Page 17 of Rhythm and Rapture (Behind the Lens #5)
Chapter Twelve
The red light on Monty's video camera blinks to life, and something inside me shifts like tectonic plates realigning.
The nervous energy that's been thrumming under my skin since I walked into this room—hell, since I agreed to this shoot—dissolves like sodium in water, replaced by the familiar confidence that comes with stepping into my element.
This is my laboratory. These are my experimental conditions. I am in control.
I take a deep breath, feeling the comfortable restriction of my lingerie, the empowering height of my heels, the weight of the lab coat across my shoulders like armor.
When I move to the lab table, it's with the fluid grace I've perfected over months of streaming—each gesture deliberate, each step calculated for maximum impact.
"Good evening, my curious little molecules," I begin, my voice dropping into that warm, authoritative tone that's become my signature.
"Welcome to a very special edition of The Hidden Chemist, where tonight we're exploring one of the most fascinating aspects of human biochemistry—the physiological responses that occur during attraction and arousal. "
I glance toward Roman, Ash, and Felix, who are positioned just outside the main camera frame, waiting for their cue to join the experiment.
The masks have transformed them into something mythical—three dark figures radiating different energies but united in their focus on me.
Roman stands perfectly still, his intensity palpable even from several feet away.
Ash shifts his weight in a rhythm only he can hear, his fingers tapping against his thigh.
Felix watches with the patience of a hunter, cataloging every movement I make.
They're watching me with an intensity that should be distracting, but instead it feeds into my performance, adding an edge of authentic anticipation to my explanation. My skin prickles with awareness, and I know the monitors would show elevated readings if I was wearing them yet.
My hands move with practiced precision as I gesture to the various instruments on the table. I pick up a tablet displaying heart rate monitoring software, angling it so the camera can capture the screen.
"What you're about to witness is a live demonstration of the scientific method applied to human sexual response," I continue, my professor voice in full effect.
"We'll be measuring autonomic nervous system reactions—heart rate variability, galvanic skin response, pupil dilation—to document how the body responds to different types of stimuli. "
"The human body's response to attraction begins at the neurochemical level," I say, moving around the table with the confidence of someone completely in their element.
I pick up a molecular model, manipulating it as I speak.
"When we encounter stimuli that our brain categorizes as sexually appealing, the hypothalamus—our body's master regulator—releases a cascade of hormones. "
I set down the model and pick up a marker, turning to the whiteboard. As I write, my lab coat shifts, revealing glimpses of red lace and skin. It's calculated, like everything else, but knowing I'm being watched by three men who flew across the country just to be here adds weight to every movement.
"First comes dopamine," I write the formula as I speak, "our reward neurotransmitter.
This is what creates the sensation of pleasure, the drive to pursue more stimulation.
" I add an arrow to the next formula. "Then norepinephrine, which increases heart rate and triggers the fight-or-flight response—though in this case, we're hoping for neither fighting nor fleeing. "
A soft chuckle from Ash makes me smile as I continue writing. "And finally, phenylethylamine—the love drug. This is what creates that walking-on-air feeling, the sense that the world has suddenly become more vivid."
I turn back to face the camera, noting how all three men have shifted slightly closer during my explanation. The magnetism between us is almost visible, like heat shimmer rising from hot asphalt.
“These chemicals create the physiological sensations we associate with desire," I continue, attaching the heart rate monitor to my wrist with practiced efficiency. The device immediately displays my baseline readings on the tablet.
I attach additional sensors—one at my throat to measure pulse, another at my temple for skin temperature. Each application is deliberate, almost ritualistic. This is what I do. This is who I am when the cameras are rolling and the lab coat gives me permission to be brilliant without apology.
"Now, for those following along at home," I say, adding a small smile that my regular viewers will recognize as my 'about to get interesting' expression, "you'll notice I'm establishing a baseline before introducing any variables.
As you can see, my current heart rate is seventy-two beats per minute.
Skin conductance is at baseline levels. These measurements will serve as our control group for comparison.
This is crucial for accurate data collection.My eyes find Roman through his mask.
"In any experiment, you need to understand your starting conditions before you can measure change. "
Felix tilts his head slightly, and I know he's cataloging my methodology, appreciating the structure I'm building. Ash is practically vibrating with anticipation, his fingers now drumming a complex rhythm against his leg.
"The interesting aspect of today's experiment," I continue, my voice gaining that slightly conspiratorial tone that always makes my audience lean in closer, "is that we'll be testing how different approaches to the same stimulus—in this case, me—produce varying physiological responses.
Think of it as a comparative study in applied human chemistry. "
I move back to the center of the lab table, positioning myself where all three cameras can capture different angles.
"In traditional arousal studies, researchers focus on single-variable changes.
But real-world attraction rarely involves isolated stimuli.
It's a complex interaction of visual, auditory, tactile, and even olfactory inputs. "
My hand gestures become more animated as I warm to the topic—this is the part I love, where science meets sensuality.
"Tonight, we're going to explore how three different types of energy—three different approaches to creating arousal—affect a subject who has no previous experimental data for comparison. "
I pause, letting that sink in. The admission hangs in the air like ozone after lightning.
"Before we continue," I say, meeting Chad's camera lens directly, "I should clarify something for our audience.
When I say 'no previous experimental data,' I mean that literally.
As I've mentioned in previous streams, my understanding of human sexual response has been purely theoretical.
Tonight's experiment represents my first practical application of this knowledge. "
The tablet in my hand shows my heart rate has increased to eighty-five beats per minute just from saying the words out loud. The monitors don't lie—my body is already responding to the anticipation.
"Gentlemen," I say, gesturing for them to join me at the table. "If you would take your positions, please."
They move into frame with surprising natural ease, as if they've done this before—though I know from their paperwork this is their first time in this kind of production.
Roman positions himself directly across from me, his presence immediately commanding even though he hasn't said a word.
Red crystals catch the light as he tilts his head, studying me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.
Ash takes the position to my right, already reaching for one of the prop beakers with characteristic curiosity. "Is this actually hydrochloric acid?" he asks, reading the label.
"Colored water," I admit with a small smile. "Though I do have actual chemicals in the locked cabinet if we need them for demonstration purposes."
"Please don't give him access to actual acids," Felix says dryly, moving to my left. He studies the equipment setup with the same methodical attention he probably gives to his bass tuning. "He once tried to make his drumsticks glow in the dark using household chemicals."
"It would have worked if the proportions had been right," Ash protests.
"You melted the sticks."
"Details."
Their banter breaks some of the tension, and I find myself genuinely laughing. This is what the camera will capture—not just the clinical explanation of arousal, but the actual chemistry between four people discovering each other.
"Meet our research assistants," I say, addressing the camera but unable to keep the warmth out of my voice. My regular audience will definitely notice the difference—I'm usually cordial but distant with guest performers. This feels different. More real.
"Each one represents a different elemental variable in our experiment," I continue, moving slightly so I can gesture to each of them in turn.
"Carbon—the foundation of all organic chemistry.
Strong, stable, forming bonds that are nearly impossible to break.
In our experiment, he represents intensity—direct, focused, unwavering attention.
The type of arousal that comes from feeling truly seen by another person. "
Roman's eyes darken beneath the black satin, and he takes a deliberate step closer. My skin flushes in response, and I know the monitors are capturing every physiological change.
"Mercury—the only metal that's liquid at room temperature. Fluid, unpredictable, impossible to contain. He represents spontaneity—playful, unexpected, the kind of energy that keeps the nervous system guessing. Arousal through surprise and delight."