What smells turn you on?

Whenever I read a romance novel, the heroine is always very turned on by the hero’s “unique, spicy scent.” What is that anyway? Does that mean his B.O.? If so, why does she like it? Or is supposed to be that pheromone thing that makes us attracted to a potential mate?

In the book I just wrote, my heroine had a fetish for leather. She loved the way it smelled, how it felt against her skin, and she just melted every time she smelled it. Of course, in walks my hero, with his black leather boots, black belt, leather wrist cuffs (aka bracelets) and leather jacket. So, despite the fact that he is The Absolute Worst Man For Her, she can’t help but get all aflutter when she meets him.

But I was wondering if any scent had ever turned me on and I couldn’t come up with answer. So, I guess that would be no. I can’t stand men’s cologne, and the way a man smells after a garlicky meal grosses me out. So, when a heroine refers to a hero’s “own unique scent” what is she talking about anyway? Or is my nose just faulty.

And here’s another question: what smells turn you on?

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 am and is filed under Feisty's Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

6 Naughty Responses to “What smells turn you on?”

1. Jill Sorenson Says:
   October 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm

   I don’t know if a unique smell can be explained. It’s sort of like putting someone else’s gum in your mouth, or kissing for the first time. Everyone smells and tastes different.

   My husband’s neck smells pretty good.

2. Amie Says:
   October 23rd, 2008 at 4:57 pm

   I actually LOVE cologne! But not too much and it’s got to be manly smelling. None of that Effed up froo froo cologne.

   and I have no idea what that unique spicy man smell is since i can’t remember the last time I sniffed a dude.

3. Shelli Says:
   October 23rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm

   There are some colognes I like on men. Usually the more woodsy out doors scents. I love a guy who smells like the outdoors (sigh, is that why I write it so much?) But yeah, leather can do it too!

   And I so hear you on the garlic thing.

4. Mia Says:
   October 23rd, 2008 at 11:57 pm

   It’s the smell of pheromones that turns me on.

   However, when described as his “spicy man-scent,” there is something irreparably wrong with that. I’m just sayin’.

   Ew.

   Mia

5. Linda Winfree Says:
   October 24th, 2008 at 5:35 pm

   When I read “spicy man-scent”, I always equate it with sport soap. I’m guilty of using linking a spiced smell and soap on a hero.

6. Shelli Says:
   October 24th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

   Linda, me too. I think spicy soap…or Old Spice. Which I have no idea what it smells like.