that tension might primarily be sexual, it's not exclusively sexual, it's also a result of how they enjoy each other's company. I'm definitely not calling it romantic, but it's still closer to being romantic than an average dark alley drunk fuck.
(...)
Cindy and Ian both seem to have a similar "I shouldn't do this, but I'm doing it anyway" starting point.
you are absolutely right with that, and
without being busted, it could have transformed a lot smoother into a real loving/romantic relationship or a sexually charged love escapade / affair. i expect this outcome with the kiss option.
but they
are getting caught and this lets Cindy realize, how it has to look from the outside:
that they are fucking like rabbits in public, that she is committing adultery
(does this applies if you're not married?) and like a cheap streetwhore, who quickly serves a john, was not even able to get a room.
"I shouldn't do this, but I'm doing it anyway": yes, it was all fun and games until... the reality hits hard.
and since she
isn't a common streetwhore* but a nice girl at heart, i expect her to be
digusted with herself and Ian, full of feelings of guilt towards Wade, and ashamed in front of Jeremy and Ivy.
she already had a damaged self-esteem ("
Am I so unlikeable that i have to beg...") and this above mentioned disgust could be very well the death-blow to it. girls with no or low self-esteem are easy prey to corruptional influences (like from pimps and/or bad BFs or other pervs and assholes talking them into shit and make them believe it's consensual).
we all know that there is a lot more to this situation than the appearance suggest; but who ever listened to the "It's not what it looks like, please let me explain!" of a adulterer caught red-handed?
(* i am aware that streetwhores can be nice girls at heart too, this juxtaposition serves only as demonstration)