[BendtheBar]

how long do you take between reps?

I reset form and completely prepare myself mentally for the next rep. This can be as short as a blink of the eye, and possibly up to 2-3 seconds.

Is this cheating? Is this normal? Am I taking too long between reps or does it even matter?

Cheating would be something that would in effect cheat you of results. This most certainly won't do that. You are not allowing your body to fully recover between reps, and are accumulating fatigue.

Each deadlift rep should be performed only when form is reset and mental focus is there. This is no different than squats, or heavy benches for that matter. Sometimes on rep sets for these lifts I pause for a split seconds to get my head on straight.