The Recluse

The Recluse The Billionaire Freemasons Nicole Flockton Copyright © 2023 by Nicole Flockton 2nd Edition Photo Credit: 471032043 ©iconogenic |Istockphoto.com Logo Design by Jason Flockton All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Nicole Flockton. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. *Previously published as Bound by Their Love* Contents About the Book Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Epilogue Also by Nicole Flockton About the Author Acknowledgments About the Book Reclusive, exclusive and world-renowned, Jeffrey Courteux might get a lot of attention for his exquisite jewelry, but he keeps his personal life under tight wraps. His solitary life fuels his creativity and keeps him sane, and he’s not willing to give it up—until an afternoon of passion makes hiding away less appealing than it used to be. Smart, driven and ambitious, Greta Adamas focus is on her career and becoming the new vice president of her family’s advertising firm. Landing the Jeffrey Courteux account for his new line of jewelry will solidify her suitability. Nothing will keep her from achieving her dreams—not even the overwhelmingly attractive designer who won’t leave her thoughts. Mixing business with pleasure is always a potent cocktail, but one with consequences. Consequences neither of them planned on. *Previously published as Bound by Their Love For my beautiful friends Shey Houston and Rachael Botson. You are both amazing and I’m so lucky to count you as my friends. Chapter One “I want you to design an exclusive collection for the Palazzo Regent. And I want you to be present when we unveil it to the public.” There it was. The question internationally renowned jeweler Jeffrey Courteux had known his best friend Luciano Morelli was going to ask. He had his answer ready. “No.” “Why not?” Luc countered. It took everything in Jeffrey not to get up and walk away from the conversation. He had a feeling Luc wasn’t going to let the subject go. The last thing he wanted to do was fight with his friend. “Look, Luc. You know I’m not a designer who mass-produces designs to display in jewelry stores. It’s not how I work. I don’t need to work like that.” “I’m not asking you to mass-produce. I want one exclusive collection for the Palazzo Regent as an introduction to the public. To let them know we will have select pieces from you for them to purchase. What I’m proposing is no different to what you’re currently doing with Fierro’s Pearl Farm.” Jeffrey couldn’t deny what Luc was saying made sense. If he agreed to his friend’s proposal it would mean he’d have to make more and more trips to Perth. Putting himself in the spotlight. The last thing he ever wanted to do. He liked his privacy. Hell, he’d created his whole brand around it. “I’m still not comfortable doing that. I never wanted to be a commercial designer.” “Look, Jeff, I know that and I’m not trying to change who you are. I just think an exclusive collection every couple of years will be good for you. I’m asking as a friend. Will you do this one collection for me? Will you create something so special that everyone will be talking about it for months?” Luciano paused. “Please, Jeff.” Jeffrey couldn’t deny his friend, no matter how much he really wanted to. The rings he created for Luc and Jasmine’s wedding was the only other time Luc had asked Jeffrey to design something for him. Luc had always been there for him, quietly in the background. Always there to talk, but never to pressure him to leave the solitude of his house. Never pressuring him to get back into Freemasonry, an organization Jeff enjoyed being a part of. He’d missed attending meetings and seeing all his friends during his self-imposed isolation. But he’d made his decision to live a solitary life and it was one he was happy with. Now though, it was time to repay Luc’s loyalty. He could do this. It was only going to be one collection. “Fine. I’ll do it and we’ll see what happens.” Luc stood and clapped him on the back. “Great, Jeff, you won’t regret it. I’ve already spoken to a few advertising agencies to come up with some possible campaigns.” Jeffrey couldn’t help but laugh. “Really? You were that confident I was going to agree?” “Jeffrey, you should know Lukas never comes unprepared to a meeting. Even when the meeting is with friends,” Jasmine said with a smile as she placed her hand on her husband’s leg. “I have a feeling I’ve just been played by a master,” Jeffrey muttered. “No, not at all. If you had continued to say no, I would’ve been disappointed but I would’ve accepted it. I would’ve simply contacted the advertising agencies, advising them the campaign wasn’t proceeding.” While Jeffrey wanted to believe it would’ve been accepted, him saying no to designing a collection, he had a feeling Luc wouldn’t have given up. He wondered how much more Luc was going to expect of him during this time, and if he could live up to the expectations. How