Page 17 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

“I am concentrating,” she huffed back.

She let go of his other hand and grabbed the trunk, while Benedict now raised his arms above his head and kept a tight hold of her waist. He could feel her trembling, but she did not stop. What they were doing was dangerous enough. She was far braver than some soldiers he knew.

“Ye’re doing grand. Now, hold on to the trunk, and pull yersel’ up.”

“All right,” Evelyn replied, a slight quake in her voice.

Benedict felt her weight shift, and having no choice but to let go of her waist, held out his hands. Partly, he was offering them in case she needed to grab hold of him for balance, partly, he had them there just in case she lost her footing and fell.

Once more, she hitched her frock up, and one by one, her feet pressed into the large muscles of his shoulders. Now came the tricky part. She had to turn around from this position.

“Keep yer eyes ahead,” she panted. “Dinnae ye dare look.”

“Here’s me worrying about ye falling and breaking yer neck, and all ye care about is if I see something I shouldnae.”

“I mean it,” she growled.

Benedict grinned. “Well, there’s nae much ye can dae about it from up there.”

“What?” she cried.

“Naething. Never mind.” It took all his strength not to burst into a chuckle.

Eventually, Evelyn had herself turned the right way. Benedict took a tight grip on her calves, and then stood fully erect. “All right. Are ye ready? We’re going tae move.”

“I’m ready,” she called from above.

Very slowly, and keeping close to the trunk, so Evelyn could keep her balance, Benedict moved toward the platform he had created. With effort, and a burning in his thighs, he stepped onto the platform and positioned himself as close to the tree as he could.

“How is that?”

“Ye need tae go more tae yer left.”

Benedict took a step to his left.

“A bit more,” she called down.

He took another step.

“Aye. That’s perfect. All right, little pussycat. Come on.”

Evelyn stood on her tiptoes and reached up, while Benedict continued to hold her as fast as he could. He could hardly believe this had worked, but he was pleased that it had.

“I’ve got it,” she said with a steady voice, as her feet lowered fully down to his shoulders again.

“Good. Can I look now?”

“Dinnae ye dare!” Evelyn spat.

Benedict couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Just get me down from here,” she begged.

Taking careful steps, Benedict clambered off the platform, and once back on solid ground, he called up to her. “I want ye tae jump.”

“What?”

“I want ye tae jump. I promise, I’ll catch ye.”