They walked along the sand, not speaking, until they came to a sand bank on top of which a thick mat of grass had grown. That was where he invited her to sit and then he sat beside her.
"There's something I should have said to you some time ago," he began as he stared out at the ocean, "but I've been too stubborn to share my true feelings."
Asia didn't want to hear any more. "It's okay, Rico. I know. You don't have to say another word."
He looked at her and frowned. "You do?"
Asia felt a dark and heavy fog rising up to surround her heart. She was hurting, but she could not let him know. She drew in a shaking breath then she nodded. "Yes, and I feel the same way. We've had a great time but I think it's best if we end this now."
"What? Why?" Rico looked at her with eyes full of disbelief. "But I was just about to tell you about my plan."
Why did the man insist on rubbing it in? "You don't need to dump me, Rico," she said, exasperated by his persistence. "I'm going to walk away. You have nothing to worry about."
"But you can't. I was just about to tell you. I'm going to do laser surgery. On my eyes."
Now it was Asia's turn to look at him in disbelief. "You drag me all the way out here to tell me you're going to do laser surgery on your eyes?" She gave a hiss of frustration. "You could have told me that on the phone."
Rico reached out and took her hand in his. "No, Asia, I couldn't. I wanted to see your face when I told you that you were the one who taught me to take risks. You taught me that I don't have to be on the defensive, and I don't have to be a bully to be a man."
"And what does that have to do with eye surgery?" She tried pulling her hand away but he would not let go.
Rico gave her a solemn look. He drew in a deep breath then let it out in a sigh. "I've never been one to take chances, Asia. I've always been in control. But you taught me..." he frowned, seeming to be struggling to find the right words, "...to give up some of that control and to trust."
He lifted her hand to his lips. Then he kissed it. "I've never trusted anyone with my heart. Until now." He looked away then and stared out at the waves as they rolled in to the shore. "My decision to trust the surgeons is symbolic of an even greater decision I've made." He turned his gaze back to her and this time he was smiling, his look earnest and loving. "Asia, I want to trust my heart to one woman in this world. That woman..." he raised his hand to caress her cheek, "...is you. Asia, my little mademoiselle, will you be my wife?"
Asia's heart lurched in her chest. The air suddenly grew thin and she felt like she could not breathe. She gasped for air and then she burst into tears.
"Don't," she cried. "Please don't. You're torturing me."
"Ma cherie, what is the matter?" As her body shook with heavy sobs Rico gathered her into his arms. "Please don't cry."
"Don't play these games with me, Rico," she cried. "It hurts."
"This is not a game, mon amour. Not a game. This is for real. I love you."
"Are you...sure?" Her sobs subsided into a hiccup as she stared up at him through tear-filled eyes.
He was smiling down at her, his eyes gentle and kind and true. "I am one hundred percent sure, my love. I am giving my heart to you. Will you take it? Please say yes."
The fog inside Asia vanished. Rico loved her. At the realization she felt the light of the sun and all the colors of the rainbow fill her heart. "I will say yes," she whispered, "on one condition."
"What's that?" Rico asked with a soft smile.
"That you take my heart in exchange for yours. I give you my heart for always. And," she gave him a look of mischief and love, "refusal is not an option."
"Mademoiselle, I accept."
And as the gentle waves rolled in to caress the shore Asia and Rico, lion tamer and tycoon, celebrated their love with a kiss that joined their hearts...forever.
THE END