TirzahsAllure

by Gabriella Bradley

  Cain’s heart did a somersault as he gazed at a mirror image of himself dressed in a business suit, every inch the gentleman. The man stopped and stood very still, staring at Cain in return.

  Cain finally calmed down enough and took a step toward the man, then another. “Duncan?”

  The man didn’t utter a sound. He stood as if nailed to the street, his face as if hewn out of granite. Cain walked toward him and stood very close. “You are Duncan?” If the man didn’t say something soon, Cain’s emotions would get the better of him. This was his brother, his twin. He’d never been so sure of anything in his life.

  The briefcase fell to the street. Arms reached out and enveloped him in a bear hug so tight he could hardly breathe. Duncan stepped back and reached for Cain’s face. Large hands, just like his, gripped him on either side of his face. Cain gazed at the face just inches from his own, at the tears that ran unheeded down Duncan’s cheeks. “Brother,” he said softly. “My brother.” Cain felt his own eyes fill and could merely nod. Another bear hug.

  Some passersby looked at them curiously. One couple even stood still and took a picture of the two men. Duncan finally stepped back. “How? I mean…you found me, but how did you know? You were just a baby. You couldn’t have remembered me. And how did you know I’d be going to this building? I live in Portland.”

  Cain smiled. “I know. You have an appointment. You’re late for it.”

  “The hell with the appointment.” Duncan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and pushed a button. “Mr. Sanders? This is Duncan Carlisle. I’m so sorry, but a family emergency has surfaced and I can’t make it. Can we reschedule? Sure, I’ll call you tomorrow then. Thank you.”

  “I’m sorry. Maybe I should have waited until after your interview.”

  “This is more important. There are other jobs. Let me look at you. Man, brother, it’s like looking in a mirror. We have to tell Mother. Let me call her.”

  “No, not yet. How about we go for lunch and we can talk first?”

  “Good plan. Your car or mine?”

  “Mine, I guess. I know Los Angeles. I lived here until some months ago. I know a great place.” Cain noticed even their voices were the same.

  “Tell you what. I can’t leave my car here. You drive and I’ll follow you.”

  Cain nodded, although he was almost afraid Duncan would disappear.

  “Don’t worry. Now that you’ve found me, I’ll never let you out of my sight,” Duncan said and slapped him on the back. “Go, brother. Lead the way.”

  Cain drove off, constantly glancing at the rearview mirror, but Duncan was right behind him. If another car squeezed between, Duncan managed to somehow get behind Cain again. His heart was still pounding against his ribs, his stomach in knots, but now from all the emotion coursing through his body. It was a miracle. A miracle he’d thought could never happen. A miracle that only happened in a movie, not in real life.

  He pulled into the parking lot of his favorite restaurant and parked. Duncan parked a few cars down. Before joining Cain, he took off his tie and jacket and threw them into the car. Walking up to him, he threw an arm around Cain’s shoulders.

  “I can hardly believe it, brother. Am I dreaming this?”

  “I don’t think we’re dreaming. It’s real. Unless we’re both having the same dream and you’re an extension of myself?” Cain said.

  “Hardly. Harry, our mother will be beside herself.”

  “Cain, please, if you don’t mind? I don’t feel like a Harry. I’ve been Cain my whole life. So my last name is Carlisle?” Cain asked as the hostess led them to a table for two.

  “That’s what it says on your birth certificate, brother. Man that sounds so good. Not that we don’t have other brothers. Our parents were very productive. But I always felt half of me was missing. That half was you. Now tell me. Where have you been all these years?”

  Cain talked for quite a while, telling Duncan everything about himself. “Then I moved to Los Angeles.”

  “So you lived in Portland all those years and never heard us at all? I can hardly believe it. Father and Mother searched and searched, reported you missing to the police. Our parents went to every orphanage and came up empty. There were posters everywhere. It was on the news, but nothing. And there you were, in Portland all along. How soon were you put in foster care?”

  “From what I was told, almost right away. People jump at the chance to take in a baby.”

  “But no one ever adopted you.”

  “No. My first foster parents couldn’t keep me, so I went to another, and then another. I never really had parents or a regular home. It wasn’t an easy childhood and I was a troubled teenager. I harbored a lot of bitterness toward the mother who had abandoned me.”

  “I can understand that. But you turned out just fine. Where do you live now, brother?”

  “On Alishura Island.

  “Never heard of it, but what’s strange, it’s the name of the planet our parents are from.”

  “It’s a private island. I bought it and named it after the planet.”

  “Wow. That must have cost a bundle. But how did you know about Alishura?”

  “It wasn’t cheap. But that’s a whole other story. Did your parents ever tell you about the war between the white cats and the black cats?”

  “You know about that?”

  “Yes. The black cats disappeared, according to legend. It was thought they either fought amongst each other and that’s how they died off, or they left the planet. I live with a group of white cats.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “And that’s another long tale. I’m actually here to pick up supplies and should go and do that and head back soon. I wish—”

  “Can I go with you?” Duncan interrupted.

  Cain’s heart skipped a few beats. Duncan had uttered what he was about to say. “What about your interview?”

  “I didn’t make another appointment. This is so much more important. I want to know everything.”

  “Yes, come with me. That’s if you don’t mind shopping first?”

  “Lead the way. Let me call Mom to tell her I won’t be back for a few days. She worries.”

  “Please don’t say anything yet? Just meeting you is a lot to absorb. Meeting my parents, that will be even more overwhelming.”

  He waited while Duncan called his mother and hoped he would keep his word, not to say anything yet. “Mom? No, I didn’t get the job. I’ll be staying in Los Angeles for a bit. Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry. Love you, too.”

  “She really doesn’t like the idea of me moving away.”

  “I know. I heard your whole conversation this morning.”

  “So your telepathic abilities have only just kicked in, huh. We don’t mindspeak that often. Only when it’s necessary.”

  “Yes, just recently. Let me pay the bill and we’ll get the shopping done first. We can talk more while we fly to the island.”

  By the time they arrived on Alishur Island, it was almost dark. Cain had phoned when they got close so there would be men available to unload.

  After landing, Cain led Duncan to the Jeep. “Man, this is Heaven,” Duncan said as he gazed at his surroundings, then got into the Jeep.

  “You haven’t seen anything yet.” He pulled up near their cabin and Tirzah came flying out.

  “Cain, I’m so glad you’re home. I was getting worried,” she said, holding his face and kissing him all over. He gently peeled her away from him and turned her.

  “Honey, I’d like you to meet someone.”

  “So this is your beautiful wife. Hello, Tirzah. I’m Duncan, your brother-in-law.”

  “Cain?” She looked up at him and he saw the wonderment in her eyes. He nodded. “Yes. I found him. I’ll tell you all about it after we have dinner.”

  “It’s surely a miracle. And you are exactly alike. If you weren’t wearing different clothes, I wouldn’t be able to tell you apart. Welcome, Duncan. I’m so happy for Cain. For you,
too, of course. Let’s eat first and then we can talk.”

  Cain and Duncan followed Tirzah. The men sat at the table while Tirzah busied herself getting their meals. “She’s beautiful, absolutely stunning, brother. Is there another one of her?”

  Cain grinned. “Afraid not. There’s only one Tirzah.”

  Tirzah set laden platters on the table, then their plates and cutlery. “Wine, Cain?”

  “Yes, please. Duncan?”

  “Please.”

  Was it his imagination, or did Tirzah look at Duncan in exactly the same manner as she’d looked at him when they first met. A pang of jealousy shot through him, momentarily overshadowing his happiness. Then he got angry at himself. This, besides mating with Tirzah, was the second happiest day of his life. Duncan was his double, an extension of himself. Of course, Tirzah would look at Duncan the same as she looked at him. But at the same time, he couldn’t help feeling a little troubled by it, especially when he recalled an earlier conversation where she’d mentioned she would only consider having two mates if there was another one of him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  They talked until the wee hours of the morning before Cain looked at his watch, pushed his chair back, and stood. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m exhausted suddenly. I think we should get some sleep. Tomorrow is another day.”

  “I’m pretty tired, too,” Duncan said.

  “I’ll show you where your room is, bro. You can use my clothes in the morning. I doubt you’ll want to wear your suit here.”

  Before Duncan entered his room, he embraced Cain. “Goodnight, brother. See you in a few hours.”

  Cain went to the master bedroom to find Tirzah already in bed, almost asleep. “You’re tired, too, honey. Isn’t this all too fantastic to be true? It’s like a story in a movie. I’m afraid if I go to sleep, I’ll wake up in the morning to find out it was all a dream.” He crawled in beside her and took her into his arms.

  Tirzah kissed him, groped for his cock, but he gently pushed her hand away. “I can’t sweetheart. Not with my brother in the next bedroom.”

  “That’s silly. We can be quiet.”

  “But I don’t feel horny right now. I’m too wound up about everything that happened today.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I can help you come if you really need to.”

  “It’s okay. I should be more understanding. Goodnight, my love.”

  She kissed him and cuddled into him, then fell asleep almost immediately. Her need couldn’t have been that great. Maybe she was insecure because suddenly his attention focused on a brother instead of completely on her. He pulled her tighter against him. The last thing he wanted was for Tirzah to feel hurt or neglected.

  It took a while for his heart to settle and the adrenaline to calm, but finally he dozed off.

  * * * *

  “Cain? You up already?” Tirzah turned from the stove, wound her arms around her husband’s neck and kissed him. To her surprise, he grabbed her and held her tightly against his body. His erection pressed into her stomach. “You were so tired last night, I thought you’d sleep until noon. Honey, I’m trying to cook breakfast.”

  She kissed him again, only to find her lips claimed in a kiss that defied all other kisses. It was as if he needed to still a hunger deep within. She gave in to the kiss, relished his sweet tongue as it explored her mouth and sucked hard suddenly. Her crotch dampened, her juices flowed. If he didn’t stop, she’d turn off the stove and do him right there, in the kitchen.

  “You’re so goddamn beautiful,” he murmured against her lips, then kissed her face, her nose, her forehead, and nibbled on her ear lobe.

  “You’re horny this morning,” she murmured, relishing his hands on her breasts. Her clit throbbed, her pussy ached for wanting him. “Let me get your breakfast ready and then—”

  “I’m not being fair,” he murmured as he claimed her lips again.

  She wrenched away. “What do you mean?” Their lips were still touching.

  “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you.”

  “And I with you. You know that.”

  “I can’t do this. Not now. Not ever.”

  “What do you mean?” Wriggling out of his arms, she stepped back and looked up at him.

  “I’m Duncan.”

  “You’re not. I would know.”

  “Apparently not. I’m Duncan. Cain is still asleep. I snuck quietly into the bedroom to get some of his clothes. He didn’t wake.”

  “Oh, my God!” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I didn’t really do this. Did I?”

  “You did. And so did I. But I wasn’t being fair to you. I allowed you to believe I was Cain because I longed to taste your sweet lips, to hold you in my arms.”

  She took a step forward and raising her arm, slapped him hard. “How dare you take advantage of me like this. When I tell Cain—”

  “Tirzah, please don’t? I’m so thankful I found Harry. If you tell him what I did, it will drive a wedge between us before we’ve even begun to know each other. I didn’t expect to fall head over heels in love with his wife. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me?”

  “I’m not sure I can. I just lost all respect for you.”

  “I’m so sorry, I truly am. Please—”

  “What’s all the noise in here?” Cain joined them, his hair tousled and wearing just his boxer shorts. He sent Duncan a big grin. “Morning, brother. You been romancing my wife? Hi, sweetheart. Breakfast smells good.”

  Tirzah felt his arms around her. To her disgust, the arms didn’t feel any different from the ones that had held her before. What should she do? Tell him? Spoil his happiness at finding his brother?

  Duncan sat at the table while Cain stood behind her, his arms still around her. She flipped a pancake and concentrated on the eggs—or tried to. Her heart was in turmoil. How could she ever separate the two men, or worse, how could she have feelings for both of them? Sure, some of the women in their group had two husbands. But she wasn’t sure Cain would ever allow that—it was completely foreign to anything he’d known. Duncan would leave and go back to wherever it was he lived and her problem would be gone, she decided.

  Cain kissed her on top of her head and joined Duncan at the table. “How did you sleep?”

  “Like a baby. It’s very quiet here.”

  “And very clean. You know, when I woke up, I was thinking for a while. We have need of a person here with medical knowledge. You’re jobless, how about joining us? I heard our mother mention that maybe she and our father should buy a cabin in the mountains to get away from civilization. They could live here, too.”

  “And what would I do for money? I have to earn a living.”

  “You don’t need money here. There is plenty in the bank account for all of us.”

  “Cain, if Duncan feels he needs to live in America, that’s his choice,” Tirzah added to the conversation.

  “Your offer is very tempting. Before we talk more, you need to meet your parents—our parents.”

  “Now that you know everything, I’d like to do that as soon as possible. I can’t wait to meet my mother and my father.”

  Tirzah’s heart turned to mush when she heard his words. How could she ever tell him what his brother had done that morning? And did she even mind what Duncan had done? Remembering his lips on hers caused her pussy to ache, her clit to throb. For a moment, she visualized both brothers making love to her and it set her on fire. It took all her willpower to douse it.

  “Don’t you need to go to the mainland to order equipment and buy farm animals, Cain? Maybe you can make a day of it and go meet your parents. If they really want to retire and escape, I’m sure the elders will welcome them.”

  “Are you sure of that, Tirzah?” Duncan asked. “After all, the black cats were not very popular with the white cats on Alishur.”

  “That’s ancient history. We’ve all evolved,” Tirzah said. “We live on Earth now. Different laws, different rulers, an
d we may be the only shifters on the planet. There won’t be any hassle about who has dominion over what. Cain bought the island. That makes him the ruler here. Simple as that.”

  “I’m no fucking ruler,” Cain said with a growl. “I merely set everything up. Your elders will do the ruling. I’m merely the financial officer.”

  “Cain. We still have so much to sort out.”

  “Okay, so we’ll do that. What do you think, Duncan? We’ll go and order the equipment we need and buy farm animals, and from there we’ll go to Portland.”

  “How will you get all that to the island?”

  “It’ll be delivered. The same way they delivered the vehicles. Via sea.”

  “Okay. But I should call—”

  “My mother? Father? No, please don’t. Let it be a surprise.”

  “And kill them?”

  “We don’t die easily. I want to remember the expression on my mother’s face when she first sees me. If she knows I’m coming, then she’ll fret over how to act.”

  Duncan hesitated. “Harry, I don’t know if—”

  “Cain. And yes, that’s the way I would like to do it. Please allow me that privilege?”

  Tirzah interjected. “I understand what he’s saying. If I imagine myself in his mother’s position and knew my long lost child would face me soon, I’d be worrying on how to act, how will he react to me, what should I do and say, all those things. Should I embrace him, or just wait to see what he does.”

  “Okay, I’ll go along with that. I guess,” Duncan said, but still seemed unsure.

  “We’ll need to leave as soon as we’ve had breakfast,” Cain told him. “And we need to return the cars.”

  “Right. So we fly to Los Angeles first?”

  “Yes. Then we’ll fly from there to Portland. Do you have a vehicle there?”

  “Yes. It’s parked at the airport.”

  “Good.”

  Tirzah served them their breakfast. They ate fast, conversation minimal while they ate. She kept glancing from man to man, wondering what the future held. Each time her gaze met Duncan’s, she felt the same thrill course through her body that she felt for Cain. How could she ever come to terms with that? And worse, Cain had invited Duncan to live on the island with them. When they returned, she needed to tell him the truth, confide her feelings to him. Could he accept sharing her with another mate? With his brother?