chemistry lab an hour before her meeting. Her colleague, Dr. Ariel Robbins, was conducting interesting experiments with aromatherapy. In the name of research, Tori decided to look into the project. Although skeptical, she tried to keep an open mind since science proved that the olfactory sense generated the strongest impulses. As she circled the lab, she studied the array of beakers and tubes holding essential oils from a variety of botanical species. They smelled incredible. Each unique scent invoked a different reaction.
“ Victoria , don’t tell me you finally decided to participate in my study,” Ariel said.
“I’m considering it, for purely scientific reasons. Can you explain these to me?” Victoria asked. She joined the woman at the table.
Ariel sent an approving smile. “The eucalyptus improves respiration. The lavender relieves headaches, and peppermint improves concentration.” Her grin widened, and she raised her eyebrow. “And of course, they have been known to affect people in the same way as pheromones, which give them seductive qualities.”
“And all this time I thought the basis of your research was to relieve job-related stress,” Victoria countered.
“Everyone has a different way of relieving stress. Some are just more fun than others.”
Victoria wasn’t averse to the kind of fun her colleague implied. Whether she would admit it or not, she was more interested in the aphrodisiacal properties than the health benefits.
Ariel gave her a group of index cards. “These are combinations that my students have put together. They cover almost every recorded benefit for relief from respiratory aliments, hypertension, impotence, and a host of others.”
“Your students plan to give the pharmaceutical company a run for their money.”
“Don’t I wish?”
Many of the faculty thought Ariel was missing a few rungs off her double helix. She’d once worked for a large drug company, but like Victoria , she’d become disillusioned with the corporate world. Now, they called her the Love Doctor, but she took it all in stride. Female scientists needed to develop thick skin to work in the male dominated field.
After thoroughly reading about each mixture and the documented conclusion of the researcher, Victoria placed one card on the top of the pile.
“Do you mind if I try something?” Victoria asked.
“Be my guest.”
She took an empty test tube from the drawer and proceeded to fill it, one eyedropper at a time, with a combination of pure essential oils. Ariel watched over her shoulder.
“Umm … rose, patchouli, cardamom and ylang-ylang. What are you planning, woman?” she asked.
“Me?” Victoria feigned innocence. “I happen to like the smells of these. They’re so relaxing.”
“Oh, please. I know that combination off the top on my head. My students call it Love Potion #9. You’re planning a seduction.”
Her cheeks flamed with heat. “I didn’t realize,” she said and closed the card file.
“Well, don’t forget the silk scarf.”
Victoria let out a choked cough. “What?”
The older woman put an arm around her shoulder as if to take Victoria under her wing. “You still have much to learn in this field. Men are visually based. If you want him to experience the smells and taste and touch, you have to remove his most active sense.”
“Oh,” Victoria muttered. “You mean the scarf is used as a blindfold.”
She never should have come. All the scents in the world couldn’t turn her into a femme fatale in the next few hours. She obsessed over her upcoming dinner with Erik most of last night and today. All her plans might come to nothing. She wasn’t sure she would have the nerve to experiment with her erotic concoction.
“So, when is the unsuspecting soul arriving?” Ariel asked, cutting into her thoughts.
Victoria shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.” She never discussed her private life at work. “I have to get over to my office. I have a meeting with
“ Victoria , don’t tell me you finally decided to participate in my study,” Ariel said.
“I’m considering it, for purely scientific reasons. Can you explain these to me?” Victoria asked. She joined the woman at the table.
Ariel sent an approving smile. “The eucalyptus improves respiration. The lavender relieves headaches, and peppermint improves concentration.” Her grin widened, and she raised her eyebrow. “And of course, they have been known to affect people in the same way as pheromones, which give them seductive qualities.”
“And all this time I thought the basis of your research was to relieve job-related stress,” Victoria countered.
“Everyone has a different way of relieving stress. Some are just more fun than others.”
Victoria wasn’t averse to the kind of fun her colleague implied. Whether she would admit it or not, she was more interested in the aphrodisiacal properties than the health benefits.
Ariel gave her a group of index cards. “These are combinations that my students have put together. They cover almost every recorded benefit for relief from respiratory aliments, hypertension, impotence, and a host of others.”
“Your students plan to give the pharmaceutical company a run for their money.”
“Don’t I wish?”
Many of the faculty thought Ariel was missing a few rungs off her double helix. She’d once worked for a large drug company, but like Victoria , she’d become disillusioned with the corporate world. Now, they called her the Love Doctor, but she took it all in stride. Female scientists needed to develop thick skin to work in the male dominated field.
After thoroughly reading about each mixture and the documented conclusion of the researcher, Victoria placed one card on the top of the pile.
“Do you mind if I try something?” Victoria asked.
“Be my guest.”
She took an empty test tube from the drawer and proceeded to fill it, one eyedropper at a time, with a combination of pure essential oils. Ariel watched over her shoulder.
“Umm … rose, patchouli, cardamom and ylang-ylang. What are you planning, woman?” she asked.
“Me?” Victoria feigned innocence. “I happen to like the smells of these. They’re so relaxing.”
“Oh, please. I know that combination off the top on my head. My students call it Love Potion #9. You’re planning a seduction.”
Her cheeks flamed with heat. “I didn’t realize,” she said and closed the card file.
“Well, don’t forget the silk scarf.”
Victoria let out a choked cough. “What?”
The older woman put an arm around her shoulder as if to take Victoria under her wing. “You still have much to learn in this field. Men are visually based. If you want him to experience the smells and taste and touch, you have to remove his most active sense.”
“Oh,” Victoria muttered. “You mean the scarf is used as a blindfold.”
She never should have come. All the scents in the world couldn’t turn her into a femme fatale in the next few hours. She obsessed over her upcoming dinner with Erik most of last night and today. All her plans might come to nothing. She wasn’t sure she would have the nerve to experiment with her erotic concoction.
“So, when is the unsuspecting soul arriving?” Ariel asked, cutting into her thoughts.
Victoria shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.” She never discussed her private life at work. “I have to get over to my office. I have a meeting with
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