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Category: Erotica/Erotic Romance/Romance
Description: Josh Boothe is one of the best pastry chefs in the nation, but he chooses to work as Peter Summers' assistant, creating elaborate and beautiful pieces of art from sugar. He knows Peter is the best, and he wants to do everything possible to ensure Peter earns the gold medal he deserves at the California Confectioners Pastry Competition. Unfortunately, they've placed second three years in a row, and Josh fears Peter will find a new assistant. But Peter has no interest in getting rid of Josh. In fact, he wants to find a way to make their partnership permanent... Genres: Gay / Contemporary
eBook Publisher: Amber Quill Press, 2008
eBookwise Release Date: March 2009

60 Reader Ratings:

Great	Good	OK	Poor

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [57 KB]
Words: 10632
Reading time: 30-42 min.

"...A charming, fun story. The two main characters, Josh and Peter, are interesting and attractive..Being a short story, the events are focused and things move quickly; however, everything happens in a realistic way--no leaps of logic or time to make things work. The writing is solid...I liked that the author created an interesting situation with good characters and was able to give the reader a complete story arc within the constraints of a short story. The ending was especially satisfying. I think you'll enjoy Peanut Butter Kisses."--Matthew, Rainbow Reviews

"...A fun and charming short story, set in a world I've never seen before in literary fiction, that of a state culinary pastry competition. For a reader who's actually watched such an event on the Food Network, it was an interesting eye into a world previously only seen from the outside...A well-written short...certainly enjoyable and perfect for a light afternoon read."--Mystical Nymph, Literary Nymphs Reviews

"5 Angels!...A touching, sexy little story. Both Josh and Peter heated up every page...Peanut Butter Kisses is not to be missed."--April, Fallen Angel Reviews

"4 Hearts!...Pepper Espinoza tackled the more often than not, sappy topic of unrequited love, angst free. I was surprised, but thankful when Peter risked admitting his feelings. For a moment, the author had me believing Peter wanted nothing more from life than peanut butter kisses. Peter's expressed love for Josh through hot but endearing sex, made Peanut Butter Kisses a truly sweet read."--Bryl Tyne, The Romance Studio

"4.5 Stars!...Pepper Espinoza writes from the heart and it's clear from her characterizations that the protagonists...who work in a very competitive field, are three dimensional and quite engaging...The author did an excellent job of drawing me into the story and she had me rooting for both characters, as Josh and Peter identify and address each issue that conflicts with their shared desires. The lovemaking in the book was what I have come to expect from Ms Espinoza--sensuous, sexy and arousing and she has managed to pack a lot of story and emotion into a very short format...I totally enjoyed this book which is a real 'feel-good' story and I think you will, too."--Jessewave, Reviews By Jessewave

That was the only thing in the house that could have interested Josh more than the kitchen, and he didn't protest leaving the high-tech room for the more basic studio. It consisted mainly of a drafting table, a chair, and different designs and photographs pinned to the walls.

"I've got three I like," Peter said, laying out three large pieces of paper over the desk. "Come see."

Josh did as he was instructed, leaning over the table to study each one. The theme for the national competition was dreams, and each design reflected a Dali-inspired, surrealist, candy landscape.

"You don't like them?" Peter asked after several beats of silence.

"I do," Josh assured him quickly. "I'm just ... trying to take it all in."

"They're a bit out there."

"They're brilliant."

Josh was so absorbed in the sketches that he didn't notice Peter move. Until he was standing directly behind him, his chest against Josh's back as he leaned over to point at the third piece of paper. Josh closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the warmth and the unfamiliar pressure. His cock even began to stir a bit, and he quickly refocused on the sketches, trying to calm his accelerating pulse.

"I like the shape of this one, but I'm not sure if the piece will support itself."

The shape was a sweeping grand gesture, each piece stacked on the one below it perilously. Josh knew how to fix that particular problem, but he couldn't concentrate with Peter standing so close, and he couldn't very well ask the man to move. For one thing, he didn't want Peter to step away.

"No, no, it'll work." Just don't ask me to explain how. "What about the colors? What were you planning?"

"The globes will be purple. Spun sugar. The chocolate pieces here and here will be white. The rest of these will be just a kaleidoscope of colors. Clashing."

"I like that. Well, if I get a vote, I vote for this one."

"Why wouldn't you get a vote?"

Peter still wasn't moving. It took everything Josh had not to push back, pressing his ass against Peter's cock.

"It's your design."

"But you're my partner."

"Assistant."

"Partner."

If he didn't get away from Peter, he was going to melt. Or break. Or something. He didn't know. He just knew that Peter smelled like toffee and beer. They both needed a shower, but that was a dangerous thought to have. He didn't need to be thinking about Peter in the shower, about both of them naked and slick, about pressing his body to Peter's and feeling his warmth and his pulse. He had never seen Peter unclothed, or even partially clothed, but he knew exactly what Peter would look like because he could feel that muscled chest against his back.

"Okay. Partner."

"Good."