Oops I Banged the CEO novel Chapter 147

“Can you let go of me? You’re hurting my arm,” Yvonne finally protested, poking Marico’s hand after half a minute of deadlock between them.

His hand was so tense, veins corded beneath the skin, that even a gentle poke from her fingertips felt sharp and unyielding.

Marico didn’t release her, but he did loosen his grip just a little.

He took a step up so they were side by side. “Come with me. We need to talk. In the bedroom.”

“Oh, come on. I’ve had a hell of a day—I’m exhausted and pitiful. Can’t you just let me off the hook tonight?” Yvonne’s voice softened, shifting into a plea for mercy.

She’d been looking forward to curling up with him, but right now she wanted nothing more than to sleep alone.

“I’m just going by your own words. You said we’re in sync in bed, didn’t you? I’d hate for you to miss out on the fun,” Marico shot back, a hint of annoyance in his tone as he led her by the arm toward the master bedroom.

Yvonne put up a half-hearted struggle, but since she was still on her period, she gave up the pretense and followed him with small, reluctant steps.

In all honesty, having a guy like Marico in her bed was hardly something to complain about.

The great lesson of adulthood, after all, is that love and sex don’t always have to be tangled together.

Or so Yvonne tried to convince herself—but as she lay next to him, feeling the warmth of his body and listening to the steady beat of his heart, she knew she was lying. If she claimed it was just about physical chemistry, even she wouldn’t believe herself.

She tucked those thoughts away for now. Who knew how long this would last, anyway?

They settled into bed, side by side, breathing evenly in what looked like a peaceful, intimate tableau. Both pretended to be asleep.

About ten minutes passed before Marico finally broke the silence. “Yvonne, repeat what you said in the bathroom earlier. I want to hear it again.”

In the dim light, Yvonne cracked open one eye, glanced at him, then quickly squeezed her eyes shut, feigning sleep.

Seriously? Why wasn’t he asleep yet? Was he just waiting to catch her off-guard?

“Yvonne, wake up,” Marico said, rolling over to face her. He propped his head on one hand and reached out with the other to pinch her cheek.

There was no way she’d fallen asleep that quickly—he knew her too well.

Yvonne held her ground, keeping her breathing slow and steady, refusing to respond.

“Playing dead, huh?” Marico gritted his teeth, his obsidian eyes fixed on the woman lying beside him, looking so sweet and innocent in sleep.

No matter what he did, Yvonne didn’t stir.

But Marico was nothing if not stubborn.

In the end, Yvonne gave up the act, letting out a quiet whimper as she rolled over and wrapped her arms around him, nestling her head against his chest in search of a comfortable spot.

She was soft and warm, snuggling closer, burrowing into his embrace.

Satisfied that she’d finally settled down, Marico dropped his arm, slipped it under Yvonne’s shoulders, and pulled her in a little closer.

It helped him sleep.

*

The next morning, Yvonne was jolted awake by the sound of her phone ringing.

She fumbled around, half-buried under the covers, before finally finding her phone. “Hello…” she mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

“Are you up yet? Come downstairs for breakfast.” Marico’s voice came through the phone, smooth and clear.

Yvonne gave a sleepy little hum in reply, her words muffled. “Okay…”

Just as she spoke, she heard a sharp bark on Marico’s end of the call.

Marico watched, his brow furrowing into a deep line. He set down his knife and fork, suddenly losing his appetite.

“So, did you bring her home for good, or is she going back?” Yvonne finally asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

The little puppy seemed to sense the question, burrowing into Yvonne’s arms and looking up at Marico with pleading eyes.

“The trainer said she’s smart, almost done with her lessons. She’s staying,” Marico replied, taking a sip of water with exaggerated gravity.

Yvonne, still lost in puppy bliss, didn’t notice the sour look on Marico’s face. She just cuddled Coco tighter. “That’s amazing—Coco, you’re the best little pup ever!”

“You can play with her as much as you want,” Marico said, “but after a bath or before bed, don’t touch her, and she’s not allowed upstairs. I’ll add more rules as I think of them.”

“Got it!” Yvonne scooped up Coco and carried her to the sofa, ignoring Marico completely. At that moment, her world revolved around the little dog.

Because Coco was her true companion.

Marico could only watch as Yvonne lavished all her attention on the puppy, not realizing that, thanks to this little furball, he was slowly being replaced in her heart.

Yvonne treated Coco almost like a baby—she cared for her even more attentively than she did for Marico.

She’d taken three days off, waking up early and staying up late, her whole schedule revolving around the puppy. She worried whether Coco was eating enough, or if she’d get lonely when left alone.

Whenever Marico came home, wherever Yvonne was, Coco was always in her arms.

He’d never seen Yvonne so gentle or patient—with anyone.

The first day, he tolerated it.

The second day, he bit his tongue.

By the third day… he’d had enough.