Trial And Error

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Kian's POV

Kian hurried out of Madison's house, feeling lightheaded. She wasn't sure if it was from tiredness or the intense look in Madison's eyes earlier. The Marine had nearly given in to temptation tonight, almost kissing Madison in a moment of weakness. But even in her fatigue, she knew that could have ruined everything between them.

As she drove home, Kian replayed the charged moment in her mind. They had swayed close, closer than ever before. The way Madison gazed at her was new - confused yet full of an unfamiliar longing. She struggled to interpret her friend's signals. Had it been wishful thinking on her part? Or had Madison really been desiring a kiss as much as she did? The line between fantasy and reality felt blurred in her exhausted state.

Once home, Kian went through her usual nighttime routine, all the while debating whether to talk to Madison about it. She ultimately decided against it, not wanting to risk making things awkward between them. Madison had been drinking heavily, so her apparent desire for a kiss could have just been the alcohol. Plus they had spent more time together lately - maybe Madison was just caught up in the intimacy of the moment.

As Kian laid in bed replaying the night's events, she realized the almost-kiss at the end wasn't the only suggestive interaction. She remembered Madison's expression when their eyes first met in the crowd, and the tension during their embrace outside. Even the enthusiastic kisses Madison planted on her face in front of everyone. The second Madison's lips pressed against her cheek, Kian felt her knees go weak. It took all her strength not to collapse right there as Madison continued peppering kisses across her entire face. Each soft touch of Madison's lips seared into her skin, sending sparks through her entire body. No one had ever made Kian feel this way with just a simple kiss before. It was innocent, yet intimate. Overwhelming in the intensity of sensation it evoked.

The night had been filled with more intimate moments than Kian realized. But did it mean the same thing to Madison? Or was Kian simply reading too much into things, seeing what she hoped to be true?

She tossed and turned, thoughts swirling with possibilities. Part of Kian wanted to talk to Madison, to confess her feelings and find out if they were reciprocated. But the risk of losing their friendship was too great. She wouldn't survive losing the singer, not when she needed her most.

With that decided, Kian's mind finally quieted enough for her to drift to sleep. But even in slumber, her dreams were filled with Madison - replaying memories and conjuring new scenarios of them together. When Kian woke, remnants of the visions still clung to her consciousness. It was a pleasant change from her usual nightmares, yet still left her conflicted. Now she had to spend the entire day with Madison and her family.

Kian had no idea how she would make it through without exposing her feelings. But she had endured worse situations before - she would find a way. After her usual workout and shower, Kian headed to Madison's house at eleven

Exhaustion still clung to her from yesterday's event. Pre-deployment, she had already spoken to Madison's parents about visiting for her birthday. It was just a matter of arranging the details, which took two weeks even with the Rileys' assistance. Once they decided on a surprise party, everything else fell into place. Kian spent the day before getting the house ready, then picked up Madison's parents from the airport, making her late to the festivities. She had dropped them at her own place first to settle in before a driver brought them to the party as the final surprise.

Kian was greeted by the sight of Mrs. Barnes when she entered Madison's house Madison's mother was already dressed and ready for their day out, clearly an early riser, unlike her daughter. Madison was the spitting image of her mother - she had inherited Evelyn's dazzling hazel eyes, chestnut hair, and delicate facial features. At 55, Evelyn still possessed a timeless beauty and didn't look a day over 40. She worked as a family lawyer and was extremely good at it.