Can't Let You Go

Chapter 19

"You're so pretty tonight," Ashton Scott cooed as he kissed the girl he held in his arms. "This is the first year you've dressed kind of sexy for the Christmas party."

"I wanted to look good for you and we're seventeen, not kids anymore. Tonight is a rare chance to dress like an adult. Ninety nine percent of the time, you see me in my school uniform or lounge wear."

"That doesn't matter. You always look good to me." He unzipped her dress.

"Ashton, wait."

"I want to try something new tonight." He unzipped his pants.

"I think we should get back to the party. We've been gone long enough."

"Stop worrying. It's a party for adults. No one has even noticed we're gone."

"Oh people have noticed all right," said an unexpected voice.

The girl let out a small yelp and Ashton rushed to zip his pants.

"Emily!" Honey's face turned bright red at the sight of her friend.

"Sorry Honey, I didn't know that I might walk in on this type of scene."

"What are you doing here?" an embarrassed Honey asked in a hushed voice.

"Well, it is my hotel room, too, but your parents are looking for you," Emily informed her.

Honey rushed to zip her dress and reapply her lipstick while Ashton buttoned his shirt and put on his jacket.

"Don't go out at the same time," Emily cautioned.

"Oh, yeah, I guess that would be too obvious. I'll go first since my parents are trying to find me," Honey volunteered.

Emily stopped her before she left the room and whispered, "You never told me that you and Ashton were actually an item."

"He has to keep it a secret from his parents or they'll take him out of Hightower. He asked me not to tell anyone, so I haven't. Sorry."

"No worries. I can keep a secret," Emily assured her.

The door closed behind Honey.

"Sooo, Ashton." Emily crossed the room and sat on her bed. "You're normally so quiet. I had no idea you were... a man of action."

His face reddened again. "Uh, yeah," he said uncomfortably. "Listen, I'm not allowed to date, so my parents can't find out about this."

"Oh no problem. I'm really good at keeping secrets. I actually have one of my own. Are you good at keeping secrets?"

"Yeah. Well before getting caught tonight." He ran his hand through his hair.

"That actually has something to do with my secret." Emily leaned forward and supported herself with her forearms on her knees. The result of such a pose was a slight gapping of her dress's neckline.

"What do you mean?" Ashton cleared his throat, but did not stop himself from looking at the cleavage in front of him.

"Well... I only knew where you and Honey were because I was watching you. Because I like you Ashton. I have since the day we met."

"Oh. Um." He looked her in the eye. "You have?"

Emily stood up again and walked the few steps to where Ashton was. She put her arms up over his shoulders and ran her fingers through the hair on the back of his head.

"I think you're really sexy."

"You do? No one has ever said that to me before."

"I bet girls tell you that you're cute or handsome all the time."