Practice to Deceive (AKA Housesitting) excerpt: dressing for success

Practice to Deceive (AKA Housesitting) tells the story of Billy, a young teenager who has an unusual obsession: he likes to cross dress... as his mother. When Billy is left alone for a week, a realistic mask and his uncanny disguise skills allow him to actually become his target - but even while exploring a double life, Billy is still a teenager with teenage responsibilities.

In this excerpt, having completed his transformation into Linda once more, Billy begins to dress for a meeting with Kate's parents.

Remember, by reading this excerpt you may spoil yourself for the final novel.



“Time to get dressed, Mrs Merrill,” he said as himself. “You’ve got an appointment to keep.”

He picked up the corset first of all, pulling it tight around him and squeezing him down to Linda’s size. Over that he pulled on his bodyshaper, ensuring every line beneath his clothing would be smooth. Then it was time for his outfit.

He’d thought carefully about what he might wear when going to meet Kate’s parents. Part of him wanted to use his ‘Linda at the mall’ look; the casual housewife, the non-threatening female. Another part of him wanted to dress to impress, however. While he didn’t want to seem like he was coming for a cocktail party, he still wanted to show Mr and Mrs Finch that Linda was successful in her chosen career, and that she had no regrets at all.

That meant a business-like look. He picked up what he’d selected; a knock-off black designer jacket and charcoal pencil skirt, which would go over a shimmering, cyan colored blouse. He dropped the blouse over his head first, examining the fit in the mirror. It was slightly tight over his false breasts, and for a moment he wondered if his measurements were incorrect - then he realized it was more likely that Linda just preferred her blouses a little more form fitting.

With the blouse in place he stepped into the pencil skirt and pulled it up to his waist. It was soft and stretchy, conforming to his - or rather Linda’s - hips and waistline and falling just above his knees. It was paired with the jacket, which he shrugged into. He couldn’t find the button he needed to close it for a moment, but then discovered it was ‘hidden’ on the inside of the jacket, granting the wearer a very sleek look when closed.

Finally he picked up the pumps he’d selected; black leather, with an ‘almond toe’, according to the box he’d found them in. The heels were relatively restrained at just over three and a half inches, so Billy confidently slipped each foot inside and walked to the bathroom.

It was always good to see yourself in a new mirror, he thought. Especially when the person in the mirror wasn’t you.

Linda looked back at him, touching her hair, ensuring it was perfect. Her makeup was flawless as always, her lips matching her nails. She picked up a perfume bottle and dabbed a little at her neck, her wrists. Some lint had gathered at the shoulder of her jacket, and she brushed it away, then turned slightly, admiring the fit. She gave one complete turn and came back smiling at herself. “Well Billy, here we are again,” she said to him.

“You’re looking great, mom,” Billy’s voice said.

“Why thank you,” Linda replied. She took a step back from the mirror and ran her hands down her sides, smoothing out her skirt. “This seems like quite a reasonable outfit to meet Mr and Mrs Finch in, don’t you think?” Billy nodded. “Thanks for picking out. You really have great taste.”

“I learned from the best,” Billy said.

“Although I’ll admit,” Linda continued, leaning close to the mirror and puckering her lips for a moment, “I really did like the outfit I wore with Mike the other night. Do you remember?” Billy nodded again. “That black bustier… those long, long leather gloves. Mmm. And of course, those thigh-high, incredibly tight boots, over kinky fishnets, of all things.”

She paused and raised one hand to her face. It was shaking slightly. She looked at it and grinned. “Do you know how much you turn me on when you dress me up, Billy?” Her hand pressed against her cheek, then slowly descended, running over her jacket and down between her legs. She gasped as she touched herself. “I think you do know. I think you know, and that’s why you do it to me.”

“I know,” Billy said. “I absolutely know.”

She closed her eyes, and pulled her hand away from herself, placing it on the bathroom countertop. She put her other hand there too, just to be safe, then took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

“I’ve got an appointment to keep,” Linda said quietly. “And I really shouldn’t be late. Or… exhausted.”
She looked at herself again and grinned. “Don’t worry, you can seduce me later,” she said.

Practice to Deceive (AKA Housesitting) is now available.