Janet owns them. I use them.

Warning for smut.

Chapter 25 Stress Build up

Hal was up at 0500. He was going to the gym and then to work immediately following. He walked into the kitchen. He heard moaning coming from Amanda's room. He had heard it before when she had a nightmare. He wanted to check on her. He cracked the door to check. He was not prepared for what he saw.

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She was laying naked on the bed. Taking care of matters herself. He would have gladly taken the place of the vibrator she was using on her clit. God she was hot. He instantly went hard. He knew he should not, but he watched her thrust it in to her body and pull it out again. Doing it over and over to herself. He really wanted to trade places with that toy. It was not right. He know he would never act upon it because she was still Lester's even if it was only on paper, per Lester's waiting. He made himself move on away from the door. He had a matter to tend to in the bathroom. He loved her to much to watch or act upon that scene. But that scene was etched into his memory bank.

Maybe he should not stay there any longer. Just let her be for now. Lester would be back soon. He needed to allow them every chance possible to work things out. It might kill Hal in the mean time, but it was the right thing to do.

Amanda's POV

I heard Hal in the kitchen, but I was too close to stop. I had not had an orgasm in weeks. About twenty four to be exact. I needed one. They helped to relieve my stress. I heard my door open. Hal was checking on me. I know he had done that before. I had woke from nightmares with him holding me trying to soothe me.

He did not leave when he saw what I was doing to myself. So, I did put on a bit of a show for him not intentionally but like I said, I was too close to stop. I had been so long without any dick. Hormones can be a real bitch. I would have probably let him join me. There is nothing like the real thing. Vibrators do not compare the real thing. With a muffled scream I finished myself off. Sounded like Hal was having to take care of matters himself down the hall.

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I knew he would not act because of mine and Lester's status. Whatever that was. Hal was honorable. He would stand on the sidelines and wait for a time that may never come. I could have so easily fell for him. I heard him leave my door. I stayed in the room until he left for work. I did not want him to know I saw him.

While Hal was at work I went to the shop to decorate that tree. I had finished by noon. I put the other decorations up around the office and returned to the house. I made the list of gift cards I needed. I could hang them on the tree.

The next two weeks passed quickly. Amanda had continued to work out with Stephanie and Lula. She was not seeing as much of Hal and she missed him. Woody had been staying a fair amount in Hal's place.

The ladies noticed Amanda was back to herself again. They were happy for her. On the Friday before the Christmas party the women were in the gym. "Are you still coming tomorrow night Amanda?" Lula asked. "I am. Hal had asked me to go with him, but it is probably best if I come alone." "Girl you are not going to be alone. Stephanie and I will be there." Lula pointed out.

Ranger always scrambled the cameras in the gym while the women worked out just to give them some privacy and keep the guys from ooggling. Lula noticed the red light was on. She had noticed it was on Wednesday too. The light went out. They finished, showered and left. She pulled Stephanie to the side.

"Skinny white girl, I think we were being watched in the gym today and Wednesday. I noticed the red light was on when we were in there it is always out." "Ranger always shuts them off. I am sorry they were on." Steph replied.

Amanda came back when she noticed the others were not with her. "Stephanie can you have Ranger come down here, please." "Sure what is up?" Amanda sighed. "The sensors in this building, do they hear conversations?" "I do not think so, you would need to ask Ranger. I know his office is sound proof. I will call him." Ranger showed up a few minutes later.

"What is up?" "First can others hear a conversation in other areas?" "No, just cameras only." He replied. "Ranger, someone has been in my house other than the usual. Hal, Woody or Eric. The dogs have not stopped them." "How do you know?" He asked. "Things have been moved and a gut feeling that someone has been there. I had not told any of the three my fears." She told him. "I will take care of it. Hector will be out to put cameras in at the doors. They will only see who comes in and out. They will be on the front and back doors up stairs. Then downstairs we will put them on the garage door and the door going to the pool and hot tub." "Thank you."

"Who has been staying at the house, Hal or Woody?" "Neither as of late." "Hal will be there tonight." "Thanks."

A couple hours later Hector showed up. He installed the cameras for her. "Thank you Hector." "My pleasure to help you. Are you coming tomorrow night?" She told him yes. "See you then." He kissed her on the forehead and left.

Hal showed up around 6PM. She was glad to see him. "I have missed seeing you around here." "I have missed being here, I have been busy with work." "I understand. I have been pretty busy here too." She knew he was avoiding her. They needed to avoid each other. She really did need to avoid him. She knew she had been developing feeling for him. Since he had been gone they had died down a little. Now was not the time to start something.

Saturday morning the day of the party. Stephanie was up and decorating. She had asked Ranger who was going to be Santa. He did not tell her other than it was covered. She would have to talk to an insider, Hector. She sent him a text. "Who is Santa?" He replied. "Don't know, but is not me." She giggled. She could not imagine Santa with a tear drop tat. If her most trusted source for info did not know, nobody did.

Ella helped her finish after she restocked the kitchen. The girls were going to shopping today and have their nails and hair done. Amanda met Lula and Stephanie at Macy's. Three hours later they were done. Amanda told them she would be there about 7PM at Rangeman.

Rangeman had gotten six kids off the Angel tree. Three boys and three girls. The gifts were to be delivered to the parents at the party.

Amanda arrived at 7PM and parked on the street. The party was on the second floor in the big conference room. Hal met her at the door, he walked her upstairs. She had bought a silver pantsuit. She paired it with black FMP's. "You look gorgeous this evening." Hal complemented her. "It was so cold I did not want to freeze my legs. You look handsome too. I love the suit." Hal was wearing a navy suit with a light blue shirt and cute Christmas tie with Rudolph on it.

Steph had outdone herself with Ella's help. Steph hugged Amanda "You look amazing. I am glad you came." "You look super too. The dress is so you. Any sign of Lester?" "None. You and Hal look good together." "That is going nowhere until I know where Lester and I stand. I want to stay with him. Hal is not going to be anymore than a friend for a long while."

Stephanie had gotten a red dress with long lace sleeves and gold accents, V neck front and hit just above her knees. She had found a pair of four inch gold FMP"S today at Macy's. They separated to mingle and get something to drink. Amanda talked briefly to Cal and Woody. Amanda had a snack. Someone announced that Santa had arrived.

He came in the room and made his way to his chair at the front. The kids all gathered around him. Each child told Santa what they wanted. Stephanie and Lula were going to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. When Steph went up to Santa she sat down. "Beautiful, what do you want for Christmas?" It was Lester. "I want my friend to be whole again with his wife." Not waiting for a reply she got up.