Rush

by Antoinette W. May

Daniel DeLuca is caught between two worlds. By day, he’s the disciplined billionaire CFO of Dark Desires, an exclusive club built on pleasure and power. By night, he becomes Justice, a masked street fighter chasing the thrill of danger to silence the chaos inside himself.

Kresta knows better than to fall for men like Daniel. He’s her boss, a notorious playboy, and everything she swore she’d never touch after clawing her way out of a childhood defined by chaos. But one reckless night a year ago shattered her rules. And she’s never forgotten the way he made her feel.

Now, their chemistry burns hotter than ever, and when Kresta uncovers Daniel’s secret life, the line between control and surrender blurs. Because behind the mask, she might find the one man bold enough to tempt her into losing herself completely… and the one she’s most afraid to love.

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

Reviews

[Jorja In Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does Daniel and Kresta Justice

⚠️ POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING ⚠️

Daniel… oh Daniel.
Did I know you were hot? Yes.
Did I know you were rich? Also yes.
Did I know you rode a motorbike? No.
Did I know you were a fighter? I had my suspicions.

But performing on club night? Boy. Get. It.

Antoinette May, how do you expect me to continue living my life normally after giving this man those kinds of skills? Because respectfully… I cannot.

This instalment of Dark Desires shifts focus onto Daniel and Kresta and honestly? I loved the parallel between them. Just two people both feeling disconnected from their lives in different ways. Their chemistry worked so well because underneath it all, they genuinely understood each other.

But let’s address the real star of the show here: Justice.

Kresta being all hot and bothered by the masked fighter while trying to ignore Daniel had me kicking my feet.

Her jealousy during club night? Absolute perfection. Then following that up with angry/makeup spice over a kitchen counter and suddenly I’m unwell.

Also, can we please take a moment to appreciate that Cam doing paramedic things still leaves me requiring medical attention?

Now for my tiny frustrations (and they are tiny): I was expecting a little more (maybe public) spice from our duo. Also some of my favourite characters took more than a back seat, they weren't even in the car (Annika, please continue meddling in everyone’s lives forever). The rival fighter/villain subplot had great tension lurking in the background, but the resolution felt quick and quite extreme once it happened.

ALSO THE ONE-SIDED I LOVE YOU??? Antoinette. Come on!

Meanwhile Connell and Annika continue to slow burn me directly into the grave. At this point you two either need to kiss or start contributing to my therapy bills.

Final thoughts:
- Justice can fight for me anytime
- Masked motorbike spice? A million times yes
- Jealousy looks good on Kresta
- Daniel owes me an “I love you”
- Cam in paramedic mode remains a public health hazard
- Dante speaking French? Très bien (Manifesting spicy time with Declan at some point because those two have a vibe)

Final rating: A date with a billionaire playboy at a family-owned Italian restaurant.

[Kaylene Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back at Dark Desires for the 3rd book in this series. This book we are exploring the relationship between Daniel and Kresta.

Daniel is the co-owner of the clubs and handles the 2
Sydney locations. He is a loner who loves nothing more than danger in the form of fast cars and fast bikes. And he also carries a secret life.

Kresta, as we know works in the Brisbane club and is well established at making men (and women’s) fantasies come true. But what about her fantasies?? Is she able to connect to anyone after her past??

Kresta isn’t very impressed with Daniel. She sees him as a billionaire play boy (not to mention
her boss) and nothing more. Nothing like his brother at all.

Then one night they are paired together in a demo for the Brisbane clients. And from that day things change for the both of them. Neither one can get the other out of their head.

From that night forward they continue to torture each other by denying their feelings for each other, which is easy as Daniel is in Sydney. Until one night Kresta inadvertently stumbles upon Daniel’s secret ….

They try hard to avoid the clear attraction but eventually they give in to simple lust.

Can there be more than that though?? With the distance between them, the secrets they both keep and the unexpected danger they face in the form of one of Daniel’s associates can they make this work?

Do they just keeping risking it for the sex or do they take a chance on love??

The push pull of these two is electric.
The vibes they give off to each other are nothing short of flammable. They both clearly want each other.

The angst of their want of each other was hot and while the sex was a hot fiery component I felt this book went a little deeper emotionally than the others and I loved that.

Always fun to see the other characters too and how they actually help Kresta and Daniel figure out their emotions to go an get what they want

5 ⭐️
4🌶️

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooo if you like your romance dark, addictive, and just a little bit unhinged, then Rush by Antoinette W. May is about to RUIN you (in the best way). 😜

I fell into the dark desires series from the novella and now I am truely a fan!!!!


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — and honestly, I’d give it more if I could.
This book?? Absolutely feral energy. The tension is OFF THE CHARTS, the chemistry is illegal in at least 3 countries!!!


And listen…
she crawls to him… SAY. LESS. 🫠


You already know this isn’t a “read in public without consequences” situation.
This is a privacy screen on your eReader, side-eyeing strangers on the train, pretending you’re just reading something wholesome kind of book 🤣


But it’s not just spice — the story pulls you in deep. The characters are messy, intense, and impossible not to obsess over.

Every interaction feels charged, every moment feels like it could explode, and I was eating up every second of it.


Tropes you’ll devour like Daniel devours Kresta… :

Dark romance ❤️‍🔥
Possessive / obsessive love interest
Power dynamics
“Touch her and you’re done” energy
High tension, slow-burn payoff
Morally grey characters
Addictive, angst-filled connection
Masked men



If you’ve been following the Dark Desires series, this one delivers EVERYTHING.
If you haven’t started yet… what are you doing??


Just… maybe don’t read this one in public unless you’re ready to explain yourself 🤩🤩🤩😆😆

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rush is the third instalment in the Dark Desires series, and while this series is known for its spice, this story felt the most grounded and emotionally real to me.

This is Daniel and Kresta’s story, and what stood out most were the quieter, more human moments. Watching Kresta come to understand who Daniel is beneath the playboy exterior added a depth that really stayed with me. There’s a softness in those layers being revealed that balanced the intensity of the story.

Kresta’s own journey also felt meaningful. As she reflects on her life and where she’s headed, her connection with Daniel begins to shift in ways that feel both unexpected and honest. That internal exploration added another layer to the story that I really appreciated.

In earlier books, we see how characters are drawn into the world of Dark Desires and how they navigate it. In Rush, the story expands beyond that setting, bringing in a more raw, human element that made the emotional stakes feel stronger and more relatable.

Each book in this series feels like it builds on the last, and I found myself enjoying this one even more because of that growth. I’m genuinely grateful to be back in this world and to see it continue to evolve.

I received this book as an ARC, however, this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings, shared voluntarily.

[Taryn Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Book Review!📚

RUSH! Oh gosh, how i loved you! Rush is the 3rd book in the Dark Desires series and follows the stories of "Billionaire Playboy" Daniel De Luca and Sex Worker and Psychology student Kresta Thomas. 💚💚

Daniel and Kresta were introduced in the previous books, but remained enigmas. It was amazing getting to know them and their stories during Rush.💚💚

Rush is more than a spicy read, the characters are easy to relate to and the character development and growth keeps you hooked and hanging for more

If you love plot with your smut, Rush and the Dark Desires series is 💯% for you!

For me, I give it 5 stars 🌟

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Plot is *Chefs Kiss* 👌💋

Characters in their 30's!!

I absolutely loved the Spotify play list for Rush, I highly recommend reading along to it 🔥

I cannot wait for the next book (I'm REALLY hoping it's Annika's story!!)

Tropes:
💥 Black Cat energy FMC
💥 Enemies to Lovers
💥 Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine
💥 Masked MMA fighter/Biker
💥 Workplace romance
💥 Found Family
💥 Open relationship

[Smut Cartel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because behind the mask, she might find the one man bold enough to tempt her into losing herself completely.

As much as I’ve enjoyed every book in this series, I think this one might actually be my favourite. There is something about Daniel and Kresta’s story that had me completely hooked. The tension between them runs right through the book and had me on edge the whole time.

My favourite quotes from the book, completely out of context:

“Seriously, why don’t you just go over there and pee on him? Mark your territory.”
“She covers my hand at her throat with her own, applying pressure, urging me to squeeze as she holds my gaze.”
“Sure… and it’s got nothing to do with needing to do something about the way our boss just edged you.”
“Maybe I’ve decided to make you beg for it instead.”

Tropes:
• Masked MMA fighter
• Billionaire MMC
• Workplace romance
• Black cat FMC
• Sports bike rider

[Jocylena Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, let’s break it down…

Rush The character personalities and growth felt so real and relatable, and I loved watching Krista and Dante evolve, not just individually, but together. Their connection had depth, tension, and that kind of emotional pull that keeps you turning pages.

My heart is finally starting to move on from Sebastian and Lilly, and this couple made that transition worth it. The club itself feels like this beautifully chaotic family of misfits, you can’t help but feel like you’d belong right there with them.

And let’s talk about “Justice”… the masked man energy? Absolutely addictive.

Antionette W. has a way of writing that makes you feel like you’re inside the scene, experiencing everything alongside the characters. The detail, the emotion, the atmosphere, it all just hits.

Definitely one of my go to authors, and this book just proved why.

[Tash F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you @allisonaandrews_antoinettewmay for providing me with the opportunity to read this as an ARC read. To say I eat this up is an understatement. Even with my girls having the plague, I read this in one day. My mind is still blown how the author can write the third instalment of this series, which is based around Australian’s most exclusive and private sex club and it be full of smut but is so tastefully written at the same time. In this book, we finally get Daniel and Krista story. We get a deep insight to Daniel, the other brother, the younger of the DeLuca man. Rich Billionaire by day, masked MMA fighter at night. Don’t forget our strong, black cat FMC, Krista. We get to learn why she is the way she is and see her succeed in life. Now I’ll sit in the corner and patiently wait for the next instalment.

[Billie-Jean H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antionette May firstly I find it very rude that you would make it so hard to choose a De Luca brother. Daniel is as delicious as Sebastian in a whole different flavour.

This is the third book in the dark desires series and all of our favourites are back but this time we focus on Kresta and Daniel. I adored the chemistry between these two once it got going and it was well and truely along for the ride.

The book is fast paced and easy to read. It feels like there is a little less spice in this book than previous one but the level of chillies sits firmly at a 3.5 or 4 depending on your preferences.

It was a little formulaic as these interconnected stand-alone a tend to be but for those who enjoy a misunderstood billionaire and a sassy woman who judges him too quickly and then falls as he proves her wrong this is for you.

[Amanda Milne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antoinette is such an amazing author! Her storyline in the Rush book was so involved with various storyline and fabulous characters.
The storyline is based on Daniel who runs an exclusive club and Krest who is one of his employees. They connected once and didn't see each other for 2 years. But once they met each other again, their bond was too strong to not explore it.

What I enjoyed about this book was the respectful way of the employee's work was written, the spice was off the richter scale 🔥🔥🔥🔥and the characters had complex backgrounds but were explained so well with their emotions on display.

I am now off to read the other books in the series! Antoinette, please keep on writing as you have such a talent!!!

[Paige Seach Sorrenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early Review
5⭐️
2.5🌶️

Thank you Allison for this early copy. I think this may be my favourite one yet. This is book 3 in the dark desires series and this book follows Kresta and Daniel. After one steamy night where Daniel fills in to do the club night demonstration, the two just can’t get enough of each other and no one else can scratch that itch.

I loved seeing more of Daniel and getting more of his experience of their family background. Fast cars, faster motorbikes and an illegal fighting ring, there’s so much more to Daniel Deluca.

Kresta, personally I feel like she came across quite judgmental and considering her job and upbringing I found that a bit sad but could also understand why she hides her heart behind a wall of ice.

[TheBoozyBookDragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

DAMN @allisonaandrews_antoinettewmay BACK AT IT AGAIN WOTH ANOTHER AMAZING BOOK!!
Rush is the third book in the Dark Desires series and is just as brilliant if not more so than the previous two and is my favourite of them all!
Daniel (MMC) and Kresta (FMC) are my favourite couple out of all the book (so far) and I think that’s because while they still are just as involved with the running of Dark Desires (The club) I feel there was more of a story outside of the club which I fuxking loved!
Even though this book has less spicy scenes than the previous two the ones that were included hit the spot in the little smut loving heart!
If you love masked MMC, black cat FMC, workplace romance and loads of other tropes that will make you kick your feet and squeal this one is for you!!

[Monique Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC review
I went into this as my first read in the Dark Desires series, and it definitely made me curious about the earlier books.
Daniel was a standout for me. I loved getting a deeper look into his background and the duality of his life. The mix of high-powered business, underground fighting, and his inner conflict added great depth to his character.
The chemistry between Daniel and Kresta is intense from the start and carries strongly throughout. While I didn’t fully connect with Kresta at times, I could still understand how her past shaped her guarded nature.
Overall, this was a steamy, fast-paced read with plenty of tension and intrigue. I’m keen to go back and see where it all began.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, here we go, book 3 in one of the HOTTEST series I've ever read.

Firstly, I adore anything billionaire. I love to see my FMC queens spoiled beyond their wildest dreams both in bed and out of it.

Daniel is a total package, I love an MMC who can get his hands "dirty", who has a fun and serious side, and who will move mountains for what's his. We love a powerful king 🙌

Our FMC Kresta is the goddess we all have within us, strong, confident and sensual AF. An absolute queen and I loved seeing her soft side come out. That authentic vulnerability wins me over every time.

Together, the chemistry is nuclear, the heat is boiling, and the saga that is the Dark Desires collection lives on.

Legit can't wait to see what's next 🙌

[Chantelle Bensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you Allison Andrews for another wonderful spicy and great written book.

After one spicy night together they can't get each other off their minds. One he is my boss but also a Billionaire playboy with a peter pan complex.
Being quick to judge the other, time passes by before they encounter each other again but there is definitely some chemistry.

There are plenty of secrets that haven't been told in years. This book will expose some of them. Following main characters Daniel DeLuca and Kresta Thomas as they go through some great character development as well of mentions of the rest of the crew at dark desires.

[mistys_bookobsession · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rush - Book three in the Dark Desires Series

I was addicted to this book from Chapter one and honestly couldn't put it down.

The connection between Daniel and Kresta knocked the breath out of me. They have both have pasts that traumatic and watching the open up and overcome their trauma was amazing to experience.
The quiet moments they shared together were one of my favourite things in this book. Their banter and tension was spot on. All I can say is I'm in love with this book and series.

If you like a dark romance, masked sex club, fast cars/bikes with a group of misfits (sex workers) who are slightly unhinged, opinionated and overprotective but are your family, then you definitely need to read this series.

[Heidi Lauper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Imogen and Cam, and Sebastian and Lily but Daniel and Kresta? They're even better! This book rocked my world!

Rush delves back into the world of Dark Desires. It is beautifully spicy with the best tropes- masked man, boss/employee and more. Rush also gives greater insight into the younger years of Daniel and Sebastian.

Daniel's past is about to catch up with him, what kind of future is he going to choose?

I cannot recommend this highly enough- thank you for the ARC and all thoughts are my own.

[Hayley Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to choose between the two brothers books

I loved Sebastian book but Daniel blew me away with the book
It was raw and emotional.

The spice had melting and craving more with each page i turned. It was beautifuly written and has left me wanting more from the world of dark desires

Krista and Daniels connection was raw and beautiful and had enough tension to light the place of fire.

It had me hooked from the very start to the end.

Thankyou for allowing me to be an arc reader and I can wait for more.

[Jill McBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for giving me this as an ARC read!

holy cow 🥵🥵 you want some spice? this book has it! and it actually has a plot and not a sex! im still blown away by this book. im not one to give away the whole plot during a review bc I feel it ruins it (for me anyways) but if you want trauma bonding, hot billionaire boss who does MMA fighting secretly, a spicy FMC and so much more this book is for you!

[Jen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️. I read this book in one sitting. I got swept up in Daniel and Kresta and before I knew it, the book was over. I loved them. I enjoyed this quick read and holy moly was it spicy. I loved the shmex club and the raw passion showed there. I loved how free and liberal everyone was. I loved the friendships and the snark. I can’t wait to read more in this series.

[Danyelle Zank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the series. Daniel is definitely my favorite brother the way he holds himself and treats everyone around him is just amazing. The way he learns to understand his own emotions and tries to always put others first just goes to show how his messes up childhood can make you into someone you needed as a child.

[Teagan Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast, filthy, and impossible to put down. Rush delivers secret sex club intrigue, sharp character growth, and a badass FMC who owns every page she’s on. Kresta is a vibe. Dark, addictive, emotionally messy—and those trauma-forged bonds hit hard. I ate this up.

[Jamie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot and smut? Yes! Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book. Loved it!

[Ruby-May Eccles · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book that will ruin your sleep schedule and leave you blushing at 2am… this is your sign 🔥📖

I picked up this indie gem not knowing what to expect and WOW. The chemistry? Absolutely electric. The tension builds so perfectly that every glance, every touch feels like it’s charged. And when it finally delivers… let’s just say it does NOT hold back.

But what really surprised me was the depth. Beneath all that spice is a story that actually hooks you! It’s messy with so much emotion, real stakes, and characters you can’t stop thinking about long after you’ve finished.

Indie authors are seriously out here creating magic, and this book is proof. If you’re ready for something a little daring, a little addictive, and impossible to put down… go read it 👀

Trust me, you’ll be thinking about this one for a while.