Heaving Bosoms

By Ashlyn Chase

What do tattooed butts, the Mafia, and a medical student have in common?  Tonia Fuller! 

Tonia, a blonde bombshell with a bust to make a Barbie doll weep, is a klutz.  Wearing four-inch spike heels, and already top heavy, her center of gravity is elusive.  When hunky medical student Raphael Beauchamp comes to her rescue twice, he thinks he knows why Tonia's falling.  It's those ridiculous designer stilettos. 

Tonia takes a tumble down some stairs, resulting in a nasty concussion.  Since she's new in Boston she has no one to stay with her.  Raphael opts to look after this headstrong beauty rather than risk second impact syndrome, which can be fatal.  Raphael discovers that Tonia's the ex-wife of a Las Vegas mafia don.  She has half an offshore bank account number tattooed on her butt, and someone's after her.  A normal person would don a pair of running shoes and get the hell out of Boston.  But it's too late for Raphael.  Tonia's not the only one who's been falling.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Imagination Unlimited LLC
• Release date: Nov 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386688174

Ashlyn Chase

Ashlyn Chase describes herself as an Almond Joy bar.  A little nutty, a little flaky, but basically sweet, wanting only to give her readers some great entertainment.  She holds a degree in behavioral sciences, worked as a psychiatric RN for 15 years and spent a few more years working for the American Red Cross. Most authors, whether they know it or not, have a theme—something that unifies their whole booklist. Ashlyn’s identified theme has to do with characters who reinvent themselves. After all, she has reinvented herself many times. Now she is a multi-published, best-selling, award-winning author of humorous paranormal and contemporary romances, represented by the Seymour Agency. She lives in beautiful New Hampshire with her true-life superhero husband who looks like Hugh Jackman if you squint. She and Mr. Amazing have adopted two beautiful shelter cats. Where there’s fire, there’s Ash Sign up for my newsletter right from my home page: www.ashlynchase.com While you’re there check out my news and reviews. Join my facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAshlynChase Chat with me: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashlynsnewbestfriends/ Follow me on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ashlyn-chase …and I tweet as GoddessAsh. https://twitter.com/#!/GoddessAsh Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ashlynlaughin/  Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/ashlynchase/  

Book preview

Reviews of first edition

This was a fun read and a keeper. I am a big fan of regular people being put into extraordinary circumstances, and I am sure I laughed out loud more than a few times. The madcap style reminded of why I enjoy similar novels by Jennifer Crusie and Janet Evanovich. I look forward to more great reads from Ashlyn Chase.

Reviewer, Gwen Hayes, Created for Romance Divas

HEAVING BOSOMS IS A fast paced jaunt into the life of a woman just trying to make a new life for herself.  She is the perfect representation of a woman who has been placed under the thumb of a controlling man and is trying to reassert herself.  Heaving Bosoms is a fantastic read that won't disappoint even the harshest of critics.  4.5 out of 5 Quills.

Reviewed by Debbie H., 4.5 out of 5 Quills, Gotta Write Network

HEAVING BOSOMS IS ABSOLUTELY terrific.  Ashlyn Chase has written a story filled with wit and laughter.  Tonia is a spunky, spirited heroine and I love her.  Raphael is a modern day knight in shining armor, or in this case, a paramedic’s uniform.  He is an honest and honorable man who is not just drawn to Tonia’s dramatic physique, but to the woman inside.

Chase’s name is on my must-buy list from now on thanks to this highly entertaining story.  I encourage everyone who enjoys a funny and touching love story to buy this one.  HEAVING BOSOMS is a book with something in it for every romance reader to enjoy!

5 Blue Ribbons, Reviewer, Robin Snodgrass, Romance Junkies

HEAVING BOSOMS

Dedicated to my family, friends, and fans. Where would I be without you?

Acknowledgements

**

I want to acknowledge my friend and fellow writer, Dalton Diaz, who went to a fair one fine day, fell in a hole, twisted her ankle, and had to wait under duress for a couple of cute EMTs to cart her off in an ambulance to an emergency room. It was her retelling of that story that inspired this one.

I’d also like to thank my very humorous lawyer, Richard Leonard, J.D. for challenging me to write something about tattooed butts and more importantly, for answering a gazillion legal questions any time I needed his expertise.

Chapter 1

**

Why won’t this damn winter end? Tonia Fuller mumbled. She cursed the freezing rain as she shivered and picked her way across the icy sidewalk to her office building. Still unfamiliar with the fickle March weather in Boston, she’d worn her new alligator shoes with three-inch heels and hadn’t bothered to carry an umbrella.

Almost there, she muttered.

As if she’d jinxed herself, her next footstep flew out from under her and she crashed onto the cold, wet, unforgiving concrete.

Mentally, she reeled off a slew of oaths, but with the wind knocked out of her she couldn’t utter a word.

An unwelcome upside down face wearing a stupid grin hovered over her. Good morning, Grace. Have a nice trip?

It was a good thing Tonia couldn’t speak. She wanted to spew some unacceptable words at her boss and ask him if he knew how many times she had heard that stupid, worn-out joke. As soon as she could, she refilled her lungs with a gasp and struggled to sit up.

Hold on! cried an unfamiliar voice. A magnificent well-built, dark-haired man in a navy blue uniform hurried over and knelt beside her.

She did her best to yank her skirt and camel hair coat over her bare thighs, meanwhile noticing how far away her right shoe had landed when launched from her foot.

See you inside, her boss called over his shoulder. Tonia glared at his retreating back. Of all the insensitive...

Don’t get up, Mr. Tall, Dark and Dripping said. You took a nasty spill and I’d better check you out before you try to stand.

Tonia glanced at his uniform’s insignia and saw that he worked for Fleet Ambulance, then stared into his down-turned, brown eyes. He had a sad puppy look, as if filled with genuine concern for her safety. As lovely as that was, she was not about to lie on the ice, freezing her butt off, while this gorgeous guy checked her out.

Thanks, but I’m all right. Really.

Please don’t move. I’m a medical student. You need to listen to what I’m telling you. You could have a hairline fracture of your spine. If you move you could cause more damage. Maybe even paralysis.

Tonia sighed, flicked her blonde bangs out of her eyes and read his nametag out loud. Raphael Beauchamp. Paramedic.

Yeah. Well, I’m almost a doctor. I’m on spring break. I’ll graduate in a couple of months and be interning after that. What’s your name?

Tonia Fuller. The late Tonia Fuller. I’m ten minutes late already, so as nice as you are to offer, I don’t have time to let you examine me.

I was on my way to work too, but it looks like I’ve already got my hands full right here. I’m sure both of our bosses will understand why we’re late.

Tonia noticed where his eyes had landed. Right where every man’s eyes landed. He was looking her square in the knockers. To his credit, he glanced away, whipped off his glove, reached for her wrist and checked her pulse.

I’m fine, she said. Her protest weakened as he held her wrist in his warm, take-charge fingers for several seconds. Even with freezing rain spattering her face she could feel heat rising to her cheeks.

Your pulse is a little fast.

There’s a big surprise. Her heart rate would be pounding if they had met in a coffee shop.

Does anything hurt? Did you hit your head?

Everything hurts, especially my pride.

Stay put while I grab my cell phone and call an ambulance.

You must be joking. I don’t need an ambulance. I need to get to work before my boss docks my pay.

Was that who just looked down at you and went inside?

Yeah. He’s a lawyer and probably disappointed that we can’t sue God for the weather.

Your boss is a dick.

She couldn’t help giggling. You noticed that right off, did you?

Yeah. Now stay here and don’t move.

Okay, you win. But first, would you be a love and grab my other shoe before someone kicks it into the street?

Sure.

As soon as he had his back turned she pushed herself up, removed her remaining shoe and stood on freezing feet. At least she was vertical.

When he turned around and saw her standing there, he folded his arms and frowned at her. She mimicked his expression and posture, including one alligator shoe sticking out from under her crossed arms.

Shaking his head, he approached and handed her the shoe. Why were you wearing those ridiculous high heels instead of something more practical on a day like this?

They’re not ridiculous, they’re Gucci.

Raphael rolled his eyes.

She set both shoes on the sidewalk. Teetering slightly, she stepped into them. Raphael grabbed hold of her arm to steady her. Instead of letting go as soon as she had her balance, he walked her to the door.

You know, he said, when I want to wear my spike heels, I listen to the weather forecast first.

She laughed, picturing this handsome hunk in spike heels. Oh, really? Are they black vinyl to match your corset? I think I’ve seen you in the red light district.

Raphael smiled as he opened the door for her.

Oh and a cute smile too. Everything about this man got her blood pounding.

Well, it was nice meeting you, Miss Fuller. As he spoke his eyes drifted down to where she was, indeed, fuller than most.

Ordinarily she would have been annoyed from years of being gawked at, yet when he jerked his gaze back to her face quickly, she had to give him points for trying.

Nice to meet you too, Mr. Paramedic. Thanks for your help. Somehow, a handshake didn’t seem quite adequate. She looked into his warm darkening eyes and held his gaze a little longer than usual while she decided what to do. He didn’t move. He didn’t even blink.

Quick, before you chicken out. Tonia pecked his cheek with her lips, turned and ran into the building without looking back until she reached the elevator.

He was writing a note against the glass. As the doors closed he turned the paper around. It said, Get boots.

TWO MONTHS LATER, RAPHAEL was remembering a certain blond bombshell with bright green eyes and a figure to make a Barbie doll weep, when he looked up and realized he was about to walk past her office building. He had thought of her every single day since their chance meeting in March. Now it was May. The weather was finally warming up and he wore his lightweight uniform jacket open to the cool, evening air.

He was on his way home and wondered what time she got out of work. Maybe, if he saw her again, he’d ask her out for a drink, or coffee. No, not coffee. He had come to her rescue and she had kissed him. Definitely a drink.

What would she look like without her coat? Hell, what would she look like without her bra?

As he approached the front entrance of her building, a rush of people exploded onto the sidewalk. One woman saw his uniform and called out, Hey, are you an EMT?

He wished he could say, No, I’m a paramedic and a medical student, about to graduate and start my internship, yet the look of panic on the woman’s face begged for a fast answer.

How can I help?

Our fire alarm went off and one of our coworkers fell down a flight of stairs. She’s unconscious on the fifth floor!

Raphael didn’t need any more inspiration than that for his internal rescuer to spring into action. He charged into the building and spotted the stairwell from which people were evacuating. Knowing the elevators wouldn’t work, he prepared to run up five flights of stairs as quickly as possible.

Step to the right, people, he yelled. Emergency personnel coming up.

He heard the shuffling of feet above and was able to charge up a couple of flights before he had to repeat himself. As he became more winded, his warning lost some of its authority, but folks managed to get out of his way at the last minute.

Stay calm and stick to the right. Stay to the right, please.

As soon as they saw his uniform, they let him by. Damn, he liked the respect a uniform garnered. Soon, he’d wear a lab coat embroidered with his name and new title.

Dr. Beauchamp. Finally.

By the time he reached the fifth floor he was panting, but pushed on and spotted a couple of people hovering over an unconscious woman. Mountainous breasts under a soft, pink sweater were blocking her face, but as he drew nearer, she looked increasingly familiar. Oh God, it can’t be. Her long, blond hair was splayed on both sides of her motionless, twisted body.

Her name is Tonia, said a man standing over her. I know, Raphael murmured.

We can’t get her to come to.

Raphael placed two fingers on the carotid artery in her neck and felt a strong pulse. Hallelujah. She’s alive. How long has she been out?

Only a minute or two.

Did anybody call 911?

I called from my cell phone, the man said.

Okay, I’ll stay with her until the ambulance arrives. He called out to the onlookers. Everyone go ahead and get out of the building.

The gentleman bending over her looked confused. Didn’t you come in an ambulance?

No, I was passing by. Wait for them at the entrance and tell them where we are, okay?

Sure thing.

As the man was leaving, Raphael, feeling helpless to do anything else, started talking out loud to Tonia. Come on, Tonia. Come back to me.

He detected the faint sound of sirens growing louder and relief washed over him. He noted Tonia’s shoes and shook his head. Another pair of ridiculously high heels.

TONIA SLOWLY REGAINED consciousness, barely aware of her body moving but acutely aware of the throbbing pain in her head. Eventually objects came into focus and the double images converged on the face above her.

Handsome Raphael Beauchamp was looking at her with the same concerned expression she’d seen the other time she gazed up at him.

Welcome back, he said and let out a long breath.

You too. When Tonia tried to rise, something held her down. A sharp stab of pain ripped through her head followed by a wave of nausea. Oww...

Don’t try to get up. Your head and body are immobilized with thick straps and you’re secured to a stretcher.

Using her most sarcastic intonation, she said, Oh, wonderful. I’m in bondage already and we barely know each other.

The only thing about this position that beat the last time on the sidewalk was the lack of a cold puddle of melting ice beneath her. Instead she lay in a warm ambulance with an almost-doctor, who looked like a Greek god sitting next to her. He watched her intently, holding her hand and stroking her arm where he had pushed up her cashmere sweater. Probably to check her pulse. His touch sent warm tingles up to her shoulder and neck despite the distraction of her aching head.

She gazed into his yummy milk-chocolate eyes and he finally gave her a half-smile. I guess you didn’t get any practical footwear, yet?

She gasped. Are my Manolos with me?

He reached down and picked up her favorite pair of shoes. Black pumps with four-inch heels.

Oh, thank God!

If I were you, I’d give ‘em to my worst enemy. He dropped the shoes from a height of about two feet. She gasped when she heard them clatter on the ambulance floor.

If you scuffed those... she threatened.

Yes? What are you going to do to me?

She huffed. Never mind. I’ve got nuthin’.

Raphael grinned. One side of his smile was slightly higher than the other.

Oh...I love lopsided smiles.

Suddenly she wondered what kind of embarrassing stories about her fall were going to circulate through the office.

So, I—I guess I tripped and fell. Do you know what happened after that?

He nodded. I was the first trained professional on the scene. Your coworkers said you were filing down the stairs with everyone else, fell off your stupid high-heeled shoes, could have taken out any number of people with you and came to a sudden stop on the next landing. Somewhere along the way, you hit your pretty, but empty, head hard enough to knock you unconscious.

Nobody said that! You’re just being mean because I won’t listen to your lame fashion advice.

Raphael raised his dark eyebrows. My advice isn’t lame, but you could be if you don’t get some lower heels and soles with tread. Women with your build shouldn’t wear heels that high.

She squinted. What do you mean, ‘women with my build’?

I don’t know whether or not you’ve noticed, but you’re a bit, well, top-heavy.

Tonia sucked in a deep breath and glared, daring him to say another word.

Apparently he dared. If you knew anything about body mechanics, you’d realize that your center of gravity is probably a little off. The other time I found you flat on your back, you overcompensated and went backwards. Today the part of your body that juts out took you forward and down the stairs.

She felt the temperature rising in her cheeks and knew she must be blushing furiously. If I could reach you, I’d give your face a good slap.

"If you did that, I’d have to retaliate