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The sound of footsteps echoed down the path. They eased away from each other and watched one of Ethan’s bodyguards make his way toward them.

“Mr. Mayor, we have a problem.”

With a sinking heart, Alyssa realized their idyllic retreat was officially over.

“Son of a bitch.”

He stared at the picture of him and Alyssa in a tight embrace. The slant of their bodies and angled heads clearly showed an intimacy that was more than friendship. Definitely more than boss and employee. It was an announcement to the world that they were lovers.

He gritted his teeth and tried to remain calm. Diana Delaney looked at him with a touch of sympathy. “I’m sorry, Mr. Mayor, but I’m running the photo.”

They’d met in a deserted parking lot in his car to talk. Once Ethan’s bodyguard outed the photographer, he’d gone after her, but the damage had already been done. Even with tight security, Diana had figured out where he was and who’d he be with.

“Privacy means nothing to you, does it?” he bit out, not able to control the anger and fear rising up within him. Damnit, they’d just gotten together. He needed enough time to control the announcement so they didn’t rip him to shreds. But this picture was about to ruin it all.

She shrugged. “There’s no privacy for a public official,” she said. “Part of the bargain.”

“There’s no scandal here to capitalize on. I’m a free man, allowed to date and see who I want.”

“Then this shouldn’t be a problem. Do you have a quote for me?”

“No.”

“Does Alyssa Block want to comment? She’s been your assistant for over two years now, right? How long have you been hiding your relationship?”

“No comment,” he said. “Who tipped you off?”

“It doesn’t matter. I won’t reveal my sources.”

He knew for certain there was no one suspicious of his relationship with Alyssa except for one person.

Whitney. The socialite would have loved to blow this up and punish Alyssa, especially after not taking her bribe. It had her fingerprints all over it.

But did it matter at this point?

“When are you going to print?”

“Tomorrow morning. Mr. Mayor, give me the story to accompany the photograph, and I may be able to help.”

“There’s nothing I can say to stop or delay this from running?”

He knew the answer before she said it anyway. Again, he might hate the way his privacy was eroded, and how the game was played, but he agreed it was all part of the life for an elected official. He had no choice.

But Alyssa did.

“Do what you have to, Diana. I’ll do the same.”

She nodded and left. Jonathan drove back to the inn. He had limited time to decide on the plan, but he needed to talk to Alyssa. Last night, they’d confessed their true feelings, but never spoke about what course to take when they returned to reality. Would she pull back from him? Change her mind about walking this path after her photo had been splashed all over the gossip rags? Would this type of life eventually rip them apart?

The questions whirled through his mind. He pulled up and found Mia on the porch, waiting for him. “Where’s Alyssa?” he asked.

“Upstairs with Chloe. I think they’re having a heart-to-heart. How bad is it?”

He rubbed his head and climbed the steps. “Bad. She’s running a picture of Alyssa and me.”

“Were you naked?”

He groaned. “No, we were hugging.”