****
As promised, Boone’s three room cabin was beautiful when Delilah finished decorating. The ten-foot tree was simply adorned with small lights and gold colored ornaments. Pine garland was laid across the mantle of the fireplace. Miniature lights were hung around the perimeter of the room. Red bows were placed on the windows and a giant pine bough wreath on the door welcomed visitors. That is if they had visitors. Cinnamon and Bayberry candles were everywhere and added not only a soothing aroma to the room but also a relaxing ambiance.
“I hope you aren't planning of buying me any presents,” Boone stated with trepidation when the decorating was completed. “You have everything. I do not know what to get you.”
“I have your friendship,” Delilah cooed. “It is all I need. It is all I will ever need.”
“But I should get you something. You did say you wanted to exchange presents.”
“I want a closet of my own,” Delilah laughed.
Boone chuckled. “You do seem to live here now. I have only about six inches of closet space. Why do you need so many clothes? It is not like we leave the house very often.”
“I like variety. I like to be comfortable, and I like to look good. I have never heard you complain about the way I look.”
“Angel, you are beautiful. You are drop dead gorgeous no matter what you wear.”
“I could always wear nothing,” Delilah giggled as an alternative and maybe even a dare.
While Boone and Delilah did share the same bed or slept together on Delilah’s fur blanket in front of the fireplace, their relationship had not progressed past being friends. Their intimacy was constrained to an occasional hug or a chaste kiss on the cheek. Occasionally they would hold hands. Yes, Boone had seen Delilah sans jeans or without a blouse, but he had never seen her completely naked. The thought of Delilah in her birthday suit sent mixed emotions through Boone’s mind and body. Boone’s carnal excitement showed on his face. He grinned, visualizing Delilah naked. But the smile did not reach his eyes. His eyes showed fear.
“Not yet, Angel,” Boone replied. After closing his eyes to expunge the vision of Delilah’s perfect body out of his mind, he shuddered to shake off the fear. Opening his eyes, he saw Delilah laughing.
“Maybe I will ask Santa for a bigger bedroom and a walk-in closet. Perhaps a spa-like bathroom too,” Delilah suggested. “But the rest of the house is perfect. I really like it here. It is so simple and comfortable. I like spending almost every minute with you. I can be myself.”
“Well almost,” Boone rebuked. “You still have secrets.”
“I need to keep Daddy at bay for now. You know he is powerful. I do not want to put you in harm’s way by revealing everything,” Delilah explained. “Maybe someday, he will let me know it is okay to disclose everything.”
“Your sisters know about me, and nothing happened,” Boone stated as a question.
“They have their own secrets; my brother too.”
“So you are afraid of Daddy?”
“Afraid so,” Delilah tried to laugh. But while the laughter reverberated in her throat, her eyes showed innate fear.