Into The Woods (Dark Fairy tales), page 12
“You look familiar. Have we met before? Lorna asked, still studying Maddox’s face.
“Yes, we have Mrs. Ryder. I was one on the board of last year’s pediatric fundraiser. You’re head nurse of pediatrics at Emory University Hospital, right? I believe we met briefly.”
“Yes, of course,” Lorna responded with a smile. “So, how do you know Sutton?”
“We met at Mel’s salon. We spoke about her graduating soon, and I thought that I would take her for breakfast and give her some…advice, if you will. You know, advice on how to deal with the world and its very rude people.”
Sutton cut her eyes at Maddox, knowing his underhanded comment. “Well, thank you for breakfast and the ride. I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Maddox, why don’t you stay for dinner?” Mel interjected, as she gave Sutton a smile. “Mama, don’t you think Maddox should stay?”
“Of course. We would love to have you,” Lorna replied begrudgingly.
“That’s nice of you grandma, but Maddox is a very busy man. I’m sure he has lots of things to do and doesn’t have time to have dinner,” Sutton added, trying her best to quickly send Maddox away.
“Actually, I would love to have dinner. I haven’t had a good home-cooked southern meal in years,” Maddox replied, ignoring Sutton’s less than subtle hint.
“Well, come inside. It’s almost time to eat,” Lorna said, as they all headed into the house. “Sutton, go change into something decent for dinner,” Lorna snapped, as she looked at Sutton disapprovingly. “Then get down here and set this table.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sutton mumbled, as she shot up the stairs without questioning the request.
“Maddox, the boys are in the living room if you want to join them,” Mel said, “Unless you want to hang in the kitchen with the women.”
“I don’t mind hanging with the women. It’s actually my favorite place to be,” Maddox joked as he followed Mel into the kitchen.
“So, Maddox, what is it that you do? Lorna questioned, as she spooned greens into a serving bowl.
“Corporate law. Can I be of assistance with anything?”
“No, that’s what I have Mel and Sutton for. Speaking of Sutton, Mel run up those stairs and tell that child to hurry up. If we wait for her to set the table we’re all going to starve. She’s about as slow as molasses,” Lorna fussed.
“Yes, Mama.”
Maddox watched as Mel slumped out the kitchen. So it’s a whole family thing not just Sutton, he thought, as he observed the Ryder family dynamic. “So, Mrs. Ryder, Sutton tells me she’s lived with you since she was eight.”
“Yeah. Her parents died and she came to live with my husband and I,” Lorna explained, as she plated the cornbread muffins. “She’s been with me ever since. I wish she’d been with me from the start. If she had, she wouldn’t have all that sassiness in her.”
“Sassiness? Sutton to me comes across as very sweet and obedient.”
“That’s because I spanked most of that sass out of her as a child. She had a no-good mother. I told my son that he shouldn’t have married that girl. She was a bad mother and a horrible wife. It took years to get Sutton where she should be.”
“Oh, and where do you think she should be?” Maddox questioned.
“Respectful of her elders. Doing what is right and not questioning my authority. She’s a good girl, but still has her bad attributes,” Lorna finished plating the fried chicken and gave Maddox an inquisitive stare. “Yes, Sutton, is my good girl. A good girl who doesn’t need any distractions.”
“Distractions? Mrs. Ryder do you think I’m a distraction?” Maddox countered with a snarky smile. He studied Mrs. Ryder’s face. She was a tall chunky black woman with graying curly shoulder length hair. He could tell at one point she was quite possibly stunning like Mel and Sutton, but that was all hidden under years of stress sitting on her aged face and no doubt her surly disposition.
“I don’t know who you are, Mr. Hunter. I do know that Sutton is a good girl, and I don’t think a man of your age should be hanging around my little girl. It’s uncouth. I know what you want from her, and I don’t like it. Sutton is finishing college and getting a good job. She don’t need some older man distracting her with sex.”
“Is that what you think?”
“That’s what I know. Boy, you don’t fool me one little bit. You come here with your fancy car and politeness, but I know who you are. I’ve been chasing no-good men away from my little girl for years. She’s not going to end up like her daddy. I couldn’t help him, but I can help Sutton. So after this dinner, how about this be the last time you and Sutton have anymore ‘breakfast meetings’— if you get what I mean,” Lorna threatened, as she shot daggers at Maddox.
Maddox gave the woman a cool and collected smile. “Mrs. Ryder, there are a few things that you don’t understand about Sutton, myself, and the situation as a whole. The first thing is that Sutton is a woman. She’s not a little girl. She’s very capable of making her own choices regarding her wants and needs.”
“Don’t you tell me what Sutton can and…”
“Second, Mrs. Ryder: although I respect you I will not have you making any assumptions or allegations about my attentions toward your granddaughter. It’s not your place, nor will it ever be, to judge our relationship. As for running me off, you can get that idea out of your head. You’re not going to scare me away. In short, Mrs. Ryder, I like Sutton. I think she’s an amazing woman. I will continue to see Sutton until the day that Sutton decides to stop seeing me. Not you, Sutton. After all, she is an adult, not a child, and can make that decision on her own.”
“I don’t know who the hell you think you are speaking to, but I—”
“I’ve always been told you have to give respect to get it, Mrs. Ryder. As long as you’re disrespecting me and Sutton, then I will give you that same treatment.” Maddox moved in closer bringing his voice to a whisper. “I suggest you cut this ‘mommy dearest’ bullshit and see her for who she is.”
“And who is she?” Lorna questioned angrily.
“A beautiful, strong, and confident woman, who deserves the same respect you require of her. So my strong suggestion is that you get over yourself, Mrs. Ryder, and realize Sutton’s an adult. Stop bossing her around and making her feel bad about herself. Otherwise she’s going to hate you, and when she leaves—and trust me she will leave—she will never look back.”
“Okay, Grandma, the table’s set,” Sutton said, as she unknowingly interrupted the heated conversation.
“Tha…Thank you, Sutton. I guess we can eat. Please grab the greens and macaroni,” Lorna said her voice a bit shaky. She grabbed the chicken and muffins, and gave Maddox a wary glance before walking out the kitchen.
“What were you two talking about?” Sutton asked, as she picked up the two large serving bowls.
“Just getting to know each other,” Maddox replied, as he took one of the serving bowls and followed Sutton to the table. Maddox took a seat next to Sutton. He glanced at Lorna sitting at the head of the table, and gave her a sly smile. Lorna quickly looked away, scowling. “Mrs. Ryder, everything looks great. Thanks for having me.”
Lorna cut her eyes at Maddox. “Who wants to say grace?”
“If you don’t mind, Mrs. Ryder, I would love to say grace,” Maddox said, as he gave Sutton’s hand a squeeze.
***
“Dinner was delicious. Please tell your grandmother thank you for inviting me,” Maddox said, as he and Sutton stood by his car.
“Actually, Mel invited you, but I will pass along that the message.”
“Why don’t you come home with me? My bed will be so lonely without you.” Maddox pulled Sutton into his embrace and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“I would love to make your bed less lonely, but I should…it’s probably best if I…another time, okay?”
“Baby steps. I guess it’s going to take baby steps,” Maddox retorted, with a defeated huff. “Can I see you tomorrow at The Woods?”
“It’s a date.” Sutton gave him another sweet kiss as she moved back and let him get into the car.
“Oh, tomorrow is lesson two: acceptance.”
“Acceptance? What does that mean?”
“It will be clear tomorrow. See you, beautiful.” Maddox gave her a sly smile, started his car, and backed out the driveway.
Sutton watched Maddox drive down the street. Butterflies flooded her stomach at that thought of him. It would have been amazing to get into that car and go back to his palace. Make love to him all night and wake up with that amazing feeling painted on her skin. Maddox was like a drug, and even though he’d only been gone a few seconds, she needed a fix.
Sutton strolled into the house and met her grandmother in the kitchen. “Would you like me to finish those dishes for you?”
“No,” Lorna replied curtly.
“Is something wrong, grandma?”
Lorna turned and looked at Sutton. “Is your friend gone?”
“He just left. He told me to tell you everything was delicious and thank you for having him.”
“Uh-huh,” Lorna replied, as she turned back to her dishes.
Sutton walked out the kitchen completely confused. She thought for sure that her grandmother would be heated-up. That she would have waited for everyone to leave so she could rip into Sutton for missing church. Yet nothing had happened. If anything her grandmother seemed…cold. It wasn’t like Lorna Ryder to hold her tongue on anything, why this? Maybe she’s not mad, Sutton thought, as she made her way to her room. Maybe she actually bought the semi-lie Sutton had offered up to explain missing service.
It didn’t really matter, because it was over now. Lesson one: taking control. She didn’t quite pass. After all, she opted to lie instead of for being completely truthful. Lesson two: acceptance. What did that mean? Sutton wasn’t sure what Maddox had planned, but she was sure that this one she had to be completed.
Chapter Eleven
Sutton woke to a less-than-thrilling feeling. She was back in her own bed and craving a fix. Maddox consumed her dreams and left her wanting him more than she ever had. The Woods would be her fix. Although she didn’t want to sleep with Maddox there, she knew he would question her protest. So another romp would be added to the ho bank, another thousand that she would leave sitting there. It was the only way to justify their sex. The only way she could be with him without feeling she was being a complete liar.
She was amazed how the idea of sleeping with him came so naturally. She didn’t even hesitate when he asked her to meet him at The Woods. Sutton thought back to his questioning over breakfast. Do she want to sleep with other people? She didn’t. The lustful burn in her belly was for Maddox, and for Maddox alone. She wanted him every second of the day, and even in her dreams.
It was apparent that she wasn’t going to make it to the gold level. She would probably make lots of money that she would never let herself spend. However, she was going to make the most out of her time at The Woods. If Maddox wanted to be her teacher, she was going to be a straight-A student.
As Sutton got lost in her thoughts about the night’s possibilities, the doorbell rang. She shuffled downstairs and was met at the door with a man in a suit. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Sutton Ryder,” the man explained, as he read off of his clipboard.
“I’m Sutton.”
“I’m here to deliver your rental car.”
“Rental car? I think you’re mistaken. I didn’t rent a car.”
The man double-checked his clipboard. “It says here to deliver this car to Sutton Ryder, at 345 Mockingbird Lane. Is this not 345 Mockingbird Lane?”
“It is, but I didn’t order a car.” It then occurred to Sutton who could have. “Does it say who ordered the car?”
The man looked at his clipboard again. “It was paid for by a Maddox Hunter, on Saturday, with instructions for it to be delivered this morning.”
Sutton looked around the delivery man and her mouth hit the floor. There, sitting in her driveway, was a shiny new BMW. “That can’t be the car. Are you sure he didn’t order a Corolla or something?”
“Look, miss, I have a busy day. Can you please just sign for the car?” the delivery man asked, a little snappily.
Sutton hesitantly took the pen and signed for the car. “Is that a new car?”
“Yes, ma’am, a 2013 BMW M6 convertible, fully loaded,” he replied, as he ripped off a copy of the order form for Sutton. “Here are the keys, enjoy.”
Sutton took the keys and slip, but stood in a state of shock. She’d never had a new car in her life. The only cars she’d ever had were her grandmother’s hand-me-downs. Sutton rushed out to the car and climbed inside. The cool black leather interior caressed her bare arms and legs as she slid into the driver seat. She cranked it up, bringing the car to a sexy roar. The dashboard lit up and the satellite radio began to play. Sutton put the top down. She couldn’t help but be in love with the car.
“What in heaven’s name? Sutton, whose car is this?” Grandma Lorna shouted, over the loud radio and engine.
Sutton turned the car off and climbed out. “It’s mine. Well, it’s my rental car,” Sutton explained excitedly.
“How in the world can you afford this?”
“I didn’t pay for it, Maddox did. Isn’t it nice?”
“No. This isn’t right. You need to take this back,” Lorna lectured sternly. “This man shouldn’t be buying you expensive things like this.”
“He didn’t buy it, he rented it. He knew my car was in the shop so…”
“So, he decided to buy you one.”
“Rent me one, grandma. It was a nice gesture. “
“No, it’s too much. You need to send this back. You can’t accept this.”
The word triggered something in Sutton’s brain. Lesson two: acceptance. Clever boy, she thought, as a smile washed across her face. “No, grandma, I won’t return it. It’s just a rental. I will have the money for my car by Friday. Until then I need transportation, and I am not going to turn down Maddox’s generous gift.” Sutton rushed inside and up to her room. She didn’t want to give her grandmother time to make a rebuttal.
It was the first time she had ever stood up to her grandmother. The first time she’d stood her ground and closed a subject. Lesson one was complete; she took control. Lesson two was complete; she accepted his generous, but way too extravagant gift. Sutton pulled out her laptop and looked up the car on the Internet. She wanted to see just how expensive the gift was. She was astounded when the six-digit price tag was staring back at her. It was a good thing it was just a rental. She could never accept something that expensive.
Sutton rushed to her closet. She needed something nice to wear. She’d planned to hit Lennox mall for some window-shopping with Shay. Now she needed something nice to go with her new car. Well, her rental car, that is. She shuffled through the many different dresses purchased for The Woods. She stopped when she reached a sleek black one with thin straps.
This will be tonight’s dress, she thought playfully, as excitement filled her quickly. For the first time since she’d learned about The Woods, she was excited to go.
***
Lesson three: free yourself.
Sutton wasn’t exactly sure what the lesson really was. She was given instructions to stand in a small, dark room on the fourth floor of The Woods. She did as she was told, and stood in a daze, in the complete darkness. Suddenly a slight glow filled the room. Sutton looked around. There wasn’t anything in the room except a chair. The walls and the floors were black, and the room was the size of a small walk-in closet.
Thoughts raced through her mind as to what was in store for her. As soon as Sutton arrived at The Woods, Maddox took her directly to the fourth floor. She hadn’t even had a chance to address the car issue. He led her into a tiny room and told her to undress and go with her instincts, telling her that lesson three was “free yourself.”
My instincts, Sutton thought anxiously, as she looked around. Her instinct at that exact moment was to run. Suddenly the wall rose, and Sutton was staring at her reflection in the glass in front of her. She moved in closer and tried to see out. She couldn’t see anything. It then occurred to her what she was standing in. This was some type of peep show room. The small room, the one-way glass…the chair. What did Maddox want her to do? Was he watching her? Who else was watching her?
Sutton felt her stomach flood at the thought of what she was to do. She wasn’t a dancer. There was nothing sexy about the awkward swaying she passed off as dancing. This wasn’t a lesson, it was a recipe for pure embarrassment. Sutton stood awkwardly in front of the mirrored wall trying to calm her nerves. Maddox’s words flew through her thoughts. “Follow your instincts.” She took a deep breath. The lesson was to free herself, so that was exactly what she was going to do—but how?
