Wilder: The Guardian Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

It’s about time you start acting like a normal
teenager, and on that note, you’re coming to help me do some more shopping.
This is going to be the best prom ever!” said Natalie as she dragged Celeste
into another store.
     
    ***
     
    Nico had texted Celeste his address and as she turned into
his apartment complex, her heart was racing. What was she doing? This was so
unlike her! She tried to steady her nerves as she examined herself in the
mirror, applying a little cotton candy lip-gloss and tucking a loose strand of
blonde hair behind her ear. She forced herself to get out of the car and then
knocked hesitantly on the door. Within seconds, it swung open, and to her
surprise the handsome stranger from the library stood in front of her. He was
wearing a tight-fitting black t-shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans that hung
flawlessly from his hips. His bright blue eyes twinkled as a shade of a smile
crossed his perfectly sculpted jaw and the five o’clock shadow completed his
roguish look. Celeste stared speechlessly until she finally gathered the nerve
to murmur a hello.
    “You must be Celeste, I’m Roman, Nico’s brother. He told me
he was expecting you, please come in.” Roman inhaled deeply as she walked in,
her scent intoxicating. He could hear her heart racing and the blood pumping
through her veins.
    As Celeste squeezed through the door that Roman was holding
open, her arm brushed against his and it was like thousands of tiny electric
shocks went through her. She tried to suppress a little “ooh” as she walked by
him. The intense attraction that bubbled up inside her was even more powerful
than what she had felt last night towards Nico. There was no doubt that Roman
was incredibly gorgeous, but Celeste had met cute boys before and never felt
anything like this.
    Nico came barreling down the stairs and gave Celeste a quick
kiss on both cheeks – very European, she thought. At that, Roman
retreated to what must have been his bedroom. Celeste thought she caught a
glimpse of disapproval as Roman stalked out of the room, but it must have been
her imagination. The apartment was huge and immaculately decorated—not at
all what Celeste had expected from two twenty-something year old guys. It was a
mix of new world and old, classic with large stately pieces of furniture and
yet still boasting a modern black and white vibe.
     
    Nico led Celeste into the expansive living room, which had
floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking a peaceful lake and lush green
grass.
    “Wow, what a beautiful view!” she said, walking toward the
wall of windows.
    “My brother and I enjoy the tranquility of calm scenery and
quiet towns like Oak Bluffs. When you’ve traveled as much as we have, this is
the perfect respite.”
    He stopped in front of the massive black leather couch where
he politely offered her something to drink and pulled out his shiny silver
laptop.
    “I’m glad you came. I wasn’t sure if you would,” admitted
Nico.
    “To be honest, I wasn’t sure I would either!” said Celeste
nervously as she took a sip from her drink.
    “Well, then I guess I lucked out. Where should we start? Berlin?
Rome? London? We have the whole world in front of us, Celeste,” he said his
dark eyes alive with enthusiasm.
    “I’ve always wanted to go to all of those cities. They seem
so beautiful and mysterious.”
    “Well, maybe one day you will,” he said.
    She shot him an appreciative smile. “So when was this picture
taken of you in London? Natalie was just there last summer.” Celeste noticed
that oddly none of the pictures had date or time stamps on them.
    “Hmm, I think that was about two years ago – before we
moved to New York,” Nico confirmed.
    “You look exactly the same!”
    “Why mess with perfection?” Nico retorted with a witty grin,
then quickly moved on to other pictures.
    Celeste studied Nico furtively as he flipped through the
photos on his laptop. She couldn’t help but compare the two striking