“It's easy," said Rachel, “Very, very easy, to decide the fault is in yourself. That you are somehow inferior." Very carefully, she started massaging the back of Sarah's neck, her hands softly kneading the tight muscles. As her daughter relaxed into her arms, she drew her back until her back was against Rachel's chest.

“That you're not smart, or that your parents’ divorce was somehow your fault.

“Or that you're unattractive, and therefore undeserving of Love.

“Sarah, it is not true." Before her daughter could resist, Rachel had reached around and unknotted the sash of the bathrobe. Once it was loose, she spread it wide, leaving her exposed from head to foot.

“Josh, do you think your daughter is pretty?”

“No," he said, swallowing. "I think Sarah is fucking gorgeous." He met his daughter's stunned eyes.

“It's true, Sarah. You are a lovely young woman and sexy as hell. Those Long legs, your face, your eyes..."

“My boobs aren't as big as Mom's," she said in a small voice.

"God!" Rachel said, her voice uncharacteristically frustrated. "Does every woman judge themselves by the size of their tits? Like fifteen year-old boys with their cocks? I thought you were smarter than that,

Sarah. So your breasts are smaller than mine," she continued. "So what?

That just means they won't sag Like mine do." She caught Josh's glance and flushed slightly. "Well, eventually," she amended. "Josh, why don't you come over here and kiss Sarah and prove to her how beautiful she is? You're okay with that, aren't you, honey?" she said to her daughter.

“You don't have to if you don't want to," he added.

“Your mom tells me you're attracted to me. And I think you can tell what I think about you." He gestured to his shorts, where his erection was straining at the fabric. "But this will be your choice. Not mine."

Sarah gave a nervous giggle. "No, Daddy," she said firmly.

“I want you to."

Josh stood and walked slowly over to the sofa, thinking about how carefully Rachel had set this up. Keeping him away from Sarah until explicitly invited. The way she was present as a witness and a protector, in case Sarah should get cold feet. Having this little tableau in the living room, rather than one of the bedrooms. Even keeping Alex away. Everything was designed to give his daughter as much confidence and control over the situation as possible.

God, how did I get here? he thought. The events of the past few days, when taken individually, had seemed to proceed Logically, one step leading inevitably to another. But when grasped as a whole, they were completely ludicrous. How did I go from a phone call and a slim shot at a reconciliation to blow jobs in the workshop to falling in love all over again to making love with my daughter, with Rachel looking on approvingly? It's ridiculous. And dangerous. If anyone finds out, we'd be shunned at best and arrested at worst.

But he knew, Looking at Sarah, he could not turn away from her. Not when doing so would hurt her so badly. He knelt at her side, letting one hand fall gently on her opposite hip, his thumb caressing her baby-soft skin.

“You're a grown woman now, Sarah," he said softly.

“And a lovely one. I would like for you to call me by name when we are together. My name is

Joshua. Or Josh. And you are Sarah to me. Not my little Pumpkin. Not anymore."

"Yes, D...Josh," she said. Her brown eyes were glowing with Love and trust.

“It's time, Josh," Rachel said. Her voice seemed deeper, somehow.

Almost commanding.

“Take her. Make your daughter your lover.”