Lunchtime sex is something you should try at least once. Because if you've tried it once, I promise you, you'll want to try it again.
And there are a number of benefits...
Sex causes the brain to release small amounts of growth hormones known to have an anti-ageing effect, which can take years off your looks. It boosts the circulation, protects you from heart disease, gives you extra energy and, best of all, it doesn't cost a penny!
The only problem is working out where to have it: behind the photocopier, on top of your boss's desk and other areas of the office can be fraught with tension. Though that's not a bad thing; a little fear heightens sexual arousal, explains Dr Vernon Coleman in his book, Mind Power. According to him, if you imagine you're in a high-speed car chase and your life's endangered, your body will respond to the danger. Your heart will beat faster, your pupils will enlarge and your face will flush. All these changes are also signals which suggest a high level of arousal, and you'll therefore appear more attractive to the opposite sex.
Combine the dangers of discovery with illicit sex, and it could not only leave you looking and feeling sexy all day, but be a terrific experience – as Hilary, 32, discovered! "The best sex I ever had was when I rushed home to meet my boyfriend and spent 35 minutes making love at home. Afterwards we jumped into our separate cars and rushed back to work. The sex was explosive and I was on such a high all day, that I managed to communicate that ‘buzzy-alive' feeling to the rest of the office. I've never seen my staff so motivated!"
When sex is fun, exciting and different, it reduces stress, eases aching muscles and revitalises a flagging relationship. But be warned: if lunchtime passion leaves you in a dazed state, it's definitely not for you.Explains sex therapist Julia Cole: "Sex releases endorphins which help you relax and feel good. Sex at lunchtime could be terribly exciting and romantic. If couples book a hotel at lunchtime, they may find the experience makes them feel the way they used to when they first met."
But she warns: "Your work may suffer if your spend the morning thinking about it! However, making time for sex, and planning when you're going to do it – so long as you're flexible, and take account of your partner's moods – is one of the best ways of revitalising your sex life."
So forget lunchtime facials, massages and gym visits, and try some passion instead! Before you rush off, clutching your condoms, bear in mind that getting caught with your panties round your ankles in the stationery cupboard at work won't do your reputation much good. So how do you get away with a quickie at lunchtime without getting caught?
A number of women we spoke to recommended the following places for a midday encounter:
# "Hotels are my favourite, but this requires quite a lot of forward planning. Still, it makes a great birthday surprise!"
# "I've had sex in my office at lunchtime, but it can be pretty hair-raising. If someone knocks on your door, you have to be quiet and find some way of keeping the doors locked."
# "I've had sex in the park near the office a few times. I meet my boyfriend and we look for large bushes to squeeze behind – but it's not something you can do in winter, and it messes up your clothes!"
# "I've given my boyfriend oral sex in the office car park twice."
# "Lifts can be fun. My boyfriend used to visit my office at lunchtime and we managed to find an outside lift attached to some residential buildings, but it was all over pretty quickly. Every time I heard someone walk past, I panicked!"
# "Believe it or not, toilets are pretty good. You can lock yourself in and as long as you are careful about exiting the toilet when no-one's around, it's very private!"
Handy hints for lunchtime sex:
# Long, flowing skirts provide room to manoeuvre, particularly in tight spots like small cars, broom cupboards, under desks or shop counters, in lifts, toilets, small alleys and stationery cupboards. The extra material will also help cover up anything you don't want seen.
# Always keep a spare supply of condoms in your handbag or the glove compartment of your car. And never forget to dispose of used condoms, although that's usually the man's job.
# If you're contemplating car-sex, avoid the following no-go areas: outside football grounds, pubs, supermarket car parks and emergency phones, most of which sport hidden cameras. bear in mind that public exhibitions of sex are illegal. Also, sex in public places leaves you open to the possibility of rape if a group of men walks by. It's extremely dodgy and not recommended.
# If you must use the company car, always make sure the hand brake is on! If you've ever had to explain how you developed a suspiciously teeth-shaped rash on your neck, and thought that was difficult, explaining how you fell on someone's teeth to your local casualty department is much worse.
# Pick a place where no-one from your office is likely to go. If in doubt, book into a hotel.
# If you're still having trouble working out where and how to do it, either move closer to the office and nip home at lunchtime, or borrow a friend's flat who lives close by. Tell them you absolutely have to work out some pressing problems with your boyfriend today, or your relationship is over. It's sneaky, I know – but worth a try!
# Wear stockings rather than pantyhose, as they allow for a greater degree of access. Forget one-piece body stockings or other tricky underwear – you don't have the time.
# Finally, never handcuff your boyfriend to the car gear lever, office photocopier or hotel bed – it may seem like a good idea at the time, but it always ends in tears! * Not their real names.