Summary: The bluster and charm of one of the country’s most successful businessmen is nothing but a front for his insecurities and shame. But the year is 1983, and no one knows this, except Roxanne; the young woman with whom Maxwell Lord shares his bed, his fears, and his confidence. He feels safe with her name signed to a binding NDA, which prevents her from revealing his true self to the world. But when he begins to fall for her, the balance of power is called into question. Is what they have real, or just another commodity? And can two people on opposite sides of such a contract ever truly be equal in love?
Warnings: SMUT, PIV sex, wildly inaccurate depictions of sex work, prostitution, fingering (f receiving), let me know if I missed anything important
A/N: Trying to write a little more when I can… this idea grabbed me and I go where the muse says. Much love to my beloved @ezrasbirdieand@mothandpidgeon for looking this over and encouraging me to try something new!
Maxwell Lord sat in a darkened booth, a stack of videotapes on a table next to him. He rubbed his palm in nervous circles over the threadbare armrest of the chair before lifting his hand and squeezing a fist to regain his composure.
He hadn’t thought about doing something like this before; after all, there was no shortage of women eager to use him for social climbing or as a piggy bank. But he never felt safe with them. He never felt as though he could shed his larger-than-life persona, and he grew tired of lovers after a few months at most.
