For this edition of First Kiss Friday, I am sharing the first kiss between Ellie Quill and Jordan Chartrand from The Circle is Small, a cultural, second-chance contemporary romance.
An ex-cop returning to face his horrendous past, the woman who won’t forgive him, and the family who’ll never let him forget that he killed their son.
Blurb: First Nations Constable Jordan Chartrand’s guilt can’t handle the accusing stares from the family left to mourn their son after that horrible night…so he flees from his Ojibway community and the woman he loves. Two years later, his mother’s cancer diagnosis forces him to return to help her.
Devoted schoolteacher Ellie Quill wants nothing to do with Jordan after he bolted to the city and left her behind. Her life goals are set. As for her secret, she’ll keep that to herself, even if Jordan’s begging to know the truth about her child.
When the two are compelled to work on a community project to address the rampant drug problem, their forced proximity slowly melts Ellie’s icy walls. But no matter how much her heart desires to give Jordan the second chance that he’s begging for, she refuses to because providing a life for her son in the tradition of the Ojibway culture is her top priority now, not moving to the city where Jordan continues to hide.
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, First Nations Romance, Adult
Heat Rating: Level 3
Publication Date: March 17, 2023
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Ellie couldn’t believe Jordan had finally shared his feelings. Had spoken from his heart. Had confessed what she’d yearned to hear after he’d arrived at her mother’s house at six in the morning two years ago. He hadn’t needed to explain what had happened, because the moccasin telegraph had long reached her before then.
Please don’t shut me out. Please. Keep talking. I need you to talk.
“Jordan…” She ran her hand along his thigh. His muscle flexed beneath her palm, and his leg continued to bounce.
“Shh…” He kept holding her deep against his chest.
Her head was moist from his tears and heavy breaths. She kept her arms around his slim waist. “I just want you to be happy.” She did. Sincerely. Even after he’d abandoned her. Seeing him this way reaffirmed he could not get past that night. Maybe he never would. Somehow, she had to try and help him.
“Happy?” His voice cracked.
“Yes. Happy.” She rubbed the tight knot at the small of his back. “I wish…” Maybe she shouldn’t say it. She wasn’t his girlfriend anymore. Screw it. She would. “You need to speak more.”
“I told you why I wanted out,” he murmured into her hair.
“I know you did. But you never talked to me about it.”
“What was I supposed to say?”
True. A man like Jordan wouldn’t know what to say. She almost wilted. “You’re speaking now.” She made sure to use an encouraging tone.
“I know.” His hand moved along her back, and his electrifying touch set off shivers down her spine. “El…I wish someone understood. Nobody wants to understand. They keep telling me it’s not my fault and to move on.”
Ellie stiffened. She’d been one of those people. Had she tried to understand? Or had she’d been too impatient, annoyed that again he was throwing up walls? If she searched their relationship, Jordan had been tight-lipped about his feelings from the get-go. But he’d made up for his strong, silent cop-type with actions of caring and tenderness.
“Maybe I could’ve been more understanding.” She let out a breath. “I wanted to be understanding, but part of me couldn’t stand seeing you feel guilty for something you had no control over. Still, I could’ve been…” More patient.
“Hey, don’t blame yourself.” He shifted.
Her arms slid from around his waist, and he captured her face with hands, urging her to look up at him. With his palms, he caressed her cheeks. His eyes were crushed black stones of pain.
Ellie swallowed.
When Jordan ran his thumb along her lower lip, another shiver zipped down her spine. He leaned in, still gazing at her. His fingers trembled, and he brushed his mouth against hers.
A thousand jolts of electricity shot through Ellie’s limbs. Even if the house was on fire, she couldn’t have pulled away. Her body cried for him, and she followed the slow kiss he laid on her. His black lashes, thick and long, were tempting enough to lick. Any doubts, she pushed aside, letting her frantic pulse points guide her in the sensual strokes his mouth lavished on hers.
She was being drawn back in time, the many moments when they’d spent an evening or a night in each other’s arms. His taste and scent were the same—pure masculinity overpowering her feminine fragrance. The aroma was enough to tease her clit. He might as well have stroked her inner thighs, a spot ultra-sensitive to her that he’d taken great pleasure in arousing.
For two years she’d dedicated herself to Raymond, in and out of the womb. Now she had a moment to enjoy the company of a man. Not any man, either. Jordan. Although her brain rang an alarm bell, she switched off the annoying thing. The only thoughts she wanted on her mind were Jordan’s fucking styles and which way he’d take her.
Jordan slid his tongue between her lips. Tasting the silkiness she’d thought to never experience again intensified her breathing. Her tongue reached for his, gladly exploring the heat within him.
She could have stayed on her knees forever kissing him. In the past, his kisses always wove her into a web. She was in the same trance, letting him guide her into surrendering to his touch.
Maggie Blackbird 