his patience.

In her circle, it was a dichotomy: genuine adoration or superficial reverence for hidden motives. Cali was keen to uncover where he fell on that spectrum—would he tolerate her antics or see her as just another conquest? And what would be his response when she pushed his buttons?

“Hmmm, fair point. I wanted to show you my secret spot, a place I escape to whenever I’m on the island. But hey, if the heat’s too much for you, we can head back,” Chase remarked casually, dangling the bait, fully expecting her to bite.

"Wait," Cali called after him as he started to leave. "Where is it? Is it nearby? I wouldn't mind a stroll before heading back."

Chase felt a sense of triumph swell within him. “You sure you can handle the heat? I could always escort you back to the villa.”

"Are we going or not?" Her hand rested on her hip, a clear sign of her impatience.

“Shall we, Your highness?” Chase flashed a dimpled smile before clasping her hand in his.