“Don’t tell me how to drive.”

“You’re speeding and haven’t used your damn signal one damn time.”

“I’ll pull over. Want me to fucking pull over?”

“No, superstar, by all means drive it like you stole it so we make it to the damn community picnic on time.”

A red light comes into view and I slam on the brakes, sending Oren sailing a bit forward; the seatbelt locks and I giggle.

“Again, would you like to drive, Officer?”

“Nope, sexy teacher.” He reaches over and kisses the side of my head. “Just slow down.”

“Don’t tell me how to drive,” I grit out with a fake smile.

“So, your dad sponsors this?”

“He’s one of the main businesses that does. It’s an annual thing.”

“Barbecue, fireworks, beer, you know all the typical shit for the Fourth of July.”

“And your tiny red shorts and tight-ass flag tank top?”

“That’s tradition, too; Scout and I always get them at Old Navy.”

“Olivia, slow down.”

“Oren, do not tell me how to fucking drive,” I yell each word.

When drive leaves my mouth the back of the car is lit up with red and blue lights and then the lovely sound of a cop’s siren goes off.

“Shit.” I hit the steering wheel with my hand and look over to Oren, who crosses his arms over his chest and sends me a sideways look. “Shut up, Oren, just shut up.”

“I didn’t say a word, Jeff Gordon.”

I’d never admit it to him, but every single part of my body shivers in nerves, my heart races out of control, and I begin panicking. This will be my fourth speeding ticket and my father will flip his freakin’ lid. Oh, that’s right, I’m still on daddy’s insurance

“What’s the rush?” I look over to an officer leaning in the window. He looks familiar, but I can’t quite place him.

“Sorry, Officer, didn’t realize I was speeding.”

“You were going seventy in a marked fifty-five.”

“Oh really, that fast?” I feign as much innocence as humanly possible.

Oren clears his throat, then the officer ducks his head a bit more to see him.

“Sup, man?” the officer chirps out.

“Just going to the community shin-dig.”

“Beats working, eh? Miss patrolling with ya, man.”

And freakin’ bingo, I place his face. It’s Oren’s old partner, which between the two of them quickly built a reputation around town of being hard asses. Tommy has even given his own grandma a speeding ticket. I have no chance of getting out of this one.

He quickly looks back to me and in his best police officer voice. You know the one meant to scare the shit out of you and put the fear of God in you, so you never speed again? Clearly has never worked out in my case.

“License, registration, and insurance.”

I pluck my license from my wallet and then reach over to the glove box to get the registration and insurance. I make sure to let my boobs bounce on Oren’s knee just trying to convince tough cop to get me out of this. I wiggle my way deeper into the glove box to grab the registration. Letting my girls massage the top of his knee.

“Got an itch?” Oren asks when I sit up.

I’m desperate. I even give him the puppy dog eyes, but he sits there with his arms crossed over his chest.

“I’ll be right back, ma’am. Let me go run these.”

Once the officer is in his car and out of earshot, I turn to Oren. “Help me. My dad is going to kill me.”

“I told you to slow your ass down.”

“Blah, blah, blah…that’s old news. Please?” I whine.

“I hope you get a ticket. I’d slap you with one.”

“Butthole.” I whap his shoulder.

A passing car lays on their horn as they pass and of course it’s fucking Scout who will beat me to the park, tell my dad about the ticket and get Ruby’s famous cherry pie.

“Stupid cops,” I mumble.

“Alright, ma’am, you’ll need to have this paid by the end of the month. I’m citing you for speeding. The fine is one hundred ninety dollars and if you’d like to contest here’s the information for that.” He points to each section of the ticket.

“Yeah, I’m going to really protest it with Mr. Hardass sitting here next to me.”

“Just doing my job.”

“Happy Fourth of July,” I reply, trying to be polite.

“See ya buddy.” He waves to Oren.

“Take care, man and stay safe tonight.” Waves.

It’s the first time he’s uncrossed his arms.

“You are mean,” I blurt out, turning to him.

“You do know that’s the guy who’s ticketed his own grandma and kindergarten teacher. It didn’t matter if I was sitting here and…”

“Shut-it, I know you said to slow down, but I even rubbed my boobies on your kneecaps and you didn’t say one word to help me out.”

I throw the papers back into the glove box.

“Yes, I did, Olivia.”

“Oh, really?”

“I told you to slow your ass down.”

“That was before…” And then the lightbulb goes off. “You knew he was patrolling out here, didn’t you?”

“Like I said, I told you to slow down.”

“My whole life is ruined. Scout’s told my dad by now and snagged Ruby’s famous cherry pie. She only brings one each year and now I won’t get a piece, not even a morsel.”

Oren laughs. The asshole has the courage to laugh.

“It’s not funny. My life is ruined and I’m not driving.” I throw the keys at his chest.

“C’mon, Olivia, don’t you think you’re being a bit over dramatic.”

“No, I’m a girl who likes the best cherry pie on Earth on the Fourth of July and you ruined that.”

The asshole only laughs harder and louder at me.

“I’m not driving.” I climb over into his lap and face him, my arms crossed.

“You better get your ass over in that seat and drive before he comes back around and tickets you again.”

“No.”

“My, my, Olivia, I do believe I’m seeing your first fit.”

“Yep. And you know what, since I don’t get any pie then I’ll have my dessert here.”

I drag my tank over my head and toss it in the driver’s seat, leaving me in my bikini top.

“Olivia.”

“Are you warning me again, Officer?”

“You’re going to get us in trouble, missy.”

“I don’t care. I wanted pie and got a ticket.”

It only takes moments for Oren’s hands to grip on my ass, tugging me closer to him.

“You think you need something, Olivia?”

I nod my head, rubbing our noses together, and then grind my hips into him. Oren sneaks his fingers down the front of my shorts.

“Mmmm. I’m still mad at you for not getting me out of that ticket.”

“Maybe this will help you forgive me?”

He winds his hand into my hair and fists a clump of it, tugging my head back. His lips kiss the flesh on my exposed neck. I flex my hips into his hand, splaying across my tender parts, just begging him to enter me.

“Oren,” I whimper out, moving my hips faster.

His teeth bite down on my skin and that’s when he enters me with two fingers while his thumb swirls my sensitive bud. Holy shit, I had no idea how amped up I was. My hips move faster and with each push I move closer to the O.

“Next time I tell you to slow down you better listen.” Oren’s hand freezes inside of me.

“Oren, don’t stop.”

“Did you hear me?”

I move my hips in a panic, not wanting to lose any of the built-up sensation.

“Yes and yes Officer, I’ll never speed again. Please, Oren.”

I don’t even think I was this whiny when begging for a My Little Pony as a kid. I need him and I need this damn O since I won’t be getting any damn pie. Oren begins playing me again like a fine-tuned instrument. The need and want build right back up in me and it only takes seconds for it to burst inside of me.

His name rolls of my tongue in a shout as I ride out the O until my body has soaked up every single delicious sensation of it.

Cop lights flash as the officer passes us again.

“I don’t even care if I get another ticket right now.”

Oren’s deep chuckle tickles my neck. “C’mon, I’ll drive.

We untangle our bodies, then Oren rounds the car and drives the rest of the way to Oskar Lakes. I melt back into the seat, watching him from the corner of my eye, and still find myself in shock that he’s mine. He’s so damn sexy in his button up shirt. He always rolls his sleeves up to his elbows.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks me as he turns into the park.

“That I can’t believe a man as sexy as you likes me.”

“I’m one lucky man. That’s all I can say. Love you, Olivia.”

“Love you, too. Are you ready for an epic Fourth of July barbecue minus cherry pie?”

He gets out of the car, rounds it quickly, opens my door, and pulls me from the car. “The Fourth is my favorite holiday and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, Olivia, cherry pie or not.”

He whirls me around in his arms and positions his phone to take a selfie. Standing in his arms, I feel beautiful. Every inch of my skin glows. He takes a couple.

“Hey selfie-whore one more,” I tell him.

He aims the camera at us again. I turn and kiss his cheek before he snaps it and freezes. We take several more until we are lip locked and he’s still snapping away.

“Olivia.” Scout’s mom runs up to us out of breath. “Did you pick up the hotdog buns?”

“Oh shit. Just kidding. Yeah, we got them.”

“Where do they need to go?” Oren asks. “I’ll grab them.”

Scout’s mom gives Oren the instructions and they fade into the masses. I can see Oren for a while because of the towering stack of buns he’s packing and the poor man has three more trips.

“Here, baby.” I grab my sleeping dog and put on his cute Fourth of July outfit and then harness him and grab his doggy diaper bag.

Dad always has a tent sent up for us to find shade and relax. Several vendors are set up with drinks and sweet treats. Dad and a couple other businesses supply a free meal to the community. It’s nothing fancy, just hotdogs and burgers, but Dad loves doing it. I swear he lives for this damn event.

“Olivia.” I turn to see him in his apron flipping burgers.

“Hey Pops.” I wrap him in a big hug.

“So, did Oren get you out of a ticket?”

“It’s a long story.”

Dad chuckles. “Our tent is set up over there.”

“Okay, let Oren know too please.”

And just like every single year, Dad has tables and chairs set up under the tent with coolers stocked with ice-cold drinks.

“Hey Diesel.”

“Olivia.”

He’s a man of very few words, but working his ass for Dad. He may love cars as much or more than Dad. Diesel’s a good-looking guy too with dark hair and blue eyes. Tattoos cover both of his arms. He definitely has the bad boy appeal.

Arms wrap around the back of me and I know it’s Oren from the scent of his cologne.

“God, you look so sexy in those damn shorts.”

“Thanks, baby.”

“This place is crazy. I swear I ran into half your students.”

“Oh yeah, the whole town comes out for it. Can you tie Pedro to something? The little bastard will take off if you don’t.”

“Got it.”

“I’m going to get our stuff settled,” I say while shaking my butt to a Lady Gaga song blaring from the stage.

Oren ties the end of Pedro’s cord to one of the legs on the tent, but makes sure it’s long enough so he can jump up in his lap. I watch Oren snag a beer from the cooler and then settle into one of the chairs.

“Hey, I’m Oren.” He extends his hand to Diesel.

“Diesel.”

I stare at the two, comparing them and realizing they couldn’t be any different. Bad boy and Mr. All-American.

“Hey, you have that Shelby, right?” Diesel asks.

I swear to God Oren puffs his chest out, nods his head, and then takes a long pull from his beer.

“I am going to puke.” I turn to see Scout walking up to me. “I am either going to puke or shit myself.”

Both men turn around and for the first time in the history of Scout, she blushes with embarrassment and tries to play it off.

“Too much pie?” Oren asks. “I had to hear about it the whole damn drive.”

Both men go back to conversing.

“You could’ve given me a signal, bitch,” Scout hisses.

“Oh because I knew what you were going to say and anyhow, when do you ever give a shit about what you say?”

“Olivia, don’t say shit. I really think my butthole is going to prolapse. I gobbled down that whole fucker before you got here,” she whispers.

“Serves you right!”

“It’s worth it. You won last year and I got you back. No cherry pie for you.”

Scout lays on a blanket, clutching her belly, and moaning every so often. The rest of us eat and enjoy each other’s company. Dad finally joins us smelling like a greasy burger. I’m in awe how well everyone is getting along. Oren and I have taken a few walks around the lake with Pedro and even ran into Kane. He dragged me out to the dance floor and made me do the damn chicken dance with him, which nearly gave me a heat stroke.

So, we’re all back under the tent cooling off and waiting for the night sky to settle for the fireworks.

“Officer O’Brien.” A new voice catches all of our attention. “Sorry to interrupt you.”

“No problem.” Oren stands up.

“Do you remember me?”

“I do. Ruby right?” He nods his head. “How are you feeling?”

“Healing quite nicely. You know that wreck was something awful and you were so nice to me, keeping me calm.”

“No worries.”

“Leo, get over here.” Ruby turns and yells, startling all of us.

Her little husband comes scurrying up carrying a box. Holy shit, it can’t be! Oh my hell, he’s carrying a pie.

“I’m known around these parts for my pies, especially the cherry one. I’d like to give one to you for being such a great officer.”

I leap from my chair to dry hump Oren’s leg.

“That’s awful kind of you. My girlfriend here is quite obsessed with your cherry pie.”

That just sounded totally wrong.

“Oh yes, Miss Olivia.” Ruby smiles proudly.

As soon as Ruby and Leo leave, I leap up into Oren’s arm.

“Oh my God, I love you. I love you.”

Then I hop down, snag the pie, and grab a fork.

“Olivia, please.” Scout tries to use her pathetic puppy dog eyes on me.

“Not a chance, whore.”

I slide the fork through the perfect flaky crust oozing right down into the filling. When the first taste hits my lips, I moan like I’ve never moaned before, closing my eyes and all.

I swallow the first bite and then announce, “It’s so damn good. I just had an orgasm in my mouth.”

Dad turns to Diesel. “Told you they’re a bunch of freaks.”

Oren straddles the picnic table facing me, pulling my legs up onto his. “Do I get to taste this cherry pie?”

I nod, scooping him up a big tasty bite and then feed it to him.

“You also get my cherry pie later tonight too, baby.”

Oren clutches the back of my neck, dragging me to him. His lips taste like cherry and I devour them as the first set of fireworks go off in the night sky.