Foolish Choices

by L M Gregory

  It still didn’t help him get any closer to figuring out how to swap back. He tossed out a couple of long-shot messages on message boards. But he suspected they came off as requests to roleplay rather than serious inquiries. Maybe he could think of something later.

  Mike hurried up the stairs from the subway. He wasn’t running late, but he didn’t want to be late either. While his body might not provide the same level of arousal thinking about Beth as it did thinking about men, there was a feeling…

  A butterflies in the stomach warmth.

  Something he’d felt when he first dated Diana.

  Mike paused his rush.

  Was that the difference?

  With men, he was looking for sex and nothing more. An outlet for tension or a practice session. Sure, they were fun, but he couldn’t say he knew either Sam or Darren. They just sort of slipped in.

  Mike giggled at his own pun even if it wasn’t that funny.

  Shaking his head, he continued to the café where he was supposed to meet Beth for a cup of coffee. To get to know her.

  Beth fit into another category. He actually wanted to care about her. Maybe it would work. Perhaps it wouldn’t. But he didn’t want to sleep with her.

  Well, he didn’t want to just sleep with her. He wanted to see if he could make something with her. A life.

  Which brought up a bigger problem. How much to tell her?

  Starting out a relationship with a lie didn’t sit well with Mike. Or was it a lie? He was Veronica now. There was no questioning that. He had the body of a woman and the life of Veronica specifically.

  If he couldn’t get his body back, the only option was to live as Veronica or find another poor sap to flip bodies with. If he started something with Beth, how would she feel about that?

  Mike sighed.

  He hadn’t thought this through.

  Slowing his steps, he considered canceling. But the sinking feeling in his stomach didn’t make that seem like a good idea.

  The truth.

  He could feel her out with the truth. He knew just enough about Beth that he might be able to convince her. But would that freak her out?

  Did it matter if he hoped for a relationship with her?

  And what about Diana?

  It’s not like Diana knew what was going on. Unless Veronica told her? That seemed unlikely.

  Mike frowned. Was Veronica sleeping with Diana? Was Veronica fucking Mike’s girlfriend?

  Was Diana even Mike’s girlfriend anymore? He’d seen her cheating!

  Way too much on my plate.

  Mike stepped into the crowded café. He spotted Beth just as she half stood waving at him. A smile crossed his face. Beth might not have the beauty of Diana or even Mike now, but she was damn cute. And happiness bubbled when Mike saw her. Which was strange, he didn’t know her that well.

  Yet.

  Shrugging, he dodged a waitress and slipped into the seat across from Beth.

  “Hello,” Mike said.

  “Hi!” Beth chirped. She ran a hand through her short hair, and her smile seemed to flicker.

  Nervous?

  What were they supposed to talk about?

  Should Mike wait until they seemed to have something to spill his secret to her, or was it best to get it out of the way?

  Thinking back to the way she’d helped him after Mike had seen Diana cheating, Mike knew he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t start the relationship on a lie. Even if it might not be a lie. It seemed like one to him.

  With a sigh, Mike spoke, “I have something to tell you, but I don’t think you’ll believe it.”

  “Oh?” Beth asked. Her face fell, and Mike’s stomach plummeted.

  Had he made a mistake?

  There was only one to find out.

  “So, you’re Mike? The guy upstairs?”

  “Yeah.”

  “The one living with the beauty queen?”

  Mike flushed. “I wouldn’t go that far, but yeah.”

  Beth gave Mike a look that had him flushing even more. Okay, maybe Diana was gorgeous.

  Beth looked away. “That’s a lot to take in.”

  “I know. It was a lot for me to believe, and it happened to me! I understand if you don’t believe me though.”

  “Oh, I believe you.”

  Mike blinked. “You do?”

  “Yeah, you know everything that, er, happened with us. Either this is the most elaborate hoax I’ve ever heard of, and for a reason I can’t even begin to comprehend, or you’re telling the truth.” Beth shrugged. “I prefer to think you’re telling the truth.”

  “Oh. Thank you.”

  Beth smiled. “It’s still crazy.”

  “Very.”

  “You’ve tried to get your body back?”

  “Uh, sort of. I’ve read the diaries which are categorical in their denial that it’s possible. Though even the first one didn’t understand the curse.”

  Beth took a deep breath. “I wonder if you could find someone, a witch maybe? A magician? Someone who knows magic?”

  “I’ve never even heard of such a thing.”

  “Yeah. There’s that stage magician. Stupendous Stu or something, he’s playing over at the Bently Theater.”

  “Isn’t that sold out?”

  Beth bit her lip. “True. Also, he’s a stage magician, so it’s unlikely he’d have a clue how real magic works.”

  “Yeah.” Mike shifted in his seat. Beth seemed more understanding then he’d thought. What did that mean for them? Since honesty had worked well so far…

  “So, where does this leave us?”

  Beth smiled. “Us?”

  “Uh, I mean, well. I like you,” Mike blurted out.

  Beth blushed and looked away. “You date a woman with the curves of a centerfold and the beauty of supermodel, you’re inhabiting a body that stacks up even better, and you like me? I have trouble believing that.”

  “You helped me when I needed it. You’re adorable, and I happen to think you compare favorably to Diana.”

  Beth’s face turned redder. “You can’t mean that.”

  “I do. I really do,” Mike said as earnestly as he could. He needed her to believe it.

  “What about your revenge?” Beth asked.

  Mike sat back. Unsure what the sudden change in topics meant. “I’m not sure. I-I feel like I should do something.”

  Beth sighed. “I do understand. I’ve been there.”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry it happened to you.”

  She shrugged. “It was some time ago.” A grin split Beth’s face. “I didn’t go to quite the extreme’s you did switching bodies and trying to seduce her new lover, but I did make sure she caught me with another man.”

  “Did it help?” Mike asked while trying to ignore the flush of embarrassment. It’s not like he’d tried to swap bodies. And the hints that Beth was bisexual were helpful. That gave him hope that if he did manage to get his body back he might have a chance.

  “For a little bit? Yeah. I guess. Long run? Not so much. It was just a night of good sex.” Beth grinned, though it looked a little forced. “I did pick my vengeance date well.”

  Mike laughed. “I don’t know. Maybe I should give up? But it also feels like if I do, I’ll be leaving something behind.”

  “I understand. Really.” Beth reached across and touched Mike’s hand. “Can I see the books you’re talking about?”

  The swift change of topics left Mike’s head spinning again, but he nodded.

  As they left, Beth didn’t let go of his hand, and Mike felt a burden lifting from his shoulders.

  Flushed and sweaty, Mike kissed Beth where they snuggled on the couch. His hands traced her arms and shoulders through the blouse Beth wore. They’d been making out for hours, and Mike’s body hurt he was so aroused, yet he didn’t want to rush anything.

  Beth’s pale face showed her own arousal, or at least that’s how Mike interpreted the redness that hadn’t left in some time.

  Should I try to move
on to the next step?

  Before he could consider it further, Beth pulled back. “I have to go,” she said breathlessly.

  “Go?” Mike asked, caught off guard.

  “Yeah.” Beth panted. Licked her swollen lips. Looked away. “I-uh, have an early morning.”

  “Oh.”

  “It’s not you.” Beth paused. “Okay, it’s you. I mean, you have so much on your plate I’m not sure what’s going to happen. I’m open to open relationships, but this is more complicated.”

  “Open relationships?”

  Beth shrugged. “I think we can give more love than to one person. Though it would make things convoluted.” Beth shook her head. “That’s off-topic. I’d like to get to know you more before we go further.”

  “I’m okay with that,” Mike said, half surprised he meant it.

  Beth smiled. “I was sort of hoping you’d say you wanted me right now, there’s a good chance I would have fallen into your arms.”

  Mike slapped his forehead. “Cock blocked again! Wait. I don’t have a cock anymore.”

  Beth giggled, leaned in for another kiss, which Mike provided with glee.

  Long.

  Soft.

  Which started another round of making out, before Beth pulled away, straightened her rumpled blouse and ducked her head. “You make this hard.”

  “That’s what I used to say.”

  They looked at each other and broke down in giggles.

  “Thank you, Beth. Seriously. I know I have a lot of shit going on in my life right now, but I hope we can get to know each other better.”

  “Me too, Mike.”

  Mike blinked. Frowned. Then slowly smiled. “I like it. Mike. I wonder if I should change my official name?”

  “Probably see how long you’ll keep the body first.”

  “Hm? I’m sort of stuck with it according to the books.”

  “Not exactly. You could seduce a cheater. Chad for example.”

  Mike leaned back on his sofa. Chad’s body. There was something he hadn’t thought of. That powerful, sexy body? Damn. He’d considered fucking Chad to get back at Diana, but if he mentioned swapping with him could he get Chad’s body?

  Beth grinned. “I wouldn’t be averse to spending some time with that body.”

  “You’re attracted to men?”

  “And women. I’m easy.”

  “Not that easy.”

  Beth winked. “Got to keep your attention. But seriously, be careful with who you fuck. You don’t know when you’ll swap, and that might be something you want to control.”

  “Yeah. Good point. Veronica implied there was more to it, and the books seem to say I’d have to tell the men I’m with the truth in order to swap. But I’ll still be careful.” Mike paused. “Can I see you again?”

  “Call me in a week or two. When you’ve decided what you’re going to do.”

  “I will.”

  Beth smiled at Mike, but her face turned serious. “Don’t wait too long. I like you, I liked you as Mike, but a girl can’t wait forever.”

  Mike blushed but nodded. “I’ll not keep you waiting. Too long.”

  After Beth left, Mike stripped off the jeans he’d worn. His fingers dove into his slick slit, finding his clit and rubbing circles.

  With his other hand, he squeezed a nipple.

  It didn’t take long until his body quaked in pleasure. Nothing like the sex with men or even the arousal Beth had induced that had led to Mike masturbating, but he’d needed something.

  The couch was comfortable, and Mike’s body slack from pleasure. He didn’t want to move and had nowhere to go anyway.

  What am I going to do?

  The Grocery Store

  What could be more indicative of settling in than grocery shopping? Veronica’s fridge had been less than stocked when Mike had moved in. A few days of eating left him needing to make a trip to refill it.

  Oddly, his tastes hadn’t changed. Much. He couldn’t eat as much, but the things he’d liked as Mike he still wanted as Veronica. What did that say about his sexuality was something Mike decided to ignore.

  Hunger though, wasn’t something he could ignore.

  Putting on his go to outfit, jeans and a sweater, plus granny panties—fuck thongs—Mike wandered to the neighborhood grocery store. In mid-afternoon, it was packed with shoppers.

  I should have gone in the morning, Mike thought. Being an introvert sucked when approaching crowds. Though it wasn’t like he had to interact with anyone. He could even skip the cashier and use self-checkout if he really wanted to.

  A night spent thinking about his conversation with Beth hadn’t left him in any better position as far as his life went. A big part of him still yearned for vengeance. Fine, maybe Mike hadn’t been the perfect boyfriend, but he’d treated Diana with honesty and respect. He hadn’t deserved the shock of walking in on his girlfriend fucking another man.

  Had he?

  No! He hadn’t damn it.

  Lost in thought, Mike didn’t notice the obstacle in his path until he smashed his cart into the poor guy.

  “Oh my god!” Mike said, hurrying around his cart. He hadn’t knocked the guy over. Nor had knocking him over been a danger. The guy towered over Mike with broad shoulders and a muscular build. Short of Chad’s ripped body, the man looked more like he worked in a heavy lifting career rather than that he worked out.

  I’m a cave woman! I keep knocking into men.

  “Are you okay?” Mike skidded to a stop on the smooth floor.

  The man was rubbing his thigh where Mike had smacked into him.

  “Fine,” the man said with a laugh. “I’ve been hit by worse.”

  Mike ran a hand through his hair. “I’m just so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention, and I should have been!”

  Waving Mike off, the man smiled. “Really, it’s alright. Nothing’s broken.”

  “Broken,” Mike groaned.

  The man laughed. “If you feel that bad, let me take you out to dinner, and we’ll call it even.”

  Mike blinked. He examined the man more closely. Handsome. Built. Suddenly Mike’s pulse raced. Yeah. He could see himself beneath this guy. Or over him.

  Is that all my life is? A series of fucks?

  Mike opened his mouth to say no but paused. While there had been flirting and some heavy making out, nothing had been promised with Beth. Sort of the opposite. She’d insisted he get it out of his system. Now she’d meant revenge, but Mike still wasn’t confident in his ability to land Chad.

  Another practice session might not hurt.

  The throbbing pleasure in Mike’s midsection sealed the deal.

  Mike grinned. “I think I can do that.”

  “Coffee or wine?” Jeff asked.

  Mike’s lips flickered. Coffee would keep this late would keep him up all night. Which seemed perfect to him.

  “Coffee,” Mike said. Plus, he liked having control. He still wasn’t sure how much his body influenced his thoughts, adding alcohol to the mix, even wine, didn’t seem like a good idea.

  “Black or cream?” Jeff asked as he walked over to his kitchen.

  “A little sugar if you don’t mind,” Mike said.

  Dinner had been lovely. Mike found it easier to keep his dates talking rather than talk about himself. Especially given he wasn’t sure what to say about himself. Oh, by the way, I am only literally trapped in this body, probably wouldn’t go over well.

  Jeff had been happy to talk about himself. His successful business. Somehow, it hadn’t come across as arrogant or worse, narcissistic. Just idle chat from a man happy to answer questions from a beautiful woman.

  Mike blushed. Talk about arrogant. The looks Mike got just walking in a store or along the street swelled his ego. He knew that. He’d never been the recipient of such gazes as Mike. But as Veronica, people looked. Stared. And it fed a need Mike never even knew he had.

  And there was no use denying that the Veronica body was terrific. Curvy and beautiful, Mike tu
rned heads. From what he’d read, the effect went back thousands of years with the various Veronicas having little trouble with men. Some few had lived dozens of years before tiring of the life and seducing a taken man.

  Immortality. There was a problem Mike hadn’t considered. Who would? But the books had implied that even the most accepting of the previous inhabitants of his new body had eventually succumbed to the need to move on.

  What about Beth? If Mike pursued a relationship, a real one not just the fucking around he’d done so far, how would that work with Mike never aging? He bit his lip. An immortal life didn’t seem so grand after all.

  Mike shook his head. Maybe amid a date with a man wasn’t the best time to be considering a life with Beth. And he’d only been on one date with her! Planning their life together was a bit premature.

  Jeff returned with two cups of steaming coffee, which he placed on the coffee table and settled in beside Mike on the couch.

  “I had fun tonight,” he said.

  “So did I.”

  Jeff scooted closer. “I hope the night isn’t over?” he said in a husky voice.

  “I wouldn’t be here if I thought it was.”

  Placing an arm around Mike, Jeff pulled him closer and they kissed. I guess the coffee is going to get cold, Mike thought before giving himself over to the pleasures of his body.

  And pleasures they were. He couldn’t deny that. It was like being given another chance at first times. He could remember his first fumbling lovemaking with an early girlfriend. The fear and excitement mixing. Was he doing it right? Would she like it?

  But after time, that faded. Being in a new body brought all that back with a rush and constantly finding new partners enhanced even that rush. For the first time, Mike thought he could understand people who didn’t settle into relationships. The energy of a new partner just overwhelmed thought.

  And Jeff might have been the best kisser of the bunch. With the noted exception of Beth, but her being a woman and someone Mike thought he might like to have a relationship with, changed things. Made it hard to compare.

  Not that he wanted to compare her to others.

  Jeff started out slow. Not uncertain, just a gentle exploration of Mike’s lips. Mike responded hesitantly. He wasn’t sure where Jeff was going. The others had been so much more forceful. That had made the sex easier.