ATasteofParis Read Online Free Page A

twice!”
    “Fuck off!” Kristian said, mock punching his friend on the arm. “So what did you do really?”
    Ryan glared.
    “What? Are you fucking serious?”
    Ryan nodded.
    “Bloody hell. Tell me everything.”
    By the time Ryan had finished relating what had happened, Kristian was dumbfounded. He drained his pint then put his glass down. “God, I knew you were a chick magnet, but that really takes the cake. At the rate you’re going, you’ll be lucky if those condoms last you until Rome, never mind until we go home again. I’d better buy a box of my own rather than relying on pinching a couple of yours. It looks as though you’re going to need every single one.”
    “Don’t worry, Kris, we’ll find a chemist at some point and you can stock up. It’s your round.” He gestured to his empty glass.
    “Same again, yeah? Shall we grab something to eat while we’re here? Are we staying here all evening or heading out somewhere else?”
    “Well, we need to get you set up with some rubbers, don’t we? So let’s eat then go out.”
    A burger and a pint each later and the men left the bar. “So,” Kristian said, “where to?”
    “Oh, just you wait. I have a very fun evening in store for you.”
    A little later, Ryan couldn’t help but smirk as they climbed the steps out of Blanche Metro station. Thanks to his little…whatever it had been with Blanche, that name would always have grin-worthy connotations for him. His smile widened as he watched his friend’s expression turn incredulous as he looked around him.
    “God, what is this, the Red Light District or something?”
    “It’s Paris’ version, I believe. This area is packed full of sex shops, strip clubs and, luckily for you, chemists. The Moulin Rouge is just up there too.”
    “Cool. So what are we doing here? Going to a strip club?”
    “Maybe later. I have something else in mind first.”
    With that, Ryan walked to the zebra crossing and waited to make absolutely sure the cars were stopping before he crossed. Parisian motorists were notorious for being insane. He looked to make sure Kristian was with him and when they got to the pavement, he turned right. He could see the sign advertising their destination and he nudged his friend and pointed.
    “What? Oh, there. We’re going to the…Musée de l’érotisme?” He paused. “ The erotic museum? God, what’s in there? Naked women on pedestals?”
    “Just wait and see. It’s a good laugh.”
    They’d been in there for less than ten minutes and already Kristian had agreed with Ryan’s comment. One of the first things they’d seen was an enormous marble phallus, and the place certainly started as it meant to go on. They pointed and sniggered their way through paintings, sculptures, models, crockery, wooden carvings and more, all featuring something sublimely smutty. Penises, vaginas—often in the act of penetration—breasts, dildos…the list went on. Through seven floors, to be exact. There was even a porno film playing on a TV on one of the floors.
    “Actually,” Kristian said as they entered an area full of paintings, “some of these are very beautiful. You know me, I’m no art buff, most of this stuff just makes me laugh. But I could actually imagine having one of these on a wall in my house. Not right now, obviously. I don’t think Mum would go for it. But when I have my own place, I’d totally have nudie paintings. It’d have to go in the bedroom though—I can’t think of anything more awkward than sitting in a living room with your family and friends with a painting of a shagging couple over the fireplace, can you?”
    “I know what you mean, mate. But all of it is really good in terms of the skill required to make it—even the funny stuff. I bet some people pass this place by because they think it’s just pure filth—which I suppose it is, in a way—but actually, for people who enjoy art, this is a fantastic museum.”
    Kristian nodded. “Definitely. And that’s