Title: Impulse Caught

Author: Emily Carrington

Publisher: Changeling Press

Cover Art: Angela Knight

Genres: Contemporary, Mystery /Suspense /Intrigue, New Releases, Romance

Themes: 2nd Chance Romance, LGBTQ+ Gay, Multicultural & Interracial

Series: Marisburg Chronicles (#9)

Multiverse: Sticks & Stones (#3)

Book Length: Novella

Page Count: 76

Synopsis

Riku takes charge in bed, but will he have any control over the day-to-day decisions of a marriage?

Money and status differences challenge Riku and Theo to find a middle ground. Their passion is white-hot, but their ideas of living comfortably are at odds. As their wedding nears, driven forward by Theo’s parents’ sense of guilt, Riku feels the old urge to run.

Riku refuses to give into this impulse at first, but as the comparison between his emotional scars and the mountains of Theo’s familial expectations grow, Riku fears running will be the only less-than-honorable course left to him.

Theo isn’t blind to Riku’s struggles but he doesn’t understand what’s wrong. Each time he reaches out, Riku reaches back, yet they never quite connect. Will their need for each other overcome their differences, or will their passion be subsumed by a wave of conflicting desires?

Impulse Caught (Marisburg Chronicles 9)
Emily Carrington
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2026 Emily Carrington

Theo swallowed his discomfort, but he couldn’t help saying, “Yes, with Peter.” He wanted to make it plain that he was laying claim to Riku, who was Abe’s ex. In that moment, it didn’t matter to his heart that Abe and Riku had gone their separate ways years before Riku came into his, Theo’s, life. He half-expected Abe to say, “As well as Riku before him.” Turning away, he headed for the small dining room. “Please, come sit,” he invited reluctantly.

 

When they were both at the little table, Harvey having taken himself off somewhere else, Abe asked, his hands folded on the tabletop, “Do you need me to leave?”

 

Yes, Theo thought. You make me uncomfortable. Not that you’re rude or impolite, but you dated Riku. You loved him once. He squared his shoulders and answered aloud, “How can I help you?”

 

“I came to settle things up with Riku. I know it’s been a few months since the two of you moved out, but I wanted to clear the air. Riku’s been pressing Peter.”

 

“Pressing him?”

 

“Riku wants to pay the rent he assumes he owes us.”

 

Theo said, “I can help settle the books if that’s what’s needed.”

 

“I just wanted to tell Riku that he doesn’t need to pay us anything. Also…” He hesitated.

 

“Also, it was very strained, since both Peter and I were having trouble hiding how jealous we feel,” Theo filled in what Abe didn’t say.

 

“That too. Will you give Riku my message?”

 

“Yes.” Theo reached across the table and Abe took his proffered hand. “Thank you for your kindness. For your honesty too, Abe.”

 

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Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her website.

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