Because his pool is untended and filthy, romance author Robert Fine needs to hire a pool boy for the summertime position at his estate. So at the beginning of summer, he places an ad for a pool boy to hire. Enter Kent Tacoma, an ex-Navy stud, handsome, who lands an interview. Almost immediately Robert enjoys his company and himself, hiring Kent on the spot. As Tacoma tends the pool, Robert cannot keep his hungry eyes off the young man. All he can think about is his desire. Unfortunately, Tacoma starts to break Robert’s house rules with a local bad boy named Katz Strong, Tacoma’s opposite. Soon a jealous Robert is convinced Tacoma is under Katz’s bad influence. As Tacoma pulls away from Robert and grows closer to Katz. Robert finds his rage building. Can’t the three men just get along? As summer comes to a close, Tacoma becomes the center of everyone’s attention. Whose heart will survive the heated summer?

The Pool Boy

“Tell me how you ended up in West End, Pennsylvania. I’m sure you have quite the tale to share.”


I scratched notes on my manuscript as he spoke: Aunt nearby; used to visit as a child with his parents; used to fly east once every year, usually around the Fourth of July; decided to move east after being in the Navy; needs a summer job; wants to attend college in the fall, preferably UCLA; plans to take engineering classes; clear head on his shoulders; goal-oriented; doesn’t intend to be a pool boy forever.


Eventually, I lifted my head and said, “Why, out of all the things you can accomplish here in West End, do you want to be a pool boy?”


Chapter 4