Soaped

By Suzanne D. Williams

Caught up in a world of make believe, soap opera star Sloane Krieger has forgotten who she really is. What the world sees in her television character, a lying, cheating, hateful woman, is what she's become. When up-and-coming actor, Noah Lee, is hired as her love interest, she finds in him, after hours, something she's forgotten she could be – herself. But the hardest part of her life is yet to come, and the one thing she needs to fall in love just might be the one thing she can't quite accept. Forgiveness.

 

A story of the search for truth and redemption by best-selling author, SUZANNE D. WILLIAMS.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Suzanne D. Williams
• Release date: Jan 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781524206475

Suzanne D. Williams

Best-selling author, Suzanne D. Williams, is a native Floridian, wife, mother, and photographer. She is the author of both nonfiction and fiction books. She writes a monthly column for Steves-Digicams.com on the subject of digital photography, as well as devotionals and instructional articles for various blogs. She also does graphic design for self-publishing authors. She is co-founder of THE EDGE. To learn more about what she’s doing and check out her extensive catalogue of stories, visit http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/ or link with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/suzannedwilliamsauthor.

Book preview

SUZANNE D. WILLIAMS

Feel-Good Romance

©2015 SOAPED by Suzanne D. Williams

www.feelgoodromance.com

www.suzannedwilliams.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn 3:16, author’s emphasis).

CHAPTER 1

Y ou slept with her ? You, Trace Hampton are a liar, a cheat, and I ... I ... I hate you! Her face red with the force of her words, Sloane Krieger spat her hatred through pink-glossed lips.

Beautiful, Sloane. That’s perfect. Leaning back in his chair, the director twisted around at the waist. Where’s Noah? He jabbed one finger in the direction of a slender girl in blue jeans and a black t-shirt. Go fetch Mr. Lee.

The girl ran off like a shot.

He returned his gaze forward. Do it just like that, sweetheart, then follow up with the slap. We have a new Trace Hampton today. Isn’t he lucky? A chuckle escaped and faded.

Sloane sank down onto the set couch, and immediately, a makeup artist appeared, dusting her cheeks with powder. She closed her eyes in submission. Minutes later, the artist gone, she found herself face to face with a six-foot-one, bare-chested male who had definitely spent his time at the gym.

Noah Lee, he said, offering his hand.

She smiled, weak, and rose. Sloane Krieger.

I’ve heard. Guess I’m the bad guy today. Really should have kept the pants zipped.

Places! the director shouted, interrupting. Let’s get this scene done. I have an avocado calling me.

Noah’s eyebrow arched, then calming, he backed to an arm’s length, an angry expression rising on his countenance.

Action.

He leaned in. That’s right, babe. While you were schmoozing with Eleanor over iced lattes, Caitlin and I were heating the sheets.

You slept with her? Sloane lifted her hand, fingers pressed tight. You, Trace Hampton, are a liar, a cheat, and I ... I ... I hate you. Swinging her arm, she brought it in contact with Noah’s cheek, the sound echoing on the set.

Cut. Awesome. Tomorrow, Sloane, you and Noah have make-up sex. Be here bright and early with bells on.

Oh boy.

At that comment, Sloane glanced across at the new hire. He was cute, but that wouldn’t make tomorrow’s scene less awkward. She and Ricky had the chemistry down for the characters. He knew how to push her during intimate scenes yet was totally professional. With this new guy, there was no telling how it’d come out. He might be great, or he might make things difficult. And she wasn’t sure she could take anything in her life being more difficult.

Won’t that be fun? he asked, as if reading her thoughts.

She offered what she hoped looked like a friendly smile and turned her steps for the dressing room.

He skipped to catch up. Hey ... I just wanted to say, I’m excited about playing the part. Maybe you hear that a lot.

Pausing in the crowded hallway, she met his gaze. He had nice eyes, a gentle brown, almost golden in color. On occasion, but I understand, she said. You work hard to get a part, any part, and the fact you finally have one is worth celebrating. Listen, I have to get out of this dress before I reenact the Bride’s Revenge episode.

Oh, sure thing.

He stepped back, and she returned her hurried pace toward the dressing room. Slipping in and shutting the door, she unzipped the dress, allowing it to flutter to the floor, then reached for her black slacks. Her blouse was midway over her shoulders when the door swung open again.

You are the luckiest girl on the planet. Tossing herself down on a stool, her friend, Rosy, gripped the nearby vanity table with one hand. That newbie is ten kinds of yum.

Noah?

Is that his name?

Sloane nodded. Adjusting the shoulders of her blouse, she reached toward her ear and unclasped a silver hoop. He’s taking Ricky’s spot. Seems nice. Too eager, but the new ones always are. I’m more worried about tomorrow’s scene.

You’re doing the dirty with him? Oh, how I want your job. Brushing her fiery red hair off her shoulders, Rosy straightened.

Sloane smiled and unfastened the other hoop, dropping it beside the first on the vanity counter. You say that until you’ve acted the same one two dozen times. Trust me, it loses its thrill.

I don’t believe you, refuse to believe you.

Stuffing her toes in a pair of ballet flats, Sloane hooked her purse over her shoulder. I’m pooped, going to go home and fall into bed.

No ... Rosy whined. Us girls are going out, and we wanted you to come along. If Sloane Krieger graces our table, we’ll have way better luck finding an overnight.

Sloane patted her friend’s cheek. Rosy doesn’t need an overnight.

I’m not an amoral woman, I just play one on TV, Rosy returned.

Exactly. And look at how super my life is.

Rosy hopped to her feet. Honey, your life is not super. You come to work, play your part, and go home ... alone. What’s ‘all right’ about that?

"The fact I’m not single and pregnant ... or sad and divorced. I don’t need a man to make me happy."

Rosy rolled her eyes. Opening the door, she waved Sloane through and into the hall. You only say that because you have no idea what happiness is.

Rosy’s words echoing in her brain, Sloane left her behind and headed for the exit. Her mind on peace