SloanParker - Swept Away.pdf - MM Books - renee2010

Free Short Fiction

Distributed at www.sloanparker.com by Sloan Parker

This is a work of fiction. While reference may be made to actual events or locations, the

characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used

fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons is coincidental.

This work may not be sold, manipulated, or reproduced in any format without express written

permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations for articles or reviews.

This work contains graphic language and explicit sexual content between men. Intended for adult

audiences only. Not intended for anyone under the age of 18.

Swept Away

Cover Design

Author’s Note

“Swept Away” is a short story that was written for the Hot Summer Days event at the M/M

Romance Goodreads Group and was inspired by a photo and letter from a reader in the group.

You can view the photo and letter on Sloan’s website at: www.sloanparker.com/free-

SweptAway.htm .

Promotional Blurb

The biggest case of Eddie’s career and nothing’s going right. He’s stuck in a stifling courtroom

with the air conditioning on the fritz during the worst heat wave in years, and the judge has

denied his latest motion. He just wants to spend a quiet night celebrating with his partner, Mike,

on their fifteenth anniversary.

But Mike has a surprise in mind this year. A surprise that may be more than Eddie imagined

possible.

Dedication

For Sean C. Norris.

Thank you for the inspiration that led me to Eddie & Mike’s story. I hope you enjoy it.

Swept Away

by Sloan Parker

“Motion denied.”

I tried not to flinch, but the judge’s decision hit me hard. “Your Honor — ”

She gave me a stern look that said don’t push it, and I backed off. I’ve been told I’m a

dominating presence in the courtroom. I wasn’t sure what it was about me. Maybe the tats across

the back of my fingers didn’t convey I was a by-the-procedures kind of guy, although that’s

exactly what I was.

This was my first time in her courtroom, and I couldn’t afford to push my luck on a long

shot. Not this early in the game. The Ohio LGBT Coalition for Equality needed this win and part

of that was not pissing off the judge.

“Thank you, Your Honor.” I took a seat in the solid wood chair, and I just knew my

underwear would be stuck to my ass when I stood again. The courtroom wasn’t nearly as hot and

humid as the heat wave outside, but with the air conditioning on the fritz it was unbearable, to

say the least. I could feel the sweat streaming down my back, soaking a line down the dress shirt

I had on under my jacket. My tie felt like it was trying to strangle me. I couldn’t wait to get home

and strip down to nothing.

I resisted the urge to rub my temples. Not like that would help anyway. Nothing eased the

ache that had been pounding in my head on and off for months. Since the president of the

Coalition had taken a seat in my office (back when five inches of snow had been on the ground)

and had told me about the elderly gay couple who’d been forced into separate rooms when

they’d moved from their senior community apartment to the on-site assisted living facility.

This was the case I’d become a lawyer to win, and the stress was taking its toll.

The judge spoke again as she dabbed at her upper lip with a tissue. She looked miserable.

The heavy robe had to be worse than my suit and tie. The industrial fans they’d brought into the

courtroom didn’t do much to help. They just blew the humid air and the scent of everyone’s

sweat around the room. They also left me straining to hear the judge, which was doing nothing

for my headache.

SloanParker - Swept Away.pdf

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