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It had been chance, rather than design, that had revealed the date of Austin's birthday, and in the weeks leading up to it, the encounters they'd shared, there'd been banter, and hints, and subtle(and not so subtle) requests. Teasing and even a little taunting. As well as a promise to wear something a little less hindering.

In all honesty Cassie was a little surprised that they were still hooking up. Not that there was anything to complain about; Austin was easy to be around, utterly uncomplicated, and had proven to be a very convenient distraction. It was only surprising in that for her these sorts of arrangements never remained what she needed or wanted, and sooner or later—usually sooner—things fell all to hill and Cassie had to wash her hands of it.

She still thought that would happen here as well, but until then she was going to enjoy herself.

The dress she had on was soft and stretchy and nearly as short as the coat she was wearing over it. Thigh high socks would keep her legs warm from the late November air, and hugh heeled boots would help alleviate at least a little of the extreme difference in their heights.

She was perched at one end of the couch, legs crossed and attention down on her screen, waiting for him to pick her up for the night.

A moment after the text had been sent the front door opened and Cassie came strolling down the front walk with a roll of her hips and her attention lingering on the phone for a long moment before she stuffed it into the pocket of her heavy jacket and looked up to offer the birthday boy a bright smirk.

"God, this is a hot ride," she purred as she let herself into the passenger seat, a hand smoothing along the armrest separating them, eyes on the glowing lights and dials of the dash and center council. As she reached the emergency break, fingers gliding along the length of the grip, she looked up at him finally, smirk almost challenging.

He was late. She felt like giving him s**t for that, but she had her doubts that it'd achieve anything other than making him laugh, and it was his birthday. She supposed that cut him a little slack.

"Happy birthday." Even if he didn't care about his birthday and it was just another day, it'd still be nice to hear it, right?

She licked the taste of him off her lips as she settled into her seat, one leg crossing over the other as she felt the heat of his gaze sliding along the length of her body. It had her tipping her head back to watch him, lips quirked up on one side in a smug, satisfied little smile.

"A short dress and no leggings." She was going to have chilly thighs every time they stepped outside, but since this was a special occasion she was willing to make that sacrifice.

Besides, it'd make for a very fun night.

"So where are we going?" Reaching back, she tucked her thumb into the strap of the seat belt so she could draw it across her chest and buckle it.

Better booze, better consumables, and considering the wealthier crowd there would probably be a multitude of various substances available. All of it, amounted to a very good time, but toss Austin's attentions into the mix and things were shaping up to be a night to remember.

"Sounds like a good time," she agreed, looking up at him as she felt the heat of is gaze between gear shifts.

Within a crowd of inebriated teens and twenty-somethings Cassie figured they'd be able to get up to quite a lot before they'd have to duck away to somewhere private. It was a low risk environment, but that really wouldn't take away from the fun of it.

"How far away is this party?"

She gave him a little shrug he may or may not have seen, fingertips running along the hem of the skirt where it rested high on her thigh. "Curious. I wasn't sure if there'd be time enough to see what this car can really do."

Cassie was not by nature a big car nut, not the way some people were, like Austin was. She didn't know anything about motors or makes or models, she couldn't have said what the ******** a hemmy was, and any talk of tire types went right over her head.

But she was an adrenaline junky to the core, and she could appreciate a ride that get heart pumping. This car could do it.

This young man could as well.

Blue eyes flicked up to him, following the contours of his profile with open appreciation.

That made her smile, devious and delighted to match that grin of his as he looked back at her. "We could start with a little speed." And by a little she meant a lot. It might have been risky in the city proper, but if they had to merge onto the highway...

But really, that was all up to Austin. It was his car, his neck on the line if the cops showed up at an inopportune time. She wouldn't press him to do anything too crazy, but to be honest she didn't think she'd really need to. He seemed adventurous enough without her influence.

Dark brows arched at the mention of canyons but it was the offer that acknowledged first. "I'm probably free." She'd never been to a race of any sort. At the very least it'd be something new, and at the end of the day she was sure Austin would make sure she enjoyed herself.

"What's up in the canyons?

The engine revved, the car started to pick up speed, and Cassie grinned broadly as she felt the hum of the car beneath her, around her. She loved speed, the adrenaline rush that came with it, and without a car it just wasn't that easy a high to reach for.

But Maybe if she kept company with Austin he'd keep taking her for rides.

Her hand closed around the handle beside the window, but he attention had turned up to the tall man beside her. "I can swing by." She wasn't sure how much watching races would appeal to her, but she was certainly willing to give it a go for the potential of a good time. And if the races themselves weren't fun, she'd just have to hunt down Austin while she was there.

Now the canyon definitely sounded like her brand of fun, and she half turned in her seat to lay a hand on Austin's thigh. "We should do that. The canyons."

There was a wild spark in blue eyes as Austin took the corner with enough speed to shift her in her seat and her fingers curled against his thigh, holding on more tightly as if he were a life line on rough waters. It was addicting, that adrenaline, and it was sometimes easy to forget just how much she enjoyed it until it was there again, rushing through her veins like it was now.

A smirk pulled at her lips as she looked back up at him, head tipped against the seat back. "Only if you win?" She k ew otherwise, but she let it stand, chuckling to herself as she looked out the window.

It'd be easy to see where they were headed once they reached the right street. Cars would be lining the road, people milling about everywhere but most moving in a singular direction.